Wrapping Up Thanksgiving

As I mentioned before, this was the first year I hosted Thanksgiving. It seems kind of odd to still be talking about Thanksgiving on this first Sunday of Advent, but it's also the last day of that long, wonderful Thanksgiving-Day weekend!

So ... Overall, it was a really fun day! The biggest glitch was that the turkey wasn't done when everyone arrived, like I had planned. But I think it was worth the wait ... It turned out delicious (thank God!)

Here are a few things I did in my planning and prepping that I thought worked really well.

Since my recipes were from all different sources, I made a file and kept them all together. This was very handy when it came time to buying ingredients and cooking each recipe.

When I was cooking, I taped the recipes to my cabinets, so that I didn't have to keep looking down (and getting a sore neck!) ... It also probably saved the recipes from getting spilled on!

The night before Thanksgiving, I chopped and measured all my ingredients and put them into labeled baggies so that on Thanksgiving Day, all I had to do was pour the contents in. This saved a lot of time, I thought.

With 23 people coming to my house for Thanksgiving, I had a bit of a seating dilemma. The only table I have is in our kitchen, and it only has six chairs. It can seat eight with card-table chairs. We use our dining room for a play room. So, this was the first time in the four years we have lived here that we used our formal dining room for what it was built for—eating meals! I cleared it out a bit and made room for a long folding table and one card table.

I decided to have immediate families sit together. I didn't want a kids table, because 11 of the children there were seven years old and younger. This seating arrangement also worked well with the thankfulness activity we planned, so that parents could talk with and help their children focus on being grateful.

On each table were cut-out leaves and markers. Each family went around and shared with one another one or two things they were grateful for. Then, after dinner, they wrote those things on the leaves.

The day before, Greg and the trio painted a fall scene with a bare tree. We put this up on a magnetic board that we have in our kitchen. One of the older cousins helped my girls tape up all the leaves.

It was so beautiful to have a visual of all the blessings from the Lord that are in our lives!

One last note, we also prayed a more extensive grace before dinner. I adapted (shortened) it from the one that was in the November issue of Magnificat. My SIL lead us in the song Now Thank We All Our God, and I had each of the dads be the leaders. I thought it turned out really nice! One of my BILs even commented to me that he appreciated the focus on prayer. It is so reassuring to get that kind of feedback!

Well, I think that about wraps up Thanksgiving—lessons learned, helpful tips and fun ideas to focus our family on gratitude.

May They Rest in Peace

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, my older daughters' school went to a local cemetery to pray for the poor souls in Purgatory. Since it was at the end of the school day, the parents joined them and the students were dismissed from there.

Even though the Christmas carols were already being aired over the radio and decorations had long been up in stores, it was—and is—still November, the month that we remember and pray for those who have gone before us who still may be suffering in Purgatory and awaiting Heaven.

The Holy Souls are those who have died in the state of grace but who are not yet free from all punishment due to their unforgiven venial sins and all other sins already forgiven for which satisfaction is still to be made. They are certain of entering Heaven, but first they must suffer in Purgatory. The Holy Souls cannot help themselves because for them the night has come, when no man can work (John 9:4). It is our great privilege of brotherhood that we can shorten their time of separation from God by our prayers, good works, and, especially, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (from Catholic Culture).

The students prayed the traditional prayers for the dead around the grave-site of their school's foundress, who died of cancer a few years ago. It was a beautiful and inspiring sight to see those young people kneeling on the wet grass so reverently on behalf of her, as well as other loved ones who have passed away.

My maternal grandparents happen to be buried in the same cemetery. So, afterward, we visited them, too. My grandpa passed away 30 years ago. I barely remember him, but I am grateful for a few memories ... My grandma died 20 years ago, right around Thanksgiving Day. I still miss her! I'd love to talk to her now that I'm an adult and a mother! My 5-year-old's middle name is in honor of her, Mary.

+++

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Thanks for Thanksgiving

What a busy week, preparing to host my first Thanksgiving feast tomorrow! But I feel pretty peaceful about everything, which must be because of the grace I received after Confession this morning. Last night, I was feeling quite the opposite, especially when I found out we had to show our house at 3 p.m. today. A showing?! On top of getting ready to host 23 people for Thanksgiving?! Too much, I thought. But the Lord provided ... He is so good!

Recipe ingredients (like celery, onions and herbs) are prepped and in labeled plastic baggies, so I don't have to chop anything tomorrow. The house is clean, thanks to the showing. And most of the things on my list are checked off. A few last-minute items are left, but I can't set tables, until the last minute anyway, or the twins will unset them for me!

My trio and I finished An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving by Louisa May Alcott this evening. It is already on my Amazon wish-list to purchase. I hope it is one we re-read every Thanksgiving. And this is another favorite around here. The illustrations are so bright and so sweet.

Tomorrow morning, I will get my 7-hour, slow-cooker stuffing started; my 24-pound turkey in the oven; and hopefully be able to sip coffee and tune into the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is my favorite! One of my dreams is go to NYC to see it live one day ...

The older I get, the more I love Thanksgiving. I try to be thankful and grateful everyday, but I appreciate this special day to truly reflect on the abundant blessings God has given to me and to my family.

So, happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. I pray that your day is truly filled with peace and joy (and lots of yummy food, too)!

+++

A psalm of thanksgiving. Shout joyfully to the Lord, all you lands;

worship the Lord with cries of gladness; come before him with joyful song.

Know that the Lord is God, our maker to whom we belong, whose people we are, God's well-tended flock.

Enter the temple gates with praise, its courts with thanksgiving.

Give thanks to God, bless his name;

good indeed is the Lord, whose love endures forever, whose faithfulness lasts through every age.

~Psalm 100~

Prepare the Way

Since Advent is only three days after Thanksgiving, I know many of you have already started to think about what you are going to do with your family this season ... I've seen some beautiful plans out there on several blogs! I've been doing the same thing. But as I wrote here, I also have had a sense that I don't want to do too much ... I was very encouraged when I stumbled upon the following blog posts. They are really about maintaining a true Advent spirit during these short four weeks leading up to Christmas. They are beautiful and thought-provoking, and I thought I'd share them with you, in case you haven't read them yet. Oh, they're short, too, so perhaps you could read one per day this week, as you prepare the way for the Lord!

General Advent Theme:

http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2009/11/advent-beginning-of-wonder.html

http://familyfeastandferia.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/prepare-the-way-of-the-lord/

Advent Wreath:

http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2009/11/advent-prayers-and-little-more-on-how-i.html

Advent Music:

http://familyfeastandferia.wordpress.com/2009/11/20/our-advent-music-plan/#comments

The Sufficiency of Truth and Love

I thought this quote was so powerful and profound, I just had to share ...

+++

Concerning active participation during the Liturgy, Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Ratzinger, clarifies,

"If there is to be real participatio actuosa, there must be silence. In this silence, together, we journey inward, becoming aware of word and sign, leaving behind the roles which conceal our real selves.

In silence man 'bides' and 'abides'; he becomes aware of 'abiding' reality. Liturgy's tension, tautness, does not come from 'variety' ... but from the fact that it creates a space in which we can encounter what is truly great and inexhaustible, something that does not need 'variety' because it suffices, namely, truth and love."

+++

"Abide in Me and I will abide in you." —John 15:4

Twins Turn Two

Happy 2nd Birthday to my silly little twins—the naughts, as we affectionately call them. (Yes, that is short for naughty =) We love you, Two, and we are so blessed and honored that you are part of our family.

***

I shared a bit about my pregnancy with the twins a couple weeks ago. Here is a brief summary of their birth story, as told by my husband in an e-mail he sent out after we arrived home from the hospital five days after they were born:

Hi Everyone!

Whew! What an absolutely incredible 5 days this has been (since we entered our business as usual dual induction on Tue). As many of you have already heard, our experience on Tue and Wed ended up being anything but business as usual! Below I have included some highlights from our day on Tue.

Tuesday November 20

4:00 AM We wake up with suspected final labor

6:00 AM Checked into hospital for the main event

8:00 AM Labor stops but we stay because we are scheduled for an induction that morning anyway

Noon Induced labor is slow going (compared to our rapid deliveries of the past!)

2:00 PM We are wheeled into a big scary operating room

2:19 PM Boy is born! (the old fashioned way)

2:22 PM Girl decides to enjoy her new spare bedroom instead of following Boy down the fire escape

2:40 PM Dr. can’t wait for Girl any longer – commence emergency C-Section

2:55 PM Girl is born!

6:00 PM Greg & Sarah arrive in their recovery room

Thank you all so very much for your prayers and support during this transition for our family. We have been absolutely overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness and generosity over the past few weeks.

We are ecstatic at the twins’ long awaited arrival and their impressive health! We are exhausted with joy. Sarah is recovering well but would like to be able to do more than her monster incision will allow. She is still in a fair amount of pain. Please keep her continued recovery in your prayers.

Thanks again all!

Greg

***

To fill in the gaps, I started bawling when we were wheeled into that "big, scary operating room." The twins weighed over 13 pounds together. My son weighed 7 lbs., 5 oz., and my daughter weighed 5 lbs., 9 oz. (And this was at one day shy of 37 weeks!) And yes, you read that correctly, he was born first "the old-fashioned way," as my husband calls it, and she was born via C-section. I started crying again when I found out this had to happen. My biggest fear came true that day, and believe me, I asked plenty of doctors and nurses about the chances of this happening. (Oh, the stats are very low, but I was blessed enough to be part of the minority!)

Shortly after their birth, my husband created a beautiful video of the experience that still makes me cry when I watch it. I wish I could share it here, but perhaps it's too personal for the world WIDE web. But to those who I consider my blogging friends, yes, I wish I could share it with you. Oh, well! Perhaps one day =)

***

The first six months of their lives were a blur. Really blurry. And having twins has turned my world completely upside down. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Both of them are so delightful and funny. It is incredible to watch a boy and a girl grow up side-by-side! The differences. The companionship. The messes. The fighting! The laughing. Now that they're talking a bit, it is fascinating to hear what words they come up with and how the other one will use that word, too.

And this is really only the beginning ...

Again, happy 2nd birthday, Babies! May the Lord continue to shine upon you and give you everlasting joy.

Ever So Thankful

I am ever so thankful for so many blessings ... Here are just a few:

+ a wonderful, long-overdue date with my husband to celebrate our eighth anniversary. We went to a concert and then to Mass at a little French church in the city. Afterward, we ate dinner at a new Asian restaurant. We had drinks, appetizers, dinner, dessert—the works! It was so much fun!

+ my husband, who is the sensible one around here. He's always helping me maintain simplicity and not overextend myself.

+ the birthday glow

+ my Bible study on First Corinthians. Even though it's been hard to get my homework done each week, the ladies there are so encouraging, and the DVD lectures by this Bible scholar are so spiritually nourishing.

+ need I say more?

Thanks to Barbara for this idea of posting what we're ever so thankful for during the month of November! Can you believe Thanksgiving is only one week away?!

Wordless Wednesday ~ 1st Haircut Edition

Destination Bethlehem

I know it's not Thanksgiving yet, and I'm not trying to jump ahead too quickly. But Advent begins in a week and a half, just three days after Thanksgiving! I have started to think and plan a little bit ... What will my family do this year to celebrate and honor this season of anticipation and preparation?

One thing that we did last year that I know we definitely will do again this year is read the book Destination Bethlehem by Sharon Altman and Christine Winkelman. I highly recommend this book, and it's probably not too late to order a copy! It consists of 24 chapters, one for each night of Advent (well, from Dec. 1-24).

It is the story of two boys, Isaac and Jediah, as they travel through Ancient Palestine. As the story unfolds, they find themselves at the heart of the Nativity Story and gradually realize the birth of the Messiah is at hand. Each chapter ends with a cliff-hanger and builds anticipation for reading the following one. Last year, my oldest wanted to keep reading, and honestly, so did I, but we were good little readers and always waited to find out what happened the next day =)

Other than the reading of this book, I do not have any set plans. And I have been cautious to add any just yet. You see, this fall, I took on a bit too much. I thought that I could handle it. The twins turn two on Friday, and I thought that it was about time. That might be true. But I overestimated what was realistic for me to add into our family life, and now I'm trying to let go of some things and simplify once again.

So, when I think about Advent, I instantly think about it in a way that means adding more into our lives. And that gets me feeling overwhelmed. That's not the way it's supposed to be, and I know that. Hence the cautiousness.

Before I can plan, I guess I have to figure out what I can realistically do to bring my family into this season. And do so without feeling like I am going to go crazy.

I like what one blogger wrote about Advent plans. She said, "The Advent basket may not reflect the totality of our living out of Advent, but I hesitate to plan or put much more on paper than I have as Advent is a season we try to live out in quiet and simplicity as our hearts are expectant and waiting!"

I want our Advent to be peaceful and prayerful. I want to be peaceful and prayerful. I do not want Advent to be a time filled with the things I think we should be doing. But I want it to be meaningful and purposeful. So that we can truly feel like we have arrived at our destination—Bethlehem—ever so ready for the birth of Our Lord on Christmas Day.

An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving

I recently enjoyed An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving. It was just right for this time of year. I was pleasantly surprised to find a movie about Thanksgiving, the holiday that's so lovely yet almost forgotten in our commercial-Christmas society. (Have you been to Target recently? Or have you looked through the Sunday newspaper ads? It's as if Christmas is a week away, not six!)

I rented An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving at Blockbuster, but I see that it will be airing on the Hallmark Channel, if you have cable, Thanksgiving night.

Set in the late 1880s, it is about a widowed mother of three who struggles to keep her family intact and provide for them, after her husband dies. The oldest daughter secretly sends a letter to her estranged and very wealthy grandmother urging her assistance.

An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving is very loosely based on a short story by Louisa May Alcott. In other words, it's not like the original story at all. I haven't read the story, yet, but I read the book description on Amazon. The book sounds lovely, so I do plan on reading it aloud with my girls in the next week or so. (Only 32 pages!)

The movie is a good stand-alone film. It's just nothing like the book, which is sometimes good to know.

Can't Believe She's Seven

My firstborn child turns seven today. Seven! She's growing up. And it shows. In her appearance, her speech and her mannerisms. She's reading like crazy. She wanted to write out her own birthday party invitations this year, because she can do it now.

I remember those first days and weeks at home with her. They were hard. I was so clueless and tired and anxious. Sometimes I wish I could have another day or two with her as a baby ... It didn't seem to go by fast, but I guess it did.

I remember taking her to storytime at the bookstore when she was six months old. She's always liked books. Even back then. I love reading with her! She's my very own bookworm =)

She's always been daddy's little girl. That's OK. I love watching their relationship. Their newest thing is watching Sunday football together. My husband is not a huge sports fan, neither is she, but this year it's on a bit more, and they are enjoying it together.

She's a lot like me, too. Sometimes too much like me. But I understand where she's coming from, and I try to help her through ...

She's an early bird ...

She's very studious (even in first grade) ...

She has a sweet tooth like you wouldn't believe, and she loves movies, too ...

She's bright, sweet, smart and good-natured. She's seven today! And what a very good thing that is.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Daughter!

I love you,

Mommy

Ever So Thankful

I am joining Barbara at Praying for Grace in her November Ever So Thankful posts. I thought this was such a beautiful idea, especially as I have been thinking about how we can bring a bit more thankfulness into our Thanksgiving Day this year ...

So, I am thankful for:

+ 64-degree days in November. We had a beautiful weekend!

+ Pumpkin scones at Starbucks. A wonderful fall treat.

+ These festive red cups that come out this time of year. When it's a little darker outside and all the leaves have fallen off the trees, these add a little brightness to my day.

+ A grateful daughter, who lit up at every birthday present (big or small) she opened at our Fall Family Birthday Party on Saturday. She is so excited that she and her daddy now can wear matching T-shirts on Sundays.

+ The simple joy that toy cars bring to an almost two-year-old boy. That big owie in his mouth was momentarily forgotten, and he got the biggest smile on his face =)

More thankful posts to come ...

Snaggletooth

There's never a dull moment when you have children, is there?

On Friday night, my little boy fell and his front tooth fell out. Completely. Root and all.

I wasn't home.

My husband called me and told me on the-cell-I-rarely-use to come home right away. Thankfully, I was already at the Target check out, and Target is only minutes from home.

While I was on my way, Greg called the doctor, who called an emergency room doctor. There wasn't anything they could do for our son, as long as he didn't have signs of a concussion, which he didn't—thank God!

But before he called the doctor, Greg put our son's tooth back in! (Yes. You read that correctly.)

The doctor was surprised that he could do this, but he said it was OK to try. (He actually asked Greg if he had military training, which I thought was pretty funny =)

Anyway ... all weekend, our little guy has been very uncomfortable and in a lot of pain. His mouth is swollen, and he is pretty cranky. The tooth has slipped down, but it hasn't fallen out again ...

We will call a pediatric dentist tomorrow to see what we should do, and most likely, we will make an appointment for our little guy this week.

This weekend, I was reminded of two things: 1) Our lives are so precious and fragile! Be gentle and teach gentleness to your children. 2) You can plan life out perfectly, but things can always happen to upset those plans. Be flexible and patient. Surrender every moment to the Lord.

I'll keep you posted ...

Two Awards and a Meme

Last week was filled with blogging fun! As I was visiting my daily reads, I discovered that I had won two new awards, and I was tagged for a meme. WOW! What fun! I am terribly honored that the two bloggers who gave me the awards would think so highly of me. I am touched, truly.

I hope it's OK to put all of this good ol' fun into one post. I thought it would at least help me keep all the *rules* organized! LOL Here goes ...

Aussie Therese awarded me this:

Here are the rules: By accepting this award, I am required to tell you six things about myself that you don't know and then award it to six other gorgeous bloggers.

1. I *love* ice cream. If I buy it, I will eat it. Most likely before the rest of my family ever has a chance to taste it. So, I don't buy it very often.

2. My dream second honeymoon is to travel to Italy.

3. I am an only child. Because of that fact, sometimes I really wonder about the things my kids do. You know, how they fight and bicker. Is that normal? Of course I am learning that it is.

4. I am an introvert.

5. I really enjoy coffee. I have it every morning. And it is a wonderful thing. (But I have cut back on caffeine and mostly drink it decaf now.)

6. One of my all-time favorite movies is Singin' in the Rain.

Now 6 bloggers to pass this award onto:

Meredith at Sweetness and Light

Suzie at Shepherding My Sheep

Jenn at As Cozy as Spring

Regan at A Place for Everything

Barbara at Praying for Grace

Deb at Homespun Living

***

The next award is from Anne. It's easy, because there are no fun facts involved. All I have to do is award it to five bloggers who inspire me. So, I pass this award onto:

Jamie at Lord, Make Me a Saint

Jessica at Shower of Roses

Sarah at Amongst Lovely Things

Christine at Meet Me at the Gates

Jennifer at My Chocolate Heart

***

Now, last, but certainly not least, the meme that Christine tagged me for.

Six names you go by:
Sarah

Hun (short for Honey, but that's how my husband spells it =)

Mommy

Mom

Ma-mom (my new favorite by Boy)

Obes (a college nickname)

Three things you are wearing:
my wedding ring
jeans
comfy brown slippers

Three things you want very badly right now:
a day off
a large yummy coffee from Starbucks
a healthy fall and winter

Three things you did last night/yesterday:
attended Bible Study

knitted

watched The Mentalist

Two things you ate today:
eggs for breakfast

a pear

Two people you last talked to on the phone:
my husband
my mom

Two things you are going to do tomorrow:
host our extended family's fall birthday party
clean up after the said birthday party

Your three favorite beverages:
my morning coffee
Sugar Cookie tea from Celestial Seasonings

Pumpkin Spice lattes

Tag! You are it!
(But only if you want to play ... no pressure!)

Happy Weekend!