Thanksgiving...

So once in every year we

throng Upon a day apart,

To praise the Lord with feast

and song In thankfulness of heart.

~Arthur Guiterman, The First Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I feel so blessed... this year more than ever.

I hope you feel the same!

'things' that make my heart happy!

I think it's pretty obvious who makes my heart happy,

but I thought it would be fun to share some of the

'things' that make my heart happy...

(pardon the cliche) so here are a few of my favorite things.

Here is my newest thing that makes my heart happy,

a beautiful oil painting of a tree. It's so serene.

One of my most treasured possessions,

my hand made necklace, that Matt gave me last Christmas,

that says simply in Italian...

My Sweet Girls,

their names, and birth dates.

Then, no matter where I am or if I'm away from my girls,

I carry them with me always.

My funky salt & pepper shakers.

Some of my happiest memories were around my grandma's

kitchen table, where these sat.

Now, they sit on my table, and not a day goes by that

they don't remind me of sweet days with my Gram.

My board of memories,

Old family pictures,

valentines, postcards, and photos of things from time goes by...

it makes me smile to have it!

A must have can't live without it..

Burt's Bee's "lip chap"!

For always and ever I will have these up,

I didn't take any when Bella was born, and I regretted it so much,

so when Meritt was newborn we had "Baby Pictures"

taken, and I cherish them...

A warm cozy fire, on a cold chilly day!

My antique pug puppy print, that reminds me of my sweet baby Emma.

These three pictures were my Christmas present from Matt,

our first Christmas married...

I think they were one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever gotten...

They simply read:

understanding

sharing

love

closeness

friendship

They remind me to do all of those things.

Last but not least, my stained glass window.

My parents gave this to me when I moved out...

it reminds me of home,

no matter where I live, it hangs, shining light

through it's beautiful colors.

So, there are a few of my favorite 'things'...

what are yours?

lessons in thankfulness...

As a lesson of learning thankfulness this November, we have made what we like to call a "thankful turkey". He serves two purposes... 1 is to remember, and discuss each night at dinner what we are thankful for each day. Everyday, or every few we write down on a new feather what we are thankful for, then place it in our turkey. At the end it will serve #2, which is... our Thanksgiving centerpiece. It was so fun to make as a family, and it has been even more fun to hear what each person is thankful for... even if it's just the little things. I hope as we go into these days before Thanksgiving, that you and your family will remember to be thankful, we have so much to be thankful for! Even if it is the little things in life that bring us simple joys!

guess who's reading?

Bella has been working really hard in the last few weeks on reading. She is in the top reading group in her class, and the whole concept seems to be really clicking for her. So, the other day we took a trip to the library to pick out some books that might be a little easier for her to try and read without help. Low and behold, about two days after, she was reading one of the books start to finish. It wasn't the easiest one in the pile, I guess it was just the one that drew her attention the closest... but none the less, she seems to have gotten the hang of it. Now she is attempting to read everything in sight.... She is a sponge soaking up everything. Isn't this an exciting time?! I don't think there are many better gifts than the gift of the written word, and the ability to read it.