Thanksgiving + Deck The Halls + Fa La La La

And boom goes another month. Gone. Just like that.
Here is part 1 of November, although most of it occurred in part 2...don't judge my methods. ;)

So shockingly we got snow one weekend. Snow. In November, not unheard of but not common. Of course the kids were thrilled. And I love having wet soggy clothes and boots on my landing for a week. It is fun though watching the joy it brings, you forget so much about childhood and re-living it with your kids gives it new excitement all over again.

It's no secret that Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday. I do love the whole gratitude attitude thing, but November in and of itself is blah and the turkey is extra blah. However, last year we started the Tree of Thanksgiving. Each day {well most days} we all try and write 1 thing we are grateful for and hang the leaf up. MW still doesn't fully grasp the concept as he choose random things to be thankful for--like his truck book, but it is still fun to hear. Lo's heart is very sensitive to needs of others and she really chooses deep things--like clean water. Some days I find it astounding that they came from the same gene pool.

Lo was so ready to set up the tree and decorations this year. And because I find it exhausting we broke it into days. Everything out one day, fluff tree branches the next, wait for our rotating tree base to arrive, put tree up with lights on another day followed by trimming the tree on Thanksgiving day.

This was the year MW could finally put the star on and as soon as daddy tried to lift him, he FREAKED OUT.

So Brave Betsy did it. This girl fear nothing. Makes for a great gymnast.

The aforementioned tree trimming process.

Our tree rotates. I can not tell  you how cool that is. Lo begged for a rotating tree last year, but the tree was already up and I didn't see the point in buying a rotating base. This year I remembered and made sure to order one in time! Fun to see all the ornaments and as Lo says "I won't break my arm again trying to see the ornaments in the back!" {to clarify she only sprained it falling off the couch last year looking at the back of the tree.}

Another little tradition we have is family Thanksgiving Day pictures. Something magical happens on this day each year and we get good photos on a self timer in one take.

MW is just all Chandler Bing when it comes to taking photos...so excuse his random face. But I have learned to just appreciate that as who he is and embrace it. :)

The last tradition is to read the Christmas Nativity story as we put up my beloved manger scene.

I try so hard guys, I do. I want to be laid back but it's hard. Each year my face looks slightly more relaxed than the year before. HA!

A mini tour of the decor.

Ah, and then Izzy the elf has returned with donuts. Lo's face nearly exploded when she saw he was back. Then she yelled Micah come quick Izzy is back! That boy nearly tripped on his own feet {which really isn't all that crazy for him} trying to see Izzy!

And to wrap up this installment of November pt 1 that happened during pt 2.
THE CAR.
Micah and Leighton come on down....you've won a CAAAARRRR!
Not really, but that is what it felt like.
Yesterday I swung by goodwill to look for a mini Christmas tree for MW's room. And what should we see when we walked in, but this car. We meander around goodwill, found a tree and while I was checking out MW hopped in the car and tried to drive out the front door with it. As we left he begged for it. It was only  $60 and we have ALL wanted one of these for years. I told him I wasn't sure, I mean if I bought this thing I want it to be a Christmas gift...so I called daddy. Daddy the gift giving fool of course said YES! So we walked right back in and asked to buy it.

HOWEVER. part of the tag was missing and they refused to sell it to me because they weren't sure it wasn't already sold. They have a-mazing record keeping at goodwill...I mean it gives Hobby Lobby a run for their money.  ::insert SARCASM:: So frustrating. All I could do was come back tomorrow and hope it was still there. MW actually left really well--no fits, crying, whining etc. I was proud.

I told him we need to all take this as an opportunity to trust God. It seems silly, but God does care about little things like this, because they are big things to a little 3yo boy.

So we showed up as soon as they opened today and lo and behold the car was still there! It was ours. MW was thrilled!! He kept patting the car the whole way home. Of course when Lo got home she couldn't believe we got it! I told her to keep her hopes low.

And that is the story of the early Christmas present that is the car. Man the joy these two have, makes it all worth it. Even if it only last 6 months...it was $60 well spent!

Thanksgiving Week

Thanksgiving week.
Started with packing up our operation Christmas Child boxes.

 

Followed by an adenoid surgery on Tuesday for Sass. She snores. Bad. She sleeps horrible. This is something I have been meaning to bring up at her well baby for years. I never remembered and didn't think it was dire. However we are undergoing insurance changes and wanted to take full advantage of our deductible. :) So I took her in to an ENT, he said her adenoids were very large in her tiny face. He thought this was affecting a lot of things--even bed wetting at night. Say what?! I didn't even mention it, he just said it at random. 

Anyway, she is a worrier. She gets it from her dad's side. The worry and obsessing they do over things makes me look like a cool cumber. She asked question after question. Obsessed over every detail. Each night I would pray over her Zephaniah 3:17.

The Lord your God is with you

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you; 

and will quiet you with His love

and rejoice over you with singing.

Tuesday arrived and we were off. She was composed and "excited" once we got there. I think the anticipation was the hardest part. Here she is dressed and ready. 

 

They took her to get a little lovie, a rainbow whale she named Minnie Mouse. HA! And then led us to a playroom area where she could watch Disney channel and roam around. It was so nice. When MW had surgery it was horrible trying to keep him content and entertain. This was so much better.

Then they came for her. She walked off so big and brave. Hardly said good-bye. 1 hour later she was back in my arms in recovery. {It was just she and I, so no pics.} She was pretty alert, but complained about her throat a LOT. :( Then she came home to see daddy and we took her to a special lunch at Chick-fil-A. Followed by a rest on the couch.

With Daddy. Be Still My Heart.

Thanksgiving Day. 3 Things you should know.

1. We always spend it with my Father in law's side.

2. We always get the perfect family picture on a timer. Every time.

3. Micah and I hate the food and daddy and Lo love it.

Some practice runs with the timer.

After we got our perfect picture in 1 take. We move on to silly pics.

And this is what I am MOST thankful for. Our crazy, awesome family.

We are Blessed Beyond Measure.

{2013}

A Flash back

{2009}

{2010}

{2011}

{2012}

{2013}

Over the weekend we celebrated with my MIL. She and Lo put out baby Jesus. Just look how motherly my little Sass is. She is going to be a great mom someday. I just love her.

At some point my MIL broke out her accordian and the kids played. It was a hoot.

And the of course an impromptu leaf jump before we went home.

We have so much to be thankful for. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

The result of our Tree of Thanksgiving 2013