Thankful

This year, it has been clearer than ever to me how blessed I am.  Though there have been a couple rough patches and some harder times, God always colored my gray clouds with silver linings.  To even try to start naming my blessings is an impossible and overwhelming task.  And to think that I don't even know about some of them.  God is surely good!

Our Thanksgiving season this year was wonderful....it was simple, and it was delicious.   It was simple because we made the conscious decision to keep it as stress-free as possible and focus on why we are thankful people.  

We spent time with family in Columbia again. Uncle Chris, Aunt Jocelyn and their children were wonderful hosts.  We had a delightful time together.  It was so good to have Grandpa and Grandma with us; it's been 8 years since we've celebrated Thanksgiving with them.  It was so good to be together celebrating family and all of our many blessings.  This year we missed Uncle Eric, Aunt Kate, Elle and Zane but we treasure the years that we were all together.   Maybe another year we can all be under one roof again....

For me, this Thanksgiving was much different than last year.  Last year I was helicopter mama.  Titus needed constant care and attention.  But, this year I sat back, relaxed, played games, had some great conversations and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  Titus had lots of older cousins willing to play and entertain him.  He spent individual time with each of them and had more than enough attention.  What a difference a year makes! 

Second annual foursquare game

Now, we are ready to bring on Christmas!  

A sweet, simple Christmas, long on memories and new traditions and short on stress.

And in full celebration of the birth of the King!  

Friday Nights

As a high school student, Friday night was a night for going out with friends, maybe a football game or watching a movie.

As a college student (not married yet) Friday night was a night for fun or relaxing after a week of classes, maybe finishing assignments, or being home with my family.

As a young wife, Friday night was a night for spending time with Kevin after a long week of college classes and teaching preschoolers. Usually it called for going out to dinner, renting a movie, and laying on the couch until we called it a night.

As a mama to a toddler, Friday night is about being with my little family. We don’t have to do anything special or even go anywhere. Just being together is enough.

Friday nights have definitely changed over the years. Yes, I still enjoy going on dates with my husband. And I would love to settle in on the couch early enough in the evening to watch a movie before I get to the point I can barely keep my eyes open. Sorry, Honey!

There are times we still get to do those things but most often I am spending time with my guys. There is no way I would trade the sweet moments we have together as a family for all of the quiet dinners or lazy evenings in the world!

Family Game Night can get a bit intense!

This little boy plays a mean game of Hungry Hungry Hippo, he generally wins fair and square.

I did it!

"There's strategy in EVERY game." Daddy

Which to choose?  Which to choose?

Found it!