Thanksgiving, Gratitude and Giving

It is still Thanksgiving month right? Yeah, I thought so. I We have been busy this month. Well, actually the past couple of months. Traveling, volunteering, schooling, doctor's appointments, young families gathering and somewhere in there working! Breathe. It has been full of making memories or as my family calls it "makin' a memory." I think that is what I LOVE about November. In Texas it brings cold weather. No really cold weather below 60! YEE HAW! November offers so much of giving and gratitude. My son knows Christmas is coming but he is also aware that before new toys are to enter our home, old ones must go. We take the time in November to do this. Yes, he does it with me. We go through each section of his toys deciding which ones are worthy to enter the big brown box a.k.a the moving box. I was shocked when my son said "my trains can go in there." Really? Hummm, let me make sure he understands that THIS box is being donated to another child in need and not going in storage for a later play date. Sure enough he knew exactly what he was doing! I asked him why his favorite toys.

"Mom, didn't you say that this box will go to another little boy?"
"Yes, son I did."
"Mom, what if that little boy has never played with trains then he would never know the JOY that I have known. Plus, these are really cool trains."

tears, tears tears.....sniff sniff

I love the honesty and pure love that flows from a child. They get it. They get it more than we do. I am grateful he was(and is) so willing to give his best so that another can be blessed. Makes me reflect back to the Old Testament of when sacrifices were offered at the altar. You were to bring your best before the Lord. It was a time to focus on what HE has done for you. To worship. To honor. To THANK Him. In these precious moments with my child I do believe he is worshipping the Lord in a very tangible way that he knows how. I know in that moment the Lord was pleased and so was his momma ;0).

Today, GOD still calls for our best. For us to be living sacrifices for HIM. To ask HIM what do you want me to do today Lord? Where do you want my feet to go? What do you want my tongue to say? How do you what my hands to serve? What should my eyes see and my ears hear? So, Lord today is yours so have thine own way.


Romans 12:1 Brothers and sisters, God has shown you his mercy. So I am asking you to offer up your bodies to him while you are still alive. Your bodies are a holy sacrifice that is pleasing to God. When you offer your bodies to God, you are worshiping him.


I am so grateful for a son who in that moment had a heart of gratitude that led him to offer his best because he was so thankful for all his blessings. I hope your Thanksgiving was FULL of many wonderful memories.

Red, White & Blue!

Yay! WE VOTED! This has so far become a tradition for me and my son. We dress up in all American colors, wear comfortable shoes and go vote! After all he was born during an election year. I want my son to understand how important it is to vote, why we vote and how to pick a candidate. Yes, he is only 4. It is a building block process. One block on top another after time can create something beautiful, knowledge! So the journey has begun. Excuse the bad pictures below. I did not take them and the sun was bright. 

The sun in our eyes! 

Then at school they got to vote for popsicles or ice cream. They talked about how they are to keep it to themselves as to how they voted and it is serious. Yes, they are only 4 but this is one way to relate. I love it! Whichever goodie whens today they get the prize on Thursday. Pretty neat. 

Pre-K

I am a little bit behind in my posts but that is okay! That is LIFE! We did have our last first day of Pre-k in September. He really loves seeing his friends, participating in music, art, science and of course P.E.! Tuesday and Thursday he goes to Pre-K. Monday and Wednesday he has school here at the house. Two Wednesdays out of the month is science lab. It is so much fun! Here are some pics from September!

So beautiful! 

Two thumbs up! 

Spider man back pack! 

Him and his teacher Ms. Jenny.

Warning All Pencils in School

It’s not fair,

It’s not fair, ALL PENCILS BEWARE!

Pencil sharpeners Are in there, 

Biting teeth Beyond compare, 

Teachers sticking Us in hair,

 Erasers hiding Everywhere, 

Kids who do not Really care, 

Lots of work And tests to bear!

It’s not fair,

It’s not fair, ALL PENCILS BEWARE!

I am SO in LOVE

with this little boy! My heart just sinks when I see him smile at me like this. Does your heart melt when you see your precious kids? I know they can drive us absolutely insane! Make us want to pull our hair out wondering what the next plan of action will be. Even amidst the hard stuff you know you're smiling on the inside.

 Someday my boy will be gone from our nest so it is in these moments when I can look at a picture and remember that special day. A picture really can capture a moment! This one did for me.

Hope you are having a great week capturing your favorite moments!

For Mom's of Girls

I don't have a girl but I can imagine what it must be like ;0). I also live through my best friend who has a beautiful little girl that will be starting Kindergarten this year. *getting the tissue* That is very hard for me to believe when I remember praying over her to enter this world and praying over her sweet momma's first year of motherhood.  

Well, I follow a blog and today it is about mommas and daughters. So go on grab your tissue box, pull up a comfy chair and click on the link below. 


Dear 22 Yr. Old Me 

A What in a Box?

Okay, I must be very behind with the latest information. Has anyone heard of this new phenomenon about crafts-in-a-box being delivered to your door? If you have, why have you not shared?!!! So, I did a search and found many companies doing this craft-in-a-box idea. You can find one for you and the kids to do or one just for you. It is everything you need in one box to create, explore, discover and enrich. When I mean everything, I mean even down to the glue stick needed to use for the craft. Genesis!

Here they are for kids:

Cubby (Uk)

ToucanBox (UK)

Gickey

BabbaBox by Babbaco

Kiwi Crate

Crafts In A Box

LolliBox

For you:

WhimseyBox

ForTheMakers



So, have you tried one? If you have, please share! I am curious. 

Awe......

Well, we knew it was coming but we thought we had more time. This past Tuesday evening our washing machine and dryer decided to quit! We knew it was trouble when we saw rust and water leak from the washing machine. Then in the middle of a spin cycle we saw steam. Yeah, not good! Then the dryer decided not to dry even on the highest temp with the maximum time. Do the machines talk to each other or something? Seriously? Both at the same time. Nothing throws your day off then having one major appliance die on you then add 2! Eeeeekkkkkkk! Hubs and I quickly did the "now, what were we going to buy to replace them?" We thought we had 6 more months to finalize our decision. Oh well! Hubby ventured out to a few appliance stores to see if the washers and dryers we had on our short list measured up. We are so grateful that all the stores were having a sale! We narrowed it down to the top 2 and made out decision. So many dollars later we were committed and had a delivery date, Thursday! That is what I was doing most of my day, yesterday. Clearing out the laundry room, cleaning it, organizing it and making it beautiful.

warning: excuse the bad pics my camera and back up camera are on the fritz. ugh..;0(



From: eeeewwwww 

Very unorganized! I don't know why but this is the one place I allow some messiness. 

To:  awe........

Do you like the pretty containers? Me too!~ 

You thought I was a front load kinda of girl? You were wrong! 

She even sings to me when she is done! Beautiful music! 

Totally Pinterest! Shoe bag that hangs over the door used for cleaning products and such! 

When the delivery guys came they said "excellent purchase!" I admit it made me feel good. When the supervisor explained why it was a great purchase that just made me smile bigger. He told me of a few brands that he is always having to pick back up from the homes. They have a running bet between them as to how long it will be before they are back picking up the appliances to return to the store.  I know that sounds bad. Just goes to show you the people that delivery do know. The supervisor has been working for the company for over 10 years.  So if you have any questions about brand whether if it is front load or top load ask me! I am not an expert by any means. I(we) researched. I(we) asked friends, looked at consumer reports, read reviews and other sources to make the decision.

Now, laundry will be somewhat of pleasure. I admit not my favorite chore but the new look makes me want to get it done! Is that crazy that a few cute boxes & new machines appeal to my homemaker side? Am I the only one that gets excited about such stuff?