Halloween

Sorry, no sunsets today. I'm taking a break from Tami's Photography Challenge to post yesterday's happenings instead.

We were invaded by a candy-hungry crowd including a pirate, Heidi, a knight, Bob the Builder and Snow White. They were wild. I'm exhausted. And with the loot they brought in we are looking at a three month sugar high at least. 

Or maybe we will donate their loot to the troops, save our teeth and see if we can go longer than a month between dentist visits. Seriously, our dentist has gotten to know me too well over the last 4 months. There has been talk of naming a wing after me, or at least a chair. This is something I'd rather avoid. 

Unfortunately, I don't think Hubs will let me give up the loot that easily. He walked over a mile last night to earn his cut. He has a bucket labeled "Dad's Stash" and has warned us all their will be a penalty for stealing from it. 

As for me, I will spend the next month trying not to eat the candy as well as taking on the responsibility of rationing the sweets, adding the title "Keeper of the Candy" to my already too long list. 

Ah, the Joys of Halloween.

I'm being sarcastic.

Happy November 1st. :)

Giving Thanks for Choices

"Boys, before we head home, we're going to thank Jesus for all this food. You know why? Because we have choices about what to eat! Many children won't get even one meal today. We have several kinds of cereals and soups. We have sandwiches and crackers. We even have some cookies and juice. Let's say thank you to Jesus."

-taken from Growing Grateful Kids by Susie Larson

Why is it so easy for me to focus on what I don't have? I look at my closet of clothes and feel I have nothing to wear. I look in our pantry of food and feel I have nothing to eat. I look at my furnished, roomy home and feel it is lacking. I look at my relationships and feel I/they fall short.

And yet, if I follow the promptings of His Spirit in me, and give thanks for the choice of what to wear and eat, for a warm, roomy home filled with people who love I am reminded of what I have. What He has given me to steward.

He has made me rich indeed.

Gratitude is a daily, minute-by-minute choice. One that leads to contentment and thanksgiving, and turns my focus back to the Gift-Giver. Away from my wants and myself.

It reminds me to give freely because I have been given much.

But oh how I struggle to stay grateful and content.

I love that we celebrate a holiday focused on thanksgiving. I need the reminder in a big way. This week many will be focusing on the gifts that have already been received and giving thanks.

Today I'm giving thanks for choices, what about you?

Trick or Treat!

A Recap

For family, and anyone else who might be interested, allow me to present a Halloween recap:

On Friday we attended the Halloween party in Mya's classroom. The boys were thrilled to be there. Really.

Just as Sean was ready to loose it, it was time to go home. I had the privilege of carrying a thrashing little boy (who wanted to walk by himself through a crowded parking lot), encouraging two big boys to stay close, and talking a little girl out of crying because she was being asked to walk through grass in the rain. It was wonderful mommy/kid bonding time. Did I mention it was raining? Really.

For Halloween this year we had three puppies and one kitty. A huge thanks goes out to Aunt Leslie for helping put the costumes together. I think they turned out rather good. Really!

After bringing home way too much candy, Mya waited patiently in front of the door just waiting for trick or treaters to come so she could fill their bags with candy. I think this is her favorite part of trick or treating. Really.

Now comes the job of monitoring their candy in-take until the monster stash is gone. Including the more difficult job of monitoring my candy in-take. Sigh. Really.

That Night There were Shepherds...

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!

And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.

After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

Luke 2:8-20 (NLT)

An Unexpected Gift

This year we started a new tradition. We had our kids exchange names and "buy" a gift for each other. Last night we exchanged those gifts.

They were excited. Excited to open presents, yes. But also excited to watch their siblings open their presents. It was fun to watch!

Kory and I exchanged presents too.

Mine came in a big, microwave sized box. Which contained a smaller box, which contained a smaller box. (I remember watching my mom open similar presents from my dad.) I love what he got me - Kory is a great gift-giver. Because of the packaging, the actual gift was unexpected. It got me thinking...

So much of the Christmas story is unexpected.

A virgin girl gave birth to the Lord of Hosts. What must she have felt when the angel came to her? What was it like to hold the baby Jesus? What was it like to look into his eyes? God as a baby! What was it like?

Shepherds were the first to know. Poor, stinky shepherds out in a field! What was it like to see the angels singing, "Glory to God in the Highest!" What did they feel as they went to find the baby? when they saw him? What was it like?

Wise men traveled from afar. Foreigners bringing expensive gifts to a little, unknown Jewish boy. Why did they follow the star? What did they think they would find? What did they think when they found him? What was it like?

God giving the best gift ever given - his son. Jesus, leaving the glory of heaven to be born as a man. What was it like to bow down and worship him that first Christmas morning? To reach out and touch the hand of a baby who would save your soul. What was it like?

An unexpected story written by a God who loves us infinitely.

May you experience the wonder of the Christmas story this season.

May you be blessed with unexpected gifts in unlikely packages.

May you experience joy as we celebrate the birth of Jesus - the one who changed everything!

Merry Christmas everyone.

Happy Birthday Jesus.

The Results...

Thanksgiving went well.

That trash-talking "red mound of holiday meat" never knew what hit it.

But we did.

And it was delicious.

Kory likes to think it was the carving that made the bird taste so good.

I like to let him think that. ;)

Watch out Turkey!

Thursday is Thanksgiving.

Its a big day. It will be the first time I host Thanksgiving at my own home. It will also be the first time I roast a turkey.

I am a little intimidated.

Check out that red mound of holiday meat. I can hear it trash talking from the garage refrigerator. It taunts me as it slowly thaws.

"You better have plenty of gravy cause I'm gonna be one dry bird."

"You better have lunch and dinner plans cause I ain't gonna be ready til Friday."

"Your momma..."

Enough.

Better watch yourself turkey, your days are numbered. Taunt me if you wish, it ain't gonna change the outcome. I'm gonna roast you like there's no tomorrow...

Yum, Yum!

Trick or Treat

The queen (aka big sister) led the way as her cowboy brothers followed behind. One cowboy dragged way behind as the trick or treating wore on. Dad was a little unsure he would actually make it home, but he did with a pumpkin basket laden with sweet treats.

Our sweet little puppy dog made the rounds being pushed by Dad in the stroller while Mom sat outside reading a book (interrupted periodically by trick or treaters).

A good time was had by all.

Traditions on the 4th of July

Tradition. I can't say (or type) that word without a musical refrain from Fiddler on the Roof popping up in my brain (if you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about).

Our 4th of July is full of them.

Every year the extended family congregates at my parents house. We swim in the afternoon, eat dinner in the barn and stay for fireworks. At some point the boys head out to the field to play baseball with a tennis ball (after all, it's tradition).

The fireworks show is provided by a local lake which we can see from my parents home. We all climb up on the roof of the house (at least the younger members of the family do) for a better view, and belt out patriotic songs as the fireworks fill the sky.

And, every year we have a few traditional conversations.

Before the fireworks actually start we worry that the trees have grown too high (between us and the lake) and we won't be able to see the fireworks.

And

During the fireworks we always think the "grand finale" has just happened. Words like "Oh, this has to be the grand finale." are heard only to be answered back with more fireworks.

Some things never get old - 4th of July traditions being one of them!

I hope you all had a Happy 4th! What are some of your favorite traditions?