Once a year, we reflect on the many things we are thankful for. I think all too often, I don't realize just how blessed I am.
Today I am thankful for God and all that He has provided me.
Today I am thankful for my family. There are too many people out there who don't have any.
Today I am thankful for my husband who is a great man and a wonderful father to our children.
Today I am thankful for my two smart, loving and healthy children. How did I get so lucky?
Today I am thankful for the roof over my head, even if it is in the "dirty South." :-)
Today I am thankful for all of the loads of laundry I do on a weekly basis. At least I have clothes to clean.
Today I am thankful for my health, as many people are not so fortunate.
Today I am thankful for Keeping up with the Kardashians. Turns out my family is not as dysfunctional as I thought.
Today I am thankful for Christmas. I LOVE this time of year.
Today I am thankful for traditions. It makes life so much more meaningful.
Today I am thankful for the hour I have to write this blog. Time really is a precious gift.
Today, I am thankful for wonderful neighbors that host Thanksgiving so I don't have to.
This year Sean and Prita hosted Thanksgiving. It was perfect. Good food, good friends, and good company. My only job was to make an organic green salad and an appetizer. Good thing I had help.
Roderick and Kennedy help make the appetizer. It's a turkey even vegetarians can eat!
Isn't she perfect? The green salad was not worthy of a photo.
But the table setting was. Nice work Prita!
Mara (4 months), Kennedy (2 1/2), Roderick (2), Mckenna (8 months)
Rachael (7), Rachel (6), Jessica (8)
Kyle + Sarah = LOVE
Twins- Prita and her mom Renee-
Uncle John (29... or so...)
This year, a family tradition was born. I don't know how it happened but I managed to sit 6 obnoxious children down and read them the story Elf on a Shelf. I totally love the idea behind this book. If your kids don't have it then read on. Such a cute idea and so fun!
"Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf – A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa knows who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages.
The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year.
Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.
Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!
Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot! While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.
On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy."
And so it is, a tradition has begun. Roderick has named his elf Hocus. I think he heard the word "magic" and instantly thought about Frosty the Snowman in which the magician says "hocus pocus" about a million times. I had hoped for a cuter name like Elfie, Mittens or Snowflake but Hocus works too. At least it's not Lightening McQueen or Mater. We have that going for us.
Moraiya (4), Kennedy and Roderick
Our evening did not end there. What is Thanksgiving without black Friday ads??? As a kid, my mom and I would get up super early and hit the sales. It has been years since I have done this so we thought it would be a good idea to get out there and see what deals we could score. Jamie actually joined us.
This year, the stores opened early. When I say early, I am talking about 9:00 pm and Midnight versus the usual 5:00 am. I prefer to stay up late rather than get up at some god awful hour. We went to Toys R Us first and then Target. Both places were unbelievably packed. There were lines to get in the stores, no shopping carts and the wait to check out took HOURS. No kidding. Were the deals worth it? Probably not. Would I do it again next year? Probably not. But I felt the need to boost our economy. I am good at that. Just doing my part people.
Merry Christmas everyone. I think I can officially say that now that Thanksgiving is over. Bring on the Crimson and Gray. I mean, bring on the Red and Green!!!
The line up outside of Toys R Us. Roderick and Mckenna, see how much mommy loves you???
More lines. Honey, see how much I love you? Saving the dime... just saving the dime...
