Thanksgiving!

 Well…A, B, C, skip a lot, and Thanksgiving is here (and gone!) My dream and ambition of keeping up with the alphabet and naming things we are thankful for drifted off somewhere over the course of the last 16 days of just being busy with life. Just know…we are thankful!

Photo credit: freepik.com

We traveled to the western part of the state last Saturday to have Thanksgiving dinner with my aunt and family. The boys kept on driving towards Wisconsin for a week of deer hunting and to spend time with my parents. Jen, Emma and I put up a few Christmas decorations at my Aunts house, and then we went to the mountains for Saturday night/Sunday. We had a great time visiting with my aunt, her grandkids, and just relaxing in the mountains for a few hours. We did some walking, talking, and just sitting around enjoying the mountains. It was so good to get away for a just a bit before coming back for two crazy days of school.

It’s just been Emma and I this week at home, and Emma has loved every moment! We’ve cleaned house, taken several bags to thrift stores, put up Christmas decorations, and of course, we went to school on Monday and Tuesday. 

On Wednesday, Jen, Emma and I went to the beach as it was about 73 degrees here! It was a beautiful day at the beach, and we enjoyed a long walk on the beach, time at the park, and we visited several thrift stores. We intentionally went on Wednesday as the weather has turned significantly cooler the past several days! 

The boys enjoyed their week in Wisconsin, but I think they are all tired and ready to come home! Garett got three does for the freezer, and Wyatt got one. This was the first year that Chandler didn’t get any deer, but that’s the way that hunting goes sometimes. Travis would’ve liked to have shot a deer, but let’s be real, he went to Wisconsin so that he could get out of school! Roger said that the boys put wood in the basement for my dad, did several community service projects for some folks in the church, and they got up early every morning for hunting, so yes, they are tired! 

I have missed the boys and Roger a lot this week, but it has been so relaxing and refreshing to be at home and get things done at home. (I hope the boys don’t notice how many items have vanished to the thrift store! Just Kidding!) It’s been a good week, and I am reminded of how much I have to be thankful for each and every day and not just at Thanksgiving. Jen, Emma and I grilled out hamburgers for Thanksgiving dinner. There was no way that we were going to make a turkey and all the fixins for the three of us, and since none of us are crazy about turkey anyways, that worked out just fine! I called our friends, the Mortvedt’s in Alaska on Thanksgiving day, and it was so good to just listen and visit with them. They’ve remained our friends for almost 13 years now, and I just really appreciate all their wisdom. I should really call them more often as it blessed my heart to speak to them. I was also reminded that we are all getting older, and it’s been almost thirteen years since we were in Alaska- time really does fly by! “Life is a vapor”, as the book of James tells us, and the older I get the more I realize that!

Roger and the boys left Wisconsin this morning to head back to North Carolina. They were planning on staying around to hunt one last time this morning, but since snow was in the forecast, Roger decided to get on the road. Garett is driving back a vehicle that my parents have given to the boys, and Roger is driving the mini van. Roger said that they probably didn’t get above 50 mph until they were somewhere in Indiana. Once the snow started coming down, the roads became snow covered very quickly. Roger told me that Garett did a great job driving the stick shift car on the roads, and that they passed about 19 cars in the ditch. I am thankful for the Lord’s protection, and the boys are somewhere in the state of Ohio for the night. They’ll have about seven hours to go tomorrow, but hopefully, without snow! 

Photo credit: Chance Howard 

We are certainly blessed to live in the United States of America. Almost every day there is something in the news that is heartbreaking, discouraging or just plain evil that is happening in our country. I am thankful that regardless of the craziness and chaos of this world, God has never relinquished His control. That doesn’t mean that I am going to just sit back and let “everything be what it will be”, but I can rest in the fact that God is in control. However, as long as I have breath, I plan to praise God and be a thankful American. (I will also vote, exercise my right to amendments, and raise our children to be involved and thankful Americans, Lord willing). 

The next few weeks til Christmas break are going to be crazy in so many ways. We have been busy with what feels like 1000 ornaments in our art room, but it’s probably closer to just about 500-700. Let’s just say that there are ornaments everywhere, and I have to constantly remind my students to watch where they are stepping or putting something to dry. Someday, I’d love to have more shelves for drying ornaments and projects, but for now we just shuffle, slide, and shift everything from each class. My goal is always for each student to make two ornaments as many children come from split homes. I don’t want them to have to choose which parent they are going to give an ornament to, so we make two. It makes for a bit of craziness, but thankfully, I have an amazing art assistant, who just rolls her eyes and keeps on hot glueing or making piles for the next class. I am so blessed to have Kaycee in my art room. God knew that I would need her organizational skills! 

Emma is going to be in the elementary Christmas program which is going to be in just a few short days! She’s in the choir, as she didn’t want to try out for a speaking part. I am sure that all the teachers and the music directors will be happy to have that performance behind them. 

We will be having an art exhibit for the Middle School and High School students on the last day of school, so my mind has been busy with what that will look like for my students. It can keep me awake at night (so can a lot of other things) but I know I will be excited when it all comes together and is behind us. There’s always something! 

As we wrap up November, and we head into the busyness of December, I want to make sure that I am intentional this month. It’s so easy to get caught up in the “doing” of this month, that it can be easy for the “reason” to take a back seat in my life. My sister, Jen, bought me a devotional book on Advent for this month, and I am going to work at being intentional in my time to really study out Advent. Don’t let this Christmas season just become one of busyness and activities, but let’s be intentional with our days! 

Photo credit: istockphotos.com

Day(s) # 7, 8 (Oops!)

 I do not love combining three days into one post, but at this point I also realize that if I don’t do some combining, I may not make a comeback! :) 

The past few days were busy (obviously) because I didn’t get on here and give a daily thanks update. On Friday, the boys had their first basketball game. Chandler was gone to Liberty University for the College for a Weekend, but Wyatt played in the game. It was actually a bit of a boring game as the score was 76-9. (We won.) It’s exciting to win, but those games are definitely not very fun for watching! 

On Saturday, the boys all played in a golf tournament for church (except Chandler). The golf tournament was originally scheduled for back in October, but it was canceled due to rain. It was moved to Saturday, which didn’t work for Chandler due to the Liberty weekend. Travis and Roger ended up being on the same team with two other guys. Travis was happy to be on a team with Roger, and Travis is not flashy or showy, but he is very, very steady! Their team ended up winning the tournament, so that was very fun for them! 

Emma and I went to Fayetteville to work in a Holiday Fling Festival with some friends that we work for in the summer and other events. I wasn’t sure about taking Emma as it was going to be a long day, but since Roger and the boys were gone and Jen and Chandler, she came with me. She was a pretty good worker, and she stuck with the tasks on hand. She was happy to go home, and so was I! It was a 11.5 hour day of working at selling chocolates, caramel apples, and about everything that can be covered in chocolate! I think I can put on my resume that I now can dip caramels and chocolates, which I can, but I’m surely not amazing at it! 

Chandler enjoyed the weekend at Liberty, and I am thankful that he had the opportunity to attend. He was the one that set everything up as far as the meetings for financial aid, several other meetings, filling out the application, etc. He really did take the initiative on this, and we were thankful for that. He told me today that he was happy that Aunt Jen was able to go with him to the meetings because he didn’t know what questions to ask. I was very thankful that Jen was able and willing to go with him to the college, as that helps us get a better perspective. Oh, there is just so much to think and pray about here! We are asking God for great wisdom and direction. Jen said that she was very impressed at the parent meeting when the college made it very clear that their mission was to either help your child have a relationship with Jesus Christ, or help your child develop and mature in their relationship with Jesus. I’m not sure what God has for Chandler, but I do know that if this college is God’s will for Chan, God will make that clear. He will provide for all of Chandler’s needs just as He always has for ours. 

Ok, back on track for the last few days that I’ve missed. 

Day # 7 (The letter “G”)

Grandparents- this was Garett’s word for today. He said that he is very thankful for his grandparents on both sides. He also said that he is thankful for the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms (so guns.) We are thankful for that as we need some deer meat in the freezer! 

God- this one goes without saying, but in case anyone was wondering, we are so thankful for the sovereign, Almighty God we serve! 

Google- Travis’s word for today. He said that he is thankful for the ability to search up and look for information quickly. I guess he is right! But I don’t allow the kids to use Google to search up their words each day. They have to do their own thinking! 

Grandparents- also Wyatt’s word for today. He doesn’t love hunting like the brothers do, but he is looking forward to going to Wisconsin to see Nana and Papa. We are thankful for grandparents. 

Grace- I am thankful for the abundant, never ending, grace of Jesus. We are studying the attribute of God “graciousness” in art class, and I am so thankful that God never runs out of Grace!

Gorgeous wife- Roger’s word. (Not sure I agree, but ya know!)

Generosity- I am thankful for the generosity of so many that have helped provide our children with their Christian education. I am thankful for those that give generously of their time, energy, and efforts to pour into our children and our lives.  

I am sure that we have many more “g” words to be thankful for, but my brain is kinda tired right now. And I want to catch up on the days that I am behind on!

Day #8 (the letter “H”) 

Home- Travis’s word for today. He said that he is always  thankful to come home. He is a little bit of an introvert, and often home is his favorite place to be. I am also thankful for our home. I’m not always as thankful as I should be like when I see a mouse in the house, shoes not picked up, laundry piled high, and everything else, but oh, how thankful I am for our home. 

History- Garett picked this word for today. We are thankful for our history, both as a nation and the history in God’s Word. History is so important to teach our young people, because those that “don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” I am thankful for my sister, Jen, who works hard to teach history in a way that is engaging and fun but also teaches the importance of the subject. 

Heritage- my word for today. I am thankful for a Godly heritage. I am thankful that my parents worked hard to instill in me a love for God and His Word. I am thankful that they taught me to work hard, manage a budget, be creative and innovative, and enjoy the moments and memories. 

Hope- Emma gave me this word for today. She said that she is thankful for hope in Jesus and knowing that He has a perfect plan for her. 

Hospitable wife- Roger again. Although, this is something I do enjoy. I usually enjoy having people over in our home for a meal, or making meal for someone that is going through a hard time, or inviting people to stay for a meal or an overnight stay. I appreciate the opportunity to show hospitality to others, and I do think that hospitality is a bit of a “lost art” in our American culture. So many Americans (and Christians) are busy with working, making house payments, or lot of other activities, that we just aren’t as hospitable as I think we could and should be. We’ve been on several missions trips, and often people with a LOT less than we have are far more hospitable than we would dream about. Being hospitable is definitely something that I want to teach our children, and I think it’s probably best taught by being “caught” (observing it in person). 

Hot water- life is so much more enjoyable with hot water! Hot water makes cleaning so much easier, showers a lot more enjoyable, and I am very thankful  for hot water! 

We are also thankful for hamburgers, health, and a whole host of other “h” words that I can’t think of at the moment! 

I said that I was going to catch up today, but I’m not going to today. I’m going to wrap this up and be thankful for beds and hot water! 

Day #5 Giving Thanks (the Letter “E”)

 ”E”?! Our kids were a little stuck on this letter today, and there’s not a whole lot of words that start with the letter “e”, but they figured it out. 

“Energy”. Emma’s word choice for today. I asked her why she picked this word, and she said that she is thankful to have energy to run and play with her friends. That’s a good reason to be thankful!

“Effort” This was one of my words for today. Especially as I teach a lot of students in a week, I am very thankful for those who put forth effort into their projects rather than not seeming to care or rushing right through it! 

        * Tea Bag Art- these projects are done using the tea bag as the canvas. It’s a lesson in limits and creativity. I think a lot of them turned out really well! 

“Elena” and “Emma”. Travis told me that he was thankful for his little cousin Elena, and his cousin Emma, and he guess that he was kinda mostly thankful for his sister “Emma” too! Haha! Well, I am thankful for Emma! 

“Endearing Wife”- Roger..sigh. I do not think I was an endearing wife today when I called him to tell him that I had locked the keys in the van! I finished up art classes today, and my assistant and I ran over to the liquidator store as I like to look there for art supplies first. It’s just a short 1/3 mile over there, and I never lock the van…except for today. We only found some Christmas stencils today for art class, and when we walked back out to the van, uh oh! I called Roger to ask if he knew where the extra keys were to the van. Kaycee and I walked back to school to finish up the school day, and then I took Chandler’s car home to get the extra key to the van! Ugh- that was frustrating, but I just realized that I have another “e” word! I’m super thankful that we have an EXTRA key to the mini van! 

“Everyday” This is Garett’s word choice for today. He said that since every day is a “day that the Lord has made, we should be thankful for everyday too. That’s very true, and something that I need to remember. 

“Experiences” Wyatt chose this word for today, and he said that he is thankful for all the fun and interesting experiences God has given him in his life like Alaska, Arizona, Wisconsin, Maine, and all the adventures in between. We certainly have much to be thankful for as we look back on so many experiences with fond memories, smiles, and opportunities to be thankful. 

“Equations” You’ll never guess that the kid that doesn’t love math picked this word- Travis. He actually said that he’s not exactly sure that he is thankful for equations, but he is thankful that Mr. Kidd (his math teacher) knows how to help them do the math equations! Yes, we are thankful for equations and Mr. Kidd. Travis also picked “Easter” as his other word for today. The resurrection of Jesus is definitely highest on our list of things that we are thankful for every day! 

“Economics”- Chandler picked this word for today. He said that if more people sat in Aunt Jen’s class on Economics they would better understand that money doesn’t grow on trees! Hmm…I can think of a lot of people in our world/culture that also need to understand this concept!  

We are also thankful for eggs as we get those from Aunt Jen’s chickens. We are thankful that we have an everlasting Savior! 

I really enjoy this song!