Giving Thanks

I had an amazing time with all the family in my house this past week.  I forgot how fun a holiday was when there are screaming little children running around the house chasing my puppies and toturing them in dress up clothes.  Amazingly enough, my pups are quite depressed and miss the torture.  My Thanksgiving Tree was a success and I am actually sad to take down all the hand written thank you leaves that are smothering every branch. 

Here are some of my favorites:

• I am thankful for my mom and for bacon. -Austin (He said its his favorite breakfast!)
• I am thankful for my baby.- McKinzi (talking about the baby in her mommy's tummy.)
• LAKE owllolowowowowmow.  -Lake (She thought we could read her leaf and tell her what it meant when she herself was not completely sure.)

And for my cute kid story of the weekend:

On Thanksgiving day, Lake was much more interested in playing than eating her dinner.  She knew that McKinzi was done with her plate and she feared that "someone" would steal her baby and stroller.  Now, I don't think that McKinzi would really steal Lake's baby but I know how it feels to have to clear off your full plate of food under pressure.  My brother told Lake that if she just ate her green beans and her turkey she could go play.  Lake just sat there staring at her plate and tears welled up in her eyes.  I thought she was about to throw a tantrum but she sat there very quietly for a few minutes.  Then she exclaimed loudly, " But Daddy, what IS turkey??!!!???"  Poor thing didn't even know what the urkey was that she was required to eat! Can't blame her, its not really something we eat on a regular basis.

Thanksgiving Tree

I finally made the decision to compromise with my decorations.  The all new Thanksgiving Tree tradition was initiated into the Herbold house last night.  I was not completely sold on my new idea but I knew I needed to compromise with Bobby's ridiculously adorable excitement about our new Christmas Tree.  With a limited budget in mind, I wasn't too confident in my abilities to pull it off but I think it worked out quite perfectly!  On Thanksgiving, I am going to have the family write down what they are thankful for on leaves and we will add those to the tree.  I am so excited to see all my family!! It has been WAY too long! I am thankful that I can look forward to holidays spent with great family.

Our First Thanksgiving Tree

Lexi LOVES it!!

Kickin Fall to the Curb. Maybe?

I thought I would post a picture of one of my fall centerpieces.  I am not too sure how long fall is going to make an appearance in my house.  It seems that Christmas may just run him over and kick him right back into the closet at any moment.  I used to be of the opinion that Christmas decorations happened the weekend after Thanksgiving and not a day sooner but its so hard to think that way these days! I LOVE Christmas and really want to enjoy all my cuteness for as long as possible.  I will only be in my house for about 12 days in the month of December! That is not enough time to spend with my tree and garland and hot cocoa by the fire!!

Just one step into Target and you feel the Christmas spirit! The entrances to my neighborhood already have lights and wreaths!  I saw them putting up the huge Christmas tree in the center of Shops at Legacy today.  I might cave people.  My one dilemma is the fact that we are hosting Thanksgiving this year. I don't want to confuse the children! Maybe I will compromise or maybe just have both up at the same time! Wouldn't that be a site.  I can see it now, turkey top of garland top of snowman balancing a vase of leaves. Oh my!

Magnificent Obsession

We sang Magnificent Obsession by Steven Curtis Chapman at church this Sunday and the words moved, inspired, rooted and grounded me in my purpose in this life.  At times, I find myself focusing on the career I used to have that maybe I secretly wish I had back.  I wonder what level of management I would be by now had I stayed and how much I could have been making.  Of course, the past is most always seen through rose colored glasses.  I forget the 60+ hour work weeks I endured and the countless times with friends and family I had to miss.  Isn't it funny how we just keep repeating that foolish longing to be a success by the standard of this world?

I find myself searching for purpose almost on a daily basis.  I look at other people in the world that are making huge impacts for the greater good.  I forget that God calls us all to walk in His perfect will.  He has a different plan and purpose for each and every one of us.  All He wants me to do is listen and trust in Him.  I was reminded that my focus should be on Christ, daily and in every moment.  My focus is to love others, be kind to my husband, conduct my affairs with justice, give freely all that I have been blessed with and be open to His next step for me.  

Magnificent Obsession  

Lord, You know how much
I want to know so much

In the way of answers and explanations

I have cried and prayed

And still I seem to stay

In the middle of life's complications

All this pursuing leaves me feeling like I'm chasing down the wind

But now it's brought me back to You

And I can see again

This is everything I want

This is everything I need

I want this to be my one consuming passion

Everything my heart desires

Lord, I want it all to be for You, Jesus

Be my magnificent obsession

So capture my heart again

Take me to depths I've never been

Into the riches of Your grace and Your mercy

Return me to the cross

And let me be completely lost

In the wonder of the love

That You've shown me

Cut through these chains that tie me down to so many lesser things

Let all my dreams fall to the ground

Until this one remains

You are everything I want

And You are everything I need

Lord, You are all my heart desires

You are everything to me