Are you Thankful?

The Thanksgiving holiday is one of my favorites...my birthday, food, family, friends and lots of fun. But, originally, it was meant to be a day to pause and give thanks to God. Unfortunately, for many, including myself, thanksgiving is more of a one-day holiday than a way of life. I don't know about you, but I've been blessed beyond comprehension, and even in the unwelcome moments of life, I have so much to be thankful for. What would it look like if I ONLY spoke words of gratitude the entire week of Thanksgiving? If I went so far as to look at a pile of laundered clothes that awaits my folding and putting up, a task I normally hate, and instead think and speak out loud, “God, thank you for these clothes." When my daughter voicing her grumpiness, “God, thank you that she has a voice that works and you are shaping her own unique personality.” Or when my son is voicing his opinion, that does not coincide with my opinion, "God let me be thankful that my son is growing up into a fine young man with ideas and thoughts of his own." If every time I see a person this week, I tell them why I am thankful to God they are in my life. So, starting this morning and going through this Sunday evening, I'm challenging myself to live an entire week full of thanksgiving. How about you? Are you up for being Thankful?
Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.
(Ephesians 5:4 ESV)

This week was the half way mark of Grayson's second 9 weeks of school. Yes, I know, it's over already. This was a Farm Inquiry that they worked on this 9 weeks. It included a field trip to a local farm (see one of the previous post for that trip), how to grow strawberries and cotton, and also how to take care of chickens (thats the animal they picked). You can see Grayson's shadow box that he made in the above photos. We painted it red and he made a roof out of popsicle sticks and a straw nest with eggs. They also read the book "Stone Soup" last week. So everyone brought one item to class and they made "Stone Soup" for the parents on Friday. It was basically vegetable soup and not to bad, but the kids hardly touched it. They kept looking in their bowls and saying it had TOO MANY vegetables. Too funny. All in all it was a fun afternoon. The kids enjoyed showing us all of their projects and we got to take them home about a half hour early.
"I have come so that they might have life, and have it to the fullest." John 10:10

Christmas Card Photos

There are so many things I would rather do early in the morning, such as root canal, mammogram, or maybe some shots, than take my children to the photographer. Uuuhhhggg. The girl taking the pictures was awful and extremely slow. You have a short, very short, window of opportunity with Finley. Needless to say we missed part of that window. We did get a few good shots, surprisingly. I love 'em no matter. Bad photographs and all.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful." Psalm 139:14

Just Because

These are just because I can rarely get both kids to sit still at the same time. Shocking isn't it.
"...You who have done great things..." Psalm 71:19

There's a new Park in Town!!

There is a new park in Wilmington. Some of our friends just moved to the neighborhood and told me we had to go see this new park. It is like something out of the future. It has gravity induced chairs that spin when you sit in them as well as the merry-go-round. Very Cool!!
"Blessings crown the head of the righteous..." Proverbs 10:6

Can YOU do the Chicken Dance?

This is a video of the Chicken Dance that the kids did on Tuesday night at the skating rink at Grayson's friend, Reilly's birthday party. Sorry it is so shaky, I was on roller skates at the time. Gee, I wonder who he gets his dancing ability from?

"Rejoice before God and be happy and joyful." Psalm 68:3

The Roller Rink on a school night?

One of Grayson's friends from school invited him to a birthday party at the skating rink. He had never been skating before, so I decided to take him, even though it was a school night. What fun we had. There were several kids and parents there that we knew from school. But the only adults that skated were me, Mollie (Megan's Mom) and my friend, Helena (Lucas's mom). And no, nobody broke a leg or any other appendage. Those little kids are dangerous, however, whizzing by you at the speed of light and either falling close to you or bumping into you on the way by. Grayson is ready to return and could not believe that all of us moms could skate so well. Happy Birthday Reilly, we had a great time.

"May God bless you and keep you..." Numbers 6:24

Our Neighbor Desha

Our funny little next-door-neighbor turned 6 on Tuesday. How we remembered that it was on Tuesday was she reminded us EVERY day for the last week and several times on Monday. There was an afternoon party at her house with stamping and painting your own treat sack and party hat. A full size dress up paper doll named Desha. They played this game with a blindfold, like "Pin the Tail on the Donkey" and placed clothing articles over the life size paper doll. How cute! That Kathy (Desha's mom) is so creative. Also they played dress up with lots of old Halloween costumes, face paint and other dress up clothes. Grayson came home happy and all hyped up on sugar, popcorn and juice. Happy Birthday Desha. What a wonderful little neighbor Grayson has been blessed with.

"God saw all that he had made,... and it very was good." Genesis 1:31

Codington Fall Festival

Grayson's school had their Fall Festival last Saturday. There was so much stuff to do. Bouncy houses, Firetrucks, cotton candy, hot dogs, hay rides, bowling, and soccer, which was Grayson's favorite. We stayed about 2 hours (all that I could take)until they called out the winners for the classroom baskets. Sadly, we did not win one. Oh, well, maybe next year.
"But thier trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment." 1 Timothy 6:17

Wild Things in Room 202

Grayson had his Kindergarten Fall Party (or as we old timers like to call it, a Halloween Party) at school on Friday. All parents and siblings were invited. They made a couple of crafts, had a "Wild Things" parade with costumes they had made earlier in the week. "Where the Wild Things Are" was their theme book this week. While the kids were stomping up and down the halls, about 7 or 8 moms stayed behind in the classroom to fix everyone a plate of treats and a juice box. When the "Wild Things" came back to the room, the wild rumpus began. Talking, laughing, eating and making a mess, what a way to round out a holiday week.

"Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." Psalm 150:6