The Week After Thanksgiving

I love the week after Thanksgiving. I've never given much thought to it, but I realize now that it's a blessedly quite week before the Christmas festivities begin. To ponder all the reasons I am thankful...

• I'm thankful for my family. For a hard working and kind husband, for the health of my children. For the ability to make memories as a family of four. 

• I'm thankful for several opportunity to bless others and be blessed in return. Cheesy? Perhaps.

• I'm thankful for a long and luscious fall this season. We had glorious colors that lasted for weeks! Typically, fall last for only a short window of time due to droughts, but this year we had more rain than ever!

• I'm thankful for our cozy home that has been decked out for Christmas since mid-November. What can I say? The twinkle lights just make me smile.

• I'm thankful for a little Black Friday fun and traditions: Cracker Barrel for breakfast and an afternoon of shopping. We let the girls pick out new clothes and they had a blast!

And most of all, I am forever grateful for the grace of our Lord and Savior...the very reason this time of year is extra special. To celebrate not only His birth, but the REASON He came. <3

A Happy Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Lots of pie was had. Lots of visiting with family.

We hosted Thanksgiving Eve at our house this year for Josh's side of the family. Then on Thanksgiving day we headed to my folks house for dinner there.

We watched the Macy's parade, did quite a bit of shopping, and Josh decked the outside of our house for Christmas! The kids went wild over the lights!! It made me want to be a kid again...

So, today, back to salads and walking outside. Happy little routines!

One Year

It's been a year since we bought our home. One year of making memories and loving our "new" place.

Last year, I couldn't wait to spend fall here. Our trees are deep reds of orange and yellow. Our backyard, for two weeks, was a goldmine of crunchy leaves. The girls LOVED it! I knew they would. It's a wonderful backyard for little ones. I'm so thankful.

Today, I'm working on Thanksgiving dinner for Josh's side of the family. I'm making a Butter Roast, Homemade Noodles with broth (made the noodles weeks ago!), Hashbrown Casserole, and his mom is bringing salad and her Christmas cookies. Yum! Also, I need to walk a lot this weekend. ;)

For Thanksgiving day, I'll be making Watergate Salad and a Pumpkin Pie for my side of the family. Good food and good memories!

And Black Friday we have fun traditions that we always enjoy...and yes we like to get out and shop...but, just for fun. I love the music, the decorations and all the bustle.

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

PS. My house is decorated for Christmas!!!! Pictures coming soon. ~The Crazy Christmas Gal

Share Your Blessings And Enter GIVEAWAY!

I love November. It's the tail end of fall, yet there are still vibrant colors everywhere. It is also the month of giving thanks, and counting our blessings. For me, it's important to pause the every day hustle and bustle to carve a heart of thanksgiving for all that God is doing in our life. Doing so gives me a renewed perspective on the upcoming new year.

While reading "One Big Turkey" to Evie Grace, courtesy of Tommy Nelson Mommies, I realized that while my girls may be young, now is the time to start instilling a heart of gratitude. I loved how the rhythmic story line not only teaches counting skills, but they gently intertwined a theme of thanksgiving. It was perfectly suited for toddler ages, and even early elementary ages.

Giveaway Winner is Billie Joe!! If you haven't read her blog before, check it out, it's one of my favorites. She inspires me as a wife and mother. <3

The beautiful illustrations and vibrant colors helped keep my little one's attention. Always a big plus in my book! ;)

If you would like to win a copy, leave a comment sharing what YOU are thankful for this year! 

Giveaway closes THIS Friday, Nov. 4th at 2pm. Void where prohibited. Open to US readers only.