Over Already

Wow, November is over already? I can't believe it. But before I get to my daily postings of all the fun to come in December, I feel I need to wrap up November and share some of things I didn't get around to posting.

Abigail and I made it one of Clay's wrestling meets.

The girls and I went to see Michayla in her school Thanksgiving program.

At Abigail's school, all the first grade classes made floats and paraded up and down the hall for all the other students. Abigail's float was a winter wonderland scene. Then, the 2nd and 1st grade classes made a stone soup and invited parents to come and eat lunch with them. It was such a fun day at her school.

There were many nice days that we enjoyed playing outside throughout the month. I love this picture. Jake always climbs right up on the play equipment too, he has to see what the girls are doing.

We had a great visit with Jason's mom. She spoiled us while she was here, thanks for everything Bev. She took the girls to see a movie, we went into Kuna to see Santa and a live nativity scene and looked through the shops that were open late, we went downtown to the look through the Boise Co-op (it's been a long time since I'd been there, Jason loved the beer selection), ate lunch at the Beanery and walked through the Saturday market.

It was also this month that our outdoor dog got his own bed in the house and now spends every evening with us. Plus, there's even some times during the day he sneaks in to take a nap in here and starting a few days ago, he's waking up early and now comes in to spend the morning with us. Umm, hello, indoor dog? I'd just like to say it here, because then it'll be officially recorded, one day he will be sleeping inside ... even though Jason says that wont happen. It will. ;o)

Giving Thanks

It's 5:20 in the morning, and I just kissed Jason goodbye. He and Jake are headed out to go duck hunting. I hugged him tight and told him Happy Thanksgiving. I am sure those words don't say it at all, but I hope he knows just how thankful I am for him, how blessed I am to have such an amazing husband.

I grabbed a cup of coffee and headed back to the office to read my bible. I am so thankful for my salvation, for the love of Jesus, for the free country I live in that allows me to worship God and for the work He is doing in me.

I sit here waiting for my 2 beautiful daughters to wake. I am so thankful for them and the title they have given me. I am blessed to be called their mom. They bring me so much joy and being here with them, watching them grow, raising them, is such a treasure.

I am thankful for our family and friends. I know the Lord has placed them all in our life. I am thankful that we're here to carry each others burdens, help when needed, comfort, support and encourage one another through it all.

I am thankful for our warm home and cozy beds, Jason's great job that provides a steady income, our cars that get us from here to there and the food in our fridge and meat in the freezer.

There are more, but these are at the forefront of my mind today.

Psalms 106:1
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good

Our Family Goal

Not sure why I haven't been posting. I guess I'm taking a break before I start my daily blogging again in December. I just got done reading last years posts and I'm so glad I wrote it all down. This year I'm going to turn it into more than just daily posts. I plan to, by the end of December, have a LO for each day that I can turn it into a mini album. I signed up for the Jessica Sprague class, Holiday in Hand, and have all the tools needed to complete it. I'm so excited. Is anyone else taking her class?

The first lesson was writing out our goals/values for the holiday season. It was nice to actually write them out. I hope that with the act of putting them down on paper that they'll become more than just words but actions.

Our family goal is to slow down, cherish this special time of year, have a thankful heart, a spirit of giving and daily direct our thoughts towards the true meaning of Christmas, Christ the savior.

To do this I want to get my shopping done early and not be out, rushing around with the crowds, but instead at home, enjoying my family, living in the moment and available to see the daily joys God gives us.

Jason and I decided that this year, we're giving the kids 3 gifts (plus the one gift Santa brings) and that's it. The idea is modeled after Jesus and the 3 gifts he was given. This will help us limit the usual Christmas frenzy of having to get all this "stuff" to make the kids Christmas special. In years past I go overboard thinking of all I could get them to make them happy or make it the best Christmas morning ever. When I know, that's not what makes or breaks the day. That's not what our focus should be on. Quite the opposite instead. Jesus makes us happy and knowing him brings true joy and happiness. I hope this limit will help me show the girls that I really believe this, that there's nothing better than knowing Jesus and receiving his free gift of salvation.

I talk to my girls all the time about having a thankful heart verses a greedy heart and especially say it a lot during this time of year. I see I need to re-evaluate this in my own spirit just as much as I remind them to. Abigail's last memory verse was Psalms 23: 1 - The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not be in want. God's word really hit me as I was having Abigail say it over and over, he is my provider and I have everything I need.

We've talked about instead of focusing on all we want to shift it towards all we already have and how we can reach out to those around us and share with them the blessing we've been given. Not just reaching out financially, but looking for ways we can spread the love of Jesus to those around us ... smiling at someone, helping a friend, seeing a need and stepping up meet it.

I believe that by doing all of these things, slowing down, cherishing, being thankful, and giving to others, that it will help us keep our main goal, focusing on Christ, the center of our holiday celebrations. It's going to be a very Merry Christmas!

Funnies

Guess what Ash said to me tonight?

Mom, will you get me a crayon? Mom, I need a crayon. You're my special helper today and you can help me by getting a crayon.

I'm still laughing about it!

Practice, Practice

Tuesday, Abigail came home from school and started jump roping. She could only do 1 jump before the rope got caught on something and didn't make it back around. She of course was getting frustrated but didn't give up. She was outside practicing on and off all evening. Even after I made her come in she was practicing with a scarf in the house, since I told her no jump roping in the house. Funny that she thought if she used a scarf it wouldn't be considered jump roping.

Yesterday, she came home and started at it again. By the end of the day she was the jump rope queen. We had a family jump off. Jason's first attempt (with a kid jump rope) was 18, mine (with a bigger jump rope) was 31 and Abigail won with 34 jumps in a row. Of course Jason didn't like that turn out and did it again, this time beating us both. Abigail and I didn't challenge him, we let him win. ;o)

We also had Abigail's parent/teacher conference. She is doing very well. We are so proud of her. She meets expectations in all subjects and is outstanding in social development, this is probably the area I care most about ... she listens, is respectful, follows the rules and works hard.

Today is another early release and Friday we have no school. I'm looking foward to our 3 day weekend. I might, just might, be doing another themed day. We'll see!