Happy Thanksgiving

The turkey is turking and I'm waiting on the rolls to rise. Cherry topped cheesecake is calling my name and all that's left is to make the icing for the caramel cake. Then we'll load up the car and head over the river and through the woods to Aunt Carla's house (my sil). The kids are bouncing off the walls they're so excited;)
I have an unbelievable number of things to be thankful for...far too many to list. God is so good and I am so blessed!

I don't usually look this...evil

Staring straight into the camera is a bad idea - just for future reference. I got a haircut today and I am so excited because it isn't horrible and because it's been a year since my last haircut. A year, y'all!

Now let me hurry and think of something else to post about so I don't have to stare at myself for long...

Time to start thinking Christmas...

I like to enjoy my holidays one at a time. To me it's just not right to see Christmas displays out before Thanksgiving (or Halloween in some stores!). I'm just not "in the mood" until after Thanksgiving - I guess in part because I really love Thanksgiving. That being said, there is no way I could pull off even our simplified Christmas unless I start planning now. SO my idea is to get the planning out of the way early so that I can focus on the important stuff like worship and family.
Casey and I have started discussing gift possibilities for the kids so I thought I'd participate today in Melanie's Holiday Shopping Carnival. There are tons of great ideas over there so go check it out when you get a second. I'm extremely concerned about all the toy recalls. Levi had been begging for aquadots - it's scary to think how close I was to buying them, especially considering that Jack puts everything in his mouth. We're joking about buying him groceries for Christmas - the boy loves to eat! Anyway. This is what we're thinking about for our tribe:)

• These blocks look good. My kids love to build stuff so we can't have too many blocks, legos, lincoln logs and knex. My grandpa has a wood working shop - I've actually been thinking about going down there and cutting about a gazillion wooden blocks - ya know, if I knew how to use a circular saw.
• We're also thinking about a table and chairs. It would be great for doing school for right now. The one they use at Sunday School is just the right size.
• Of course books! Here are some to start with...For Brenna, The Hundred Dresses, A is for Annabelle (did I say for Brenna? I meant for me!), and My Mommy, My Teacher. For Levi, Saint George and the Dragon, and If I Built a Car (actually this is perfect for my uncle Butch and Bobby - I know it's a kids book, but they would love it). For Jack, Toddler Prayers.
• DVDs like Letter Factory (Brenna's working on her letters), a ballet class for toddlers, Three Stooges (unless Casey gets it first!) and probably a praise baby dvd or cd - love these and the baby faith dvds.
• we're looking for science kit possibilities for Levi, but I haven't decided about that yet...

I'm actually having a hard time coming up with stuff, mostly because they already have so much and what do they play with? Paper and crayons. Legos. Levi's rockbox (a large sandbox, but filled with peagravel). I do have some not under the tree type gifts like going to see The Nutcracker.

And for Christian? Well, since he's too little for most everything he's getting some practical gifts like a new pillow or possibly one of these less practical (but funny!) onesies.