Thanks be to God....

Happy Thanksgiving!  I know it was a couple days ago and the majority of the world has moved on to thinking about Christmas.  Don't get me wrong....I love Christmas.  However, giving thanks should be a part of every day, shouldn't it?  I haven't been on facebook much in the last couple days but I recall seeing my friend Cindy's status on Thanksgiving day.  It said "What if you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday?" Hmm.  I've just been pondering that these last couple days.  I confess I don't thank Him enough and He sure has abundantly blessed me.  I want to remember to thank Him every day....especially for "His indescribable gift" 2 Cor. 9:15  Even when life seems tough and money is tight....there is always much to be thankful for.  

What a week this was!  I had 3 cleaning jobs this week (thankful for that!), and on Tuesday night we had three of Ryan's friends from high school, along with their wives and kids over for a quick but fun supper!  That was eight adults (including me and Ry) and eight kids!!!!  My table looked plain, and the garlic bread was a bit more crispy than I would've liked, but none of that mattered because it was special just being with people we care about and enjoying the time with them.  I don't know Ryan's friends super well but I know they are great guys and it is such a treat to get to know their wives better.  After supper, the four wives and all eight kiddos went to watch the husbands play soccer.  They didn't win :( but...Lee scored the goal of the night.  Way to go, Lee!  He probably won't even read this. I'm really lamenting the fact that I didn't have a chance to take a single picture of this crazy gathering and I totally forgot to have everyone sign my guestbook.  Oh well.  Next time!  :) 

On Wednesday night we had our annual Wafflegiving at the chapel.  It's pretty self explanatory. We eat waffles with all kinds of yummy toppings and everyone shares what they're thankful for! :)  It was memorable and unique and there was lots to be thankful for.  When we got home my parents were waiting at our house and the kitchen fairy (my mom) had washed all the dirty dishes I had left behind in a hurry to get out to the chapel.   She decided "the cleaning lady needed a cleaning lady." ;) So thankful for her!

Our thanksgiving was a small but sweet gathering that included me, Ryan, and both sets of parents.  We hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year and I loved every minute!  It was a pretty stress free day as I prepared as much as I could the night before and my MIL contributed ham and apple pie to the meal.  I asked Dad to make his famous secret stuffing. Even though it's never the same....it's always delicious.  My dad pastored a church for 25 years and every year he and my mom would make a thanksgiving meal for the whole congregation.  People would always ask him for his stuffing recipe but he would never give it up.  He's one of those creative cooks who can just throw things together and *poof!* it's amazing.  I didn't think so when I was a kid because I could only appreciate things like mac and cheese.  ;)  When i shuffled downstairs in my PJs on Thanksgiving morning, he was already in the kitchen working his magic. :) So thankful for him.  My kitchen fairy followed behind me all day, cleaning dishes and helping with the feast preparations as much as possible.  Did I already say I was thankful for her?  Well...I am.  

it was so fun dressing up the table! :)

look at that handsome red bearded man!  love him! definitely thankful for him!

enjoying a little taste pre-dinner!  :)

praline pumpkin torte.  so delicious. 

thankful for parents

 We had a lovely time of eating and giving thanks.  I may or may not have teared up a little. :)  We laughed and talked and we started the tradition of each person reading a verse out of the verse box and guessing the reference. It was a great evening.

Mom and I ventured out shopping later in the day on Friday.  Thankfully we didn't have to fight off any psychos with pepper spray or worry about getting trampled.  We slept in and went out when we thought it was safe. :)  I have actually never done the whole black Friday shopping thing.  I cannot stand massive crowds of people.  We only went a few places, but mom found lots of treasures at a consignment shop for the ebay business my parents have. http://stores.ebay.com/The-Jeweled-Page

While we were gone Ry and Dad put Christmas lights on the house and Ry was working on Gilbert's dog house when we got home.

you can't see him but Ryan was actually in the dog house too. :)

I think Dad likes Gilbert a little more each time he comes. :)

One thing is for sure....Gil definitely likes my dad! :)

I'll leave you with one final picture from tonight. Ryan and I were sitting at the dining room table working on Sunday school stuff for tomorrow and Gil was helping Ry.

Time for bed!  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!