Sunday, November 29, 2015

Thankful Thanksgiving!

I truly believe this.
Being Thankful every day takes practice.
It takes time to reflect on all the blessings in our lives.
Blessings can be hard things as well as fun things.
Thankful to God for ALL His blessings!
Thankful for yardwork!
Lots and lots of yardwork this November!
I am Thankful we had a pretty mild November and were able to get it all done!
Thankful for the cutest little raker. Ever. 
Thankful for wheelbarrow rides for little kids and older kids to give them!
 

Thankful for awesome November skies
Thankful for little helpers
and pooped out helpers! She was such a hard worker!! 
Thankful for fall campfires
(and sorry to smoke out our neighborhood, with kids that kept throwing in leaves!)


Thankful for new piano students!

And old sweatshirts!
My oldest son wore that when he was little! 
Thankful we still have littles, they are such a blessing to have.
Thankful we found this amazing new veggie mix, it stir fries up so good and tastes amazing!
Even my non veggie lover ate this!
(well one of them)
Thankful for fruit snack snacks!
Want to make a little kid happy?
Give them fruit snacks. 

Thankful for lots and lots of rain this November.
Thankful for a little snow...and deer! 
Thankful we got just enough snow to take out boots, mittens and face masks!
Thankful kids get excited about the smallest of things.
Thankful for beautiful pink sunsets....
Thankful for "Mom dates"!
In a busy family, it's so easy to forget to take time out to be with each child.
They need it so much.
They need to know they are special in their own special way and that I care. 
Thankful for piano competitions
Especially where you get to meet the composer, Dennis Alexander!
(and go out with your talented daughter for much needed time together afterward)
 

Thankful for surprise visits from good friends!
(Minnesota Mom) 
OK, she called me last Sunday morning, met us for Mass and had brunch with us afterward.
Don't worry, I put her to work! 
That's a lot of girls!
Thankful for the time we got to spend together.
 
Thankful for burrito assembly lines and kids learning how to cook!
 


Thankful for fancy "Elsa" dresses and old holey jeans!
(and a girl that will only wear a braid if she is "Elsa" for the day)
Thankful for cute little bull dog hats that instantly turn
little boys into bull dogs!

Thankful for kids that dress themselves....
You wanted a close up of our turkey, didn't you?
Thankful we've been putting this old turkey up for a really really long time! 


Thankful for a great fruit salad! (perfect for Thanksgiving)
Cranberry Fruit Salad
1 pkg fresh cranberries, chopped
(with a chopper)
1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained.
3 Braeburn apples chopped in medium chunks (I left the peeling on)
2 ribs of celery, chopped (with a chopper)
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 pkg dry sugar-free cherry-flavored jello packet
(dry, just sprinkle it in and stir)
 
Mix all the ingredients, cover and refrigerate overnight.
Keeps well for several days
 
 

Thankful for a new favorite Banana Bread recipe!
My friend Susan gave it to me! (it's her mama's recipe)
 The back says:
Make a mixture of cinnamon & sugar to put on top before baking
Bake 350 degrees for about an hour
 
BEST EVER!! 
 Thankful that Advent started today!
It's a time to listen, prepare our hearts for Jesus and to be Thankful always. 
Thankful there's no snow left!
(Don't worry, we're expecting snow tomorrow!)
 Thankful
for my faith,
My wonderful husband
for my beautiful children
for home, food, clothes and all we need.
 
 
 
 Thankful I've always got plenty to do, see this pile of books?
That's my correcting pile.
Usually I correct as I go, but somehow last week, I got behind and
have several days in each subject to correct.
(for each child)
 
Thankful blogging is just the distraction I needed!
Ha!
Happy first week of Advent!

7 comments:

  1. We have that fire pit too!

    Loved your "thankfuls" as always! Great to "see" Margaret again!

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  2. Great pictures of your sweet kids! We just sent the last of the grands home. Toys put away, sippy cups and bottles back in the cabinet, high chair back in the laundry room. The house sure is quiet! Ready to do it again in a few weeks? You bet!

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  3. Oh Jamie....such a lovely post.
    I love sharing your days with you and your beautiful children.
    Your vocation to motherhood is an inspiration to me!
    And your faith!!!!!
    Have a wonderful first week of advent!

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  4. Wow - your kids are sure growing up. You have had a great month with much to be thankful for! May you and your family have a blessed Christmas season!

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  5. I love how much your kids help out -- especially cooking!

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  6. I always love your thankful posts. You are so good at reminding your readers to see all the little things to be thankful for and smile about. You have a beautiful family and a beautiful spirit.

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  7. I'm thankful for your blog! God bless you and your family this Advent ... and always! :)

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Thank you so much for stopping and commenting!