Tis the season...

It's here...the start of the "most wonderful time of the year." We officially started our Christmas shopping and hence the craziness begins. I'm trying to make a conscious effort not to go too crazy, but, I have to admit, sometimes it's a struggle.

A couple of weekends ago, we decided to beat the rush and visit The Enchanted Village at Jordan's Furniture. The displays were so beautiful...old and quaint...we all loved them. Then E and Vic tried out the 4-D Polar Express Ride...even better...Little Miss chickened out at the last minute (thank goodness). I don't do well with 4-D rides...well, my stomach doesn't.

Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.
-Calvin Coolidge

15 years ago...

Today, on Thanksgiving, it is also our 15 year anniversary...yikes! And, I'm proud to say that I really think we are happier now than we were then. It has not always been wedded bliss, but I really, honestly, would not change a thing about the past 15 years. I am one lucky girl!

Happy Anniversary Victor!

"I love you more today than yesterday

But not as much as tomorrow."

Our Wedding Song

Grow old along with me

The best is yet to be

When our time has come

We will be as one

God bless our love

God bless our love

Grow old along with me

Two branches of one tree

Face the setting sun

When the day is done

God bless our love

God bless our love

Spending our lives together

Man and wife together

World without end

World without end

Grow old along with me

Whatever fate decrees

We will see it through

For our love is true

God bless our love

God bless our love

-John Lennon

Shoeboxes

We started a tradition last year after reading about it on someone's blog. The Samaritan's Purse has a program called Operation Christmas Child. There are drop-off locations all over the United States where you can drop off a shoe box of gifts to be delivered to a child in need somewhere across the world. The last day for dropping off a shoe box is tomorrow...it's not too late.

Along with the shoe box, we put in a homemade card, courtesy of Little Miss. (She has been writing the letters PKGE on all her drawings lately; I didn't know why until I was uploading this picture. She has told us that her name is now Pinky. The "PKGE" is her name of course!...made me laugh..)

Here's our shoe box before I stuff the cover on and taped it securely closed.

You can print out a tracking code online and see exactly where your box goes.

The finished boxes...stuffed to the gills! They weighed a ton. They are filled with card games, socks, soap, toothbrushes, face cloths, stuffed animals, jump ropes, crayons, clay, paper, craft kits, etc...

Just a little reminder for my kids (and me) that it is important to count our blessings and do for others.

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?"

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I'm Grateful...

...for our beautiful new (safe) front walk; the old one was treacherous.

...for my spunky, happy, beautiful daughter,

...and my spirited, happy, and handsome son.

It's November, the month that reminds us to be thankful. What are you grateful for?

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.
Oprah Winfrey

Embracing the Camera with Emily

It's Thursday again already and that means it's time to Embrace the camera again with Emily. Thanks Emily for motivating me to take a picture with my kiddos each week. We're capturing cherished memories thanks to you!

Please disregard the play area "graveyard" behind us. It's the remnants left from our play area mishap during IRENE.

Some sunshine

With it now getting dark by 4:30, we could all use some sunshine to make the days last longer. Here is my "fix" of sunshine for the day.

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.

Steve Martin

Kindness

Because that's what kindness is. It's not doing something for someone else because they can't, but because you can.

~Andrew Iskander

Those who know me (especially my kids and my students) know that my #1 rule is to AlWAYS BE KIND

That one rule pretty much covers everything...

Unfortunately, in this world we live in, others often break this rule.

This past week in our town my little Cub Scout delivered plastic bags to several houses (at least 2 dozen) in our neighborhood as part of Scouting for Food, a community service carried out by the Boy Scouts, to collect canned and non-perishable food to donate to local food pantries. Today was the pick-up day. We collected 2 bags of food. Yes, you read that correctly...TWO! Out of at least 24 houses, 2 left bags of food... What a disappointment! I like to think that most people are kind, compassionate and giving, but when things like this happen, it's so very hard. What do you say to your kids in response to something like that?

We can all make a positive difference each and every day of our lives. We should serve others. We cannot be ignorant and think that we may never be on the receiving end of someone else's charity. I think it's important to teach my kids that, even if it isn't always evident in the society that surrounds us.

Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns. ~Author Unknown

Embrace the Camera

Typically every Thursday Emily Embraces the Camera and encourages others to do the same. This week is a Halloween Embrace.


When witches go riding,and black cats are seen,the moon laughs and whispers,‘tis near Halloween.~Author Unknown