Thanksgiving 2008

We spent many days with family to celebrate our Thanksgiving holiday.  We were so fortunate to be fed so well and loved on by our family.  I'll share several pictures of our time away.

Kalen, Brady, Anna Kristin, Jules and Mads at the Kirby Thanksgiving gathering

Me & Dad

Celebrating Dad's birthday

Shanda and Jerry working on our Thanksgiving feast

Jan had just cut Maddie a piece of her homemade vegan 

cherry pie.  It was delicious!  My sweet mother-in-law is an amazing cook!

This was some of the food that we ate at Jan and Jerry's house for Thanksgiving.  They cater to our dietary needs with joy and all the support possible.  On Scott's plate here there is asparagus, mashed potatoes and gravy, green been casserole, a homemade roll, sweet potato casserole, and stuffing ~ all of which was vegan.  :)

The Morrison Family

Kalen and Jules played football several times in the yard.  It was so sweet to see them playing together so easily.  Up until now, it seems Kalen has always left that type of scene crying.  They had a so much fun!

Me & Grandma

I can't express how thankful I was sitting across from her this Thanksgiving. 

Mom's side of the family this Thanksgiving.  Mom and Annette (she was taking the picture) were so good to us during our visit, as always.  They fix a vegan Thanksgiving meal as well.  We walk away feeling so loved after being in their home.  

Here's sweet Jan.  We celebrated her birthday a few days early since we were in town.  We love this woman more than words can describe.  She is the heart of the Morrison family.  

the quality or feeling of being thankful or grateful

It is full of joy and fulfillment.

I am full of gratitude.

I am thankful for . . .

two living parents

having a husband that is truly in love with me

being a mom

bags

being vegan

friends that are full of humor and realness

In-laws that support, love, & strengthen us

movies

my cute and fun loving Dad

coffee

how my close family calls me Annie

our children's health

the freedom to teach my children at home

the way Brayden says "I luz you" every night after I read to him

good health

this blog

how Scott plays the guitar

my faith

great sister in-laws

the will to exercise

the sounds of my children's voices

a hot shower

the ocean

a daughter that wants to be like me

my blue jeans

Mother Teresa

our children and their love of life and family

my dishwasher

woods behind our house

being called mama

my kid's feet

Brayden Kenneth, Julian Jeremiah, Madelyn Virginia and Kalen Alexander

my husband's patience with my impatience

my adult relationship with my mother

peanut butter

family time

my husband's love for our children

Trader Joe's

how Julian is crazy about books

sunshine

the book of Psalms

cereal

family that really know me

card games

clean laundry

how I can always tell what's going on with Kalen, 

because he wears every feeling on his face (just like me)

a brother that still tries to protect me

how Maddie swaddles her babies

friendly neighbors

Christmas time

music

laughter

my husband's devotion to me

a marriage that is strong and fun

my grandmother

a growing sense of self worth

Burt's Bees lip shimmer

a new president on the way

my home &

a heart that is full 

Party At The Morrisons

In an effort to show some of our Durham friends that we are thankful for them, we invited them over for a get together this morning.  All of these friends we have met through our homeschooling group.  We had a wonderful turn out.  Many of the moms said I was brave for attempting such a gathering.  There were 22 children, ranging from baby to 8 yrs old and then seven moms.  We had a blast!  

I am so thankful for homeschooling.  I am indeed thankful for this group and so encouraged by the children's love of life and behavior.  My dear friends Kim, Judy, Maria, Lisa, Elisa and Marci are so sweet and fun.  

Just wanted to share a few photos.  

A Tire Swing

Just a simple post about our newest backyard addition.  Scott, the kids, and I spent the entire afternoon outside on this gorgeous day.  We did a little of this and a little that.  The most exciting moments surrounded Scott tying up our tire swing.  We had one in Boone and the kids loved it.  It is such a sweet thing.  

Turkey

We saw this turkey yesterday at the museum. This turkey was so chatty.

This is as close as we will come to turkey this Thanksgiving. Save the turkeys! :)

Tagged

It is that time again . . . (thanks, Torie)

RULES
1- Post Rules on Your Blog
2-Answer the Six "8" Items
3-Let Each Person Know They Have Been Tagged 

8 Favorite Shows

1. ER
2. So You Think You Can Dance
3. American Idol
4. LOST
5. Curious George
6. Oprah
7. The View
8. Andy Griffith

8 Things I Did Yesterday

1. Homeschooled my kids
2. Kissed my husband
3. Went to the Life and Science Museum
4. Made Spaghetti
5. Made our Christmas card
6. Changed a stinky diaper
7. Sewed the boys a fleece stuffed owl
8. Worked on our anniversary plans

8 Things I Look Forward To

1.  Today's play date with Andrea, Liam and Asher
2.  Tonight's movie night with popcorn
3.  Walking in Jan's kitchen next week for Thanksgiving
4.  Seeing my grandma across the table at my Mom's Thanksgiving get together
5.  Hearing Christmas music daily for the next few months
6.  Our 10th wedding anniversary on December 19th
7.  Giving gifts at Christmas time
8.  Christmas Day

8 Favorite Restaurants

1.  The Laughing Seed~ Asheville, NC
2.  Coyote Kitchen~ Boone, NC
3.  Mellow Mushroom~ Boone, Durham, & Charleston
4.  Cosmic Canteen~ Durham and Chapel Hill, NC
5.  P.F. Changs (anywhere)
6.  Weaver Street Market
7.  Our Daily Bread~Boone, NC

8.  Melanies~ Boone, NC

8 Things On My Wish List

1.  A haircut
2.  Sewing Books
3.  Material & other sewing supplies
4.  A healthy and happy winter
5.  Getting together with friends and family frequently
6.  To love my best friend well and meet his needs
7.  A continued growing spirit of love and devotion for my children
8.  Peace, love, harmony, and all that good stuff for the world

8 People To Tag

1. Jen
2. Emily
3. Laura
4. Chrystal
5. Kristin
6. Laurie
7. Mandy
8. Heather

Madelyn at Barriskill Dance Theatre School

Madelyn has been attending Barriskill Dance Theatre School.  Her teacher is amazing.  His name is Micheal Barriskill.  He has performed in CATS and other huge productions in New York.  Madelyn and another little girl, Simone, get Mr. Barriskill all to themselves for an hour every Monday.  Maddie enjoys dancing and takes it very seriously.  

This past Monday, the boys and I were able to sit in on her class and I captured some sweet moments of Madelyn practicing her technique.  At the bottom, there is a little clip of her doing her thing.  

Grandparents Galore

This weekend we saw all our parents and grandparents. Dad came Friday night to stay with us. He and Sally met up here on Saturday morning before heading to the NC State game. Thankfully, the Wolfpack won their game against Wake Forest. I know Dad and Sally loved that. We enjoyed seeing them and having Dad stay with us and play for awhile.

Saturday afternoon, we headed to Shanda's home in Winston-Salem. There we had a dinner for Jan and Jerry to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. We stuffed ourselves and enjoyed honoring two of our favorite people. We are so thankful for them and their marriage!

My little family headed to King Saturday night to hang out with Mom and Annette. It was good to be back home and be fed so well. The kids had a ball and came home with lots of treats. We were able to visit my grandma and uncle Bob as well. Grandma is doing alright for now. We are so thankful for her.

So, now we are home. I am sitting beside three unpacked bags and three huge piles of clean laundry to fold. My heart is as full as those laundry baskets. It feels so good to love and be loved by family.

My dad and Kalen playing Guess Who

Celebratory dinner for Jan and Jerry

Jerry and Jan with our kids and a photo that Shanda and our family had framed for them.

Julian, Jan, Scott, and Maddie

Kalen and his Grandpa

Celebrating 40 years of marriage

Shanda, Jan, Madelyn, Scott, Kalen, Jerry, Julian and Brayden

Maddie and Shanda

Madelyn, mom, and Brady at my mom's house

Kalen and Julian enjoying Grandma's big backyard

Mads, Kalen, Brady and Jules at my grandma's house

Grandma with four of her great grandchildren

Borrowing A Prayer

Dear Loving Father,

Thank you for reminding my that You are "slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness" (Nehemiam 9:17).  I need Your compassion in my life because no matter how hard I try, I fall short of even my own standards of what I think a godly mother should be.  I don't have all the answers.  I am not always spiritual.  Sometimes I don't feel like trying.  You love me and accept me just the way I am.

Lead me away from depression and dark thoughts about my life and my role as a mother.  Help me to remember that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).  Let me bask in Your everlasting love so that I may bring joy and light to my children.  Let me learn to begin every day anew- forgetting the past failures that lie behind- and reaching forward to what lies ahead- becoming more mature and loving and self-controlled.  Thank You for Your constant support and strength to me in this journey.  I appreciate You and am grateful for Your love toward me.  

In Jesus~

Amen

A prayer from the book The Mom Walk by Sally Clarkson

This morning, I have been fussy and downhearted.  I reached for this book, knowing that it has wonderful prayers written throughout it.  I found this one and I read it with my eyes overflowing with tears.  Whether I have PMS or this is just one of those days that we all have, this was an amazing moment of refreshment.  I love how the Lord picks us up when we are weary. 

Things I Am Loving Today

Laundry folded

My husband happy

Supper cooking

Friends that I saw today

The way Brayden smells

Homeschooling

Fall

Madelyn, my peacemaker

My children

The coolness outside

Dangly earrings

My Mom and Grandma

The color brown

Julian's love of reading

K'NEX

Fallen leaves on the ground

My husband needing me

Little cute toes before being stuffed into socks

My adorable mommy friends here and there and everywhere

Kalen's laugh

Chocolate flax brownies

Free Duke b-ball tickets for Scott and Jules

Fleece

My Dad

White tea

My wedding ring

My husband wanting me

Well lit home

My In-Laws

Snuggly hugs

My kid's laughter

My Jesus

Durham

It's A New Day

by will.i.am

Nok Hockey!

This is a post by Scott:

Anna and I are trying, for a number of reasons, to shop at local thrift stores more often.  We have found these excursions to be quite fun.  For example, yesterday Anna decided to try on a pair of knee-high black boots.  And so did Madelyn.  And so did Kalen.  And so did Brayden.

In past trips we have made some sweet purchases.  A doll for Madelyn, practically brand new, was bought for 50 cents.  Both Julian and Kalen now have Rollerblades that only cost $7 combined.  

Yesterday, though, we found treasure: Nok Hockey!  This game was first sold in 1948.  I grew up with a Nok Hockey game board but we sold it in a yard sale I don't know how long ago.  I hadn't thought about it for so many years!  My heart started beating rapidly and my jaw dropped.  Anna looked at me with a combination of fright and confusion.

This board has "Copyright 1970" printed on it, but I don't know how old it is.  I immediately called my father as I knew he would be the only person with whom I could share my joy.  He laughed out loud when I told him what I'd found.

Needless to say, I bought the board for $4.  The sticks and puck weren't included, so we had to be creative when we got home.  Right now the puck is a wooden checker piece and I made sticks out of K'nex pieces.  The kids have played virtually non-stop since yesterday afternoon.

Nok Hockey is still sold in stores (like Target) and online after all these years.  So maybe our board isn't that old after all.  But we are enjoying it nonetheless.