Thanksgiving Happenings

Wow, what a week!  We had a great Thanksgiving week in terms of spending time with family and relaxing.   We found out that my brother-in-law and family are expecting their fourth child.  After a year overseas in the army, I don't think anyone was surprised.   It was only a matter of time.   We are very excited for them and hope maybe, just maybe, this one will be a girl.  We also joke that it would be very funny if it were twins... just like our fourth child was. 

We got a chance to take a trip to the zoo.   We also went a few weeks back when it was sunny and warm.   It ended up being a little chillier last week, but we still had a great time.  

 

 

We also got a chance to go with some extended family members down town to see the Christmas lights.  

 

 

About a week or so ago, one of my four year olds asked when we would see a Lorax tree.   I told him, I didn't know, cause I was thinking "like never!"    Imagine my delight, when the mall's Christmas decorations looked like Lorax trees.   My sons were delighted as well!!

 

Lastly, we put up our Christmas tree.   Actually, I should clarify, the kids put up the tree.   All I did was get it down from the attic and put the lights on.   They put it together and hung the ornaments.   I was SO excited when they actually ALL worked together WITHOUT FIGHTING to put the tree together.   I even rewarded them with a piece of candy.  I was so impressed.   

 

Here's what happens when your four and six year old do the ornaments.   Eventually the bigger kids and I had to move things around and even out the tree.  

 

 

Hope you had a fantastic holiday week.   I am SO thankful for all of your friendships! 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

You Raise Me Up

Wow, so much has been going on.   The past few weeks have been such a roller coaster ride for me.  

The obvious news is that Barack Obama was re-elected last night.   While I'm a little disappointed, I can't say I'm surprised.   I truly felt he was going to win months ago.   My perspective, I guess, is based a little on the fact that if we are truly in end times, something about America has to change.   At least that's how I see it.   The bible doesn't appear to mention the USA at all, even symbolically.   If we are the #1 nation in the world, I don't see how that could be overlooked in end times.   That just my opinion and train of thought though.   I guess time will tell.  

Our finances have been quite a roller coaster lately too.   We really need to depend on side jobs to pay our bills and put groceries on the table.   Side-jobs however are a roller coaster in and of themselves.  We've been working on ways to bring in additional income.   A few weeks ago I watched an episode of Extreme Couponing on Netflix and was somewhat inspired.   

Honestly, I think those people are a little crazy.  I mean who really needs 70 bottles of mustard, or 1000 tubes of toothpaste.  However, it did seem like an easy way to save $$ and only have to input a little time each week.   So off I went.   I have enjoyed finding some great buys!   I've also realized it takes a little more work to determine if your coupon is really a better buy than a generic brand or brands that you could buy at other stores.   To date, I've saved over $50 in a little less than a month!  

Homeschooling has been going okay.   I seem to stumble over my own failures rather than anything having to do with the kids.  My own impatience and lack of discipline make homeschooling the challenge that it is.  However the kids seem to be doing well and learning... that's the key :)  

Speaking of lack of discipline, my other disappointment lately has been the state of my house.   The mess, the piles of laundry, the unfinished parts of the house, the torn up couch, and so on and so on just have been eating at me.   Some days I feel SO motivated and then I have a string of days where I am just in a funk.   I wish I could figure out what makes me really motivated some days and bottle it!!   I want to be motivated every day.   So often I give into my flesh and "run away" from my "problems".   It just seems easier to leave the hard things.   Ah, but then when you return, guess what.... IT'S STILL THERE!   I pray often for the power to press on in spite of what I feel.  

Right now, the roller coaster is getting ready to crest another hill.   The pantry has food in it.   The bills are paid.   We may even scrape up enough to get new tires on the van before the month is out... maybe.   But all in all, I know God is faithful.   I'm SO thankful, He is faithful even when I doubt  and even when I'm frustrated.    I can honestly say I don't know where I'd be without Him.   He lifts me up and gives me strength.   Thank you Lord.

I hope you all are having a wonderful autumn season and that God's blessings are pouring out bountifully!