cookbook

I unpacked a bunch of Christmas books the other day while putting up the tree.  Mollie has locked onto a scratch and sniff book - carrying it with her much of the day.  She calls it her cookbook.  Here she is with her cookbook and shopping list.  :)
Blessings.

new traditions

I got the girls some very sweet gowns from Orient Expressed a couple of months ago. I wanted them to have them as we start the Advent season. They loved them, more than I thought they would.  Mollie would wear hers all day long if I let her. They were also pleased with their new toothbrushes.  I tell you it's the little things that make life grand. Blessings.

Leaf party

On Saturday, Andy raked for the last time this year (or so he says).  He had some good helpers though.  We all had a great time.  Blessings.

Black Friday

Well so far I have not made it out of my pj's much less out of the house.  I think my sister and her brood are shopping away.  Andy, dad, the girls and I are enjoying a lazy morning in.  Don't get me wrong, I love shopping and scoring deals, but I couldn't muster up the energy for getting out at 4 a.m.  Maybe it's because I have toddlers and she has teens.  :)  If you did make it out early, I hope you got the deals that you were after.  Blessings.

happy Thanksgiving

I hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends this day and everyday counting your blessings.

turkey feathers

The girls made these sweet turkeys yesterday for the party - I hung them on the fridge. I love doing easy crafts with them. They had never really seen feathers before, but they enjoyed them.  They really liked blowing them off of their hands after craft time.
BTW:  Dinner was a success.  The food was delicious and everyone had a good time. 
Blessings.

Thanksgiving host

Well, I'm hosting a Thanksgiving meal tonight for my home fellowship group from church plus 5 of Andy's co-workers.  It should be loads of fun.  I am making the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, but everyone else is pitching in with rolls, sides, desserts, and drinks.  My bird is still 1/2 frozen even after sitting in the fridge for a couple days, so it's in a cold water bath at the moment.  I have fixed turkey breasts before, but this will be my first attempt at the whole bird. I am excited and a little nervous.  I generally let the crock-pot do the cooking for whole chickens.  I'm sure it will all be fine, just have the hosting jitters.  I hope you have a good time this week with your family and friends.  I know I'm getting off to a good start.  Blessings.

Thanksgiving Prayer

This is a Thanksgiving Prayer found in the Dear Abby column - I believe it is the one that Pop (Andy's grandpa) liked to recite at their family's meal.  Blessings.

O heavenly Father:
We thank thee for food and remember the hungry.
We thank thee for health and remember the sick.
We thank thee for friends and remember the friendless.
We thank thee for freedom and remember the enslaved.
May these remembrances stir us to service
That thy gifts to us may be used for others. Amen.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and may God bless you and yours.

turkey apples

We had some friends over the other day to make turkey apples.  It was such a good time. They enjoyed eating them so much, I think I'll do the activity again with the girls. Blessings.

Mamaw's visit

We had such a good time with my mom yesterday.  We just love it when she gets to come which is not nearly often enough for our liking.  Mom watched us do "school," went to story time with us, helped feed the fish and  ducks, treated us to lunch and then went shopping.  A nearly perfect day (minus the purse thing).  Blessings.

purse scare

My mom and I just got back from shopping.  She was helping with the kids and left her purse in the cart. Of course we drove all the way home before we noticed.  We get out of the car, already past nap time, but reload the girls and head back to Toys R Us.  Praying the whole way.  Some good Samaritan turned it in.  What a relief.  An answered prayer.  Blessings.

balloons

Aunt Sarah let us keep the balloons from her baby shower.  The girls have had such a blast playing with them.  Today, they are starting to deflate some, but they are still enjoying them.  Blessings

flower TP

Yesterday, I had to take Mollie to the bathroom at my friends house.  She was quite enthralled with their selection of toilet paper saying "Mom, their toilet paper has flowers on in."  There was true amazement in her voice.  I guess we don't get out much.  Blessings. 

a day off

On Sundays,  Andy likes to give me the morning off.  Yesterday was no exception, but somehow, I managed to get the whole day off.  His family has been in for a baby shower for his sister, so we ate lunch out with them at a Chinese buffet, then our family had leftover pizza for dinner.  It was such a restful day for me on many levels though it was busy too. Blessings.

Veteran's Day

It is good to remember and acknowledge those who have served our country and those who are serving our country with a kind word or gesture.  Today, I dedicate this post to my Uncle Roy and Grandpa Rogers who served in WWII and to my Uncle Estil who will be buried today as well as to my parents, uncles, cousins and friends who have served and for Zach who is currently enlisted.  Thank you. Blessings to you all.

sharing

The other day we stopped at McDonald's as a family.  A rare treat around here, especially to go in and Andy sprung for smoothies.  We each shared one with the girls.  Betsy and I took turns, Andy and Mollie had other ideas.  Blessings.

box-scoot

Kids love boxes. These 3 had such a good time being scooted around the room. I can still hear the squeals.  Blessings.

voting

I voted today, like every other election day.  I do enjoy the electoral process and it is nice that the girls got to go into the booth with us (Andy took Betsy, I took Mollie).  The only thing I didn't like was the choice for governor - one guy whose policies I don't care for, the other guy is a jerk, and the third wants to legalize marijuana in our state.  I did vote according to party lines, but really people I wasn't happy at all.  I do have faith that God puts these people in place, and there is my real hope.  Blessings.

lap time

I was hoarse for over a week.  It really put a damper on one of our favorite activities, reading aloud.  Last week, I finally mustered up enough vocal fortitude to give it a go with girls and the cousins too.  We had such a nice time together.  Love these kids.  Blessings.

Kroger savings last week 32%
Weight loss - I'd rather not discuss it but my friend and I are doing the videos so I'm hopeful for lower numbers soon.

leaf bouquet

We have a ginko tree in the front yard.  The leaves are such a pretty yellow. Mollie and Betsy must have thought so too, because the other day they made bouquets of them.  Andy tied one together and put it in a vase.  We are still enjoying it.  Blessings.

Houseguests

We h

We have been enjoying the company of Andy's sister and her children the past few days. It has been great getting to talk with my sister-in-law and love on her kids.  It's been such a sweet time for my girls and her two to be together.  Blessings

Cebu

Andy and I had some of his co-workers from Cebu, Philippines over the other night.  We got to eat some authentic Filipino foods and talk about their lives in Cebu with them. We had such a wonderful time.  They saw Andy's guitar, so we ended the evening with worship and prayer for our brothers and sister in Christ.  I love to see how God is moving in the world, doing similar things in the church worldwide.  Blessings.

 

trick or treat

We got to meet a few more of the neighbors on our trick or treat outing last night.  Betsy was a jack-o-lantern and Mollie was a ballerina.  I put a little make-up on her, she was over-joyed with that. Betsy refused any help with her bag, even though it was nearly as big as her.  They both were pleased with their treats after we got home.  I caught Mollie smelling her pumpkin this morning, it smells like chocolate she said.  We had a great time. Blessings.