It wasn’t black Friday at all.

It was fun!

Grace and I went out for hours and hours today. 

(she didn’t want to go home)

We were together, and it was good.

I got Joanna’s Christmas present and a few things for myself.  No lines, no hassle, no stampedes.  Great bargains!

eye candy

it’s a treat just to browse with no little ones in tow.

We went to the bookstore and then she wouldn’t talk to me over lunch!

She had spaghetti and meatballs, I had chicken piccata.  I love capers.

Then, she took her book to Starbucks for some more reading time.  I bought Jacob a Sherlock Holmes book for Christmas, and started reading it myself, as I sipped my latte.

We had the whole couch to ourselves.  It was quite cozy to sit and read in the midst of all the people noise. 

I have the darndest time getting a picture taken of myself at home because the dog LOVES ME SO MUCH. 

Rich noticed my new jacket!  As soon as he saw me he said, “Hey.  Why do you have that blanket on?”

  Happy Golden Friday to you, my friends!  Did you go shopping today?  What did you get?

It’s dark outside.  The house is alive with the sounds of guitar as my son (not sure which one, because I’m in my room with the door shut) practices.  The football game is on mute.  Rich is reading, Sarah is upstairs with Grace playing and no boys are allowed in with them.  I’m still smiling that Grace has a sister (they are 10 years apart) to have girlie time with.

I have on windpants, a long sleeve t-shirt, and sneakers.  Hair up in a messy pony tail.  We just ate a light dinner, a big tossed salad, because we are still pretty full from Thanksgiving feasting.  I plan on eating a piece of pie later on tonight.  I ran 2 miles this afternoon, so I could. 

There has been a lot of damage to recover from, because of hurricane Sandy.  New York and New Jersey were hit hard and as a result, the insurance company my husband works for had to deploy workers from other states to help with the increase in insurance claim volume.  These folks have been working overtime, away from their families, for weeks now.  Because it was Thanksgiving today, and these people had no place to go for a family-style meal, Travelers hosted an event for them.  The purpose was to bring the “Travelers family” together and thank the men and women who have been helping the victims recover after hurricane Sandy.  When Rich mentioned it to me a few weeks ago, and said we had been invited, to help host, we decided that it would be fun to go.  (I didn’t have to cook!)

Actually, I did miss, even though I didn’t think I would, putting the stuffing and bird in the oven this morning…those smells! and the anticipation of a huge homecooked meal! 

Instead, it was all a hustle and a bustle, getting ready to get out the door, but finally, with two apple pies in tow, we were on our way.

Sarah noticed geese up in the sky as we were driving and I had just enough time to point my camera UP through the glass of the sunroof.MA

At the event, we all sat at a big round table together.  I got to meet a lot of the people Rich works with.  Everyone was so nice.

Does this next picture make anyone else, any other mama, nervous?  Hmmmm?

The children were most impressed with the drink bar.  They could walk right up to the table and a nice lady would give them any soda they wanted.

There were NO spills. 

A couple of boys passed around glow sticks as a gift to all the children, which was another big hit.  Oh, and the name tags that they got to wear.

I thought Caleb was amusing, as he socialized with the men.

I had bread pudding and a piece of absolutely divine pumpkin cheesecake for dessert.  Seth wanted pie “like Caleb” but didn’t like it.

Caleb had two pieces of pumpkin pie and dropped a third on the floor as he tried to balance it with one hand.  Rich was mortified.

Jacob had a piece of my pie and said “Good grief, yours is the best pie here, Mom.” 

It was my Grandma’s recipe (I will share!)

The most touching part of the day was when they showed a video on the big screens (here on the screen is the football game, can’t miss that, right?).  The offices that sent employees to Connecticut each made a little video saying THANK YOU and they were all put together to make a presentation.  They were very creative and there was a lot of laughter and a few tears as the audience watched.  Even I got all teary eyed and I didn’t know anyone in the video except my husband, (’cause I’m a softie like that.)

It was good to think of all the people who sacrifice family time when others need help.  Not just insurance people, but all the other workers around the US.  It was good to say THANK YOU on THANKSGIVING, in a real and tangible way.  We talked to one man who was away from home for 21 days.  A lot of others were gone for just as long. 

I wasn’t sure how to dress and ended up with a knit turtleneck w/short sleeves, a jacket, black slim corduroy pants, and gold wedge sandals.  Make up and a ponytail.

I never dreamed I would spend a holiday with Travelers, as for years I felt that Rich devoted enough time there as it was.   But, as the days go by and life settles down I have come to appreciate and love the work he does.  We had a lot of fun today.  I’m not saying I’d like to do it again, as it would take another catastrophe to bring us together, and I really missed my mom’s good cooking and seeing my dad, brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews.

Everyone at Travelers loved the kids (SEVEN?  DID YOU SAY YOU HAD SEVEN CHILDREN?) and when we stepped outside to take one last, and hopefully, good picture of the children, a man got back out of his own truck to run over and take one of the 9 of us.  I think his name was Steve.

When we arrived back home I went for a little walk outside around the ponds and down to the chicken coop, so I leave you with these nature pictures. 

I’m thankful for home and pine trees.

I’m thankful for the glowing reflection of the trees in the water of the pond.

I’m thankful for little nature surprises.

I found fluffy white feathers and had to go count the chickens.  (none were missing, *whew*)

A gray, very gray, girl with a dark head~ blends right in our very gray ground in the chicken yard.

I am thankful for my flock of hens.  Soon they will start to provide me with wonderful eggs.  Please?

After my walk I had a long bubble bath and the children took naps.  It’s been a relaxing day.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. -melody beattie

Happy Thanksgiving!  

In my “hymn stories” devotional this morning I read this:

“A gladsome, joyous mind is the product of a grateful, praising heart.  Gratefulness is the opposite of selfishness.  The selfish person is boastful of his accomplishments.  The grateful Christian, however, realizes that all achievements and blessings come only from God’s hand.  This realization results in a life of praise.”.  K. Osbeck

“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.  His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1

Happy thanksgiving to you, friends!

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

inspired by soulemama

my reading boys

What’s been happening at home?  Well, as you can imagine, in a household of our large-ish size, there is never a dull moment.

1.  We’ve been putting on make up and fixing our hair.

I was standing in front of the sink, getting ready to go, not really paying much attention to Sarah’s new heights and then…..when I saw what she had done to grow “so tall”, I snapped a picture of my littlest best girlfriend.

2.  We’ve been hugging on the couch.

This occurs daily.

3.  The boys drew masks on their faces. 

It was funny the first time but not the second.  Or third.  I never want to see another marker again.

4.  We made pancakes on  Saturday morning.

In our pajamas.  I love flipping cakes for seven!

5.  We got new coats.

From a children’s consignment shop.  Sarah’s is BabyGap, Caleb’s is camo fleece. 

6. They painted pumpkins.

But we did not carve any.

7.  They played with my spices.

It’s one of their favorite things to do.  Imagine, these blocks NEVER get scattered throughout the house and lost. 

8.  I got over a fear. 

I haven’t had a panic attack in over a year but I do sometimes worry that I will. 

9.  Seth finally discovered the joys of Thomas the Tank Engine. 

And it didn’t take him long to think of making repairs on Caleb’s old trains. 

10.  Seth read Sarah The Jolly Pancake.

He had Caleb fooled until I told him he had memorized it.

11.  I made homemade bread and cinnamon rolls.

Oh yum.

12.  Sarah had tea with her roll.

“Is it my birthday?” She asked.

13.  David started another weaving.

He learned how to do it at school.

14.  They played my phone.

Sometimes I wonder if it’s their phone, or mine?

15.  Ethan got his hair cut.

Don’t worry, it’s just a BB gun.

16.  I made a quiche.

Into an unbaked pastry crust, pour a mixture of 4 eggs, a cup of cream or milk, a half cup of chopped ham, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, 1/2 t. each of salt and dry mustard. 375 until done.

17.  I made bean soup.

Combine 1 pound dry navy beans (rinsed and drained), 6 cups chicken broth, 1 chopped onion, 1 chopped celery stalk, 2 cloves garlic (minced), 1/2 bay leaf….into a crock pot.  Cook on high for one hour and then on low for 10 hours.  When beans are tender, add one can diced tomatoes.  You may also add a ham bone to the mixture in the beginning.  A very fragrant soup.  The children turned up their noses but I said it was “special soup that will produce magic sounds later on.”  Ha ha.

18.  I relaxed with my cat and some new books.

I love to read to the sound of purring.

19. David made a spaghetti dinner all by himself.

He is just like his Dad.

20.  We went out on a date.

I love him.

Life is not
measured by the breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath
away.
— Unknown

Today I want to share some photos from the missions trip that some of our church family went on.  There were 28 people in the team, from our church and some other area churches.  I had mentioned last week that my 13 year old daughter went on the trip, but what I didn’t mention was that my husband Rich and our oldest son Jacob were also on the team. 

You see, I have promised my Father-in-law that I wouldn’t write about Rich being gone on trips…..it made him nervous about that information being “out” on the internet while the kids and I were alone at home.  I am proud that I kept the secret, because I was so excited about sharing with you.  Yes, Rich was gone with the kids for 7 days and we were only able to talk ONCE during that time because he had no phone service in that area of Jamaica.  I bring that up because by the end of the week I was suffering from missing him so much.   But it was worth it.  They had a great time of fellowship with believers, and also sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the unsaved people.  They took in supplies and did some work helping the people after the damaging winds of hurricane Sandy.

I have been hearing stories since they got back late Saturday night, but because I wasn’t there I really don’t understand the full impact of this trip.  I took pictures from Facebook that I will share here, taken by several different people (thank you for letting me use them!)  Jacob took my camera and I will share some of his photography on a different day.

This is our pastor and his wife, Gary and Michelle

Grace (orange shirt) with some of the girls from the team, and their new Jamaican friends.

My son Jacob, with the camera on the shore. 

When they got back, Jacob remarked how thankful he was that we lived in such a clean country.

The men, women, and children of Jamaica are incredibly happy and friendly, despite (or, perhaps because of) their lack of personal possessions. 

Jacob jumping off a bridge.

Rich preached and taught Bible studies.

Jacob in a tree.

Rich and Grace sang a duet.

Jacob, Grace, and Rich

A member of the team, street preaching.

The men helped with some outdoor work (Rich is wearing the red t-shirt)

They slept in this building “The Globe” to the sounds of barking dogs, people talking, and roosters crowing.  Some wore ear plugs at night so they could sleep.  I heard stories of lots of late nights, too.  (having fun after a day of work)

Tabitha, enjoying the beauty of Jamaica.

The chickens ran wild all over the place.

happy faces!

*************************************************

The children and I had a good week while they were gone but I started getting an empty feeling (missing my husband) toward the end.  Rich and I had a happy reunion and went on a date Sunday night together. 

And then, yesterday, he surprised me by coming home early from work.  My heart was content, having him near again.

I hope you enjoyed the photos from this life-changing experience for Rich, Jacob, and Grace.  They were able to spend some meaningful time serving the Lord in this way.  They made new friends and became closer to each other, too.  

1 John 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another,  for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows  God.

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.  inspired by soulemama

The snow started coming down as I was driving home from Bible Study yesterday.  Seth saw it out the windows and said, “It’s snow?  It’s Christmas now!”

I kept glancing at the temperature; 35 degrees -and such a cold wind, making it seem even colder.  I was thankful that I had gotten Seth and Sarah their winter coats just a week ago.

When I stopped the car in the driveway, we hopped out to see the snow.  I was curious to see the expressions of my two youngest ones who don’t remember much of last year’s snow.  It was so cold we didn’t stay out for long.

Can you see the wonder in their faces?

Hours later, the snow was still coming down.

I took this picture through the living room window.

I assured Ethan that there would still be school the next day, but sure enough, we both got up at 5:30 a.m. only to discover that our school was CLOSED.

IT’s THE FIRST SNOW DAY OF THE YEAR.

I had to go take care of my chickens and ended up wandering around to see the unbelievable sights (wasn’t it JUST summer?)

The ponds were so pretty.  It’s not cold enough for them to freeze and they are still dark, soft, glowing liquid.

Like giant, rippling mirrors.

This is the stream which borders our property; another place of wonder and magic.

Parker, our dog, couldn’t follow me because of his hidden fence, so he just stood and looked longingly at me, letting out a few excited barks now and then.

By the time I had meandered to the edge of the woods, two of my boys had come outside to enjoy the snow.

Caleb (7 years) and Davy (10 years).  They both got up after I took the picture and requested their own personal copies. 

I handed the camera to Davy and he took a picture of me in my snow clothes.

Honking geese flew overhead and he aimed the camera right up to the sky and took this picture;

They found ice hanging off the dock and ate it. A simple, delicious treat.

David threw this poor hen out the coop window and she was so afraid of landing in the snow that she hung off the fence for a minute before dropping down.  She went straight back home to the coop.

When I came back to the house Sarah got right up to my face with her big eyes and said, “YOU CAME BACK!”

It’s 8:09 a.m. and the boys are getting ready to make snow men.