A new family tradition

Earlier this year Lisa and I went to a homeschool convention in our city. There was so much to see, do and buy. One of the many purchases I made at Lisa's suggestion was Jotham's Journey.

After running away from his father's tents in a moment of anger, ten-year-old Jotham has lost his way, and his family. As he journeys through Palestine in search of his nomadic home, Jotham is helped by a fool, a priest, a zealot and a wise man. Chased by a gang of thieves, thrown from one "foster parent" to another, Jotham slowly discovers the miracle of the first Christmas, and some miraculous things about his own life and his own family.

Written as a devotional for parents to read to their children during Advent, Jotham's Journey unfolds day by day until the exciting climax on Christmas Day. Each day's installment of the story is followed by a short devotional which will challenge your family to share in Jotham's discoveries.

Doesn't that sound exciting? I have not read the book ahead of time because I want to experience it with the kids. You start reading on the first day of Advent and continue until Christmas. Tomorrow is the first day of Advent 2009. I can not wait to snuggle on the couch with my kids and read this story. Lisa highly recommends it, as do her boys. I love starting new traditions with my kids. If you have read and enjoyed Jotham's Journey they do have 2 books that are being re-released: Bartholomew's Passage and in time for next Christmas: Tabitha's Travels.


I am looking forward starting a new tradition with our children.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a wonderful day with friends and loved ones.

My Thanksgiving started with a 6:30 AM phone call from my brother, Stephen. Stephen LOVES Thanksgiving. He is unmarried and enjoys a good home cooked meal anytime of the year, but the holidays are especially wonderful for him. He woke me up telling me he was dreaming of cheesecake and had already been to the grocery store to buy the needed ingredients. Cheesecake was not on the menu this year. Actually, he requested that I make a pineapple upside down cake instead. Apparently he could not live with the change. Stephen arrived about an hour later (he had to track me down a paper with Black Friday ad's since mine was not on my porch)and helped me cook the entire meal. We made and enjoyed:

Turkey
Cranberry sausage cornbread stuffing
Sweet potato casserole
Mashed potatoes
Green bean supreme
"Angeled" eggs
cranberry sauce with oranges and pineapples
homemade yeast rolls
colored greens (which my family thought I was nuts for making, but everyone excepth Katie loved! Thanks Gina N*eely)
Cheesecake
Pecan pie
pumpkin layered cheesecake
pineapple upside-down cake

I like to think our holidays are enriched with traditions passed down from my mom to us and from us to my children. As a single mom I think she was extra careful around the holidays to make sure we had the best experiences. Most of my fondest childhood memories revolve around Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is the most wonderful time of the year for me. Our traditions on Thanksgiving are simple. We eat the same food each year, tell the same stories, watch movies, watch the kids play, laugh, and just spend time together. It was a wonderful day.

For the last 7 years I have followed Thanksgiving dinner with Black Friday shopping. When I say fallow dinner I mean it almost literally. My friend Malissa and I leave around 11:30 PM and shop all night long. Last night we were at Toys R Us at midnight. It was so crazy we walked out at 12:05 with empty hands. I have never seen such a huge and angry crowed at a toys store on BF. Usually people are laughing and having a good time. Not. Last. Night. They were CRAZY!!!!!

Crazy for Zhu*Zhu pets. Something I have never head of.

Malissa and I ended up getting everything on our lists and them some. The lines were long, the crowds were large, and the people were a little rowdier than usually, but all in all it was a great night. We ended our day around 8:30 with breakfast. I love our tradition and can not wait to go out next year.

The mommy store......

This morning when I crawled out of bed my back was so stiff. I said to Katie: "Wow Kate! Momma is getting so old."

Katie said: "If you are that old Momma we need to take you back to the Mommy Store and trade you in for a new Mommy!"

I said: "Wouldn't you miss me?"

Katie: "For a little bit, but we would be OK!"

Me: "Well, since you are not being nice to me... I think I should take you back to The Baby Gap and trade you in for a new baby girl."

Katie: "Would you miss me?"

Me: "For a little bit, but I would be OK!"

Katie: "HEY!!!!" Then she ran over laughing, jumped in my arms and gave me a big squeeze.

I love this girl!

My kids are SO cute!

I know I may be a little biased. However, I am sure most everyone will agree after seeing our new portraits that my kids are so cute! They are unbelievably photogenic. There was hardly a shot I did not like. Below are a few of my favorites.

They made it very difficult to decided which ones I wanted so I bought them all. Shocking I know! I need to give credit to the photographer Angel of Captured by an Angel Photography. Angel did a wonderful job capturing my precious children. Thanks Angel!

I am adding more pictures as I can. They load very slowly.