Give Thanks...

Dear Mister Turkey,

We have a lot to be thankful for. Your smokey goodness is just one of the wonderful things we enjoyed today.
On the menu:
-Our beautiful smoked turkey(courtesy of Ryan who started smoking it last night at midnight)
-Sugar glazed sweet potatoes with pecans
-Brussels sprouts with lemon and walnuts
-Cornbread stuffing
-Rolls
-& Triple Chocolate Pumpkin Pie!

Yes, it did taste as good as it looks.

A full plate of goodness

It is hard to say what I enjoyed the most, but it was probably a toss up between the turkey and the pie!

I love Thanksgiving. The food, yes, that plays a major part in it's loveliness, but the opportunity to reflect on the many wonderful blessings we enjoy makes for a wonderful day. I love to eat breakfast while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It's a tradition I acquired from my mother who also loves the parade. My favorite part is when Santa makes his appearance. It always marks the beginning of the Christmas celebrations for me. I see Santa and I can't resist getting out the Christmas tree, putting on some Christmas music and scheming the gifts I'll be making this year!

Sam was so excited about the tree and was very helpful as I set it up. His enthusiasm is unending! He really likes to turn all the lights off in the house, except the tree lights, and gander at the tree all lit up.

There may have been some confusion about "stockings".

And although Russell did this most of the day...

(Being sick is tough when you're 18 months old)
We really enjoyed ourselves.

Now that the kids are in bed and my kitchen is finally clean again:), I just want to stop, take a moment and make sure I write down those big blessings that make my life so beautiful.

-Does my husband know how amazing he is? I don't tell him enough. Ryan, I love you so much.
-Do my kids know how much I love them? I hope so. You fill my days with all things perfect and troubling all at the same time. My greatest struggle is trying to be the mother you deserve. I love you.
-I have an amazing extended family who is all things supportive and loving. What would I do without you?
-My understanding of life and the vision of a plan for my family through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to have it in my life.
-Great health is a blessing I'll never take for granted. To feel good is wonderful. For my family to be happy and healthy is a blessing indeed.
-
Where do these blessings come from? A loving Heavenly Father, to whom I am deeply indebted. I hope to live worthy of these tremendous blessings.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you...

Read more...

Bubbles, big boys, and Bulldogs...

No matter how many times I remind myself to check on my 3 year old, I guess I can't always keep him under a watchful eye. He knows this and he will take advantage of those small moments where I think he's doing something he's supposed to do, but he is actually getting into trouble.
"Wash your hands after you use the bathroom." I say. Behind a closed door, this is what is going on...

"Mom, I have a beard!" Sam says. Well, at least he's using soap.

Every few weeks we have to cut the boy's hair...again! I got one before picture of Russell...

And here is an after the following day before church. He was all dressed up and it makes me wonder where my little baby went...

Saturday night we took a road trip out to Athens, Ga to go to a Georgia vs. Kentucky football game. Doctor Pruett (director of Ryan's residency program) gave us the tickets and we are so grateful! We had a great time going out for pizza and cheering at the game!

The seats were really good and the weather was amazing! Georgia rocks some awesome winter weather! The kids only lasted till half time before they got too tired to enjoy yelling and eating candy. Kickoff was at 8pm, an hour after regular bedtime! So we headed out and made it home before midnight.

I am really looking forward to this week. Ryan is off work, but on call. So hopefully there aren't too many dental emergencies this Thanksgiving. It is going to be our first Thanksgiving spent as a family. We've either celebrated with family when we lived closer to everyone or spent the day with an "extended" family of friends:) Man, we miss everyone! But I am looking forward to the smoked turkey Ryan is preparing and I think the day will be relaxing and yummy! I've got triple chocolate pumpkin pie on the menu!

Read more...

In need of a little R&R...

I woke up today and for the first time in over a week, I could breath through my nose. *Sigh* It was wonderful!

When I lay in my bed my view out the window is limited to a small eve jutting out from the neighbors roof. For some reason the angles really appeal to me and I love to lay in bed and stare out the window. I've memorized the light and how it looks outside that window when I have to get out of bed. I can usually tell what time it is by looking out at the lighted eve. Oh, 7:30 again...

This morning it was raining. It was the first thing I heard when I woke up this morning and I am thankful that I woke up to it instead of a crying child. The past week has been full of upset stomachs and pounding head colds. No one has been exempt from the atrocities, Ryan included. Luckily the vomiting lasted only 24 hours(at different times ) after the kids got it and was weak enough that Ryan and I just felt under the weather. I didn't feel any different(with nausea) than I have over the past few months so I felt fairly unscathed when it came to that bug. The simple truth about having a cold during pregnancy is that it is hard not being able to relieve simple symptoms like congestion with a magic pill or a gross syrup of sleep inducement. Mix that with sick kiddos and I feel sort of like I'm on a newborn schedule:) of awake every couple of hours. Good practice right?

So, the wonderful blessing of a clear nasal passages was a gift indeed. No matter, it was followed by a surprising find in Russell's room. Vomit, a lot of it, everywhere in his bed. He must have slept in it most of the night. My eyes stung at the smell when I opened the door to his room. Poor baby! Why didn't you let me know?! Oh, What a way to start the day.

Another troubling moment of the day was when I was buying my groceries. After finishing through the checkout with all of my groceries I realize to my horror that I do not have my wallet with me. *Oh Dear!* At least I live close by.

The day gradually got better and better and now as I sit here listening to my favorite George Winston CD, it all seems to meld into one unpleasant distant memory. I know we are over the worst of this illness and I am glad to see it go. Now is not the time to dwell on the rest of the cold and flu season to come (with no vaccinations to be found -anywhere-). *breath-in, breath-out*

Read more...

Little Helper in the kitchen...

While rolling out a few rolls the other day the boys were right there by my side. Sam most willingly offers to help every time I bake and then does his best to make my mess even messier! Before I realized what was happening Sam had gradually pushed at least a half cup of flour over the edge of the counter for Russell to use.

I don't mind so much when the messes are this cute.

Read more...

Happy Halloween!

Read more...