THANKFUL

Today is the day before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful, in everything. We aren't always thankful for everything, but we are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." God didn't suggest we give thanks only when we feel it; He says to give thanks in all circumstances.

Sometimes I find it easier to grumble and complain about what I don't like rather than to give thanks in all circumstances. All. Not just the ones I enjoy or desire, but all. So, in light of our American tradition to focus on thanks this one day of the year I often wonder why Black Friday was designated as the day after thanksgiving. It seems Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, have become their own holiday(s) to squelch all thankfulness right out of us. It is hard to remember I am very content when I see all the really good deals, even though I don't like to shop (let alone combat shopping) and we're making our gifts.... Silly me. So, why would I even consider going Black Friday shopping? Because a friend called today and said, "I need a crazy friend to go with me shopping, but this year I'm going at midnight and going all night." This is the friend who introduced me to Black Friday shopping, standing in line at Toy's R Us for 2 hours (did that make it 4am, after we drove an hour and a half to get there?) before they even opened at sub-freezing temps...why would I even consider this? Simple. To spend time with a friend. I'm so thankful I have friends.

On to other randomness:

I finally got a $3.69 box of mac-n-cheese, and today was the day we had "macaroni-n-cheese, with hot dogs cut up, and peas". He wanted to know if I needed the recipe he drew for me. Oh, I love that boy! I was instructed to remember the hot dogs needed to be cut up and cooked first. Then the peas at the end. While I was making lunch he wanted me to play the guessing game to what his most favorite noodles were. So I was asking different foods made with noodles, I suggested mac-n-cheese, he said "no"; I continued asking about shapes of noodles. He finally stopped me and said, "No, none of those. It's not just macaroni-and-cheese, but your macaroni-and-cheese." Oh ya - I was fighting tears.

I always find it interesting how God knows exactly when and where we need Him to show up most. Today has been a thoughtful, deliberately thankful, not so wonderful day...but even with the gratitude offered for simple "mac-n-cheese, with hot dogs cut up, and peas" in the middle of the day, at the end of the evening, I did have a couple more big blessings.

Today I made my very first gluten free apple pie, yes I realize the edges are almost burnt. It is not a pie that could win any kind of beauty contest (but then even with gluten my pies weren't pretty) This was not a small project, I don't want to buy the expensive xanthun gum or guar gum on top of which I've read too much about people reacting to them so I don't even want to go there. So, after fixing lunch I got the apples all prepped and went to sprinkle flour on them....ah, crud! I hadn't mixed up my new batch of gluten free flour so I had to stop and mix that first, for those 3 Tablespoons. I knew I needed to mix a new batch, but I hadn't done it yet - I was trying to get the apples doing their thing first. I had a moment of being really annoyed and put out that I couldn't just use regular ingredients and be done. I had to stop myself and be thankful I have so much gluten free available to me. I'm so spoiled, products are so well labeled, I have so many blogs I can research, I have internet to do the research, and there is so much variety in pre-made that I have absolutely no business being grumpy. None at all. Anyway, I got the pie done (finally) and it tastes yummy! The crust doesn't perform like we think a crust should. It is more of a crumble texture on top and bottom - I'm okay with that, it tastes good :-). Tomorrow my plan is to try my mom's roll recipe I've always used and substitute my gluten free flour to see if I can make rolls....I might chicken out and use the Pamela's bread mix I bought though. We'll see how adventuresome I feel.

Lastly, tonight as I was waiting for pictures to download from my camera to computer, I was over reading Donna at Funky Junk Interiors blog and when I got to the bottom of her post - there was my picture.... I was so shocked! I won the giveaway to Katies Rose Cottage Designs I posted about on Saturday. I'm going to have such a hard time making decisions - but I can't wait :-D! Thank you Donna and Lori for this fun opportunity!

Christmas is coming!

Since the election I have done several house projects - besides constant cleaning stuff out, like the whole "seasonal & too small clothing switch out", one was painting my living room a mid to dark blue on 2 walls & we love it! The kids tell me it now "feels" like a living room. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving - just family. It was very low-key, we didn't even eat turkey! :) It's a long story - but the turkeys & chicken were bad... No one got sick - you could smell it - I don't think I've ever smelled anything quite so foul (pun intended)! Dad said to me "does this smell right to you?" I of course not knowing what he was getting at (he'd just brought it in from outside & the smell hadn't caught up) took a deep breath -- expecting the wonderful smell when he brings meat in from smoking....it wasn't... We were still overwhelmingly thankful - good thing turkey isn't what makes the day. We actually had our whole family for the meal - all 12 of us! It was for sure a God-given gift to us. We very easily won't ever have all of us here for Thanksgiving again - not that any of us are promised tomorrow, but when some are going to another country it just seems more likely.

I can't believe Christmas is already just 2 weeks away! We have pulled out most of our Christmas decorations, are using Christmas dishes, & listen to only Christmas music. I'm trying to only let the kids watch Christmas movies...they don't really like that plan since most of the kids ones are from when they were much younger :) -- good reason not to watch a movie then, right? In moving things around, I've made enough room that there is a good spot for the tree - we're so excited to have a "for real size" tree. The last couple years we've had just the tallest of the 3 decorative trees that Jo-Ann's had at an after Christmas sale. I think the kids kneeling next to it were as tall as or taller.

For those not here in the state - here are some cold, winter pictures from last week when the thermometer was hanging out below the 0 mark. Now that it warmed up (due to high winds & rain) it isn't so pretty...I'd much rather the gorgeous snow with the sun glistening on it. Even if it is below zero. At least then it is pretty to look at & you can decide if you're going to breathe or not when you go outside instead of your breath being sucked out of you! :)

I'm so thankful for a Heavenly Father who gives us the strength, endurance, mercy & grace that we need at the moment we need it - not a moment too late or too soon.

• Trust that time is God's alone to give.
• God created time, and no human can take it from Him or use it against Him.
• Every man-scheduled date subjected upon one of His children is written, not just on a doctor's calendar, a hospital's calendar, or a trial judge's calendar. It is written on God's.

This is something from my current Bible Study...amazing thoughts to me, they are truly comforting. (all are quotes from Beth Moore)

OK - so now it really is time to head to bed. There is so much to dwell on & think on that are good, plus I have so many projects all jumbled in my head that I want to do, and only 15 days left! ... So much good, so little time :)!

Happy Birthday Miah Grace!
You are loved!
(we get to give you a birthday hug this year)

It's the night before Thanksgiving...

and all through the house - we ate pie, played games, and read.

Zach, Jane, Miah, Avery, and Tov - YOU ARE MISSED! You weren't here last year for Thanksgiving either, but you were coming shortly. This year we have to wait a couple months longer to see you. We love you.

Tonight started the "feeling" of holidays coming, Samantha, Matt, Dad and I just finished playing Settlers of Catan - Samantha won. When I went to check on Mom & the kids this is how I found them.

It is Christine's first chapter book, Charlotte's Web - oh how I hope she learns to love reading like Vince & I do.

The kids started this morning with "since it's Thanksgiving Eve can we have pancakes for breakfast?" Hmmm, who does a statement like that remind you of? - how could I say no to a non-holiday?! The rest of today I spent way too long checking out Christmas ideas online.....and I made 2 apple pies (one was eaten tonight while playing Settlers) not much productivity to show for a whole day.