Grateful 2010: November

My bed. Remembering that we CAN change the world - it just might not happen overnight. Approachable leadership. Coming home. Fridays. Breakfast shared with good friends. A fall day and an extra hour of sleep. Playing in the leaves with Little M. Movies. Books. Veteran's and those still serving. Furthering education. Pizza. Extra time. Old friends/students. Apple cider. Friends journeying through parenthood. International adoption gatherings. Pizza - again. Slippers. Cuddling with Little M. Co-workers who listen. A hardworking husband. A video sharing a extra special moment. A time to reflect on Thanksgiving. A child who reminds me of joy daily. Having a car. Naps. Getting flowers unexpectedly. Warm gloves.

Happy Thanksgiving

Helping Hands

The little man was very eager to help with Thanksgiving dinner prep.

Here he is beating the pumpkin for soup - so helpful!

Change Satisfies

We recently gathered at a friend's home for an international adoption gathering. We are trying to do this at least once a month - and I love seeing all of the children running around together - it is as if they have formed their own unique tribe.

The home we recently gathered in could be summed up into these words - the home I have been dreaming of since I was in second grade - Absolutely A - MAZ - ING. It was old, had lots of character, it was big and beautiful.....ahhh I am in love.

We left this "dream home of mine" and Micah immediately told the little man that this could be the most beautiful home that he will ever set foot it - and that it also had the sexiest water heater he has ever laid eyes on.

It is easy for me to walk back into our 1949 abode and start wishing for things to be different from what they are..... a bigger kitchen, a dining room, a porch...... the list can go on. But I can't giving myself a porch, or a dining room, or even a bigger kitchen at this moment or any moment in the near future. So instead, I do what I typically do and look for something to change that will satisfy my "dream home itch".

Luckily I have a fabulous husband who is along for the need to change something ride. So to kick off our Thanksgiving vacation we came home and started ripping out the carpet in our bedroom and the hallway. The goal is to get the carpet out of the entire upstairs since we discovered the original oak wood floors - but the little man was sleeping in his room so the last of the carpet ripping will have to come another day.

Until then, I feel a renewed sense of pride in the fact (and blessing) that we own a darling little 1949 home and are slowly making ALL of the improvements with our own hands, sweat and sometimes tears. Moments like this remind me that I have also always dreamed of owning a home that I could pour my energy and creativity into, and that there will be more stories and lessons to tell when I work toward my dream - not just have it fall into my lap.

Koo Koo Kangaroo

The little man has been a little tired after his day at Preschool and no nap. We have been doing all we can to keep him going strong until bedtime, so tonight we celebrated life with a dance party! We were recently introduced to a fabulous band - Koo Koo Kangaroo - we all love it! So the night was spent getting our groove on and dancing away.

Pondering

"When you decide to be on this journey with God, everything is interim. Everything is interim. Everything is a path or a preparation for the next thing, and we never know what the next thing is. Life is like that, of course, twisty and surprising. But life with God is like that exponentially. We can dig in, make plans, write in stone, pretend we're not listening, but the voice of God has a way of being heard. It seeps in like smoke or vapor even when we've barred the door against any last-minute changes, and it moves us to different countries and different emotional territories and different ways of living. It keeps us moving and dancing and watching, and never lets us drop down into a life set on cruise control or a life ruled by remote control. Life with God is a daring dream, full of flashes and last-minute exits and generally all the things we've said we'll never do. And with the surprises comes great hope."

[S. Niequist]

Leaf Raking

We have some fabulous neighbors.

Lisa not only raked the yard for us while we were at work, but she left a pile just for the little man to jump in before finishing up.

Needless to say we had a blast playing in the leaves as a family.

Thanks Miss Lisa!

Bead for Life

Several years ago I discovered the non-profit organization Bead for Life.

I instantly connected to their mission and the message they are hoping to share with others.

I have committed to volunteering with this organization for as long as possible and will be hosting several parties this winter. Get in touch with me if you are interested (in either attending or hosting one of your own - so easy!)

BeadforLife eradicates extreme poverty by creating bridges of understanding between impoverished Africans and concerned world citizens. Ugandan women turn colorful recycled paper into beautiful beads. Women in Northern Uganda gather shea nuts and press them into shea butter for cosmetics and soaps and people who care open their hearts and homes and communities to buy and sell both products.

This is a wonderful organization and I encourage you to take some time to check it out!

Pondering

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving."

~Mother Teresa

Asleep at the floor

The little man had a busy day and was chatting it up with me while I prepared dinner when suddenly it grew quiet. I looked down only to find that he had fallen asleep on the floor!