Thanksgiving is all sorts of made up

I realize there is some kind of historical context for Thanksgiving, but I view it as a made-up holiday that just invites stress into our lives. Don't get me wrong--I love the food, the football, the days off. However, I don't attach any great emotional significance to it.

Christmas and Easter are the big ones for us; one that has faith traditions to share with our children and a meaning much larger than being thankful for family and the like.

However, people seem to get stressed to such an absurd level over this day. And the shopping orgy the next day is just sickening. Like the stores won't have great deals all throughout the season. A holiday about giving thanks has turned into the prelude to the grossest display of materialism on earth.

You may all commence with frantic cooking and cleaning and mapping out a shopping strategy if that is your thing. Or not. I'm of the not variety; avoiding hosting for as long as possible.

Shave & a haircut; two bits

So you saw Preston's hair..It's WILD! So long and he has already had his hair cut once before. On Sunday at church I swear at laest 10 people commented on how long his hair was already getting and he's only 13 months old! So Jake took Preston on a little trip to Grandma Williams house to get a little bit of that mop tamed on that noggin of his.

Before & After

Can you believe how grown up he looks? With just a haircut. My lil baby is growin up and stuff. *sadface*

Halloween Day

Well, I finally got my pictures all uploaded and onto my computer to show off my darling children and the fun day we had on Halloween!. The elementary school had a parade of the kids in thier costumes and I wish I would've made it there sooner to be able to take pictures and post some of my favorite ones. I'm sure you can imagine just how adorable all the children were.

After the parade we went over to Grandma & Grandpa Williams house to play in the leaves and visit with family. You can see a picture of Isaiah helping Hallie blow the leaves into a pile. That was a kodak moment to remember. Isaiah was so willing to help her and to teach her how to work the machine. Jakes sisters were down visiting and it was the perfect opportunity to spend time with the family that we may just be seeing more of if we end up moving to Arizona.

Chandler was incredibly excited to see his most favorite cousin Isaiah who ended up getting to have a candy filled sleepover!

Here's some pictures of our costumes this year. The cheapest year ever! Preston was a Lion *rawr*

Miss Hallie was a Pirate *Yaaaaargh*

Becca Boo was a MUMMY *creeeeeper* She was so proud of her costume she picked it out herself.

Cousin Isaiah was Darth Vader *dundundun*

And my Chandler Man was a baseball player *batter up*

We went to a trunk or treat on Halloween evening at our church and they had a chili and breadstick cookoff with a side of pumpkin carving. So the kids all got to trunk or treat with full tummies. They made out like bandits and still had a wonderful time! Grandma even one the "Golden Spoon" award for the best chili that night. YAY GRANDMA!!!

Thankful Tuesday

I think sometimes we all get so caught up in our day to day lives that we forget to thank God for all that he has done for us. The bible states that we should pray continually and in all circumstances give thanks and be joyful no matter what is happening.

I find that a lot of the time it is rough to do this. How can you possibly be joyful when you have so many things going on, so many things to bring you down. How are you going to pay the bills without the income? How are you supposed to be thankful for that? What do we thank God for when there doesn't seem to be positive going on around you?

It is so important to look for the positive in our lives. The messy house that you have that proves you have active children that have imaginations and are too busy enjoying life to clean up. Thank God for that! Friends that pray for you, a family that loves you and salvation through Jesus Christ and his atonement. Praise God that we have these things and and so many more to thank him for.

Here is my Thankful Tuesday list:

1. My messy house

2. My children and husband. They are truly the most important thing to me here on this earth.

3. I get to stay home with my kids

4. I have a Heavenly Father that I can put my trust in. He will not fail me!

5. I have food in my cupboards to feed my family, where so many don't.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

get your own!

You can get your very own family sticker maker! I found a link to make one of these on another blog. Such fun! Get your own Family Sticker Maker.

Not just a mom

I came across this story quite a few years back and I like to read it from time to time.

- Not "Just a Mom"- By Author Unknown

A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job, or are you just a...

"Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a mother."

"We don't list 'mother' as an occupation... 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar." "What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it, I do not know... The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ballpoint pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't), in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (the whole darned family), and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants - ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another mother."

Motherhood...What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".

Is it my dad or is it Gandalf?

I took this photo of my dad the other day at my house while we were decorating pumpkins with the kids and it reminded me of Gandalf from Lord of the Rings. You can see they look a lot alike!