thankful

Our family is thankful for. . .

Mary Poppins, Cars (the movie), rain, my family, football and foot balloons, a warm house, toys, my devotional, Diego, the beach (with Mimi and Grandpa), good friends, sunsets, Mommy, Orca whales, sunsets again, friends again, the color blue, the colors gold & silver, the Word of God, Jesus saving us from our sins, our family, the house we live in, brass instruments, all God has given us, stars & lightning, servant friends, music, God, Bo and CC, speed boats and jets, Lightning McQueen, being part of God's family, sleep, Fall leaves, wonderful Fall landscapes, Daddy, Mimi & Grandpa, God & Jesus, my parents, good food, Miles, stars, Christian schools, Mocha & Sparky, doctors that take care of my dad, pickles, Purell, Penn State, milk, lollipops & cookies, special quality time on Saturdays, being a stay at home Mommy, my wife, Nana & Poppy, my husband, Aunt Mary & Mr. Kevin, Aunt Kristen & Uncle Patrick  (all of our extended family) and SO so much more!!!

This week has been such a treat! We were able to attend the JK Thanksgiving feast at Luke's school. Adorable in every way! Luke's Indian Brave name was Lightning. We heard the kiddos sing and tell us all about Native Americans and Pilgrims AND they served the parents beef stew they made in class! It was yummy!

Luke's Thanksgiving feast



My boys (minus Miles--he's a little young still) had fun raking the leaves--a Thanksgiving week tradition!

And we were blessed to spend time with both sides of our family for Thanksgiving! Chad's parents (Nana and Poppy) joined us for the Thanksgiving holiday and enjoyed seeing Miles for the first time! My Mom celebrated her birthday on turkey day--a perfect way to celebrate her! What a fun and special way to share and give thanks to the Lord for ALL he has blessed us with!



The Jacksons



Mimi, Grandpa and the Jacksons



And finally, our Jackson 5!

Hope you and your family had a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!

a perfect Fall Saturday

We woke up to a beautiful Saturday morning this weekend and with no big plans (probably our last weekend until after Christmas with nothing on the agenda) to rule our day, we headed out to the Collierville town square--a favorite place of ours--to soak up the fresh air, sip some cider, hopefully get a Christmas card pic (which we did) and let the kiddos explore! We did this last year the weekend before Thanksgiving and had a great time! We did this year too!

We've never seen so many photographers out and about in one setting. Cameras were everywhere and it was clear to see why. The weather was perfect and the leaves and colors and trees--oh my--it was beautiful outside! Even my own camera was confiscated by my hubby, while I was feeding Miles. . .

And after Miles was done feeding, my camera was returned and I snapped away while Miles smiled so sweetly. . .

The older boys had a blast running, collecting acorns. . .

and enjoying the perfect Fall day the Lord gave us!

our love for books

Apparently last week was really busy and I was really tired, because I didn't post even once. Even when things are busy and I'm tired, I like to write. People often ask me how I find time to blog. Honestly, it doesn't take me long, but I also try (which has been tough lately) to find time because it's an outlet for me. Everyone has outlets, this is one of mine. I enjoy it. Now on to other things. . .

I do feel like lately I have less time to think, but more time to think as well. Less time when I need it, but more time (like during late night feedings) when I probably shouldn't be thinking. Anyway, last night's bottle led me to reflect on our boys' favorite books. I was looking around Miles' room in the dark and remembering books we read to Luke and Charlie when they were babies. I started thinking about their current favorites at 2.5 and 5 and all of the ones in between. I thought, I should blog about this to share ideas with you all as we are approaching Christmas. Plus, I will have these on record for my kiddos one day! Some of our favorite gifts to give and receive are books. Reading together is one of our most exciting activities----it leads to questions and imaginations. Here are a just a few of our favorites over the years. A lot of these float between age level categories. Also, I left some of the classics off the list, because I figured most people have Goonight Moon, The Very Hungry Catepillar, etc. I don't think I would do these books justice if I tried to review them, nor do I have the time to do so. BUT--if you are looking for books, check the reviews out at Amazon and know that we recommed them too! So these are some we really enjoy. What are your favorites?

Babies-1.5

Moo, Ba, La La La; The Going to Bed Book; Wake Up, Wake Up---Sandra Boyton

Raindrop Plop---Wendy Cheyette Lewison

Who's Peeking---Charles Reasoner

Peekaboo Playtime---DK

Curious George at the Zoo---PBS Kids

1.5-3 years

Chugga Chugga Choo Choo---Kevin Lewis

Lullabye Lullabye---Dianne Ochiltree

Don't Let the Pidgeon Drive the Bus---Mo Willems

You Are My I Love You---Maryann Cusimano

Gossie---Olivier Dunrea
A Boy and His Bunny---Sean Bryan

3-5 years

The Bugliest Bug---Carol Diggory Shields

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs---Judi Barrett

Kitten's First Full Moon---Kevin Henkes

Curious George books---Margaret and H.A. Rey

The Moon Shines Down---Margaret Wise Brown

Make Way for Ducklings---Robert McCloskey

The Curious Garden---Peter Brown

3rd annual--Things I'm loving right now

It's time again for my Things I'm Loving Right Now post! I received a package in the mail yesterday that I have been anxiously awaiting! It surely jumpstarted this post---which turns out---might be handy for some Christmas ideas. . .here goes. . .and if you missed the past couple of years, they are here and here. . .

1. My newly updated Lisa Leonard Designs necklace!!! I absolutely with all of my heart love my necklace that my sweet hubby and boys got me for Mother's Day last year. It has a charm for ALL of my boys and our anniversary too. Newly added to my necklace is a charm for Miles. I couldn't be happier! Her jewelry is fantastic and you can choose from so many things. Check her out!

(little blurry, but you get the idea)

2. If you live in our city then you probably know about Muddy's. If not, then you are missing out. Sorry. Muddy's is well known for their delicious treats--especially cupcakes. However, what I am loving right now is their Mom's spiced tea mix. It is heaven---the smell of fall, Christmas and when I drink it I feel like I've been to the spa and back----so yummy and relaxing!! Go get some!

3. Although our microwave decided to break last night--BIG bummer--these microwave bags are SO handy! It saves us from handwashing bottles after every single bottle, like when we feel a little lazy, and what person with a new baby doesn't feel that?? You get them at Target or Babies R Us or maybe anywhere. We love them! Maybe someone you know needs a stocking stuffer? They will love you!

4. And, while you can't just go buy one of these, he's another thing I'm loving right now!

on this rainy day. . .

I snuggled with my new little angel, who seems to be struggling with reflux. . .

I sat in my cozy den chair, read my Jesus Calling devotional, and tried to catch up on some very behind thank you notes. . .

and, after treating the boys to a Chick-Fil-A lunch (with Daddy too), we had a popcorn and candy corn party while watching a favorite show. . .

We were really in need of this rainy day! Thank you, Lord!

Trick or Treat??!!

No tricks, just sweet treats this year for Halloween! And maybe one regret. I'm kicking myself right now for not putting Miles into a costume. We trick or treated with some friends and there were several small babies in adorable costumes--I just wanted to eat them up! I always see infant costumes and think they are adorable, the little bees, or pumpkins or pea pods, or elephants or whatever and eventually decide not to spend the money on one. However, this is probably the last go around with an infant costume and I'm just wishing I bought one for Miles. Oh well. He was still a cutie in his recycled Baby's 1st Halloween onesie!

Luke and Charlie on the other hand were fully decked out! You will never guess what Luke was. . .wait for it. . .if you know him well. . .a shark!!!! And not just any ol' shark--a short fin Mako shark (aka the fastest shark in the ocean). For real. We made him a fin out of cardboard from a diaper box (of which we have plenty), aluminum foil and duct tape! He loved it and loved to chomp too! Luke was also determined to make trick or treating all about racing to the next house, but then what little kiddo wasn't?

Charlie was the most precious "puh-kin" around, if I do say so myself. He was also in a recycled costume, but he owned it and was a charmer! He was a little hesitant at first when trick or treating, but by the end of the night, he was inviting himself into people's houses and really got the hang of saying Happy Halloween!

Oh, and we can't forget Daddy. Daddy transformed into Jack Sparrow and had our boys yelling "Arrrgh!" when they saw him! He was definitely a tricker, as many of our friends had no idea who was under his bandana and nice long pirate hair! Nice, honey. Good job!

 And our final stop was at Aunt Mary's. She provided some treats and the opportunity to greet trick or treaters since it was all dark at our house due to us trick or treating elsewhere! Thanks Aunt Mary--it was fun!

All tuckered out! Hope you had a Happy Halloween!!