What happened to Thanksgiving? Where did it go? It seems that every year Christmas anticipation comes earlier and earlier. Or maybe I'm just more sensitive to it this year. I'm not sure. However, I do know that I've seen less and less time allotted to being thankful and more and more to "buy this for Christmas, buy that for Christmas." Don't get me wrong, I get caught up in the excitement and wonderment that is the Christmas season. I always have to hold myself back from spouting the Christmas music in full volume and finding the best and brightest deals for my kids' presents. I think it goes in waves for me. One minute I'm wrapped up in the commericalism and the next I'm peaceful and tranquil remembering the true reason for Christmas. What a gift! God's one and only son, born only to die for me and my family. It just blows my mind! Such a selfless gift of love for me and for people that have and will never know about him.
So, once again, what happened to Thanksgiving. Not that we shouldn't celebrate the amazing time that is Christmas but I think we should take the time allotted to Thanksgiving to show our greatfulness. The blessings that have come to my family shouldn't ever be ignored and this is the perfect time to highlight them. Please, take the time to be thankful. God's gifts are endless and we should show our gratitude.
Enjoy the season!
lisa
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
An Almost Perfect Day
Ever have one of those days that seem as though NOTHING could go wrong? It seems so "Betty Crocker." Everything is working together and nothing is out of place but, then it all comes to a screeching halt. Yup, that's what happened to me yesterday.
We all got an extra hour of sleep right? Nope, not me, my kids were up at the 'old' normal time. However, with that extra hour before church I was able to have children fed, washed, and dressed appropriately with a little extra time for me. After spending time getting myself ready I was actually able to spend time in my bible. You must understand that me reading the bible in the morning just doesn't happen. I'm usually falling asleep to it in bed! After loading up my two dearest children we drove the 20 minutes to church where my son did not cry for the first time while being left in the nursery and my daughter went into children's church without a struggle and tears. I was left to sit peacefully and really dwell on the words of the worship time. I was able to turn to a verse in my bible during the sermon without pulling out yet another pen I will lose and scratch piece of paper for scribbles. I REALLY was able to listen and LOVE the sermon at church. Afterwards picking up both children with smiles and Sunday school crafts in tow. Then off to the market.... Can you hear the 50s elevator music yet??? After making it through the store without cries of 'pleeeeeeeeaaaassssee I really really need it!!!" We stopped by the local sandwich shop to take home lunch for all, including my extremely hard working farmer husband. After walking in the door with my DS asleep on my shoulder and my DD ready to visit with her Nana and cousins I was met with more peace and quiet. As both of the 'men folk' rested and watched football and my DD was next door playing, I was left with time to rake up leaves outside, to make a nice supper and clear up the dishes, and read a book that wasn't a 'how to raise a (fill in the blank) child." With supper slowly cooking and my DS waking and going next door as well, my husband began to get ready to go outside to start the evening chores. To this point, it's been a beautiful, peaceful, Little House day. The only thing better would be chocolate at this point. (But WW frowns on pigging out on too many. ) As I begin to place the homemade beef vegetable soup in freezer containers my husband turns to me and asks, "so.... what should we do with our life?" WHAT??????????? A life question now????? Are you kidding me?????? HUH???????? I love him dearly but does he understand what that type of question does to a woman's mind??? After that it was mass chaos and such. Both kids came home, my husband left to do chores, my sister and her husband showed up, my DS threw up all over the floor, my DD didn't want to go to bed even though she had bags under her eyes, and I had, yet again, a sink full of dishes to do. WHAT HAPPENED???????
Ok, so all of you who have been through this are probably laughing at me. That's ok, because I choose to remember the peace, remember the tranquility, remember the ahhhhhhhhhh never mind.
To more 'peaceful' days ahead!
Lisa
We all got an extra hour of sleep right? Nope, not me, my kids were up at the 'old' normal time. However, with that extra hour before church I was able to have children fed, washed, and dressed appropriately with a little extra time for me. After spending time getting myself ready I was actually able to spend time in my bible. You must understand that me reading the bible in the morning just doesn't happen. I'm usually falling asleep to it in bed! After loading up my two dearest children we drove the 20 minutes to church where my son did not cry for the first time while being left in the nursery and my daughter went into children's church without a struggle and tears. I was left to sit peacefully and really dwell on the words of the worship time. I was able to turn to a verse in my bible during the sermon without pulling out yet another pen I will lose and scratch piece of paper for scribbles. I REALLY was able to listen and LOVE the sermon at church. Afterwards picking up both children with smiles and Sunday school crafts in tow. Then off to the market.... Can you hear the 50s elevator music yet??? After making it through the store without cries of 'pleeeeeeeeaaaassssee I really really need it!!!" We stopped by the local sandwich shop to take home lunch for all, including my extremely hard working farmer husband. After walking in the door with my DS asleep on my shoulder and my DD ready to visit with her Nana and cousins I was met with more peace and quiet. As both of the 'men folk' rested and watched football and my DD was next door playing, I was left with time to rake up leaves outside, to make a nice supper and clear up the dishes, and read a book that wasn't a 'how to raise a (fill in the blank) child." With supper slowly cooking and my DS waking and going next door as well, my husband began to get ready to go outside to start the evening chores. To this point, it's been a beautiful, peaceful, Little House day. The only thing better would be chocolate at this point. (But WW frowns on pigging out on too many. ) As I begin to place the homemade beef vegetable soup in freezer containers my husband turns to me and asks, "so.... what should we do with our life?" WHAT??????????? A life question now????? Are you kidding me?????? HUH???????? I love him dearly but does he understand what that type of question does to a woman's mind??? After that it was mass chaos and such. Both kids came home, my husband left to do chores, my sister and her husband showed up, my DS threw up all over the floor, my DD didn't want to go to bed even though she had bags under her eyes, and I had, yet again, a sink full of dishes to do. WHAT HAPPENED???????
Ok, so all of you who have been through this are probably laughing at me. That's ok, because I choose to remember the peace, remember the tranquility, remember the ahhhhhhhhhh never mind.
To more 'peaceful' days ahead!
Lisa
Saturday, November 6, 2010
In Awe
Well hello everyone out there! Boy it has been a long time since I've written. I even had to go through all of the resetting passwords, usernames, etc. I couldn't even remember the sign in!!! Oh well, here I am and A LOT has happened since the last time I'd written. Instead of trying to recap everything I'll just hit a few key points for everyone.
We have moved into my eventual dream house.(It's going to take years to get it into shape but it's worth it! :-)) I'm homeschooling my eldest with a GREAT program called "My Father's World." We have found a new church home and I have embraced being a "once a month" worship team leader. My DH has become a farmer alongside his father and has lost about 40 lbs! (I know, not fair is it ladies!) We had an abundance of pie pumpkins and tomatoes in our first garden. The mums are planted next to the deck and the bulbs are planted for beautiful daffodils in the spring. My children have just blossomed beyond my imagination. All of God's wonders are here for us to explore; from the growth of a tiny kernel of corn to a full stock to feed a 1000 pound cow for the winter to the flooding of a "mighty" river in the span of an hour.
My children have really grown to love
our lifestyle here. It's not quite been 6 months since we left our 'big' city life but already they run as fast as their little legs can carry them when they hear their daddy 
bringing in the buckets to prepare the feed for the baby calves. The smile of my DH as they put on their 'mudders' (outside boots)and coats to hold a bottle for a new baby calf is all I need to make a hard day, wonderful.I must admit though, it's not all 'little house on the prairie.' There are days when we are all so tired that we get a pizza and are full of spit and vinegar. Some nights my husband is asleep before my kids have even settled down enough to think about sleeping. Some days, I look at the pile of dishes or the ever mounting pile of leaves and sticks that need raking once again and just want to curl up with a blanket and watch my favorite movie. But it seems that when those days come, they don't last long, and God always gives me a comforting line from one of my kids or a loving friend/relative to get me through.
As the days turn colder and the wind blows harder we are starting to transition into 'home mode.' We've brought out the bread making 'gear.' The bikes are put away, the puzzles are found and all pieces accounted for, and the windows are all closed and getting ready for plastic. We hope to get the piano tuned and the fireplace ready for a Christmas of 'old.' I get such a loving feeling when I think of my family huddled together listening to the radio, eating popcorn, drinking hot cocoa, and laughing. Then I remember, we haven't even made it to Thanksgiving yet! :-)
Happy Harvest!
Lisa
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