So Much to be Thankful For . . .

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100: 4-5

 

 

Cousins at Ashley's birthday party

Celebrating Thanksgiving with more cousins

 As we celebrate Thanksgiving I can't begin to list all of the things I am thankful for . . . but at the top of the list would certainly be my precious family!  We enjoyed celebrating Ashley's 4th birthday on Saturday before Thanksgiving in Greenville, SC.  Then we loved seeing the rest of the cousins in Mebane on Thanksgiving Day (after Dave and I ran in the Turkey Trot here in Charlotte).  We are truly blessed beyond measure to be part of such an incredible family!



Preston's Thanksgiving Feast

All dressed in his Indian clothes ready for the feast!

Yummy food, notice his Indian name "Giving Spirit"

Daddy surprised us all with a lunch visit

On Thursday Preston had his big Thanksgiving feast at WEE school.  His class (and their awesome teachers) worked super hard in making many holiday decorations and clothes.  Preston had a special headdress, necklace, shirt, Pilgrim hat, placemat, and more!  Although he didn't eat many of the traditional holiday foods, he had more than enough Chick fil A nuggets and desserts.  The biggest surprise was that daddy came from work to enjoy the feast with his Peanut! 

As we looked around at the many children in his class, we noticed that they each had a special teacher-selected Indian name on their headdress. Preston's was "Giving Spirit".  Ms. Shirley told me later that he was the most giving child ever, which was a very special quality . . . yes, we know just how special he is, but it's nice to hear it from his teacher at school too!

Two Fall Firsts

Sound asleep on the sofa

I can hardly believe it, but last night right before the kids went to bed we looked outside and it was snowing!!!  They went to bed so excited to have seen the first snow of the year . . . unfortunately Preston woke up with another first of the year, the throw up bug! :( 

Just as I was headed out the door to my aerobic class at 5:20 this morning I heard him throwing up.  Needless to say our morning quickly became very hectic trying to figure out how Dave and I both could get to work, get Savannah to the bus, cancel the art lesson I was supposed to teach at Savannah's school this morning, cancel car pool, etc.  Whew!

So I went to class while Dave worked from home until I finished teaching.  Now I'm here with sweet Preston (who keeps asking how one might get the throw up bug and wondering if when he sneezed that maybe it sneezed the bug all out of him).  He is sound asleep on the sofa.  The Lord has reminded me of so many things to be thankful for this morning.  First of all, that I'm super blessed to be able to stay home with my kids.  Going back to work was a treat for me, not a necessity.  So on days like today I'm able to chill at home with my little one who isn't feeling well.  Secondly, I was reminded what a gift Dave is to me and our family . He never once even questioned staying home while I taught my class today, actually he suggested it!  Third, I'm reminded what a blessing it is to have super healthy children.  If this is all we have to deal with then I count myself lucky. . . there are so many children with things much worse and that will last much longer than a passing stomach virus. 

Here's hoping all is better tomorrow and everyone else stays healthy!

 

 

WEE School Family Night 2013

His entire class

Check out the handprint wreath Preston made for us to hang at home

Last night was Family Night at WEE school.  The program started with 3 year olds and worked up through the TK kids, with the oldest kids going last . . . except for Preston's class.  Even though they weren't the oldest they went last because they are the best not only recited the pledge but also sang God Bless America for Veteran's Day.  They were so proud and so was our family!!  Yet another confirmation that he has the absolute best teachers.  I mean who in the world can teach a class of just turned 4 year olds 3 pledges, all of the books of the Old Testament in order, AND the song God Bless America in 2 months?!? 

Family Fall Fun

Having a grand time in the pile of leaves!

After soccer today we had all agreed to pitch in and do a little yard work.  Savannah had assigned everyone a job and we knew that we could knock out the work in record time if we all did our part . . . only when I went to find the leaf bags I came back to the drive way to find these two silly kids.

Are we in trouble???

End of Soccer Season . . . for now

A few warm up kicks

The face of one happy soccer player!

Watch out, here I come!

At last, Preston got the long awaited trophy!!

Sadly Preston's soccer season ended this morning.  He has had a blast the entire Fall and learned a lot too.  One of the highlights was definitely today, getting his own personalized trophy.  When the coach gave it to him he said that Preston was one of the few kids who could kick the ball with either foot at this age.  I hadn't even noticed, but I do think he's pretty good and SUPER fast on the field; but I may be a bit biased. :)  I think we'll be spending a lot more time on soccer fields in years to come . . .

Lunch with Sissy

On Friday we went to PSE to have lunch with Savannah.  It was Preston's lucky day because they were celebrating Conner's birthday and had extra cupcakes. :)  It's always fun to visit her school and chat with her little friends.

Indian Princess Y Guide Campout

Running Wolf and Running Doe

 

This weekend Dave and Savannah attended their first overnight camp out with Y Guides!  There are 7 girls from our church that make up their Painted Pony Princess tribe and boy did they have a blast this weekend.  They left early Saturday morning to meet up at Chick fil A and then headed to Camp Thunderbird together.  Activities included archery, riding horses, canoeing, shooting BB guns, rock climbing, crafts, and zip lining.  They were able to do a few more things this morning after chapel and then headed home.  I'm not sure who is more exhausted today or which one had more fun . . . but I do know that I'm grateful for a husband that was willing to go with his little princess during a month end close AND who was willing to sacrifice watching the Tigers play football.

The Peanut

I tell you what, this kid never stops amazing me.  His heart is huge and his love for his sister comes through in many subtle ways each and every day.  He makes me laugh, challenges me mentally with his thousands of questions, and is a sponge of every thing happening around him every single day.  Oh, and did I mention that he continues to rock the soccer field?  As another parent put it today "Preston, stellar as usual."  I guess I shouldn't mention that he got into a shoving match in the middle of a game today, right? ;)    Anyway, we have spent the day together today (while sissy and daddy were away at camp) and I've been reminded just what a blessing he is to our family.  So I have no pictures of our time at soccer, Target, Harris Teeter, playing outside, or eating out at Chick fil A from today but I did want to share a few from this past month . . .

Showing off his silly side at the Hall Family Farm

We met up with Dave's Clemson friends at the Hall Family Farm earlier this month for a fun corn maze.  Before we hit the maze the kids had a blast playing all of the games they had set up. 

He is very caring

After a million times of pinning the stupid underwear on his bunny I finally decided to safety pin them on.  Preston looks at me and says "It's not going to hurt him is it mommy?  Because he'll tell me if it hurts!" HA!

Preston also has a very serious side

We found him in the living room one night "reading" the Charlotte Observer.  Not the comic section either.  He is such a special gift from the Lord and I'm truly honored to be his mama!