Catching Up

Our thanksgiving was a wonderful but oh soooooo busy. We left on Tuesday and went to my mother in law's. Thursday we went to my mom and dad's. We had a wonderful time, then we left and headed once again back to my mother in law's. My father and mother in law just aren't able to do what they once could, so the girls, dh and I stepped in and done chores, cleaning and the cooking. We celebrated thanksgiving on Saturday and didn't return home until late Sunday.

I was so wore out. It was exhausting hours and work but we had such a wonderful time. We managed to get our school done this week, you can view details here at Kingdom Academy, we cleaned our home and put up our Christmas tree. Oddly enough, we needed a tree this year but funds just aren't there. I had purchased Meadow a little pink tree for her room a month or so ago and we all decided to put it out and prayerfully catch a nice tree after Christmas on clearance! So we have a pink Christmas tree!!!

Are you ready for Christmas? I can't believe there only 18 more days! I'm no where near ready. I have barely anything done but this year will be smaller than most. That isn't neccessarily a bad thing. We have so much to be thankful for. The girls haven't really asked for much. That makes it hard. It's funny because in years past I've always felt overwhelmed with their lists, knowing I'd never be able to fill them all, but this year, with them asking for nothing it makes it hard on a mom to know what to get!

I'm trying to slow down. The one thing I do not like about this time of the year is the busy-ness of it. I want to embrace every moment with my family. I want to have nights that we can actually spend together. I do not like it when we over commit ourselves and HAVE to be somewhere every night of the week. To me Christmas is a time for family to be together, especially your own. Mom and dad and their children. Family is important. Don't you agree?

I haven't had a lot of energy, I'm a little worn out so this weekend I stayed in. It's been nice to have the time to sit, to think, to read and do the little things that needed to be done. I also got a lot of much needed rest.

Friday night, Heaven, Sky, Jessica (Sky's friend) and I all piled up in my bed and watched a movie called The Family Stone. We ate popcorn, Hershey's, Kit Kats, Twix bars, Milky Ways, Gobstoppers and Twizzlers. (Just for the record, I don't like Twizzlers) There is some language and issues in the movie and I'm not implying in any way its Christian but it was very good. We all laughed so hard, only to be left in tears at the end. This is one of my favorite movies. It was the most fun I've had since I can remember! I love girls night!

Meadow and her friend Christopher watched the new American Girl Movie called Kit Kitteredge, while enjoying the same treats we had. I watched it with her again later and I can say this is a movie to recommend. It really touched Meadow. It was about the depression and how people lost their homes and such. It opened her eyes to the economy, how we have bills, and I believe it helped her to have a better understanding of material things. She asked me if I would *let* her have a typewriter and I said, "Well, would you want one?" And she said, "Not if we don't have the money." I thought those were precious words. It was impacting. If you haven't seen the movie, do!