Giving Thanks for November Sacraments

   Ten years ago we hosted Thanksgiving at our house welcoming several members of our extended family because the following Sunday Liam received the Sacrament of Baptism.  This year we were just the five of us around the table, but again we were celebrating the following Sunday as one of our children received another Sacrament of the Church.  Elisabeth was sealed by the Spirit and completed the Sacraments of Initiation received Confirmation.  

Personalized masks from the faculty

Her sponsor; a long time family friend

         She selected Saint Elisabeth of Hungary as her Confirmation Saint, and we pray for her continued intercession for Lisbeth.   While a different celebration with most of our family watching via Youtube and congratulating Lisbeth by phone; blessings abound!!

Quick Takes #292: Maine recap

 

1. We are deep in the final prep for returning to school on Monday over here, but I wanted to quickly record some reflections on our week in Maine.  Starting with great gratitude that it was even possible to happen.  After failing to find rapid testing here in PA, Dr. Dad was able to get us appointments for testing in Maine for the day after we arrived.  We both tested negative; allowing us to comply with Maine's visitor rules and give an additional level of reassurances to his mom. 
2. The trip up went so well. We left later than we planned (as usual) but then encountered minimal traffic and we managed to only make one rest stop along the way.  We were 'on schedule' enough that we were able to stop in MA and pick-up our niece.
3. The weather cooperated wonderfully with rain mostly at night and brief if during the day.  After nearly a month in the '90's here in PA ~ Maine's low '80's felt amazing.  The ocean was brisk to start but did not hold back our intrepid boogie boarders.  Going a low tide most days also allowed for exploring a tide pool where on a couple of occasions the kids found giant clams.
4. Cooking is a favorite activity of Dr. Dad's family of origin and this vacation was no different; yummy brunches, tasty dinners, and the tweens even got in on the action making delicious strawberry tarts and blondies.  Our favorite ice cream place had done a great job of meeting the challenges of keeping everyone safe while maintaining their wonderful atmosphere and quality ice cream.  No trip to the Maine seacoast is complete without some seafood; and that we indulged in a couple of occasions.
5. In addition to having ample time to read, my book-loving heart was happily blessed when my SIL passed on to me several ARCs (advanced reading copies) of books unclaimed at the bookstore she works at.  I like to read seasonally, and am so grateful for the chance to read books at release time or just prior.
6. Back in a reality where it will be a busy weekend of organizing school supplies, and school uniforms.  In another sign of the times the school is requesting that forms be filled out and signed prior to the first day adds to the general frazzle of these days.  However there are many good memories to hold onto, and perhaps a couple of more pool visits before we officially put a close to this summer.
7. Photo Dump:

Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!!

Taking Time to Give Thanks: Take 2

As the month and liturgical year winds down pausing once again to give thanks:

1. A little boy who tells me many times a day that he loves me.
2. A husband who loves to cook and encourages me to be braver in the kitchen.
3. A baby girl who is learning to give voice to her love for us and has starting serenading me at bedtime.
4. A bigger girl who continues to be an amazing source of light and laughter in my world.
5. Our cozy Cape who welcomed us as newlyweds and provided warmth and support as we became new parents and grew our family.
6. The lovely fieldstone Colonial that is everyday feeling more and more like home.
7. Our Lord who as the days grow darker promises light and love everlasting.

 

Theme Thursday: Thankful

Linking up with Cari of Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday: Thankful

Due to work schedules and such it will be the five of us enjoying Thanksgiving in our new house together. 

Thankful for the love that surrounds me.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Quick Takes #164: Remembering to Give Thanks

Things are cuckoo crazy around here what with maybe finally getting the old house sold ~ with its accompanying fixing-up, emptying the last of our stuff etc; Dr Daddy traveling more and more;  and all the kids getting bigger, having homework and deciding to go all toddler destructive when unsupervised.

However there is much to give thanks for and while I knew a daily rundown would be beyond me right now do want to a couple times this month pause and give thanks:

1. For the chance to do a Mommy&Me swim class with Caitlin; she loves it ~ I love it and so very much want to have those special one-on-one times with each kid.
2. Watching Elisabeth doing so well and really enjoying her gymnastics class.
3. Finding a buyer for the house who will cherish it just as much as we did
4. The chance to spend some time with my mom, one of my sisters and their family last weekend.
5. How the 'bigs' helped entertain Caitlin when traffic made the long ride home even longer.
6. The virus that passed through the house was relatively quick and didn't create much havoc.
7. A marriage growing better with time.
8. The promise of more family time this coming weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend! And head over to Conversion Diary for more Quick 7's

A Quick Look Back with Thanks

  In the weeks ahead I have several posts planned about the new place, in particular how we transformed and decorated the kids rooms, but first a quick look back at where I'm leaving.

  Making sure to take a moment and give thanks to the little Cape that welcomed us at the beginning of our marriage and over a decade offered shelter and support as we learned what it was to be homeowners and love and grow a marriage.  The site of countless get-togethers from simple pizza dinners to SuperBowl parties, Summer Barbecues and Easter Dinners.  Many a wonderful conversation by its firelight. Countless comings and goings thru the day and night as life and the beeper dictated.

It bore witness to major life events of the past decade; it was the place where we mourned and made peace with the loss of our dads.  It offered welcome as we brought each of our babies home, watched as bookshelves were converted to hold toys, and was the site of each of their first steps.  The yard where I planted tulips, crocuses, and hydrangea ~ and each spring enjoyed the hyacinth planted by a previous owner.  The backyard once filled with evergreens, where cardinals would come on late winter mornings, that one by one were felled by high winds and hurricanes became filled with water tables and kicking balls.

Simply put to quote Gilbert, husband of Anne; "This house has been what no other ever can be"

Thanks!

Theme Thursday: Thankful

Linking up with Cari of Clan Donaldson for Theme Thursday

Giving thanks this day for:

this Indian

this Pilgrim

this sweet thing

And occasionally this view as we travel life's journey together.

Please head over to Clan Donaldson for more Theme Thursday: Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Third Person ~ Thankful Thursday

  Joy awoke this morning ready to dust off the old blog and give thanks for some of the good amidst the craziness. Giving thanks:

• for the full moon she spied this morning post school drop-off
• for the Dunkin Chai she treated herself to
• the game of I Spy she played with Liam in the car
• the sweet encouraging text her husband sent 
• And his offer to bring home dinner tonight for them
• watching her daughter be deep in conversation with classmates as soon as the goodbyes are said
• Caitlin's smiles as she is woken and carried out into the cold to take Lisbeth to school
• The new day off to a decent start despite the very early start

Also linking up with Kelly of This Ain't the Lyceum for Third Person Thursday

Thankful Thursday: January edition

1. Sun after the rain!
2. Yummy food prepared or sent by friends and family!
3. Caitlin largely seems able to sleep through her siblings antics.
4. Jaundice resolved without light -therapy!
5. Caitlin largely skipped the cold everyone else got.
6. My blog got a very nice shout-out, voting still open :)
7. Lastly & importantly: Caitlin's safe arrival!!

My thanks also to Rebecca for inspiring the meme!

Thankful Thursday: November 29th

30 days of gratitude continued:

23 ~ My 'married' family; warm, funny and hard-working!  
24 ~ My husband's computer saviness for when badness hits.
25 ~ Sunday dinners with family and friends. 
26 ~ My children's laughter! 
27 ~ Warm drinks on a cold and dreary day!
28 ~ God's everlasting love!
29 ~ Hope renewed each morning.
30 ~ My life with all its struggles and blessings!

Thankful Thursday: November 22nd

30 days of gratitude continue: 

16: The lovely pre-school my kids attend; they seem to be thriving and I enjoy my couple hours free a week.

17: My 'little sister' who I have the privilege of mentoring since she was ten. She is now a high school senior and considering nursing (total coincident) as a career ~ such an honor to see what an amazing young women she is becoming.

18: My mom and her wonderful example of quiet yet devout faith.

19: My sisters; can always be depended upon for support and silliness! 

20: An autumn afternoon spent playing in the leaves.

21: Having a automatic dishwasher, and a husband who enjoys washing dishes!!

22: The chance to gather with family and friends and give thanks for our many blessings!

Thankful Thursday: November 15th

30 days of Gratitude continues:

9 ~ A husband who shares so generously of his talents with his church and    family.

10 ~ Coffee ice cream!

11 ~ To Veterans and those currently serving

12 ~ Beautiful weather and the chance to enjoy it!

13 ~ My parents for instilling a love of reading in me.

14 ~ Liam's speech therapist is warm, engaging and really seems interested in       helping him.

15 ~ My washing machine, loyal workhorse!

Thankful Thursday: November 8th

Have been participating in 30 days of gratitude on Facebook and thought I would re-post here weekly:

1. Shelter and electricity
2. Sleeping children
3. My husband, a friend and great blessing to me
4. My faith, and the freedom to openly practice
5. Baby kicks, even when aimed repeatedly at my ribs
6. The 19th Amendment and all those who sacrificed much that my desire to vote is not questioned.
7. Elisabeth, my live wire firstborn filling my days with love and laughter
8. Liam, my smiley cuddly boy-cub 

Thankful Thursday: August 23rd

1. A wonderful week away with family!
2. Safe travel there and back.
3. The great fun the kids had playing with their cousins.
4. A chance to see the sea!
5. Yummy food, including fresh seafood and 'Deck Deals'.

What are you giving thanks for today?

Thankful Thursday: August 9th

1. The chance to gather with friends and family to celebrate a family birthday.
2. Good sportsmanship far outweighing the bad at the Olympics.
3. Cuddly littles!
4. A husband who knows when I need a good laugh.

What are you giving thanks for today?

Thankful Thursday: July 19th

1. A wonderful weekend spent with good friends.
2. Safe travels, happy little travelers.
3. Fresh tomatoes grown at home.
4. Work for the day, rest for the night.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday: June 28th

1. Cool breezes
2. By pure happenstance seeing Kevin Youkilis's last at bat for the Red Sox (a triple!!)
3. A week with easy dinner duty thanks to Hubby crocking the weekend away.
4. Frozen Lemonade 

Thankful Thursday; June 21st

1. Ice Coffees
2. Lavender blooming
3. A/C on a sweltering day
4. Cold improving and funk lifting
5. Making muffins with my munchkins
6. Moments of quiet of prayer
7. Strength and support from my husband

Thankful Thursday:May 24th

1. Local pick-your-own farms
2. The chance to enjoy a cozy, elegant dinner with my husband.
3. The chance to attend a friend's Mass of Thanksgiving (first Mass).
4. A gentle reminder to focus on gratitude during a tough week. Thanks Rebecca!

Please visit The Road Home and share what you are thankful for.

Thankful Thursday: May 17th!

1. My life!
2. My family!
3. My friends!
4. Another year to learn how to live and love well in the Light of Christ!

Please visit The Road Home and share what you are thankful for.