New Years Eve Past

Food, 'celebrative' spirit in the air, 3-2-1 "Happy New Year!" The ball dropped and with great excitement and tremendous love, they kissed and then toasted one another and me too (they didn't leave me out, I felt so important and part of the event with my very own sparkling soda in a champagne glass of my own!). Oh how special the memory of my first New Years Eve of remembrance.

The man and woman my eyes watched embrace and my heart feels warmth in remembering are my mom's parents. It was the first New Years I recall watching the festivities of Times Square and the most exciting of New Years experienced until the year of 2006.

Many the New Years between that first of my memory until the one which welcomed 2007 but I must say they are hard ones to recall for they never held the splendor of that first and the one in 2006.

The event in 2006, I will always cherish for on that evening David and I celebrated the event at a friend's home along with our little Hayden. David and I had great apprehension about attending said event with the little man but much to our pleasure he enjoyed the festive environment along with us; he was of jolly spirit taking in all of the action all the way until the ball dropped on Times Square. As soon as the toasting began his little head landed on his Daddy's shoulder and he was fast asleep!

***

Thanksgiving for years past filled with memories and prayers for peace, love and guidance in the year ahead.

Traditional Melodies

Christmas carols bring such joy to my holiday, especially 'Oh Holy Night' for I can't hear it and not think of my Papaw Tom belting out just that one line every Christmas Eve, I love to hear the melodies every season and even some times in the middle of the year.

Tonight as I think of the traditional songs I have an idea to add another traditional song to my normal Christmas listening...the "Happy Birthday" song! for Christmas is the birth of Jesus!

As I serve the first Christmas dinner at my home I will place a birthday candle in the dessert pie and we will sing "Happy Birthday to Jesus!"

***

Thanksgiving for 31 years of Christmas Eve memories flooding my mind as I type this Eve. I am SUCH a BLESSED girl, daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin, friend, neighbor, wife and mother!

Merry Christmas to one and Merry CHRISTmas to ALL and to All a Blessed Night!

Song Lyrics...

As referred to in previous post...here are the lyrics to the song I asked you to listen to (Class of 1999-Wear Sunscreen)


Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99 If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now. Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you imagine. Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday. Do one thing everyday that scares you Sing Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours. Floss Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself. Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how. Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements. Stretch Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t. Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone. Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either – your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.. Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room. Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them. Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly. Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future. Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young. Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel. Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders. Respect your elders. Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out. Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85. Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth. But trust me on the sunscreen…

Don't Forget the Reindeer!

We always remember to put out cookies and milk for Santa, but this year we're remembering the hard working reindeer!

A special blend of oats, sugar, cinnamon, sprinkles and a splash of glitter!

Oh what fun it is to create magical things!

As Adelyn explores the world of finger foods, Hayden can't help but want to do the same. Here they are enjoying zwieback toast together! Yummy!

***

Thanksgiving for the wonder of children for it renews the spirit!

Quote for Women

I, you may have also, received the following quote via email and thought it worthy of posting:

“Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit.”

***

Thanksgiving for the power of women by the grace of God.

Holiday Rest (Poem)

Christmas time is in the air,
I feel it in my bones.
My poor back aches and my feet are sore.
I just can't shop anymore.

I've shopped for days for the perfect gifts.
Our money is running low.
I'll give them one of my charge cards with ease
And say "Charge it, if you please."

I know I'm supposed to bake goodies.
The recipes I've all got.
I stayed up late and tried to bake,
But goodies, they are not!

The cookies are too hard, the fudge didn't set.
Things aren't turning out well.
I'd sneak and buy them at the store
If the kids just wouldn't tell.

There are programs galore at the church, at the school.
So many things to see.
If I didn't check my calendar
I wouldn't know where to be.

They say people suffer depression
When Christmas season is done.
For me, I'll sigh a breath of relief
'Cause that's when it begins to be fun.

Maybe then I'll have time to read Christmas cards,
Watch missed Christmas shows on the VCR
I'll count all my blessings for I know I am blessed -
I've made it through Christmas and now I can rest!!

Sherry Walden
Christmas 1991 - after a particularly hard week during the Christmas season of shopping, baking, Christmas programs, etc.

***
As the song lyrics state, "you're going to miss this"...my mother-in-law shared this poem with me as she laughed remembering the hectic time with three teens in the home, church, work and Christmas.

Thanksgiving for sharing and family!

Pass the Biter Biscuit

Adelyn enjoyed her first biter biscuit...

"What's that you have Sister?"

...and Hayden decided he needed to try one too!

***

Thanksgiving for first stage finger foods!

Got Beans?!

Just when you had to be thinking that I had posted all I could possibly post about 'fun with BEANS'...Adelyn got involved! She LOVED feeling them and as you can see, and hear, Hayden still enjoys them - he's seeing how they smash and fly around the kitchen! (Disclaimer: WATCH little ones for they go straight for their mouth!)

***

Thanksgiving for cheap beans!

Christmas Joy Begins

I'm thrilled to look at my 'to-do' list and be able to check off a few items...

1. Hayden hair cut - CHECK
2. Packages mailed - CHECK
3. Christmas cards mailed - CHECK
4. Fudge batch one of two made - CHECK
5. and the biggest blessing of all...Christmas baking fun officially begun with the WHOLE family involved!

As we watched my favorite tv show, "Little People, Big World," David's eyes lit up as he remembered a cherished childhood Christmas tradition...green Christmas tree cookies made special by his Mommy!

How excited I was to be given the cherished recipe and even more enthused to find all of the ingredients and a never used cookie press in my cabinets!

I share with you pictures from our first ever Christmas baking extravaganza:

(Funny Note: the mixer burnt up shortly after this picture! *grin*)

***

Blessings for baking joy, family fun and traditions begun! Thank you to my wonderful husband for figuring out the cookie press (I'm too A-D-D when it comes to reading such instructions) and being just as involved as Hayden and I!

Remembering My Grandmother

“MMMMYELLO”… (her Hello greeting always sounded the same) Our phone conversations would begin…countless are the times I have taken advantage of the ability to pick up my phone and share a tale and hear her voice. Over the past two and a half years, I have taken more advantage of said phone conversations in which I would mention my most recent juggle of motherhood, comment on the sleepless nights, discuss feeding and nap issues…you name it and her response every time would be, “Jessie Pooh, I wouldn’t want to do that again for anything!” all said with a deep chuckle!





I recall my childhood…how I enjoyed spending weekends with my Mama and Papa Shabdue all the way in Charleston! For me it was quite a journey from home but always an exciting one. On most occasions the weekend would begin at Dairy Queen in Hurricane for that was the half-way meeting point between my home and theirs. Oh how excited I would be to see their car wheel in to the parking lot! We’d have a lunch together and then off to The Village we would go! I recall going on a great community watch adventure in which Mama packed snacks and hot cocoa and off we went to cruise The Village looking for crime! … I recall ringing in the New Year at her home and will always remember the ball dropping on Time Square and Mama and Papa immediately sharing a blissful smooch and smiling toast. … I also remember Sunday Mornings at Rock Lake Church; I always looked forward to juice and donuts in the fellowship area following service and still feel warmth of friendship like I’ve never felt before. … We shared in many adventures and countless trips to Little Creek Park…but ALWAYS we made a trip to the Donut Shop to pick up a fresh dozen of goodies and ALWAYS we made a pilgrimage over the Dunbar bridge to Murphy’s Mart where I was allowed one new toy and usually a new pair of shoes!...the legend is told that unbeknownst to my mother, I arrived one weekend and simply stated to Mama that “my mommy said I need a new pair of shoes!” Mama filled this request with joy, for it was then that she passed on her fetish for shoes and much later in my life purchased my wedding shoes.

In the quiet time sitting with Mama I was always drawn to her beautiful hands. I will never forget her fingernails; I would sit for hours holding her hands, stroking her soft skin, fascinated by her long natural nails that were as strong as horse hooves and intrigued by the soft tip of her finger sheltered by the nail. While admiring her hands I was always intrigued with her rings and would ask her every time, even doing so just a month or so ago, to tell me the story behind each gem.



In recent years, my memories include priceless conversations that Mama and I would share. I cherish her wisdom and insight to what life was like before my time; for we would sit for hours and talk about her childhood; the pride she felt being chosen to start the one room school house’s stove long before class began, the mischief she would get into such as defying her teacher’s request to spit out chewing gum... We would carry on passionate conversation about the lack of communication in the current generation. She shared with me how she felt the television has crippled the fundamental need to communicate and be together with others. I listened to her tales of old about how neighbors turned to life-long friendship through interaction out in the yard. How she and Papa developed and nurtured bonds with many of you here with toasts at New Years, card games and simply caring for one another.

When I think of Mama (and Papa) I immediately think of The Village. For their home was not just the house that sits on East Village Drive, her HOME was THE Village. It’s a concept my generation doesn’t understand, Mama couldn’t understand why new neighbors were never seen and wouldn’t share even a simple wave. Though these situations ruffled her, Mama so enjoyed sitting on her front porch watching people go by and was so blessed by the friends that would stop by. Thank you to all of you that would stop to talk for a minute when you went by for your doing so brought joy to her day.




“Sundays are the hardest days, I don’t know why, they aren’t any different from any other day of the week, but they are the days I feel most lonely,” Mama said to me on many occasions following Papa’s passing. Maybe it is most fitting that we are gathered here this afternoon, this SUNDAY, in her honor, celebrating her, together.

Dorothy, Dottie, Dot, Wildcat, Daughter, Wife, Mother, Grandma, Great-Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin, In-law, Bridge Partner, Genealogy Buddy, Sunday Lady, Neighbor,…Friend…she was many things to many people and to me she was My Mama.

Mama, I thank you for the countless memories…for showing me what it means to truly be a grandparent for by your doing so I know just how important a grandparent’s love and support shapes a child. Thank you. I Love you!

***

Thanksgiving for the love of a fantastic grandmother!
Blessings extend beyond description for the life of my Mama and the amazing work of the Lord in her passing days.

Can't Say It Any Better

For my post today - I ask you to scroll down to the bottom of this page to my music Playlist, scroll through it to find "Wear Sunscreen--Class of 1999", click on it and then sit back and just truly listen to the words expressed. I can't say it any better than this song already lays out.

***

Thanksgiving for the beautiful sun that brings us serotonin, Vitamin D and countless other blessings...but all the same...thanksgiving for Sunscreen! Wear It!

Need I Say More...

This afternoon I was "THAT Woman" with "THOSE Children!" ... Need I say more? The answer is no, but I will expound for the humor of it all! *ha,ha,ha---or more appropriate, ho, ho, ho!*


Picture this...after making my listS (you know, one list of what you are after, another of the stores you plan to find the items and another of who you are shopping for...everyone makes as many lists about lists as I do, right?!?) and checking them twice (about a million and a half times actually) I feel prepared to venture out into the shopping world in effort to check off at least 95% of my 'still need to find & buy' items.


I clear the first hurdle wonderfully, the kids and myself are dressed, seated in the car and in good cheer for shopping. We arrive at the mall and magically find a first-space spot to park!


With said listS (and coupons) in hand, all 4'11" of me pulls the massive double stroller from the truck, buckle the kids in for the ride (Hayden armed with sandwich and chips, Adelyn will full milk belly) and head into the mall; second hurdle cleared!


Our first stop proves to be a success...check off an item and breeze on to the next stop.


Next stop, a bust...destined item not on sale as thought...but all still in good cheer and ready to Roll On ~ visual side-bar: 4'11" momma pushing double stroller that is at least 3' in length rolling in front of her, little momma must PUSH with full backside in action to maneuver and SWING the riding contraption around the crammed aisles and people.


Third store on the adventure proves to have one item that will qualify as a sought after gift and another item that trumps a previously purchased item (the reason I hate shopping in the stores, I always find "just one more thing" or "maybe this is a better something")...success...???...Not So Fast!...Said finds must be paid for and the retail establishment I've entered is notorious for LONG lines on a non-holiday Wednesday when there isn't much action...so...I circle the 3 possible registers a few times and decide to 'go for it' and pull my 'short bus' in to the line. When the wheels stop rolling, Addy starts whining. Of course, there is a price check at the register and we have another customer behind the one in question. Behind me a line of senior citizens builds. In the stroller little Hayden begins to get restless. One minute and counting until I place my items on the register, Hayden breaks down and we are a bus full of screaming that everyone in the store can hear and can't help but glare. I keep my cool, flash 'the mothering eye' at Hayden and even chuckle a comment to the lady behind me, "Isn't it fitting and nice to hear the Christmas music?" *grin with gritted teeth* She reassures me that the commotion doesn't bother her, she's a retired teacher and had 8 siblings, crying/screaming children are nothing new to her! ... I pay the cashier and she graciously wishes me well as I pull off with the noisy crew. So third base took us to home!

We leave the store and I pack up the kids in the car, Hayden in trouble and not given the privilege of a movie or treat of 'chews.' As I ponder how long his punishment should last for his behavior I look back to see that he has completely passed out in his seat. Poor little fellow, crashed out. I don't know that he was all that tired for he rarely naps but the good Lord knew that this momma needed the break and so did Mr. Hayden.

So...It's not surprising, it's nothing new, you see it all the time...especially at Christmas. But today, it was myself and my children, little angels and again restated, children. Oh what fun, the shopping and listing and crying! *grin*

***

Thanksgiving that two items are now checked off of my endless shopping list! Always blessings for healthy children who remind me that they are children.

Little Things

Believe it or not...I've found yet another way to entertain with the same bags of dry beans!

One of Hayden's favorite things to do is dig in the dirt so I've found a way to bring that enjoyment indoors. I poured two bags in to two cake pans and wallah, Mr. Hayden had a blast getting to "DEIIG" (as he says it) in our kitchen floor!

Another feat around the house, I cleaned out the floor of Hayden's closet (it still has some of David's things in it for we are still transitioning and making the most of all of the spare space in our little house) and placed a 4-tier storage shelving unit in it for hide-away toy storage!

The tier unit was purchased at Aldi for an unbelievable $29.99 deal!!! (Thank you Mom for picking it up for us!) and the idea to place the monstrosity in the closet is a copy-cat idea I picked up while visiting Melissa in TN.

I'm so excited with the organization, clean-up and change that I can feel myself breathing better and smiling from ear to ear! ~ it truly is the little things!

A side-note picture to share...you know that Hayden has learned MANY things from his Pa...well, looks like Adelyn will be no different for she has had her first lesson in shooting bow and arrow! *grin*

***

Thanksgiving for little updates around the house that make me feel like I'm making progress in my job!

Beans and Stuff

The trusty beans came in handy again this weekend! Hayden created a few more ornaments and a magnet to continue our crafting with them.

When the creative juices wore thin he found enthusiasm in pouring them through a funnel and in to his work stool, etc. It's amazing what a little ingenuity and a fierce need for activity will do!

Just when I felt I had Christmas shopping under control, I realize my favorite find of the season is one that will take 12-14 days to leave the shipping warehouse...take a look at the calendar...UGH! Now what?! Order anyway and have no gift if it isn't in or resort to searching for something else?!?! UGH! Now I'm feeling stress! UGH! ... And all I want to do is relax, bake cookies and enjoy the reason for the season!

At least I got the kids posed and created the annual Christmas card this evening. Now I await their arrival date and will race to get them addressed and sent in time! Again, I thought I was ahead of the stress this year!

In the stress of the holiday shopping list making frenzy, I capture Miss Adelyn with panther......and I recall the reason for the season. ... but I'm still stressed!

***

Thanksgiving for beans, moments of joy and the true Reason for the Season!

Little Blessings

I bring to you a few little blessings from my day...

• I start with a recent picture of my little ones which are for sure little blessings for me every day...
  
• Next, little Adelyn and her soothing thumb...
  ...I'm so thrilled and blessed that she enjoys regular, routine naps and is able to go to sleep on her own!
• A HUGE blessing to mention from the day, one that I don't have a picture to go along with, but one brought to me from the Lord above...Hayden took a nap in the afternoon!!! I really needed some down time and the Lord knew it for He answered my short, "Lord, I pray that Hayden takes a nap as he watches Diego and I take a shower," prayer. (A huge blessing in the afternoon but one that bites in the night when he won't go down at 9pm...hummm...but regardless, a blessing since I really needed the break earlier in the day.)
• I follow up with a crafty blessing...
  ...those same inexpensive, life-saving, activity, beans came through post-nap creating a fun craft project. Hayden and I created two ornaments and one "MAAAGnet."
• I complete my list with a little clean-sweep project that involves my intimate blessing, my 'can-do-anything,' always precise, projecting husband; David hung a memo-board key holder in our kitchen and the change really created a story for Hayden to tell ("Daddy made a HOLE and HANG, KEY" ~ remember, Hayden is delayed in his speech so these little fragments and word attempts are HUGE in our house!), cleaned up some necessary clutter, and is enough of a scenery change for me to really feel like there has been an improvement made to the area of our house needing the most TLC.
• WAIT...just as I'm about to hit 'Publish' on this post, I hear a HUGE blessing occurring...oh my! Hayden just cleaned up his "MESS" in the living room floor!! A boy after his momma's heart! *grin*

***

Thanksgiving for the gift of recounting blessings in the every day.

Winter Day

What do you do inside on a cold, dreary winter day when all of the toys in the house are old news and nothing but orneriness is coming out of your kids? ...

...You break out a bag or two of beans!!!

Add a few different sized bowls, a few spoons and spatulas and wallah! Instant fun for a few hours, if you are lucky!

***

Thanksgiving to my dear friend Jamie who gave me the fantastic idea and always has a listening ear!

Better Hayden-isms

I posted a few days ago, after a prompting from Jamie, about 'Hayden's Quirks'...well, after a little thought, I came up with better ones...so here they are:

1. When David arrives home, each evening, Hayden pleads..."Daddy, Wanna go HIGH!" - which means, 'Daddy, throw me up so that I go above the beams in the living room!'
2. When he runs, he cocks his head to the left, puts his arms up and swivels his legs in such a way that I'm reminded of cartoon figures whose legs go in a circular motion instead of one leg in front of the other.
3. "Rummm, Rummm" translates to 'motorcycle.'
4. Thanks to the teaching of his Daddy, Hayden knows the flow of food..."in my mouth, down to my belly and then pooop and peeeee!"
5. Speaking of poo..."it STINKS" - with a wave of twinkle fingers at his nose.
6. Thanks to the teaching of his Pa, Hayden knows how to 'call in woodpeckers.'
7. Thanks go the simple fact that he is 'all boy,' all items in the house are given the test of gravity. Hayden exclaims, "HIGH" and launches everything in the air.

OK - so I think those items are a little more creative in response to the task given.

***

Thanksgiving always for the joy little Hayden brings to my life each day!

Invisible Mother

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask me a question.

Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not.

No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible.

The invisible Mom.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated sum a cum laude - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going; she's going; she is gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England ... Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in.

I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well.

It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself.

I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.'

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe.

I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place.

It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my ownself-centered-ness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on.

The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My Mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'you're gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

***

I received this from a dear friend, possibly you also received it in a chain forward, as I sit and take in the words a few more times over, I send it out for you to ponder as well.

***
Much thanksgiving to my 'invisible mother!'

Hayden's Quirks

As 'tagged' by Jamie in her post (see "Our Life 500 Miles Away" blog)...here are Hayden's 7 Quirks:

1. He squeals with excitement to notice when something is out of place.
2. He races to the garage to get the "STOOOOL" to reach up "HIGH."
3. He lines things up in rows.
4. He puts like things together...like hanging all like bulbs on the same branch of our Christmas tree.
5. He eagerly sweeps the kitchen floor after crafting and making a mess (let's hope this doesn't pass as he gets older).
6. He lets me clean up his nose only after I explain that I'll let him see it!
7. He gets upset if I start the washing machine without his assistance.

OK...So he's a little OCD and very much in to following and helping his Momma!

***

Thanksgiving for my little helper!

The Reveal

Well...here it is...my first glass masterpiece! *grin*





***

Thanksgiving for a fun experience!

A Season of Change

It's a new season outdoors, for we have experienced the first glistening snowfall that covered the land in a white blanket and icy road conditions that caused drivers to recall their insurance coverage and find thanksgiving in the local tow service.

It's a new season indoors at our home, for we have trimmed our tree (notice that Hayden hung like bulbs on the same limb...),

hung stockings on the mantle (these gorgeous stockings are the hand-made creation of my Mimi...there is one being designed for Adelyn too),

and scattered snowmen and nativity pieces throughout the house.

~ NOTE: David and I don't typically carry out this tradition until the calendar flips to December, but Mr. Hayden created an excitement within us to do so even before Thanksgiving (even though I'm posting this post-Turkey day). ... Hayden became thoroughly amused with cousin Christy's beautiful tree last week, hence the prompting to put ours up. ~

It is a new season within my heart, for I have now arrived at a season I've heard so much about...the season of being a parent and watching the magic of Christmas beam in the eyes of your child.

It's a new season of love and admiration for my spouse. I am thoroughly delighted to watch David interact with Hayden. ~NOTE: After seeing a 'CHOO,' as Hayden calls a train, in Christy's tree, we of course had to find one for ourselves! David searched every store in town to find one to fit our need. Mr. Hayden becomes Mr. Conductor with a remote to start and stop the locomotive under our tree!~

***

Thanksgiving and blessings mount like snowflakes in this season of thanks and joy!

Among countless other blessings...I'm so thankful for David turning on Christmas music as we trimmed the tree, thankful for the wonder of my child experiencing the season with innocent eyes and welcoming heart, thankful for Jesus as we share the good news of his birth!

BLOW Momma!

I'm so excited to post about our latest adventure...Hayden, Adelyn, Mom (AKA Nana) and I visited a local glass factory. Not only did we visit but because we had connections, we had a behind the scenes, special attention, hands-on tour! Check this out... ...that's me blowing glass!!! And this...

...is 'our connection' placing my blown piece in the 'glory hole' turning it from a blown bulb in to a vase! The owner of the shop said the vase is mine, for free! - I'll post a picture of it when I get it in hand, it had to cool at the shop.

Not only did we tour the shop, I blow glass and I receive a vase...'our connection' made me a one of a kind, miniature snowman!!! He (our connection) is THE snowman designer for a world known glass factory also located in town.

AWESOME! What a neat experience!

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Thanksgiving for a fun adventure!

Where's the Praise?

Driving down the highway I passed a gas sign that read $2.09 for unleaded and immediately thought...wow, I sure haven't heard praise for the decrease but man, oh man did I hear news story after news story and complaint after complaint when it was on the increase!

If you haven't already, look at someone today and comment on how wonderful it is that the price of gas has gone down!!! ;)

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Thanksgiving for thinking about the importance of praise ~ it doesn't come naturally, as complaining does, so stop and make the effort to change human behavior!

Adelyn's First Solid Food

Yummy!
Adelyn enjoyed her first sit in the highchair and tastes of oatmeal cereal!

Thumb Sucker

It's official...we have a thumb sucker in our house!


...
Yesterday evening Adelyn took a long snooze in her big brother's bed!

At least someone is making use of the bed!

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Thanksgiving for God's natural pacifier!