Thank You's

I read a story today about a couple here in Texas whose little baby developed without eyes. She literally has no eyeballs. She will never ever see. She will never see her parents or herself. She will never see clouds in the sky or sunsets. This makes me want to cry. It also makes me so very grateful for everything I have in my life.

Everyone has things about their lives that they would like to change. We want a better job, or a better house. We want to lose weight or get married or divorced. Heck, sometimes I just wish I had that particular shirt in a different color. Since the Thanksgiving season is one of being thankful I have decided to do that....a little early.

TODAY (the list changes day to day) I am MOST thankful for:

• God


• my family


• my sister


• my in-laws (who are like second parents to me)


• my mother (she did give me life after all)


• my husband


• his never ending love


• his hugs and kisses


• the way he loves my daughter


• the way he looks at me when he thinks I'm not looking


• my daughter (who is my heart)


• her laugh


• her smile


• her hugs


• her tears


• her just being alive


• our health


• my job


• my friends (old and new)


• the fall


• sunrises (sun awake mommy!)


• fog in the morning


• coffee (if only it woke me up)

Granted, it's a short list. The real list of what I am thankful for would take too long to write and you'd likely not want to read it. It all boils down to being grateful for the life I have.

The whole point of the entry, I suppose, is to stop and THINK ABOUT the things you are truly grateful for whenever something gets you down. There are many blessings in life, you just have to find them.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!


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Thank You Veterans

Thank you to the Veterans, and current service men and women, who have helped keep my family, and my country safe.

Each donned their uniform to be
Defenders of our liberty

Their mission sure, their spirits bright
Guard freedom’s home, be brave to fight

One final day each faced their call
Each gave their best enduring all

We’ll never know what they went through
But know they loved this country true

Deep down inside we should all feel
What heroes gave, their cost so real

We must stay thankful, grateful of
The gift of freedom through their love

Their loved ones bore the gravest pain
What we can’t know, some now sustain

To God I pray their pain will cease
And each will find long-lasting peace

Remember this from year to year
What heroes gave – shan’t disappear

We’ll never let their special day
Their time for honor slip away

These brave fought for a nation free
If not for them, where would we be?

©2004Roger J. Robicheau



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Thanksgiving Traditions

Can you think of any Thanksgiving movies? Christmas has a ton and even Halloween has "The Great Pumpkin", not to mention your run-of-the-mill horror stories. My husband likes to point out that his favorite Thanksgiving move is "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" (hence the lovely graphic at the beginning of the post).

Halloween has pumpkin carving and dressing up. Christmas has Santa and presents (Jesus seems to get lost sometimes, if you ask me). What do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving? Yesterday I talked about Christmas traditions and today I'd like to talk about Thanksgiving traditions. What makes Thanksgiving special to you and your family? Do you truly "give thanks" on that day?

Most people associate Thanksgiving with the MEAL. Ffoooooooooooddd. I am guilty of this too. I love a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. I even don't mind being the one to cook it. But, just cooking a fancy meal shouldn't be what makes this day special. I mean, come on, kids get two whole days off of school (and many people have those days off from work, unless you are fortunate enough to work in retail)! This is an excellent opportunity to celebrate some good old American history with your family.

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated to give thanks to God and the Native Americans for helping the pilgrims survive the brutal winter. Although half of the pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower had already died, many more would have had it not been for the native Americans teaching the pilgrims to harvest foods. The first Thanksgiving feast lasted three whole days providing enough food for 53 pilgrims and 90 Indians.

While the first Thanksgiving was in the 1600's, it wasn't until 1863 when Abraham Lincoln declared the third Thursday of November to be Thanksgiving. It later became a Federal Holiday in 1941.

I know, we all learn in school about the Mayflower and the Pilgrims and how the Native Americans helped them. BORING! Am I right? I mean, it's not like you get to dress up, or get presents or chocolate. You just get a fancy dinner. So, why not make Thanksgiving just as "traditional" as the other Holidays around the year? It's a way for your family to come together and spend some quality time remembering the real reason we celebrate (hint: it's not about football).

With Halloween and Christmas, the decorating is half the fun, right? So, why not add Thanksgiving into the mix? Kids love crafts. Well, pre-teen kids love crafts. I am reminded of an episode if Yo Gabba Gabba when they have an Art Show. Why not ask your kids to help you decorate by creating their very own art show with a Thanksgiving theme? They can make turkeys, centerpieces for the table, napkin rings for dinner, etc. (ideas and how-to's under "more information" below). It's a great way to spend quality time with your family, AND start a new tradition! "Hunting" for decorations from nature (like pine cones and fall leaves) is also a great family activity.

One other thing you can consider is sending out a Thanksgiving Holiday card, instead of (or in addition to) a Christmas card. I had some friends do this last year and I thought it was wonderful since their card really stood out and didn't get lost in the deluge of Christmas cards we get.

Just a couple of things to think about. We all watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and football. And we all try our best to cook a fabulous dinner that our families won't forget (until Christmas, at least). I just think that making Thanksgiving stand out for something other than a great meal and some television (that we probably get too much of already) is always a good idea.


More Information:

• The History of Thanksgiving - History.com


• The First Thanksgiving - Scholastic


• Thanksgiving Craft Decorations - FamilyFun.Go.com

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Christmas Traditions

As the Holidays are fast approaching, new families (like mine) may be on the lookout for some new traditions to start. My daughter is only 2 years old and doesn't really understand the concept of Christmas. But, that hasn't stopped me from buying (when I was on maternity leave because I am slightly nutty) something that we are going to use every year called the Elf on the Shelf.

Now, I did talk about this last year but here's a little refresher course.

From their website:

How does Santa REALLY know who’s been naughty or who’s been nice?

After much urging by the elves and Mrs. Claus, Santa has allowed his biggest secret to be revealed in the book, The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition®. Santa has partnered each book with a magical scout elf which children name. They can then visit the North Pole (elfontheshelf.com) to register their elf’s name in our Hall of Registry and print their official elf adoption certificate. All Santa approved, of course!

For a mere $30.00 (well, $29.95) plus shipping and handling, you get a North Pole scout elf, a hard-bound children`s book and a keepsake box. The elf is available in your choice of light or dark skin tones.

This is such a sweet, easy, Christmas tradition that will last for years and years. And with such a reasonable price, how can you say no?

I am looking forward to seeing Willow's face when we take it out (probably after Thanksgiving). I don't think that, at 2 years old, she's going to modify her behavior but, I can't wait anyway!

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Pass It On

As a mother, I think about the things that I am "passing on" to my daughter. I see every day the personality traits she gets from her father and I wonder what I can offer her. You know, aside from the whole "giving her life" thing.

When I was a kid, my mother was always crocheting or knitting or cross stitching. I always thought it was neat, but it never occurred to me to ask her about it. And, she never volunteered any information. So, I have decided that I am going to be proactive. I don't know if it's the Holidays coming up, or if it's my feeling a little "domestic" in my "old age", but I think I am going to learn how to crochet AND knit and teach it to Willow, if she would like to learn.

I am not a stay-at-home mom. I know they have less time than I do to do fantastic things like sewing and quilting and knitting, yet somehow they manage to make time for it. And I have to say that I am constantly impressed by it all. I read about friends' "projects" and I am secretly jealous that I am not "crafty". Is that silly? Maybe, but I don't care.

While many of us "modern" mothers work, I think we can still find the time to teach our daughters traditional things like needlework and sewing if we put our minds to it. I'll have to dig out the book on crocheting that I am pretty sure I have and keep you updated on future projects.

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