Happy Thanksgiving

Source: google.ca via Paige on Pinterest

Happy Thanksgiving Blog Family!  I hope you are having a splendid day with family and friends - remembering the many ways in which you are blessed!

We are lazily watching Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (well, Selah is actually watching Yo Gabba Gabba), the smell of apple pie is in the air, I hear Josh and his mom in their familiar banter, and I am thankful.

I am thankful for cozy blankets.
I am thankful for dimples.
I am thankful for my stud husband.
I am thankful for cinnamon rolls.
I am thankful for family who also happen to be dearest of friends.
I am thankful for grace and that He does not want me to perform.
I am thankful for laughter.
I am thankful.

I pray that you see God today as you give thanks for the big and small.  He is in every gift and every smile and every opportunity to give thanks.

5 Keys to Throwing a Memorable Party

My sister Leslie knows how to throw a party, and Molly Kate's recent 3 year soiree was no exception.  The guest list was small (only family and a few friends), but the theme was fierce - or perhaps I should say - the theme was country and Y'ALL...it was fun!

I don't know the full background story or just how many hours it took for this party to become the adorableness it was, but here are a few tips I did pick up just from watching my sister & of course...the center of attention - Miss Molly Kate.

1.  The Guest of Honor should be decked out in full party attire

She is ready to party!  Ye-ha!

Here is another shot so you can see her full get-up!  She is with my Mema & the ever adorable Selah.

2.  Party fare is more fun to eat when it makes you feel like a country girl

Our drinks were in Mason Jars...and after this party, I want to go buy a case and make this a regular way I serve drinks - so fun!

Not just any cornbread - It's cowboy cornbread!

3.  If you can invite cute cousins & photogenic family members, you will have great pictures to remember the event by

Here is my mom, the true cowgirl of my family.  Can you believe she used to drive tractors? 

The Pigtail Mafia - Watch out for these two girls!

The older version of Pigtail Mafia - they are leading the way in our world of cousins!

4.  Choose an activity that is fun & destructive!

Watch out for Farrah - she has a powerful swing!

Our little Selah was loving the pinata...and Josh?  Well, I'm not sure what Josh was thinking here.

5.  Make sure the Birthday Girl loves her cake!

Molly was excited to show everyone her special cake!

Look at the joy on that face after blowing out the candles!

I'm sure there are more tips to make a party memorable, but these are the 5 I discovered this last week.  Happy Birthday, Miss Molly Kate and good job on the party, Les!  I'm glad I still have 3 months to work on Selah's next party.

A Look Through The Lens

I've enjoyed looking at the world through my camera lens lately - something about really focusing in on certain aspects of life helps me to be thankful of what's right in front of me at the time.  And so, here are just a few things I've noticed and been thankful for this month

Leaves changing - bright reds, oranges, and yellows against the blue sky

Little hands and little feet on a constant search for all that is new

The smile of a friend who is anticipating her upcoming graduation & the new life that comes with finishing  college

Sunsets - If you live in Lubbock, have you noticed just how gorgeous they have been lately?

What have you noticed recently that you are thankful for?

Where I Am - November 2011

I promised myself a few months ago that I would not disappear from my blog for weeks at a time again – mostly for the benefit of myself as writing helps me sort out life and the many thoughts that seem jumbled in my head.  And so I was firm in my commitment – I would be consistent.  I would be faithful.  I would write.  I would create.  I would share.  I would just do it.

And then I got pregnant, and I did a little jig and shared this good news with you.   

And then it hit.  Somehow I had forgotten about the all consuming exhaustion that seems to accompany the first few months of pregnancy…and I most definitely had forgotten about the gnawing nausea that seems my constant companion these days.  And as I result I forgot about my commitment to write – no, I actually remembered, but in comparison to my desire for saltine crackers and a pillow it just couldn’t compete.

So, that’s where I’ve been this last month – 

I’ve taken a nap most days (if I can time it with Selah’s nap or Josh working from home).

I’ve reacquainted myself with crackers and toast and ginger tea.

And yet I’ve also tried to march forward, ignoring that gnaw and playing with my sweet girl.

I’ve been praying about prayer a lot lately – is that even proper?  I’m wondering how do you help people learn to pray and value prayer.

I’ve traveled to Dallas to see a dear friend’s  son get married.

Lovely Ladies Who Impart Wisdom to My Life

 

I’ve dressed up my child as Cinderella – she and her cousins had a Disney Princess theme…

Peyton as Snow White & Selah as Cinderella

 I’ve had an ultrasound and marveled at the first picture of our little peanut.

I’ve read some wonderful books (I’ll blog about them soon)

I’ve been rather hormonal and found  myself crying at the slightest emotional commercial on television.

I’ve discovered that my child is more of a toddler than ever before & is especially interested in…well, everything!  

Is she adorable or what?  She was really proud because she was wearing my headband

 I’ve enjoyed teaching a weekly class on The Pauline Epistles – I have a great class and have fallen in love anew with books like Galatians and Ephesians.

And I'm back to blogging - hopefully back to a consistency...

This is where I am!  Now that I’m quickly caught up…I think I’ll go take a nap!