thirty days of thanksgiving 25

I just got home.  And Thanksgiving 2011 is in the books.

The last few days have been full of laughter, cooking, laughter, good food, pinterest, laughter, family, and shopping.

And a mishap or two. The first was Wednesday night as I was making cornbread for the dressing. I poured just a tad too much in this skillet. I usually make several messes on Sister's stove while we cook for Thanksgiving, but I don't think I've ever made a mess of the oven too.

The first two pans were perfect. Shortly after the cornbread fiasco, we were sitting in the den discussing our next task on pinterest when Jared walked through the kitchen and nervously called, "Okay, we have fire." Cornbread is flammable, just sayin'. Kept me from having to clean the oven!

Luckily, I decided to make my lemon cranberry squares after the cornbread. After  getting everything started, I noticed that it was supposed to chill for several hours before serving.

Brooke didn't get enough bananas to make her banana pudding. This was not a problem. We always make a middle of the night run to Walmart for the sales papers. This year we left at 3:30, and when we got back, we put the turkey in the oven and got busy cooking everything else enjoyed some pinterest time before starting everything else.

It helps that Brooke lives next door to Sister. We use her oven for most of the casseroles on Thanksgiving morning.

The hashbrown casserole was fiasco number 3 or 4 or 5. It baked at Brooke's. Jared and Dusty were helping to bring the finished dishes back to Sister's. This one dumped just as Jared was trying to maneuver the door with full hands.

Less hashbrown casserole just mean we eat more of something else.

We spread out over the entire house to eat. After lunch, Lovey stretched out on this couch for a nap. After he left the spot, Sister napped here too. After lunch, there was lots of napping going on. I managed to grab the recliner for about an hour. And then more eating. Finally, we cleaned the kitchen, and then spent some time in deep philosophical discussions, sharing our feelings, playing board games in the same room on pinterest, looking at Black Friday ads, watching TV, and playing with the baby.

This morning at 5:00, Sister, LKN, and I met Jen, Emily, and Hannah Gray for shopping. And more laughter.

Dear Lord, thank you for family time. And laughter. Thank you that we have plenty of food. I know that there are those who go to bed each night with empty stomachs and I realize that it is only because of your love and grace that we have food. I asked that you be with all of those who are away from his/her family this week, or any other time. For everyone that is hungry. And for anyone who doesn't know of your love. Lord, may I long for you love, and may I hunger for you and your love.

thirty days of thanksgiving 23

Why is a day off in the middle of the week so much sweeter than a Saturday morning? Don't get me wrong; I love my job and will be ready to see my students Monday, but I am LOVING the thought of three days of no school this week.

And it's not about the sleep - I don't really sleep late. And Thanksgiving weekend is traditionally not a weekend where I get much sleep.

It was wonderful to wake up this morning and just snuggle in the covers for a few minutes. I heard Lovey come in from feeding his chickens, but he soon headed back out. I grabbed the phone and called to see what he was up to.  Pigs. We had some pigs in the trap down at the barn, and he was going to see just what was there. I jumped up, threw on some clothes, grabbed my camera, and headed out to see too.

There were five little pigs in the trap. We caught two yesterday, but I was at work and didn't get a chance to see them.



We've been trying to catch pigs for quite a while. They tear up our fields. And then we don't have grass for the cows, or if it's been raining, we have a muddy, sloppy mess.

These pictures were taken just before 7:00 this morning. Then I came back to the house, made coffee and breakfast, and washed some dishes while Lovey vacuumed.

Not a glamorous morning at all. And I know that you sleepers won't agree, but it was a great morning.

Lord, I thank you for simple beginnings. For the everyday and mundane. I know that it is the simple and everyday that make the fireworks and glitter more beautiful. Thank you Father that I can enjoy these next few days with family and friends and then return to work next week rested and refreshed.

thirty days of thanksgiving 15

Lucy Mercer is zonked out. She is absolutely exhausted. She may not wake up until Sunday.

She went to school today.

And she was so good. She visited three different story times in the library before lunch. Those little ones crowded around her - talking loud, rubbing her hair backwards, getting right in her face - she never even flinched.  She stood patiently while each and every kid had a chance to love on her.

After lunch my classes came in. And she let everyone of those older kids love on her too. Then in each class we went outside and let her run and run with them. At the end of seventh period she crashed, and I thought maybe she wouldn't play with the next class. But when they wanted to pet her, she was happy to let them. And when they wanted to run to the end of the football field and back over and over, she ran with them.

And now that she is finally home, she has passed out.

It wasn't all just fun today. Lucy was helping me to teach writing.

The students had to observe her during the visit and then write about her appearance, personality, and mannerisms. The idea being that to successfully write about anyone or anything, they must get to know the subject through observation or research. And they were observant. There was a discussion about her color; no one could decide exactly what color she is. And several students noticed that Lucy likes her momma.

Lord, thank you for pets.Through them we learn what it means to love unconditionally, to devote ourselves fully, and to follow where our master leads.

thirty days of thanksgiving 3

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and unites with his wife, and they become a new family.
- Genesis 2:24

This morning's conversation while I put my shoes on, and after Lovey came back from the chicken houses.

Lovey: You better put a coat on.

Me: I have on long sleeves.

Lovey: Do you have a coat?

Me: I don't need a coat.

Lovey: It's cold out there. You better put a coat on.

Me: I'm wearing long sleeves.

Lovey: I know you don't get cold, but you better put a coat on.

Me: I'm not wearing a coat. I've been sweating all week.

Lovey: Time changes this weekend.

Me: (rolling my eyes in his direction) Don't start.

Lovey: This time next week it'll just be 6 o'clock.

Me: I hate that time is changing.

Lovey: It'll only be 6 o'clock this time next week.

Me: Don't say it again.

Lovey:  I'm just saying..

Me: You are not allowed to talk about the time changing until Saturday, and you can't mention it again after Tuesday. I mean it.

Lovey: But it takes me two weeks to get my clocks changed.

Me: (glaring at him)

Lovey: This time next week it'll be 6 o'clock.

He drives me crazy when the time changes. For weeks he will remind me of what the time will be "this time next week" and then again "this time last week." He is obsessed with the weather, especially cold temperatures. And he is terribly cold natured - just the opposite of me.

But I love him so much it hurts.

I leave him at home while I go to the lake for days and days. I make him wash his own clothes. I don't answer him when he talks to me too early in the mornings. And I ignore him when tells me how to dress.

But he loves me.

Dear God, You know everything about me - including my every fault, my every flaw. Thank you Lord for creating a man who could not only tolerate those faults and flaws, but, like you, could find something to love in spite of those faults and flaws. Thank you for for blessing our marriage with 21 years of love and laughter.

thirty days of thanksgiving 2

God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs to indicate seasons and days and years, and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." It was so.
- Genesis 1:14-15

For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are with out excuse.
 - Romans 1:20

For every creation of God is good and no food is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.
- 1Timothy 4:4


I love this time of year - the golden afternoon light, the bright blue skies, the bright orange leaves of a Sycamore tree contrasted against the stark white bark. Right now, fall is my favorite season.

But in the winter when I'm bundled up drinking a cup of coffee and watching a soft snow fall on the deck, or I'm with Lovey feeding cows and laughing at just how many layers of clothes a man can squeeze on and still be cold, that will be my favorite season.

Then in the spring when I've had a glorious Easter Sunday with family, hunting eggs and flying kites, and I'm sitting on the couch exhausted and stuffed, that will be my favorite season.

And when school finally ends, and I'm reading in my end of the camper listening to a gaggle of teenagers piled in the opposite end playing video games and reliving the day's tube or knee board rides, that will be my favorite season.

Each day, if I take the time to notice, I can see God in His creation. Each day, if I take the time to notice, God reveals His love for me through that same creation.

Father God, I thank you for your amazing creation. Thank you for creating a home for us that provides for our every need. Thank you for the changing seasons, for beautiful sunrises and sparkling night skies. Thank you for surrounding us in the natural beauty of flowers and trees, birds and animals. And help me Lord to remember to not take your creation for granted. Amen

thirty days of thanksgiving 1

for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, that is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
--Matthew 26:28

to give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins.
--Luke 1:77

Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through this one forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
--Acts 13:38

Forgiveness

Not an easy thing for me. At all.
Yet God has forgiven me, does forgive me everyday.
By my faith I am forgiven.
Through Jesus's death and resurrection, I have only to open my heart, and I am forgiven.

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your gift of forgiveness.