Thanksgiving Funnies

Here are a few little comics that my brother, Jordan, sent me that made me snicker.








I appreciate this one...

And because sometimes I'm too uptight and I need to shock myself...


Hoping you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Ham-tastic Holiday Meal

Yeah. That's all I got tonight. Ham-tastic. I can't even try to come up with something better. I am exhausted.

We had some of Richie's family over tonight for a pre-Thanksgiving meal. It was a good visit and yummy meal. It was also a pretty easy meal.

I'm like that. All about the yummy and easy.

I can enjoy a meal a whole lot better knowing that 6 hours of blood, sweat, and tears is not being consumed in 20 minutes.

Sweet Orange-Glazed Ham has become a holiday staple around my house. I found the recipe on Southern Living's website a year or two ago and have made it a few times. The glaze has three ingredients (brown sugar, orange juice, and prepared mustard) and it is so quick. And oh. so. yummy.

Not to mention that it just sounds impressive and time consuming. I like that part also.

And while I would love to share a picture of it, the above picture will have to do. My camera still doesn't talk to my computer, sorry. So, we will pretend and substitute this other ham from Southern Living's website for it.

I know, I feel cheated, too.

Something else I tried this time was serving baked sweet potatoes with a brown sugar and cinnamon mixture to put on top. It even won over my brother-in-law and his wife who were sweet potato haters. I love victory...

And the best part is I get to freeze the leftover ham bone for a yummy soup I'll make some time next month. Mmmmmm.

P.S. I am also too tired to look up the "o" and "e" rule for potatos/potatoes, so you're going to have to deal with it. Just call me confused. Or Dan. I'll answer to both.

P.S.S. Did I mention that the ham is yummy?

P.S.S.S. Sorry, I just wanted to type P.S.S.S. Did you ever leave numerous P.S.'s on notes when you were in school?

How Much Greater

There are times when I look at my children and my love swells up within me, overtaking all else. Weariness, frustration, discouragement. Man, I love these little people!

And then I remember my Heavenly Father. And how much more He loves them. Incredible. The affection and love He has for them.

Then I'm reminded that it's how He loves me. Mind blowing. I know I need a deeper revelation of His Love.

Then I see a video like this on another blog and I'm messed up for the rest of the day. Which is what I want. To be ruined by His love.

How much greater He loves us! Carrying us when we cannot carry ourselves. Giving us His strength when we have nothing to give. Surpassing any earthly father's love and devotion.



Abba Father, I am once again in awe of Your love for Your children. Thank You for loving me and never leaving or forsaking me. Thank You for Your faithfulness and steadfastness even when I do not show the same qualities. Thank You for continuing to give to me when I have not felt that I had anything to give to You. Change my heart and help me, Father, to be a reflection of Your love. To love others with Your perfect love.

Participating in GratiTuesday at Heavenly Homemakers on 11/25 because I am so grateful for His amazing, unending love.

You Might Be A Mommy If...

You have ever picked someone else's nose.

Please tell me this is the only time and reason you have or will ever pick anyone else's nose. No, don't tell me. I do not want to know. I have a bubble that I do not want popped.

We had two little noses that needed attention this week. And that means only one thing, sudden and immediate torture...

by nasal aspirator. A seemingly innocent tool in every prepared mother's arsenal. Innocent until you actually have to use it to fend off all things green and sticky.

I can't use this thing without feeling like I'm going to suck out all sorts of other things with the original offender. Specifically, the brain. An eyeball, maybe. Perhaps some intestines. And I have this feeling Abigail doesn't exactly care for it either. We'll have to chalk it up as a necessary evil. Much like the re*ctal thermometer.

But we won't go there. Remember that bubble I mentioned earlier?

As I've been using this device of nasal torture, I've been wondering what it feels like to be on the recipient's side. But, it scares me. You know, the whole brain sucking thing and all.

So, I leave you with my bubble and brain still intact.

Hey, no comments about the brain. Respect the bubble.

5 Ways I Know It's Cold...

Abigail enjoying the outdoors in October.

• The liquid soap resembles a solid.
• I can see my breath...inside. This really hasn't happened yet this year, but it's just a matter of time. Update: It has happened. 11/24
• We can get a refreshingly, cool drink straight from the kitchen cabinets. You gotta love having extra space in the fridge, right?
• Children are clothed in outerwear while waiting for the house to warm up in the morning.
• I give up on shaving my legs.

My Kids Are Not Demented...

Well, it might have looked that way to a passerby three weeks ago when Caleb tied Samuel to a tree as they were playing cowboys (no worries, I was just around the shed and quickly intervened). Anyway, I don't watch The View, but what Joy Behar said yesterday about homeschoolers might have been enough to make me stop.

Well, okay it makes me want to write them a letter. Or better yet, appear as a guest host. Let me deliver my view...



The homeschooling part starts around 5:45 in a discussion about where the Obama girls will attend school.

Is 3 The New "Big"?

Last Friday, I was able to take the kids to visit Richie at school. Something we don't do very often. It was a good visit, but there happened to be a very common trend that left me a little baffled. Likewise, the faculty of the school appeared quite shocked.

Forget baggy pants and revealing shirts. Forget the forest of piercings and the all too prevalent crude language.

It was my three kids. Well, not my children themselves - of course, the fact that we homeschool does open up quite a door there. No, it was just the fact that we have three children. There were comments from at least 6 different adults on the size of our family. Apparently, we are a large family. *crickets chirping* Huh?


So I'm left wondering...is 3 the new "big"?

Say What?

Confession time. Again. And this one's bad. I didn't even tell Richie yet. Now he'll know.

It makes me very uncomfortable. I'm beginning to squirm.

It's dramatic. I keep hearing Jack Nicholson yelling, "You can't handle the truth!" * Insert me with my head in my heads crying, "I know!" * Sorry, I'm having a moment...

It's especially embarassing since I was shocked and kind of displeased when two Salvation Army ringers wished me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I mean, Happy Thanksgiving would have sufficed. It made me feel rushed. Anyway, I digress.

*Sigh*

I actually had the urge to put up our Christmas tree this weekend.

There I said it. Go ahead, cast your stones. I should cast some stones at myself because I really don't want to hear Christmas music until the Friday after Thanksgiving. I think it should be banned - now, all you Christmas lovers who listen to holiday music year round can cast your stones.

I don't know why, but this year I have felt particularly festive. Eagerly anticipating the "holidays". There have been years when we didn't even put up a tree. *Gasp. Again.* Listen, I'm of the mindset that if we are not going to be home on Christmas, why do I have to unpack it all and then put it away again just because I'll look like the Grinch.

Can't you see the resemblance? Don't answer that.

Which by the way, I just happen to love How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Can't tell you why, I just do. In fact, I think it can be a great conversation starter for some biblical training. But, I digress again.

Grinch aside. I feel ready to decorate and enjoy the season with my family and friends. We are trying to simplify even more this year. Focusing more on the birth of Christ and what that means to our family. To the world, really.

I just can't believe that I feel like joining Wal-Mart's time frame for it all...

P.S. If you have already put up a Christmas tree, please don't be offended. I would love to come stare at it and get my fix. ;)