Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm a day late, probably a dollar short, but thankful nonetheless!

Thanksgiving was at my in-laws' this year. The food was delicious, the drinks were plentiful, and the company lovely. We ate a ton, drank a bit much, and it was a great day. Cillian's 1st Thanksgiving, by the way. :)

Making it even better, our good friend Steve joined us. His company was a true blessing!

The food was so good. Here is a quick picture of the turkey:

Yum.
We watched a lot of the Macy's parade, ate gigantic cinnamon rolls for breakfast, had friends & family, all for making a wonderful holiday.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Giving Thanks

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'm sharing things in my life I am thankful for. 

It's always easy to remember the big things (home to live in, job, etc), but I find more value in the smaller things. The everyday things that so easily feel mundane after a while, or unimportant.

• I am thankful for my husband getting up with the kids each morning.
• Though it's frustrated me lately, I am thankful for the ability to still nurse Cillian, especially as it seems to be very comforting for him this week.
• I'm thankful for a trip to see a sister-in-law and cousins yesterday.
• The boys being off of school today & yesterday.
• Good dinners we've made at home.
• Positive comments about Aidan & Brennan at parent-teacher conferences.
• Starting my Christmas shopping.
• Aidan making his 1st Reconciliation.
• Our church having perpetual Adoration.
• A new niece born this week!

There is plenty more I am thankful for, but that's a good list so far. :)

I love the month of November, especially Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and we are blessed to have so much to be thankful for.

It's not always easy to acknowledge the good when there is so much to stress us out. I hope you can see some of the reasons you have to be thankful.

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving 2010: I hope yours was delicious and warming. 

It almost didn't feel like Thanksgiving. It was warm(er) than usual for us (not today!). After hosting last year, it felt too calm this year. 

Not to mention the first 2 hours the boys were up, they bickered almost nonstop. That made me cranky.

BUT, the day was enjoyable. We got to watch most of the parade. Pat made homemade pumpkin pies. I got to shower in peace. We went to my in-laws' in Michigan and had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. Aidan & Brennan had a blast playing with their cousins. It was adorable seeing them have so much fun.

Not to mention we got to meet our new niece Cordia, as well as see another niece, Mackenzie, we haven't seen since September! She's changed so much & is so so cute.

I'm thankful for my in-laws' hosting this year. 

I'm thankful for my family, for my energetic boys, this healthy pregnancy, and a loving husband. 

God is good.

I missed out on a lot of pictures, but here is a semi-recap:

Aidan inspecting the rice krispie treat footballs

Homemade pie crusts Pat was making

fresh pie, not canned

Aidan & Brennan playing Thanksgiving morning

Brennan excited to see a train at the parade

Family picture on my in-laws' porch

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope today your blessings are easily seen to count.

I hope your bellies are filled with delicious foods.

I hope your day is wonderful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Monday of Thanksgiving Week

This started as a Menu Plan Monday post, but I haven't found the energy. We'll be going with the flow until after Thanksgiving. Pay day is also Wednesday, so it's slim pickins'. ;)

I still need to break down my week to stay organized, so here goes:

Food:
Probably hot dogs for the boys tomorrow, chicken sandwiches for us. Tuesday & Wednesday may be spaghetti marinara or grilled cheese sandwiches. We shall see! I look forward to a Thanksgiving feast on Thursday at my in-laws'.

Day-to-Day:
Our bathroom that was recently renovated--the shower is leaking, so they're coming back out tomorrow morning.
Monday Aidan & Pat both have school.

Tuesday is story time at the library, and Aidan's last day of school for the week.

Wednesday is pay day! Grocery shopping, Sam's Club, Pat gets out of work early, and we pick up a pie from our local orchard (Dutch Apple). Pat will be baking 2 homemade pumpkin pies.

Thursday is THANKSGIVING! Yummy muffins for breakfast, watching Macy's parade on tv (the true parade;), then going to Michigan for the feast.

Friday--Pat & I are going on a lunch date! We have a sitter for the boys, and we're using a giftcard we have to Longhorn's. I'm getting steak. Nice, juicy red meat. That someone else brings to me, and then does all the clean up!!! We may go to a store, simply to absorb the chaos & be glad we're mostly done with our shopping.

Speaking of shopping, I'm heading to Target sometime tonight or tomorrow to buy the game Guess Who for Aidan for Christmas. It's on sale for $7. He's never played the game, but I think he'll love it!

There we have it: somewhat of an organization to my week. Not nearly as busy as last year since I'm not hosting, but that's ok.
How is your week? Crazy busy, or not so bad?

TGIF!

Friday! Woo--hoo! And the Friday before Thanksgiving, no less.

I've had a productive day so far (at 10:57am), and it feels good. Let's hope I stay this way.
My day so far:
-Drove Pat to work, Aidan to school
-grocery shopping
-Brennan snack
-Exercised, doing the 2 mile WATP
-Booked a sitter for TWO days!
-Ordered a delicious Dutch Apple Pie from our local orchard to bring on Thanksgiving (Pat will make the pumpkin pies)
-Laundry started
-Snacking now & about to play w/ Brennan

I love productive days!

I'm most excited about getting in some exercise. I've really gotten out of shape, and pregnancy is no excuse. I'm trying to get BACK into shape before this baby is born. I have roughly 14 weeks.
I also started to write down a food journal again. Not that I'm counting calories, but I've been bad about eating fruits/veggies.

Tonight we have some family fun ahead of us: it's the FEATHER PARTY!
We went last year and it was a great time. Aidan loved hanging out w/ all of his school friends.
I'm working from 5:40-7:40 tonight, then I'll get to enjoy it. We'll be going as a family & eating a delicious dinner there of hot turkey sandwiches. I love our parish/school!

So it's a good-feeling Friday. :)
I hope you're having a great one, too!

Thankful: November Week 1

It's common around the blog world to post frequent snippets about what you're thankful for leading to Thanksgiving. I like to do that, simply because it helps keep perspective. Even when life seems to drag and fall, there are always blessings.

As this first week of November comes to an end (already!), now is a great time to think of what I'm thankful for:

-My niece, Haleigh, who turned 12 yesterday. Even at the young age of 12, Haleigh is a mature person with a huge heart, and truly a great example. She is very smart, earns excellent grades for herself in a tough school, and she's beautiful. Inside & out. We've all been blessed by her life these past 12 years.

-Aidan & Brennan (despite their early waking!). Yesterday Aidan's school had an indoor fair to benefit the Missions, and the boys loved it. It was fulfilling to watch them run around, giggling over winning a sucker or sticker. 

-Thursday our new bath/shower was installed. YES! Our old one was so nasty gross, with softened drywall supporting it. Water damage had caused problems, etc. Now we have an excellent, sanitary one. :) It looks a bazillion times better. Of course, we now have more projects to do in there, but there IS a blessing.

-Getting the final date for Pat's graduation! And planning his party. :) I can't believe this will all be over with in just over a month. Talk about a wonderful Christmas gift!

There is much to be thankful for. What are you counting as your blessings?

Thanksgiving, Part 2 (Games)

Even after hosting, Thanksgiving remains my favorite holiday.

After eating we played a few different games, and I'm pretty confident that everyone had a good time.

First up was "Football". It was a version of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, but instead make a field goal with your paper football. I thought it'd be kind of silly, but that made it all the more fun.

Ironically enough, my 2 brothers that live in Detroit scored the worst, and I think that clearly reflects their home team (Lions). Ha!

First it was Football: (Michelle)

My Dad blind-folding & spinning my brother Steve:

Next came Charades, a personal favorite (my mom is taking her turn):

Patrick helped Aidan

Even the younger ones had fun playing Uno while others played Phase 10:

After some wine and getting into my family's spirit of competitiveness, I was a tad giddy.

It was fun! It went too fast. I wish more could have joined us. Hopefully one day when we have a bigger house. I would love to host my entire family, needing to cook 2 turkeys and hearing the parade while they roast in the oven.
Maybe one day.

Stay tuned. There will be more pictures soon!

The Thanksgiving Post, finally (pictoral review)

I thought I could have had this post done before December. Wrong! Time is just flying by.

How was your Thanksgiving?

I hope ours was good. I was there, but as the host, I don't feel I can accurately say if it was good or not. I hope so.

The turkey did not burn, the alcohol did not run out, there were enough seats, and there were many instances of people smiling and laughing. I take those as good signs.

I missed getting a picture of my turkey before it was cut, but it was so tender pieces were falling off, anyway. So there was no good chance of that picture you so often see on tv or greeting cards.

Our table was decent, and I did snatch some pictures:

The table being set:

The tower with our homemade pilgrim hats and teepees (teepees kinda turned out like Christmas trees, but you can use your imagination;)

Fruit kabob 

Rice Krispie Treat Footballs (and they were delicious)

door

decoration

Football game, which was actually very fun. More pics of that to come.

There you have it for now.

I was nervous to host, especially since it was my first time. All said & done, though, and I can say I would do it again. Definitely.

I am so grateful my mom was here. She gutted the turkey for me. She was a tremendous help.

The next day, when the exhaustion was hitting me, I gave her a hug and told her I had no idea, all these years, all these times she hosted, that it was so darn exhausting and stressful. GOOD, but it does wipe you out. I hope she knows I was sincere in my thanks.

How was your Thanksgiving? Which dish was your favorite this year?

DUM DUM DUM DUM...DUM!!!!

It's almost Thanksgiving! It's almost time!

I've spent my money & down to a dime.

Family is coming, there must be no mess,

I am full of excitement, plus some stress.

I'll cook the turkey, it better not burn,

we'll share our thanks, each offering a turn.

It's only Monday, but I better get busy,

'Lest I get myself in a tizzy.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, my friends!

Enjoy the rest of November, as it comes to an end.

Alright, I'm no poet and I certainly know it, but Aidan and I were doing rhyming words, so I couldn't resist. Sorry you had to suffer through my juvenile attempt at a rhyme. ;0

Busy! 

That is the word to describe my week.

 I am really looking forward to it, though.

Tomorrow my parents should arrive (evening), so today is more cleaning and checking the grocery list. I skipped MPM because there is too much, and our dinners will be last minute meals. 

Tomorrow will be mopping, cleaning the bathroom, washing rugs, vacuuming, and cleaning the fridge. Of all those tasks, I dread cleaning the fridge the most. Just ick.

Wednesday will be cooking and doing some shopping for the fresh ingredients. 

Aidan and I will make the Teepees, Pilgrim Hats, Football Rice Krispie Treats, and my mom & I will make the potatoes, both mashed and sweet. We'll hard boil the eggs for deviled eggs, too. 

Thursday! Thanksgiving is only 3 days away! Isn't that crazy? November has just flown by. This year is truly almost over, especially with Advent starting this coming Sunday. 

I am ready to start the madness. I am hopeful my first Thanksgiving hosting will only turn out good memories. 

I can't wait to see my family. 

My blogging will probably be light this week, so I want to wish you a HAPPY THANKSGIVING now. Have a wonderful week! How will you be spending your Thanksgiving?

Cleaned

Yesterday was a day of cleaning, in all forms.

House:
Our boys were with their grandparents all day, so we did heavy duty cleaning you can only do without little ones running around. Our big area rug in the living room? Yeah, completely moved that, moved the couch out of the room, train table, too, and vacuumed, swept, and mopped that room. It looks so much better.

Same with the playroom. My parents will be sleeping in there, so we rearranged toys, did the winter window-covering to the windows in that room, and organized the bookcase.

That alone took a good 2 hours or so.

Marriage:
We had time alone! For the first time since MAY! It's so nice to be able to finish sentences, eat without sharing food, and just have an opportunity to be with each other if only for a few. Grant it, most of our alone time was spent cleaning, but we did take a lunch break and enjoy eating out at Subway. Without ordering a kids' meal, without needing excessive amount of extra napkins, without a highchair...
Not that we don't adore and love our kids. We do. We even missed them. But in making time for each other, you do serve as better parents.

Soul:
We made it to Confession yesterday, then Mass, and got in some quality prayer time. Without kids! I tell ya, you can really absorb a lot more of the Readings when you can hear what's being said. HA!
Ironically enough, this was the first time in months we wore jeans to church, and of course we were asked to carry up the gifts. Figures.

We also did the last of non-perishable shopping for Thanksgiving, buying our trail mix to put out, nuts, and today Aidan & I are considering making these cute Footballs to have for turkey day.

Productive weekend.
We cleaned up.
I feel refreshed.

Friday's Edition of THIS & THAT

Make my own?
We're getting a new Christmas tree this year (artificial, which I am a fan of;).
With that, we need a tree skirt. Why the heck are those things so pricey?! It's ridiculous.
Now I'm not crafty, I can't even sew a button. But I came across this last night, and I think it's a cute idea: Make Your Own Tree Skirt. It mentions that if you have little kids, you could do their handprints on it. I thought what was adorable sounding. We'll see if it actually happens.

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I'm buying my turkey tomorrow! On sale for $0.59/pound. I'm excited. I have been obsessing over turkeys, prices, fresh or frozen, etc. I'm nervous about hosting Thanksgiving, but I'm also getting very excited. I think our table layout will be pretty festive.
Aidan and I are planning to do a trial run of making these teepees this weekend:

I'll let you know how they turn out! Pictures will reveal it all.

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Tube Time: I loved the CSI trilogy episodes, I'm hooked on The Biggest Loser now, I haven't watched House at all this season, and I think Flash Forward is a show you can easily lose interest in.

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Coffee is my friend. Lately, my best friend. Since daylight savings, my boys have been up before 6 every.single.day. Ah! Gain an hour? I wish!

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I <3 the Lean Cuisine Philly Cheesesteak meal. 7 points of goodness. Delicious goodness, and it put a smile in my tummy last night.

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Finally, need some olive oil?

A good friend had e-mailed me a coupon for free olive oil. I was skeptical it'd work, but last night I went grocery shopping and used it, no questions asked. Saved me $9.49!

I'd be happy to forward it to you. Just leave me a comment with your e-mail address, or e-mail me and let me know you'd like it.

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Have any weekend plans?

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

What is the main item on your Christmas list?

And for Thanksgiving dinner, what is the dish you love the most, excluding turkey?

Giving Thanks

Sarah's blog inspired me to find some good and give thanks.
As a natural pessimist, I easily dwell and find the bad in situations, failing to acknowledge the good surrounding me.
I don't like that too much about myself, but it's me.

Now I'm focusing on some of the blessings that I've had this week. Good things, maybe little things, maybe big. But there is no doubt that even though my life isn't perfect right now, God has not ignored me and has blessed us. (if only I could tell myself this day in and day out...)

What am I thankful for this week? Here are some things:

• Having a good parent-teacher conference w/ Aidan's teacher. He knows all of his sight words and is doing very well. :)
• Having Aidan home 2 extra days this week (no school). I miss him! Plus he had a friend over on Thursday, and it went really well.
• My husband has a job next year. Confirmed. Finally.
• Yummy pot roast I bought on sale, and now we're going to have a delicious dinner tomorrow. 
• I am so grateful we found the Dr. Sears children's vitamins at two of our local stores. I've been ordering them online, for quite a bit more. I'm stoked! It's like paying half.
• My family being healthy again. Aidan back in school, Pat's cough much better.

Finding good in the little things-it's important, don't you agree?

I have to say, I am also grateful I got in some exercise today. It truly lifts my spirits.

What are you thankful for this week?


"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies", Mother Teresa

Thanksgiving Fun

Aidan (4) has really been into arts & crafts lately. We did a lot of homemade Halloween decorations, but we were scrambling for Thanksgiving ideas. (already did pilgrim puppets and scarecrows, along with a Mayflower).

So what did we do?
We made a Thanksgiving construction paper countdown chain link!
It was made when there were 22 days to go. We hung it up in our hallway downstairs, and each morning Aidan cuts the current loop for the countdown.
I tell ya, he really enjoys it and likes his "job". :)
I recommend it!

It's not a great picture (taken with our old camera), but it shows our link.

The turkey signs with chain link

Aidan proudly showing the link we made
The turkeys. Aidan's favorite color is blue right now, so a blue turkey was in order.

19 days...still good time to make one!