You Don't See That Every Day

Dear God, Thank you. Thank You for a week of unscheduled time, for time off of school, and time at home. Thank You for the ways You bring us rest when we need it. Thank You for bringing our girl home safely from California. I know, I worried needlessly, but thank You for seeing me through it. Thank You for cell phones so I could hear her voice each night she was gone, and texts at various times. Thank You for the fun she had at her first time at Disneyland. Thank You for the terrific swim team she gets to be a part of and the great coaches that take such care of our kids. Thank You for the safe driving this last week as our girl started swim practices at 530 each morning, which meant being up early and driving to the pool before most people are even awake. Thank You for hearing the prayers for her to be alert and awake each morning when she drives. Thank You for the choir that my other girl gets to be involved with. She loves to sing and is so excited to be 'first soprano...

This time of year there is a lot of talk about turkeys, and oh, yeah being thankful for all we have. I have read numerous articles on how to help your children, or yourself, be thankful! But it really hit home for me this week. But first, a little of the back-story: two weeks ago I went in to the doctor for my first ever exam-for-women-who-are-over-40. You who are over 40 know what I'm talking about! That lovely machine that tries to squish parts of you into pancakes. The lady running the machine - mammographer I believe is her title - was super nice and relaxed, and just made it comfortable as possible. I left thinking, phew, done for a year. My week was cruising along nicely; I had vague plans as to what we would eat for Thanksgiving, along with thoughts about my son's upcoming birthday, crowding around the daily feed-them, get-them-where-they-need-to-be routine that fills my life. A week after I had my exam, the clinic called and asked to schedule another exam. My thou...

We had a leisurely morning at home, the 7 of us, then headed over to my brother's house an hour away. We actually made it early this year - a first time for us. Early enough to help in the kitchen! I'm the one in orange, peeling carrots. The kids played and waited for the feast. We had snacks out to keep us going - crackers, cheese, donut holes. The cousins re-met each other and seemed to enjoy each other; a number of spontaneous hugs happened between these two. And as I was holding the latest member of the family - the 3 month old - my little one was a wee bit green-eyed. She climbed up beside me and watched the baby. And then stuck out her arms to hold him! With a little help, she did, and certainly enjoyed it. The meal was consumed. Oof. My waist expanded; maybe because of the deeeelicious sweet potato-with-pecans casserole that my sister in law made. Oh, the second (or third was it?) helping made me longing for elastic waistband! And then there wa...

We're trying a new project this month, in honor of the Day of Giving Thanks. We cut out a bunch of leaves in various autumnal colors. And then scattered them on the table. (with verbal instructions on what to do) Everyone is able to write what they are thankful for on the leaves. We will do this up until Thanksgiving Day, when we will sit and read them. Or else we will read some each night for a few days after Thanksgiving. Because, really, we can be thankful any time, not just on a holiday. So far, the project is going well. Each day the younger girls ask, did anyone write on a leaf today? And I am pretty sure at least one of them is writing one 'thankful' note a day. Another new thing this week - I decided for the first time ever, to send a little note in my son's lunchbox. Just a little ray of sunshine, a note of encouragement, a 'hey kid!' kind of thing. And maybe just possibly it could be source of embarrassment,. NOT that I would wa...