Thankful for change

What am I thankful for today?

1. The Word of God
2. Living in the USA
3. Change

Change has been a buzz word the last year or so, and I never in a million years thought I would actually say I was thankful for change! When we moved to this house, SweetBoy's birthday party was 5 days after we moved. Just before the party, Mom unpacked the trinket box in the living room. We put things on shelves fast and furious and that is pretty much how they have stayed! My husband on the other hand seeks change. He looks at me and says, "Are you ready to move?" I offer to change the furniture around just to satisfy his itch for change!

God knew we would need change and He planned the change in the seasons and weather. I was afraid we would not have a very colorful fall, but the trees this week are showing their magnificent reds, oranges, and golds! It is beautiful! And I am thankful for the change! I'm ready for cooler days after the hot summer, and I'm ready for refreshing rain.

Not all change is good or wanted. And changing just for the heck of it or because it is a problem some other place but not here, is frustrating! Whether it is a move, a change in family dynamics, a change in leadership, or change in season, it is good to know that somethings rarely change and Someone never changes! I am thankful for my God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I am thankful that His mercies are new every morning--no matter what that morning brings. And if He brings change into my life, it has a purpose.

Just in case you were wondering...this is not an endorsement of the president-elect's change he has been selling all campaign. Honestly, I am feeling a little down about the decision that has been made by our country. Only because I don't agree with the things he stands for, it has nothing to do with his race. But today is better, and these ladies had some wise thing to say about the situation: Lisa on the disapointment, Amy on teaching our kids, Beth on what to do now, Jen with a practical solution--chocolate! And yes, I have hope and believe that God has a purpose in this change too.

Thanks for the vote

These are in no particular order, but here is what I am thankful for today...

1. For the Word of God
2. That I live in the best country in the world

Today SweetDoll and I were discussing the election and why it was a big deal to go vote, and why I was choosing the presidential candidate that I was choosing. It made me realize, again, what a priviledge it is to live here. To have organized, fair elections, where each one has a voice in the decisions made. To know that even if the one I choose isn't elected, God is still in control. (Check out this great reminder of that fact from Beth Moore on this election day.) And I have the freedom to believe in the One True God and worship Him in this country. What a priviledge to live here! Thanks to all the military men and women who made it possible and still make it possible. And thanks to their families!

Season of Thanks

I heard this idea a while ago, and I might actually do it this year. Let your kids cut leaf shapes out of different colors. Then everyday (or when I think of it) in November, have the family write something they are thankful for on a leaf and decorate the house/room with the leaves. In this culture of gimme and over-abundance, I want to focus on the blessings we do have.

So today what am I thankful for?
1. God's Word--that it is so helpful, relavent and applicable to my life today! That it is a love letter to me from my Creator. That I can depend on it and He never changes. That it has all the warnings I need to know to live successfully, and is full of the wonder of God. But not all the wonder...there is always more to discover. Amazing!

Boo!

My friend, Jen, just booed me in honor of the season!

Now, this is how the Blogging Boo will work. Go to as many friends as you want and tell them they've been "Boo-ed". Have them link back to your blog to pick up their Halloween Treat (picture) and tell them to "Boo" their friends. Then, put the picture in your side bar so everyone knows that you've already been "Boo-ed" and to send the pic to someone else.
So, are you scared yet!!?? BOO!!
Okay? one more time......

1. Take picture, put on sidebar
2. Tell people they have been booed
3. Link back to who booed you

Okay- Get to BOOING!

Here is a story for those of you not playing the bloggy game...When SweetDoll was born, Granny was here helping. She and SweetBoy went to storytime at the library and they talked about pumpkins. Then when they went to Wal-Mart...wouldn't you know! They had pumpkins for sale and Granny never says no! ;) So we tried our hand at carving a pumpkin. He affectionately became known as "Barney the smooky jack-o-lantern." (SweetBoy didn't quite get the spooky part!) So, 5 years later, here is "Barney the smooky jack-o-lantern 2!" We have some cousins who are pros at carving! Seriously! But this little guy will have to pose as our masterpiece this year! Happy Fall!

Pumpkin time!

This is my favorite pumpkin bread recipe because it is so easy! Amanda, at Baby Bangs, raved about these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies that sound really good. And this recipe was the on the siesta site recently. Enjoy the season!

Pumpkin Bread

3 cups sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. cloves
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. salt
4 eggs
1 cup cooking oil
2/3 cup water
2 cups pumpkin (I use the little can and just add a tidge of applesauce to make the rest of the 2 cups.)

Mix all ingredients well. Place in 2 large loaf pans or 1 bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour and 30 minutes. (This must be for a bundt pan, because in loaf pans it doesn't seem to take this long--maybe an hour.)

What we have been up to this fall

Well, first of all we have had a birthday girl! Sweet Doll turned 5! Her big gift was a 2-wheeler bike with training wheels, she calls it SeaStar. When I purchased the smallest one, I didn't think there was any way it would be too little. It was! So the next day we had to exchange it. Now we are rockin' and rollin'!

Biking is something we have been doing more lately. I brought my old bike home from my parents' house and had it fixed up. Then our neighbors were getting rid of their toddler bike trailer--perfect for Sweet Tate! We enjoy riding our bikes to go pick up Sweet Boy from school. (Every little bit saving gas helps!)

This fall our community center offered a dance class for Sweet Doll's age and a science class for Sweet Boy's age group. They have had a good time with it. I meant to take a picture of Sweet Boy in action, but I kept forgetting my camera. They did things like Mentos in Diet Coke, microwaving Ivory soap, and concocting corn starch and water--too fun! It all reminded me of my brother!

I went with Sweet Boy's class on a field trip to the pumpkin patch.

And we went camping with Granny and Papa. Since we missed our annual big camping trip this summer, the kids were really looking forward to this weekend trip. It was a nice get away. And have I mentioned the weather has been gorgeous!

Then there is the annual festival at SweetHeart's hometown. Mmm...Mamaw's corn chowder. If I ever get the recipe, I'll have to pass it along! We had fun with the rides and walking around the booths. And of course, seeing family! (Sweet Boy was the photographer here. Sweet Tate is in the back and Sweet Doll is in the front.)

Sweet Sadie

I just realized after looking at Jen's blog that it has been a month since I posted! I've been writing them in my head, they just aren't making it to the computer. And we have been quite busy. I'll fill you in on some of that next time (mostly because I know it might be a while before I post again and I'd rather that stay up than this). For this one I have to share some sadness. I realize this is probably more for me than anyone, but this is where I am right now.

Last week we had to put our Sweet Sadie to sleep. She had been our dog for almost 12 years. SweetHeart said, "You knew this day would come." To which I replied, "Yes, but I had not planned on her being my dog!" When we got her in January 1997, we knew that SweetHeart would be gone a month in the summer for school and I had to stay home for school, Sadie was going to be my guard dog and companion. And she always was. Nobody came near the house that we didn't know about it! Or her arch enemy...the vacuum cleaner! She always wanted to be where I was. Unless she decided I was moving around too much, then she got in her favorite spot, which much to my dismay was my bed--usually under the covers! But when I did land somewhere, she was always there beside me. When the kids came along, if there wasn't room beside me, she patiently waited until they were asleep and then it was her turn! I have teased that I can handle three kids. It's the dog that pushes me over the edge! Because inevitably I would get everyone settled, and Sadie would need to go out or need food or need in. I am realizing now how much she helped. I never had to sweep under the table because she picked up all the crumbs. This week I have seen how messy we really are! One of our favorite stories is when Sweet Boy was about 2, he was eating a snack in the living room and I was in the other room. He called for Sadie two or three times, and I said, "Honey, Sadie is outside." And he said, "Oh. I'm going to need a napkin then, Mom."

So this week has been sad. I vacuumed for the first time in 12 years without attack dog charging in to save us. The garbage truck came without her watchful eye. I haven't opened the gate to her room or the back door to let her out. She isn't there to say bye to as I walk out the door, or greet us when we get home. I dropped food when I was cooking and didn't hear her scamper into the kitchen when I said "Oops." (She was so well trained!) She is not at my feet as I type this, and tears roll down my cheeks. It has been very wierd because I don't know how to feel or react or how others might react. I know it is not like loosing a child and I would never compare it to that. I've been in a family with that happening, so I want to be so careful what I say. But there is a hole in our family. A being I'm not caring for anymore. A level of protection gone. A missing companion. And I didn't expect to be so heartbroken.

So here is the God-thing of it all. Friday morning before the decision that it would happen that day was made--before I even knew I needed it, a friend called and asked my two little ones to come and play. So they were gone and taken care of. That was such a blessing of friendship and provision that God took care of so I could be there and so I could loose it. You know you just can't cry and loose it with little ones around. It's a God-thing that I know He cares about me and understands my heartache more than anyone and I am safe with Him. And this may be a little bit of a stretch, spiritually speaking, because I know dogs don't really have a will. They don't have a choice to do God's plan for them or not. They are just dogs. But Sadie glorified God because she did what she was made to do. I want to bring glory to my Heavenly Father because I did what He made me to do.

Here are some pictures (big surprise!). Last year on Mother's Day the kids and I posed for a picture and Sadie came a posed too! It was so funny! We teased that she was the fur-child. And we have teasingly said that we made all our parenting mistakes on her! Ha! I wish that were true!

Did I mention she liked to nap with anyone anywhere? Here she and the kids are cuddled up in the tent--all asleep!

This is the last picture I took with her in it. She was just always in the background...and we miss her. Sweet Doll said, "Sadie was such a good dog." And she was. Thank You, God, for blessing us through Sweet Sadie.