Just a Thought

We have had a visitor the last few days.  As much as I enjoy seeing a hawk on my fence post, it also reminds me that we will need to protect future chickens.  I am looking forward to bringing the animals back on the farm this coming spring. 

grace and peace,
julie

Tired Dogs

This is the way we all felt today.  We were all tired from the Thanksgiving celebration.  We had a wonderful time with family, and I am thankful for the opportunity to spend time with everybody.  After our family left, we celebrated Joshua's 18th birthday.  We then decorated the Christmas tree so that our oldest son could be a part of that fun before he went back to college.  We crammed a lot of fun and food into a few days.  I think we all need to go back to work and school so we can rest up for Christmas! 

grace and peace,
julie

Let the Cooking Begin!

The groceries are all bought and put away for the big upcoming Thanksgiving week.  After I got home from work today, I began to cook for Thanksgiving.  I made and froze the pie crusts.  I made an ice-cream cake and oreo balls.  I also made a double batch of fresh cranberries.  Tomorrow will find me cooking for every one's arrival on Wednesday.  Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwiches, Potato Salad, along with Baked Beans will be filling up the plates for Wednesday's dinner meal.  I will also be making fudge for my niece and an Apple Cake for my mom.  Michael offered to cook tomorrow night's supper so that will free me up to spend another evening for cooking ahead.  I want to get as much done ahead of time as possible so that I too can enjoy being with all of our out-of-town guests.

grace and peace,
julie

Friday Night Fun?

As you well know, Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  I have always loved this holiday.  My family will be coming to our house this year to celebrate Thanksgiving so I have lots of things to accomplish before the big day.  I have already planned the meals for next week, and I have also made out the shopping list.  Now I have to do the shopping so I can get started with some precooking over the weekend.  Michael offered to shop with me this evening.  He must be hungry or else he probably wouldn't  be so quick to suggest going with me.  I don't care what the reasons are behind his offer.  I just need extra muscles and hands to push the second shopping buggy!

grace and peace,
julie

The Last Time

Recently our son's high school football team celebrated Senior Night. 

Then he took the field for the last time.  I can't tell you how much I enjoyed my freshman #28 and my senior #54 playing the game of football together.  There is something so special about watching my two boys play together and encourage each other.

 Josh, #54, had a wonderful football season.  I am pleased with all that he has accomplished on and off the field this past year.  I am pleased with the new coaching staff.  I am thankful for each and every one of the coaches that have poured into my boys' lives.  I am especially thankful for the one who took Josh under his wing when we first moved here.  That man really has no idea just how much of a difference he made ( and is still making)  in Joshua's life.  My heart will forever be grateful. 

I know many people do not value sports, but for our family sports has had a wonderful impact on each of our children.  Yes, the kids have learned how to play the game, but there has been so much more to it than just learning a game.  There has been the wonderful aspect of learning character and having the opportunity to apply that character when there is adversity.  Sometimes my children have missed the mark, and I am thankful for each coach that has been there to point them back in the right direction.  I am thankful that my children have had the opportunity to play a game and learn so much.

grace and peace,
julie

Happy Veterans Day

What does a veteran look like?  They are fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, and friends.  They are mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, and friends.  They come in all shapes and sizes, but they have one thing in common.  A desire to serve our country and protect our freedoms. 

Thank you always seems like such a cliche thing to say on Veteran's Day.  However, it is all I have to give to the people who have given so very much for me.  Then I realized just recently that I have more than just words on my lips.  I have actions.  I watched my 14 year old son do something that brought me to tears in Walmart several months back.  As we were checking out the groceries, he walked to an elderly man sitting on a bench wearing a hat that said he was a veteran.  Jacob went up to the man and shook his hand and said, "Thank you for serving our country."  The man smiled, and at that moment I knew I had more to give to a veteran than just a thank you.  My husband and I have passed on the value of veterans to our children. 

Many of you know that my husband served almost 12 years in the Navy.  At times it was hard, but I am so thankful for all that time taught us as a couple.  I am so thankful for the friendships that were formed from those days of being in the military. Many of those friendships still remain today.  I am so thankful for the job/career that the Navy trained my husband for today.  I am so very thankful that I was a Navy wife in those early years of our marriage.  I know the cost, and I am still thankful.

grace and peace,
julie