A rant and a prayer for Thanksgiving

Why is that we have to remember to be Thankful, or in some cases (mine), constantly be reminded?  Ok, so maybe I shouldn't say "We" because I can think of quite a few people in my life who could teach the rest of us a thing or two about what it really means to be Thankful.  They live and breathe it and when they are not (nobody's perfect) they rarely show it.

I say "We" because I am speaking about American's in general.

There is this crazy sense of entitlement that has most people screaming about what is fair or not and what is right or wrong.  Every generation it seems to get worse and worse.  Who has this or that...who makes more money...who's house/car/lifestyle is better.  We have become a Nation of spoiled brats behaving like whiney children. Wake up people!  Life is not fair.  Isn't that what my parents always told me??  Life is not supposed to be equal.  What is the point of working hard at anything or striving to be better when there are lazy people with their hands out, knowing things are just going to get equalized.  I am not talking about the truly needy, there are a lot of people who need real help.  The sad thing is that the those people get less because the people who could be taking care of their own choose not to.

Ok ok ok, rant over...but it brings me to this, and belive me when I say that I need this reminder just as much as everyone else.  The next time you find yourself envying someone else's life, open your heart and take a really good look at your own.  Everyone has something they can be thankful for.  Things can always be worse, and if you are at your rock bottom...the only way you can go is UP. 

I have looked inwardly and realized that I need to spend more time at church.  I need more time talking with God.  And I need to stop taking every day for granted.  I am going to strive to be more Thankful in my every day life.  Intellectually I have always known that I have so much to be thankful for, but in my heart I have not truly felt that way. 

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, and Christmas not far away...it is time for me to let go of things I want and embrace the love I already have.  That is my prayer.  I pray that you too can find the Thankfulness in your own hearts. 

I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! 

Fernwood Field Trip

Field trips were always my favorite part of school.  Today Ethan and I went with his class to Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles.  What a fun place!  We took a guided hike on one of the trails that goes over a few streams, near and pond and has a Saint Joseph River overlook.  We learned about drey's, which is what a squirrel's nest is called.  We got to touch moss and bumpy bark.  We saw different kinds of leaves, some were as big as our faces!  

 

Fall Clean-Up part II

Last weekend was Ethan and my last time going to the North House for a little while.  Andy will go up pretty regularly thru the winter to check on the place, but it's just too darn cold for us.  I feel bad I didn't tell Ethan that was his last time until Spring.  He is going to be really mad when Dad goes without him.  We finally got all of the leaves raked up and Andy did some work on his Van.  Ethan enjoyed some great Father-Son bonding taking long walk in the woods.  He also loved riding his Jeep as usual.  Glad to be home and "warm".



Tricks or Treats, and more treats, and more....

He was once a little green slab of clay...GUMBY!

 Ethan loved being Gumby for Halloween this year.  We got to celebrate Halloween/Fall a lot this last week.  Along with tonights haul of goodies there was Ethan's class party last Friday and came home with oodles of goodies.  On Saturday we went to Sherri's for Trick or Treat and a great party, and of course oodles of goodies.  Then on Tuesday Ethan Trick or Treated at Whirlpool, and came home with even more goodies.  We have enough candy to last all year, not that it will.

At Aunt Sherri's on the Hay Wagon

Aunt Sherri, Mommy, and Ethan

Ethan (Gumby), Shelby (Giraffe), Ashlyn (Dragon)

Happy Halloween! 



Fall Photos

Because Ethan was dressed nice for his school pictures, I decided to take a few of him on the front steps with our pumpkins.  I can't believe how time flies, and much he has grown.



Pun'kin Patch

Over the weekend we decided it was about time to go pick out some pumpkins.  It was a beautiful day, almost too warm to be considered Fall.  We like going to DeVries Farms for pumpkins.  They set up a fun train to play on as well as a huge tractor, and a new red fire engine.  Ethan loves ringing the bell on the train.  We left with 2 big pumkins, 6 funky gourds, and the farmer who owns the farm gave us a huge bag of red peppers for free.   We all had a lot of fun.



Remembering Mom with Crafting

Crafting is a passion of mine, I love getting creative and making things.  I have always been crafty.  I consider it one of the best traits my Mom could have given me.  She was incredibly talented.  I remember her spending hours on paintings and ceramics.  She loved making Halloween costumes and doing crafts with "us girls".  She loved decorating Christmas cookies, and making candy, and dying eggs with us and it always became a reason to get creative. Every time I get in a creative mood, my Mother comes to mind.  I wish I could share all of my creations with her. 

Mom (left)  made these costumes, I was 4 and my sister was 2.

 I think had she been around today, Pinterest would be her favorite place to go online.  I know I LOVE it!  Here are a few of my most recent creations, some thanks to ideas on Pinterest!

Dry-Erase Calendar

Fall wreath made from thrift store finds (owl was clearanced at JoAnne's)



Balloon and Streamer Spider

Recycled jars, white streamer, googly eyes and led candles

I really hope to keep up the crafty spirit for Christmas this year.  I know things get really busy just after Halloween, so we will see.  Looking forward to Cookies!!