Thankful, Thankful, Thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving weekend everybody!

There is so much to be thankful for! I am particularly thankful for my hubby, Noelle, Bella, Noah, and Halle. I am praising God for my parents and my brother as well who God has really blessed in many ways this year! I'm so thankful for my extended family and friends!

We have really enjoyed Thanksgiving this year! Hubby and I made turkey, dressing, greens, sweet potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, and sweet potato pie! We ate, and ate, and ate...

now we can barely move. 

Still, we had so much fun. On Wednesday, the kids did a Thanksgiving craft and had a ball painting. They we a mess! On Thursday, we all went to church to hear a friend preach at  Hazel Crest Assembly Church. We we blessed by the message: "Not Broken."

We came home and I set our table with help from Bella. This was the first year that I had my turkey platter, tablecloth, and used place settings. Noelle and Bella had the pleasure of writing our names on each turkey setting. 

We had the children go around and say what they were thankful for and Noah looked at Bella and said, "I'm thankful for you. I love you!" It was kind of random, but so cute. He also said he was thankful for his sisters. As a matter of fact, I think that everyone essentially said that they were thankful for each other, which is a good thing since we have to live with each other, under under one roof, for many years to come!

After dinner, we drove to hubby's grandmother's house and ate again with his family. When we got done with that we ate again at my aunt's house with my family. I am sure you can imagine that after we stubbled to our car and managed to drive ourselves home, the only thing we had enough strength to do was to pull the cover up over us after we fell in the bed!!

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure...

More Than Just A Wishlist - 20% Sale Ends Today!

With so much emphasis being put on toys, electronics, and other material possessions, do you ever wonder how you can keep your children focused on the fact that Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus?

In More Than Just a Wishlist mom of 14 and blogger, Marilyn Boyer, shares Christ-centered Christmas traditions that her family has enjoyed for years!

Here is a description of the book:

Christmas can and should be at time that draws families toward Jesus and one another, and impresses upon them the importance of reaching out and sharing God`s love with others. Establishing God-honoring traditions for your kids and grandkids is what it`s all about! As a Mom, let your enthusiasm spill over into the lives of those little ones you influence. With your arm around your children, lead them to touch the lives around them in a positive way for the Lord Jesus during this magnificent season. Join us for a tour of the traditions that have made Christmas special for the Boyer clan for years!!!

You can purchase for this book and other Christmas products for 20%! The sale ends today!

Family Movie Night

I realized, (after snapping at my kids, sending them to bed early, and having to go back and apologize), that after a long week, we all need a break! As a result, I have declared the past 3 or 4 Fridays as Family Movie Night!

Thus far, we have had pizza, salad, and popcorn on Friday nights. We all watch a movie together and then hubby and I put the kids to sleep so we can watch one alone. During that time, I have purposed not to clean, work, or worry in anyway! We have been having a great time relaxing and having fun together! I hope to keep this going!


Read below to find out more about the family-friendly movies that are being sponsored by Walmart and P&G:

Watch it together. Enjoy it forever.

Walmart and P&G have partnered to create the Family Moments initiative to help moms and families better connect with each other. Family Movie Night is a part of that movement to provide meaningful entertainment for the entire family.

During Family Movie Night, you can be confident that the programming on their screens will be fun and action-packed, without the worry of having to dive for the remote to change the channel when inappropriate ads or other content comes on. Soundtracks for the films also feature top producers and artists.

By providing this block of time, Walmart and P&G are striving to reconnect families across the country that are bombarded by busy schedules and the lack of programming that's appealing to everyone. Tune in and see what the buzz is about.

Christmas Eve Play

Unfortunately, we didn't make it to Noelle's Sunday School Christmas play last week. She was supposed to be the sheep and was disappointed that we didn't make it. Hubby and I felt bad too. As a result, hubby promised her that we would have a play at home, in which she could be the sheep.

Thus, last night (after very little planning:) we put on a little play during our annual Christmas Eve tradition of Chinese food! We added pizza and ribs to the menu this year, and once everyone was full, the entertainment began. My parents were the audience.

Baby Jesus is Born
Luke 2:1-7

Cast:

Joseph: Kenneth

Mary: LaSandra

Baby Jesus: Noah

The Sheep: Noelle, Bella, and Caleb

Inn Keeper: Ricky

The man who helped Mary and Joseph: Ross

Narrator: Tiffany

Costumes: Tiffany and LaSandra

Song: "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

As you will see, this was so funny, it was hard for us to keep our composure:)

Merry Christmas to all!

A Apple Pickin' We Went

It started snowing on Tuesday, which reminded me that fall 2010 is just about officially behind us!

Although I wasn't able to post as many pictures as I would have liked, let the record show: our family had a beautiful fall this year! With moving into our first home, keeping up our family tradition of going to the apple orchard, and having a terrific costume-themed party for Noelle's 5th birthday, I think this is one fall our family will cherish for years to come!

Thankfully, my good friend Tiffany took some great shots of our trip to County Line Orchard this year!