Thanksgiving....w/ a pop of color

I confess to Almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters: That I decorated my house PRIOR to Thanksgiving. Deal with it.

Is anything cooler than swinging in the hay loft? Not to a city kid.

Four of my five helped Grandma do chores in 4 degree weather.

(That's not factoring the windchill!)

Nic got this T-shirt for his birthday. Yes that is a chocolate lab on the front.

And no, he hasn't wanted to take it off!

HUGE NEWS! Nic shot and killed his first two geese! He turned 10 on the 23rd, allowing him to mentor hunt with his dad. They went out the Friday following T-giving, and he scored his own two geese. Completely alone. If you don't know how difficult that is....ask your husband. He's TEN people!

Charming some ice cream from Papa.

Seriously....is any caption necessary?

I told you it was a Mexican Fiesta! We celebrated one traditional, and one a bit quirky.

Feliz Dia de Gracias! And yes, we're just odd like that.

Feeling pretty good after his big hunt!

And the pop of color!

Ole`!

I'm in the mood

~Pandora is playing my Christmas station all day now. And because I can not hear it throughout my house, I break from daily duties often to sit at my computer scrolling through family photos while soaking in Ray Charles' version of Winter Wonderland.

~My usual morning coffee has become an opportunity to indulge my sense of taste with a bit of holiday cheer. No, I am not spiking my coffee with hot rum. But I am finding delight in gingerbread, sugar and spice and eggnog creamers.

~I am burning seasonal candles. Inhaling deeply of the peppermints, evergreen, and sugar cookie scents.

~Lists have become as common as toilet paper around here. I start one whenever I have a moment of quiet. Christmas card recipients, gift exchanges, food ideas, and brainstorming ideas for kids' gifts, are just a few of the daily scribblings.

~My usual aversion to all forms of social entertainment within my home is forgotten as I seek dates for possible gatherings of friends and family.

~Detours from my regular route through town lead me to the streets lined with lighted baskets of greenery. Like a child mesmerized by sparkly lights, I find myself wanting to throw on a hat, mittens, and scarf and skip down the streets singing carols.

~Quick trips into the store are drastically slowed as I meander slowly up and down the decorated aisles of trees and figurines. Gleaning ideas for new displays in my own home.

Yes, I am definitely in the mood. And it is such a beautiful thing.

My Thanksgiving Song

I have to be honest, if it isn't played on the Christian radio station, I usually won't hear it. And there is an entire play list of music that reminds me of my gratitude for my Savior. But if I had to pick one secular song that best represents my life, this is the one. I hope someone writes it down and remembers to use it as a tribute for me when I move onto my permanent home.

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy.

(when I hear this song, I am usually seeing photographs of our life...not Sara rolling around on the sand :o)

'TEN YEAR OLDER' IN THE HOUSE!

It is easy to feel young, even when looking old, if you live in a house filled with little children. It is just one of the many perks of the blessing of a large family. However, when the oldest begins to grow up, no matter how young the youngest is, it ages me.

Nicholas David came into this world on Thanksgiving Day in 2000. He is my firstborn. My one in a million.

There are so many things that I could write about Nic. So many stories that I could retell of his antics as a little boy and now young man. So many tributes to be told of his selfless love of his family and loyalty that knows no limits. So many sagas of his passionate assertiveness and the hair it causes his father to lose.

Instead I just wish to say this about him. The world would be a better place with a few more Nicholas' in it. The good the bad and the ugly included. He is a fine young man who continues to challenge my parenting abilities, test my patience and show me that my love for a human can be infinite. There is no greater privilege then having him call me mom.

Happy 10th birthday Nic!

We love you to the moon....and back.

For life & health & every good we give thee thanks Oh Lord!

Have an 'attitude of gratitude'.

That is the line my parents often used when instructing us as children. Develop an attitude of gratitude, they would say. At the time, they would have been happy if that encouraged us to say, "thank you" after our sibling passed the potatoes at the dinner table. The small stuff, always working on the small stuff. The big stuff will come in time.

As a mother now, I think about that one liner, along with many others dished out by my parents over the growing up years. Sometimes it becomes a tedious chore to remind our children of the importance in thanking the waitress who refilled their soda or more difficult perhaps, thanking their own sibling for the opportunity to sit next to mom, even if they did not get there first. Whatever the circumstance may be, the lesson is crucial. It is not that a missed thank you to the waitress means all that much in her day. She probably rarely gets appreciated for her services. No, the lesson isn't for her, it is for them. It is the small stuff that cultivates the bigger stuff.

I doubt very seriously, that as a child I was overly gratuitous to those around me for my many blessings. I mean, surely I realized that I had a good life...one created for me by my parents and the superior authority we bowed to. But I did not think about much beyond myself back then. However, that is not why my parents kept on. Likewise it did not convince them to give up.

An attitude of gratitude has been part of the fabric of my life. Most certainly, from time to time I forget just how fortunate I am. But because of their faithful discipline, instruction and love the seed planted did not wither and die. I look at my life now and I am often overwhelmed with gratitude. I have to remind myself that there is no guilt in recognizing my blessings. After all, they are not a result of the work of my hands, so the glory is not mine.

As we head towards Thanksgiving I am moved to reflect and ponder the depth of my own gratitude as well as take account of those with whom I need to offer a 'thank you' . I am also motivated to continue the pruning process with my own children. To cultivate in them the 'attitude of gratitude' taught and demonstrated by my own parents. Also to continue encouraging them to recognize the gifts given to them daily, the blessings abounding and the need to say 'thank you'.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for commenting. Thank you for putting up with my ramblings. :o)

I'm ready to offically begin my anticipation

In some ways I feel rather guilty admitting that I am already in the mood for the Holiday Season. And believe me, in using the term 'holiday' instead of Christmas is not an attempt to omit the reason for the season...only to include the season prior to His birth as part of the holy time. Guilty because although I fully embrace the teaching that Advent is to be a time of preparation prior to the actual Christmas Holy Day, I know that it may imply a desire to speed through and move on.

As decorations are being plastered from liquor store window to grocery store aisle prior to Thanksgiving I can not help but feel like the culture isn't really getting it. The classic hurry-hurry rush-rush mentality has hit again. Hurry-hurry rush-rush, and then tear it all down....the day after Christmas because we are so sick of it that we end the celebration that has really just begun.

To align myself with that type of anticipation is not my desire. I, personally, am in Advent year round. All year long I am anticipating the glorious morn of Christmas. So although the Church designates the four weeks prior to Christs' birth as a time of waiting and preparation, and for a clear encouragement for Christians to SLOW down, ponder, reflect, repent, and prepare themselves, I feel that anticipation always.

So when my tree goes up and my Christmas cards go out don't be alarmed that my family is bypassing the solemnity of Advent in an attempt to be the first ones through the Christmas gate.

No, that's not it at all. And we will not be tearing it all down in the quiet hours after Christmas morning. It will remain, as we celebrate the season fully.

Organized chaos.

If I were to tell you that I am the kind of gal who likes to be organized you would believe me, right?

If I were to tell you that I am the kind of gal who IS organized, would you still believe me?

Because one walk-about through my home and you might find yourself itching with hives at the sight of stacked items upon my desk, the bulging pantry, the closet with shoes strung hither and yon, and the hat/mitten bin overflowing with mis-matches. That might tell otherwise of my organizational skills, or lack thereof.

I want to be organized. I long for organization. Nay, I yearn for it.

Still, some would consider me highly organized. Those would be the people I like to surround myself with. You know, the ones who are complete slobs. Joking! But obviously it is all about perspective. Because in the right circle, I am annoyingly prepared, organized, planned. And then in another, I am a mess.

I think it is summarized most accurately with the old expression: organized chaos. That is me. Completely. And while I strive for more than that...it is a start. I mean what's the alternative? Just chaos. And I am so NOT okay with that. I think I will go sort the mitten/hat bin.

Oh the options!

I have said it before, I am sure, but I do not do well with too many options. I really am much more comfortable with an Option A and Option B. But unluckily for me, most of life comes with enough options to cause my poor little brain to go into meltdown mode.

I ordered our Christmas cards the other day. But not before creating nearly 35 various options. How am I supposed to choose between the beautiful paisley scroll or the vintage Christmas ornament designs? Who am I to place teal and cocoa above wine and lime green? Seriously! That is saying nothing of the vast array of messages that can be picked from, who am I to decide if we are a "Happy Holiday's" kind of family, or more, "Jingle Bells-y"? And layouts? You have got to be kidding me! No not just one picture on a card, I can choose up to ten. Ten pictures? Does anyone getting a card from me really want to see ten of our family photos? And if so, which ten?

Do you smell that? It's the brain matter melting in my head.

It is finished. Usually I make the ginormous mistake of asking my husband his opinion before I order. Not to be this year. He has no input. He will be represented however I see put. And of course, since there was no monetary gain in ordering a larger quantity of one style, I ordered four. Four different ones. And I consider that quite reserved given the options were pretty much reaching the thousands.

How about you? Do you have the photo taken? The cards ordered? The letter written? What are you waiting for?

Sonshine on my shoulders

Here in Sunnyville things are pretty peachy keen most days. But from time to time a storm brews and threatens to rain on my little patch of blissful heaven.

Okay, so that was a bit snarky. Even for me. Simply put: Life is good. Except when it's not.

There was a time in my life when storms brewing brought about anxiety, angst, and a need to retreat to a place of denial. And I would be lying if I pretended that from time to time, even now, I am not tempted to throw myself headlong into that same ditch of helplessness. But more powerful than that temptation, is the peace that I have come to find within my faith. Struggles that once would have made me question my faith, now strengthen it.

Fear might try to present itself, but everlasting peace nudges it out. Doubt may try a round about sneak attack, but everlasting peace boots it to the curb. I still wonder, question, and feel saddened, by the circumstances out of my control. But I do not feel helplessness, tragedy, and a lack of hope. Even in the face of some pretty trying times.

Before this begins to sound as a trumpet horn being blown for my great strength of mind and character, let me assure you that it is not.

None of this is because of my might, nor by my power....but by His spirit. My only contribution is the rare act of humbleness shown in surrendering all that I am to Him. As if I had any chance of success on my own.

I write this not as a testament to my great faith. I write this as encouragement to those of you who, like me, occasionally feel the threat of a storm in your life.

Deep thoughts with HJWDYK (or the real reason i will never be considered for a real writing job)

1. My hair totally belongs in the 80's. Poof, frizz, bigness---got it!

2. I can be quite happy with very little.

3. Yet my idea of very little, is still quite a lot in comparison with that of much of humanity.

4. Seasonal creamers make me happy. Like wrap my fingers around my mug and smile happy.

5. I've learned a lot about myself through mothering. Some of it is very disturbing.

6. My kids' teachers rock. That's it. They rock.

7. I wonder if I can wait until Christmas for a new scarf, which is what I requested, or if I'll have to break down and purchase one a bit sooner.

8. I absolutely love that my oldest son wants to hold my hand when we walk together.

9. I am not a 'make-new-friends' kind of gal. In fact I'm pretty lousy even with 'old' friends.

10. Never, ever, ever, thought I'd embrace skinny jeans so enthusiastically.

11. I have a tendency to over-extend myself. Not in yoga, mind you, because well, I don't do yoga, I'm more of a Pilate's kind of girl.

12. I like the challenge of meeting deadlines. Especially when there is no consequence if I miss them.


13. I am unashamed to admit that I like watching Hannah Montana with my kids. Takes me back to my "Saved by the Bell" years.

14. I am really feeling quite giddy that with the dropping temperature wearing boots actually makes sense.

15. I do not know how to receive a compliment. By not know how....I mean, I feel totally awkward about it.

16. It might be time to chop off my mop of hair. Refer to ramble #1 if you wonder why.

17. I saw a picture of myself recently and couldn't believe how aged I appeared. Shocking to me, not necessarily to you. Thirty-ish is probably a good time to start a skin care plan, huh?

18. Kate's outlook on life is contagious. I wish I could see things more like she does.

19. I am so stinkin' excited to be heading into this 'holiday' season. Come December 15th I would like to request a freeze on the calendar however. Which shouldn't be too difficult, because I'm sure everything else will be frozen.

20. Very little gets done when I ramble on like this. I best be going.

Andy Pandy turns FIVE!

We moved to town when I was six months pregnant with Andrew. I feel like we moved to town last week. How can he be five?

If I could only tell you one thing about Andrew it would be this: He is the most naturally pleasing child to be around.

Since it's my blog, I can tell you more than one thing however. In fact....I'm going to tell you ten.

1. Andrew has a smile that penetrates past exteriors right into your heart.

2. He has a way of drawing complete strangers into his circle. And making them feel as though they've known and loved him forever.

3. He is genuinely one of the most thoughtful people I know.

4. He is totally comfortable in just about any environment. He loves people.

5. I don't know if I have ever been really angry with him. I mean like ANGRY.

6. He says things to me that floor me. His knowledge and understanding are beyond his five years.

7. He can pick up a bat and knock a ball into the next yard. He started swinging at two.

8. His favorite place to be is wherever we take him. His family is everything to him.

9. He is sensitive. If he senses that he has upset someone he becomes very emotional.

10. He is the most amazing five year old I know!

Today is Andrew's birthday. Today we will celebrate him and how his role in this family completes us. We will sing a song, open a few gifts and sit back and marvel at how crazy blessed we are by this little boy.

Spooktacular & Halloween Twenty Ten

After two days of costume changes and make-up, I am pretty sure that I can now add Broadway stage hand to my resume qualifications.

Cowgirl Olivia.

Indian Princess Kate.

Senator Smiley Andrew.

Engineer and his 80's chick.

"Winning your vote one smile at a time."

The fabulous 5.

With the cousins.

My brother.

Shane & Dawn's family.

The motley crew minus a few.

Our silly family.

By Halloween night a few costumes had been modified.

For example, Senator Smiley was fed up with politics as usual, and decided that Washington needed a new sheriff in town.

Eeyore was still cute. But not feeling well at all.

My rules for Halloween Costuming

My kids have asked a time or two in the past...."Mom, why won't you let us be anything scary for Halloween?"

And besides my complete lack of interest in the ghoulish side of Halloween, I simply do not want to see my adorable little cherub of a child covered in fake blood or imitating a glorified movie serial killer. Not in my house, you don't.

Some simple unofficial rules (by unofficial that means they are subject to change on the whim and weariness of the mother) for costumes in our home are as follows.

1. Costumes purchased from a store must be done so AFTER Halloween if they are to be used. Meaning, that yes, we have some store purchased costumes but they were purchased as 'dress up' clothes for pennies on the dollar. Think thrift stores!

2. When at all possible we choose something creative and original.

3. Even if the idea is not original, we do our best to create our costume from items that will make it so.

4. Mom does not sew. And even if I did, I will not be sewing five costumes. Period.

5. I can use scissors, glue gun, and duct tape. And so far that's proven effective enough.

6. If bonus points are given for creativity, then double bonus is given for ironic creativity. And triple bonus if the irony is understood.

7. Cuteness goes a long way in procuring large amounts of candy.

8. If you want candy, you will participate by dressing up.

9. One is NEVER too old for candy or dressing up.

10. Halloween is not some big and scary pagan holiday, unless you want it to be.

The Ghosts of Halloween's Past

It is more than a little ironic that the one 'secular' holiday that was most unwelcome in our home growing up, has become a tradition of family celebration for us now. I mean seriously people, I colored a lettuce head in kindergarten instead of a jack-o-lantern. And no, it did not scar me. It instead taught me at an early age that it is okay to go against the culture. And it is okay to be different. My parents were fighting the good fight. And I have often followed their example as a parent myself.

The small town in which my parents now live has an annual Spooktacular event held on the Saturday before Halloween. Because the funnest part of Halloween is the dressing up, I have always been extremely disenchanted with the simple and speedy act of trick-or-treating. This instead is a full afternoon of activity, where we can gather with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents and celebrate together. All while sipping cider, eating carmel apples, and riding a horse drawn hay wagon.

I am quite certain that our family, as opposed to those more local, has adopted the greatest interest in this annual event. I say with almost complete assurance, that we are the most 'active' crew involved. Yes, even we adults dress up. Why you ask? Why not?

So while I can not show you this year's costume selection, which will be as good as ever...I can show you the ghosts of Halloween past. Enjoy!

2006

2007

2008 Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion

2008 My brother's family

2008 Dorothy and the Cowardly Cute Lion

2008 The whole Ozzy Clan

2009 Laura & Mary

Yes we reuse costumes, and as a tradition every baby was Eeyore.

So guess who's turn it will be this year?

In the state I am in....

Recently I was visiting another mommy blog and found her posting pictures of the lovely part of the country where she resides. All while singing the praises of God's beautiful creation just outside her kitchen windows. While I could not agree more, that her part of America is one to sing songs about, it resonated with me deeper that what she was seeing was not just the prettiest picture.

Philippians four is filled with great stuff. As is the rest of Holy Scripture, you should check it out. One of my favorites, and one that was quoted to me regularly as a child is this: "....for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Phil. 4:11)

I believe that God gives us a vision for beauty wherever He has planted our behinds. Yes, even those of us in South Dakota. Our responsibility is to have our eyes open to see it. Someday I would love to travel, to see the many places that poets have written verse about, or of which lyrics have sung songs. But even if my behind stays frozen to a park bench in the upper mid-west, I have seen God's beauty here. And it is well with my soul.

It's going around....

Rarely am I so cooperative, but I could not think of any good reason not to participate in this little game. (But Sohailah, don't say I never did anything for ya, K? :o) Here are my answers to eight random questions presented to me by the lovely Sohailah. I realize that I am to come up with eight questions and tag eight people...problem is I do not know eight people that blog faithfully anymore! So I will leave eight questions at the bottom of this post, and if you wish, you may answer them in the comments, or on the Facebook link. Enjoy.

1) What is your favorite thing to do when you have “down time” and why?

--Well quite obviously I enjoy writing. But I do not have an outlet other than here for that, so I really do not do it all that much. Most of my "down time", (and I'd really enjoy a definition of that because I'm not sure I know what it is), is spent with my family. If we have nothing scheduled, we often head out to a lake nearby and enjoy nature by walking trails, playing in parks and being together.

2) If you could “change jobs” right now, and it would have absolutely no bearing on anything financially or relationally in your life, what would you do?

--No one has a more rewarding job than myself. So I won't be giving this one up. However, I would love to write professionally, while mothering full time.

3) Do you play an instrument or sing? If so, what? If not, why not?

--I can play piano. But at the level of a floundering third year piano student. Enough to plunk out a song or two, but nothing you'd hear in the lobby of a grand hotel. And I sing loudly and often. Not in a group of any sort, unless my five kids officially make us a group, but music is the heartbeat of my soul. In the words of our beloved former pope, John Paul II, "I have a sweet tooth for song and music. This is my Polish sin." I do not want a rock crying out in my place!

4) What was your favorite extra-curricular activity in high school?

--I attended a very small school, therefore, extra-curricular activities were as common place as regular classroom work. I participated in track, basketball, cheerleading, oral interp, one-act and Spring play, FFA, yearbook/newspaper, choir, and underwater basket weaving, along with a few I am sure I have since forgotten. I enjoyed the physical aspect of athletics...however I was on the world's worst basketball team. I also loved plays and speaking activities.

5) What is the one belief in your head that you KNOW is a lie, but still have to battle?

--My own strength, resolve, perseverance, or control make all things possible. I tend to jump into things, make a mess of them on my own and THEN remember that all things are possible....WITH GOD. Not the mighty power of Heidi.

6) Favorite type of food and why? And a memory of eating that food – with whom, where, when, etc.

--I really do not know if I have yet to encounter my favorite food. I don't consider myself knowledgeable at all in this area. Some favorite memories related to food though: homemade hot cocoa and toast, cucumber sandwiches, skillet breakfast with my grandpa, birthday cherry pies.

7) Cats or dogs? Why?

--Both. A cat is necessary to deal with my least favorite creation. Mice. And dogs are just down right good company.

8) If you had a plane ticket to anywhere in the world to go to RIGHT NOW, where would you want it to be to?

--I would want seven tickets. If I could add that into the equation, then I would like them to take my family to a beautiful beach in Hawaii. But of course, only if they included the motel and food along with it! But I would cash all that in and take door number two if it held a suburban. :o)

Thanks Sohailah for including me. Not sure if you learned anything to enlightening from mine. Thanks so much for keeping it simple. I am not good with deep philosophical thought provoking commentary.

Now, if you desire to play along, you may answer these 8 questions in the comment box:

1) Creamy or crunchy peanut butter?

2) Indoors or outdoors?

3) Christmas card with or without picture?

4) Tattoo? Where? Why?

5) Coffee plain or creamed?

7) Romeo & Juliet, Julius Caesar, or Hamlet?

8) Song that's rockin' your socks currently

The hunt is on

Hunting season makes me want to shop.

Not a conscious decision like---Man Hunt. Woman Shop.---kind of thing. It just happens. And retailers everywhere REJOICE.

I would argue that it is more like a natural instinct, if you will. It just feels like the thing to do when the men put on camouflage and head off to sit in a cold field for five hours. Something in my head says, "Hey let's go to the mall!" Well, my head used to say that, before five kids. Now my head says, "Hey let's go to the computer and shop online!" The results are very similar, however.

Wives of hunters, can you back me up on this? Because I know that my husband and many reading this, would concur that it is a 'revenge' sort of thing. An immature exchange of 'his time' vs. 'my time' thinking. It is not. I swear. I love that Chad hunts. While I do not understand it for the life of me, the man does so little for himself, that if ugly pants, cold fields and loud guns bring him pleasure, so be it. I love it even more that two or so of the kids and the dog go along.

But after several evenings, and many Saturday's of Fall coming and going with the master of the house away, something tells me that a relief of the monotony will be found in a full online shopping bag.

So tell me, is this a common reaction to the hunt? Or am I just looking for justification wherever I can find it? Either way, the hunt is on.

My lil' punkn'