Thanksgiving 2014 with lots of folks and lots of family!

I love to have folks over to our house, especially during the holidays.  We have never lived in a town with our extended family so our church friends have become family.  When Carl and I were first married we were the recipient of many home cooked meals and holiday celebrations with several church families in the various cities where we have lived.   I have enjoyed, when we are able to, having folks over that are without family especially during the holidays.

This year we planned to be home for Thanksgiving and all my children planned to be here too.  Since I knew we were going to be home I began to look around and invite!!!!  My friend, Don, lost his wife this year and I knew he needed a place to celebrate.  He asked if he could bring a few family members.  I am all about the more the merrier mentality so I was thrilled.  Emily is new to Arkansas and our church.  Her new job gives, her no vacation days and her family is in California.  Her brother flew in to celebrate with her and they both joined us.  Marian is a friend from church who recently moved here.  She is a regular at our table and we always enjoy her.

My children - Andrew, Taylor, Kaitlin, John, Marisa, Atticus, Penny, Robert and Beth were also able to join us.  I was looking forward to Thanksgiving but then I began to wonder if I would have time to visit with all my children.  Andrew and Taylor would only be here from Wednesday evening til Sunday afternoon, I don't see Robert and Beth often enough and I don't have all my children in the same place much at all.

For a few days I had an inward struggle should I be obedient to God and have folks over or follow my heart?  Should I have do what I have said I would do or call everyone and ask them not come? Wouldn't God want me to be with my family????

I got on my knees and prayed.  I knew I needed to have all the folks over for Thanksgiving.

Everyone knew but me the plan for Andrew and Taylor to fly in a day early.  I got a whole day with them.  My children were all together!  We ate out, we relaxed, Andrew read several vehicle books to Atticus, we laughed, we played cards, we had an all around great time.  I thought often about the verse in Ephesians 3 that talks about God and His Exceedingly Abundantly above.  He always blesses obedience and I so often forget that!

Carl is our grill master!

We played the 'made you look' game.  I bet my brother, Charles, looked!

Carl, John and Kaitlin did not look and here is the proof !

A Day of Thanksgiving!

 A few weeks ago I decided that I needed, wanted, Had To Have turkey and the fixings before November 28th.  Sweet Carl had me pick a day and then he cook a turkey breast in the oven and we cooked the rest.  He will crank up the Big Green Egg for the 28th.  Kaitlin, Beth and Taylor helped with the potatoes, sweet potatoes, dressing, green bean casserole, bread and the beverages.  I made pecan pie and pumpkin dump cake the day before.  What a feast!!! John, Marisa, Atticus, Kaelyn and Noelle joined us about 3 and Kelsey came after work.  Kelsey, I am sorry we didn't get you in a picture!!!!  Next time!

 Beth is in her last year of PT school.  Carl missed a step at work and twisted his ankle.  Beth checked out his ankle. In the picture above she is evaluating Robert's shoulder pain.  What a handy addition to our family.  Plus Beth loves to laugh so she fits right in with the Funroes!

The camera, a tripod and the timer!  First somewhat normal

 Then the craziness for the left side of the picture

 Beth told us to put our hands under our chins- do you see Beth doing it?????

 Now you see Beth doing it!!!!  Even Robert!

 The rest of our group sans Kelsey

 I never had a child lay on their tummy and look at toys like Mr Wonderful does.  Curiouser and Curiouser.

 How do you get to know your grandson?  You get on his level and play.  What a great Gpapa!

 Atticus loves the holding of the hands as we say the Blessing.  This day he could not be parted from his vehicles but he willingly held up his arms.  I caught a picture of him looking up at Gpapa as he prayed.  Here is this blest fellow standing between the two men he loves the most, his daddy and his Gpapa.

On Sunday morning for breakfast I had my first, of the season, turkey sandwich with leftover turkey and cranberry sauce.  Yum!!!

I am thankful for good food, friends, family, and a day spent together.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

 Thanksgiving was fantastic.  Carl had several days off that week and that is always a treat!  He got up early on Thanksgiving to fire up the grill.  He cooked the turkey on it this year and it was the best ever!

 The sunrise was beautiful.

 We had a feast.  I have a new recipe for sweet potatoes and fresh cranberries.  I also added sausage to the stuffing and that was a big hit!

 We added several tables so we could all fit.

 This guy was the star entertainment!  He loves his Gpapa

 Here is our group.  The fellowship was wonderful and the food wasn't bad either!

I hope your Thanksgiving was a great day too!

Breakfast of Champions

My day after Thanksgiving breakfast!

Thanksgiving Prayer

Scotty Smith prayer for Thanksgiving

My favorite line

So rise up in us, O living water, unto eternal life. Artesian springs of grace, come forth with such compelling and propelling force that our thanks will overflow the banks of our hearts—like a tsunami of worship and redemption. 

Thank you God, Pilgrims and A Lincoln

Proclamation Establishing Thanksgiving Day

October 3, 1863

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.  To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.  In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.  Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.  Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.  They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people.  I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.   And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the independence of the United States the eighty-eighth.

A. Lincoln

Thanksgiving Eve thoughts

Thoughts from Joseph

1000 gifts app for your Iphone

Do you see needs?

...make a meal for someone, write a thank you or two or three to folks who do things that make your life better- from the garbage man to the piano player at church-the note just needs to say thanks and why you are thankful, make a booklist for a shut in, then get the books they like for them from the library,  pay for the person behind you in the drive through at Starbucks, babysitting, tithing, getting to Sunday School early and helping set up the chairs, take time to speak to folks you usually brush past, let someone get in front of you in the grocery line, make bookmarks for all your friends that read... 

 I could list here a million ways for us to give this Thanksgiving month and some would spur you on and we all need that.  But what we really need is Situational Awareness.  Our hearts and eyes need to be so in-tuned with what is going on around us that the needs of others are so apparent to us that we can't help but be aware of them.  When you are really in-tuned with the needs of others sometime that is a very heart heavy place to be.  I also believe that a need doesn't always mean a call, we need to be discerning, but it would be better to err on the side of giving too much than not enough.

Pray today that the eyes of your heart will be open to see all the needs around you and also for the wisdom to know which ones you are to meet.

Today is the half way point in this month.  I have seen several blogs that are participating in a 30 days of giving challenge, it's not too late for us to start.  Just do two a day!


...give someone who is late to church your hymnal so they don't have to take the time to look it up, let someone in front of you in traffic, smile at all those you see today, rake your neighbors leaves, pick up all the trash on your street, get the email address of a missionary and ask them what they did today and tell them about your life, do another family members chores for the day-without telling them...

I am thankful

1- 10 years ago John, Kaitlin and I were on our way to an exercise class where Kaitlin and John helped babysit while I exercised. As the phones started ringing letting all of us know what was happening in NYC and at the Pentagon, the song that we were exercising to was 'God is in control'. How fitting that was! I am thankful that He is in control!

2-10 years ago, Carl was at work getting ready to leave that afternoon for a trip. I called him with the news of the attack. He came home to us that night. I am thankful he was in town when it happened.

3-10 years ago our church had a prayer meeting that Tuesday night. We sat in a circle and held hands as we prayed. Folks from my church knew folks that were pilots or lived in NYC and worked in the Twin Towers or in some way could have been impacted by the events of the day. I am thankful for the beauty and the comfort of that prayer meeting.

4-10 years ago one of Carl's brothers, Larry, was in Washington DC getting ready to go to a briefing with a Senator. Needless to say it was cancelled. He had already checked out of his motel because he was scheduled to fly out that afternoon. His story of his trip back to Alabama is very interesting. He said that it was lesson in team building. He met several strangers all headed south. They( not sure how many) rented a car and crammed into it and drove south, they checked airports and rental car places in cities they passed to get another car. They finally found a second car. The folks then figured out a path for both cars to get everyone home. Larry was going the furthest south so he drove one, dropping folks off at their towns or near their towns where someone could pick them up. I am thankful Larry made it home safely.

5-10 years ago Andrew was a sophomore at AUBURN. When I talked to him that day, I could hear the panic in his voice or maybe it was just that I wanted all my babies with me! I told Carl that we needed to go see Andrew. We left that Thursday and headed to AUBURN. I didn't tell Andrew our plans in case something came up at work for Carl. I talked to Andrew on Thursday and asked where he wanted to eat supper on Thursday night. I forget what restaurant he picked out. After we talked a little longer I said "Walk out of your dorm and into our van and let's go eat supper!" He was overjoyed as was I. Andrew slept in our motel room that night with us because I needed us all to be together. I am thankful that my family was able to all be together that week.

6- we live in a city with an Air Force base. We often have service men and women attending church with us. They are prayed for by name every Sunday, even more so, when they are deployed. I am thankful for them and the service they do for me and my family.

7- July 2002, we flew into Boston's Logan airport. On our flight we met a flight attendant that should have been on one of those flights. Her mother called the morning of 9/11 and needed to go to the doctor. Our attendant got a replacement and took her mother to the doctor. She couldn't go back to work for several months because she felt guilt and then fear. She went back because she loves her job and didn't want bin laden to take that away from her. Very sobering for us. I am thankful for all those who had the courage to get back to doing their jobs.

8- I am thankful for our flag and what it means.

9- I am thankful for the courageous men and women on those flights that knew what was about to happen.

10- I am thankful for the USA and that I was blest to be born and live here.

11- I am thankful for Jesus Christ and His life given for me that I may have eternal life with Him. I am so blest!

I am thankful

I decided last December to mark my months differently this year. Since this is 2011, I have been marking the 11 of ever month. I try to take time on this day every month to breath deeper and just pause.

I have also tried to write down or take pictures of things I am thankful for. Here is this month's list.

I am thankful for the job I have and the job Carl has. I am very thankful that I don't have his job. I have been able to go on a few trips with him this summer and I was worn out and Carl just kept on going. Whew

I am thankful for electricity. When Andrew started his field work in the power industry, he was instructed to wear only cotton because if he gets burned the cotton is better for his cute little body than polyester. Really, Really- I could have lived my whole life without that knowledge. Andrew is dressed for work in cotton and covered in his mama's prayers for his safety. A man died a few days ago in the line of work that Andrew does. He left a wife and children. When you flip a switch today, pray for all the men and women that are working so that you have that ability and ask God to protect them. You can pray for Andrew too!

I am thankful for a long to-do list. meals to cook, scrapbooks to make, schedules to keep track of, friends to visit with, laundry to fold, prayers to be said, windows to be looked out of, sons to talk to as they drive from one meeting to another...

I am thankful for those that are gifted in areas that I am not. I have known this for awhile but I am ready to reveal that I missed getting the housekeeping gene when I got my DNA. I have read books on it and made lots of lists but I just don't get it. With my back injury I have been instructed to not sweep or vacuum - not that that was happening around here anyway! Heather and Sandy bless my life with their love of cleaning and laugher along the way. We all say "AHHH, Heather was here today!" or "Super Sandy sure made this beautiful"

I am thankful for rain.

I am thankful for my cel phone. I love having the four square app, I love the camera, I love that I can text and chat at the same time, I love the I can check my email and twitter from my phone.

I am thankful for Wade and Majel. They are my wonderful handymen. I am getting a few rooms painted in our house by them. Wade came last night and painted the ceilings. He ate supper with us and we had a laughing good time. His only draw back is that he is a BIG hog fan :) I'll post pictures soon!

I am thankful for Carl and all the furniture he moved for the above thankfulness to happen. I really thought we would have a piano next to the kitchen table which would be next to the hide-a-bed but we don't. I still have room for folks to stay the night even.

I am thankful for the joy Kaitlin brings to life. She recently had a team building meeting with about 60 work colleagues. They had to have their pictures made by groups that work together. Kaitlin pulled her group together and suggested that their group jump. They all agreed. When the BIG Boss got ready to take their picture, Kaitlin asked her to count to three, she did and then they jumped. BIG Boss loved it!!!

I am thankful for the new little life that Marisa is carrying. How exciting is that!

I am thankful for good books. I will blog some new ones soon. I only have 25 check out now!

I hope you have a thankfulness day each month!

turkey and ham and leftovers, oh my!

A few posts back, I told you about winning a ham and a turkey. Here is what arrived at my house on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. I was stunned at how big the boxes were.I had no idea what to expect. They came frozen and in ice chests. We started the thawing process and we ate.
We had turkey sandwiches on Thanksgiving Day and then turkey for our big meal that night. We had leftovers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We sent leftovers home with Mary Jean, who joined us for Thanksgiving evening dinner. We had ham and potatoes and then ham fried rice. We had fried ham sandwiches plus all we ate of the ham and the turkey as it was being fixed. And the 'we' is Carl, Ellen, Kaitlin, John, Marisa, Kaelyn, Robert and JenniferW.
After we ate all that this is what was left over.
I sent out a few text messages to ask if anyone, especially those who went away for Thanksgiving, if they needed some leftovers. Sandy, Julie, Cheryl and Peggy all said "YES!" I packed up the car and went to deliver their bags and containers of wonderfulness. Before I left, I got out enough turkey for my last sandwich-it was probably my 6th! White bread, mayo, salt, jellied cranberry sauce and turkey. It really doesn't get too much better than this.
It was very cool to me that even with all we ate there were still lots of leftovers so that we could pass on the blessing on to others. Thank you Park Wife for your contest. We serve a great God.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Landing Of The Pilgrim Fathers

by Felicia Dorothea Hemans

The breaking waves dashed high

On a stern and rock-bound coast,

And the woods, against a stormy sky,

Their giant branches tossed;

And the heavy night hung dark

The hills and waters o'er,

When a band of exiles moored their bark

On a wild New England shore.

Not as the conqueror comes,

They, the true-hearted, came;

Not with the roll of the stirring drums,

And the trumpet that sings of fame;

Not as the flying come,

In silence and in fear;-

They shook the depths of the desert's gloom

With their hymns of lofty cheer.

Amidst the storm they sang,

And the stars heard, and the sea;

And the sounding aisles of the dim woods rang

To the anthem of the free!

The ocean-eagle soared

From his nest by the white wave's foam,

And the rocking pines of the forest roamed;

This was their welcome home!

There were men with hoary hair

Amidst the pilgrim band;

Why had they come to wither there

Away from their childhood's land?

There was women's fearless eye,

Lit by her deep love's truth;

There was manhood's brow, serenely high,

and the fiery heart of youth.

What sought they thus afar?

Bright jewels of the mine?

The wealth of seas, the spoils of war?-

They sought a faith's pure shrine!

Aye, call it holy ground,

The soil where first they trod!

They left unstained what there they found-

Freedom to worship God!

How bout just Giving Day?

Yesterday was a rainy day. No, it was a rainy, chilly day. Kaitlin had class until 9:15 and then she was home. Her goal was to wash clothes and work on her graphic design homework. My goal was to rest. I did lots over the weekend and my back was begging me to sit and rest for a day, so I obliged it. It was a good day to be all tucked in the house. Kaelyn asked what she could do for me before she left for work and I had her bring in some fire wood. When Kaitlin got home, she started me a fire. She and Marisa kept that fire going all day long. It was just wonderful! We were snuggy and warm inside while it was cold and wet outside.

I spent the day reading the newspaper, watching The Food Channel and surfing on the 'net.

I found a blog that is encouraging November Giving. (I would send you to that blog but I can't find it now). That really got me to thinking about Thanksgiving and giving thanks but am I missing the giving. Am I being intentional about purposeful giving? I mean giving over and about what we give to the church. Are there ways I can give that don't cost any money? I made a list.

Smiling and Greeting folks

Letting even two cars into the lane of traffic when I can

writing a 'good' letter for the bank teller that has given me wonderful service

holding the door for someone

calling to check on someone

dropping a note to someone

doing a chore around the house that I know someone really doesn't like doing (and not telling them I did it)

not complaining

I am going to try to be more deliberate to follow my list and give more. I'd love to say forever but I better just work on this til the end of November.

What is on your list?

A fabulous day after Thanksgiving breakfast.

Mayo+
cranberry sauce+
white bread+
leftover turkey=
a wonderful breakfast.yum yum!

A Recipe from Nancy Reagan

I believe this tradition started when we lived in Pine Bluff. I got a recipe for Monkey Bread from Carl's sister, Marian. She said that Nancy Reagan fixed it for her family every Thanksgiving. Well, we gave it a try and it is a keeper. This Thanksgiving we will be on the road. The monkey bread is made and in the car for eating as we drive. Here is the recipe

4 cans of biscuts( 10 count)
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 t cinnamon
12 T butter

Put half the butter in your bundt pan. Put it in your oven at 350. Cut up your biscuts into quarters. Place in a gallon ziplock bag with the cinnamon and sugar. SHAKE. Melt the rest of the butter in the microwave. Take pan out of oven. Place the well coated biscuts plus rest of cinnamon/sugar in the pan. Pour melted butter on top. Bake for 45 minutes. MMMMM

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Happy Thanksgiving!