Gifts

Have I mentioned before how much I LOVE our library? I merely mention a book in passing to the librarian, and two weeks later they call me, tell me it has arrived, and I get to read it first!

I am reading "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. I think it's a must-read for this season of thankfulness, which just happens to come right before the season of ungratefulness, discontent, gimme's, and Iwant's.

It is a bit tough to get into at first. Her writing style is different from others I have read. She writes with imagery; pictures painted with words. Once I moved beyond the first chapter it became easier to read. I still found myself rereading sections and paragraphs, but mainly because there was an idea or thought that I really needed to grasp (mull over, tear into, analyze fully...).

Ann Voskamp chronicles her journey of investigating the attitude of thankfulness/gratefulness in her life. She briefly touches on her history; why she thought the way she did prior to her searching. Then she dives right in. Her story involves using the best source ever for an exploration of gratitude: the Bible. Along with other resources, she develops a definition of thankfulness based on biblical terms, Jesus' examples, and God's commandments.

I have found this little book difficult to put down, and even when I've had to (people in this house were requesting meals and clean laundry. The nerve!), I've found myself mulling over ideas and thoughts that the author expressed. My mind keeps returning to biblical passages she quotes and meditating on them.

I haven't finished the book yet, but it has already changed my outlook. "Thanksgiving" has a new meaning for me.

Thanksgiving pictures

Non-Sharing Stories!

I am feeling so much better! The kids are getting sick and Sam sounds awful, but at least none of them have the lung compromise that I have. So they should weather the cold well enough.

Thanksgiving was wonderful. LOTS of "non-sharing" stories that I simply can not share on such public forum. If you are sibling/relative reading this and you missed Thanksgiving in Connecticut this year, email me and I'll give you the details. If you aren't a relative, well, I might tell you in a email or over a cup of tea!

My siblings from Kansas were unable to make the trip. My girls were rather bummed about that. They did have two cousins to play with: Olivia and Amelia made the trip out. My grandparents came, as well as two of my uncles. Crystal and her husband, John and his wife, Tom and his wife (Parents of Amelia and Olivia) all arrived for dinner. Andy and his new wife came for desserts. Andy's in-laws and Tom's in-laws also came. So it was a full house at my parents.

Sam ended up working 72 hours straight. While I am thankful for the overtime pay, it would be nice if he could someday spend a holiday with us. He is scheduled to work Christmas Eve this year so we will probably only see him for an hour on Christmas Day. That's because he can't leave the firehouse if no one comes in to relieve his position. Since he is the driver, it has to be a driver. In years past, when no one could relieve him, he would take a "3 hour emergency leave", drive the hour home, spend an hour with us, and then drive the hour back to the firehouse.

For the last two years we have tried something new. I make a huge brunch on Christmas morning with the girls, which helps to pass the time. We invite my grandparents, my parents, and my siblings to come. They do their Christmas opening before they come and then we all eat heartily! Once Sam arrives we let the girls open their gifts. It makes it all the more enjoyable for them to have EVERYONE watching them and I know my family really enjoys it.

Still Sick

Sam said he lay awake Monday morning listen to my wheezing and that if I didn't go to the doctor he was taking me to the hospital.... I went to the doctor. I have a sinus infection, so I am on antibiotics for that. My wheezing is the worst it has been in over three years so I am on prednisone for that. I have orders to "take it easy" and "not over do it". Good thing I am going to mom's for Thanksgiving!

So I have been sitting at the computer working on geneaology for other people. It's interesting what you can learn about other families and about hisotry. It's also kind of scary how much you can find with just a few pieces of information to work with and some genealogical know-how.

I should be getting Christmas sewing done, but since I still can't stop blowing my nose, that is out. Can you imagine? Ewwww!!

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas Plans

It's a quiet week this week. A good thing since last week was a zoo and next week is when 4H and girl scout meetings all start up again.

My brother is getting married next weekend too. My sisters are coming from Kansas without the kids. My kids are disappointed. Hannah was really looking forward to seeing Claudia again. Those two really hit it off this summer when the cousins were here to visit.

We have started to finalize our Thanksgiving and Christmas plans. Sam has to work Thanksgiving Day, so we will be travelling to my mom's for the day. Christmas is easy this year since Sam is working Christmas Eve. We'll spend the Eve at my mom's and then have Christmas morning brunch with my parents (and maybe my locally living brothers and their wives will come too!)at our house while we wait for Sam to come home. When he gets home we'll open presents! The Saturday after Christmas is usually my in-law's party. I usually have a 4H Christmas party and a Christmas Brunch party. The 4H party will probably be around December 13 and the Brunch party will probably be December 24.