Shhh… don’t tell

I did it.

I really did it.

I put up my Christmas decorations on Monday.

Yes, Monday November 25th.

Yes, before Thanksgiving.

Yes, before the goose was even cooked.

I had my reasons.

They were all good reasons.

… and now I can enjoy Thanksgiving with my family; and then…

when I go home…

I get to go home to this:

and start rockin’ around the Christmas tree.

Happy Thanksgiving Y’all.

Come back next week for tips on Holiday decorating. 

A whole weeks worth of ideas.

Oh, and if you need help getting organized; don’t forget this little Freebie.

Have you been making Christmas preparations?

I have..

If you need help with that, don’t forget this

FREE

Holiday Planner printable that I designed.

You will find everything you need to help you get it together this Christmas.

You can find them here.

I hope it helps you stay organized.

Well.

As organized as you can be with Christmas looming around the corner.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Write it down.

The thankful tree is something that has been floating around blog land and Pinterest for quite a few years.

 

Our family often partakes in the ritual of hanging the leaves of gratitude on our makeshift tree.

Other years, we have written on placements that which we are thankful for.

Today, I share this with you not so you can see this idea for the umpteenth time; but to shed some light on why our family chooses to do it.

I am a firm believer in taking the time to recognize your blessings.

The greatest lesson I have learned from writing this blog is that it is important to write down your blessings.

Every moment I share here I consider to be a blessing.  My life, my family, my home, the little everyday moments, and my faith are among my greatest blessings. I am thankful to have them written down.  I feel so much gratitude when I can go back and read; and be reminded how richly blessed my life has been.

I have always loved the quote:

“We write to taste life twice once in the moment and retrospect.” Anias Nin

I believe we write down our blessings once in the moment, and then so we can be reminded of God’s love in retrospect.

Often times I stumble upon those written down blessings at the very moment I need a good warm hug from God.

And this is what I want for our children.

Simple reminders of God’s love for them.

Written down by their own hand to see daily.

I was deeply touched the morning I walked down to see my littles in the kitchen filling out the leaves all on their own.

They know what blessings are.

They know they have been given so much.

They know God surely loves them…

and when their heart is heavy they won’t forget because, there it is, right in front of them, written in their own penmanship.

What are you thankful for?  Take the time to write it down somewhere so you don’t forget.

If you would like to know about my above thankful and what I believe please visit here or here.

You may also be interested in this video.

I am thankful for you.

Thank you for making this such a wonderful place to count my many blessings.

I am thankful for…

a home to live in

a  place to teach our kids about gratitude and blessings

a cozy room to laugh in, tickle in, learn from the scriptures, and talk about life

a space to decorate and make my own

a door that guests and loved ones enter often

windows to look out of and see the beauty of the mountains; yet not feel the brisk air on my face from inside a warm home while I look on in amazement

a porch to sit on and think about each and every neighbor I have; and how blessed I am to share streets, traditions, children, and memories with such loving people

a season as beautiful as autumn; with so much vibrant color and beauty to behold

all the farmers who provide the harvest and bounties we enjoy in our home daily

a holiday where families gather, work together in the kitchen, and count their blessings

I am thankful to have a place to call home.

If you were to visit us on Halloween

…you would have been welcomed by:

An unfortunate baseball player who is now among the walking dead.

A skilled ninja:

I must say Halloween felt very safe with him around.

Another member of the walking dead:

 

A young girl who is ruler of the zombie world.

We also ran into…

 A pirate,

or was she a…

butterfly?

  No, I believe she was a…

witch.

 

This young girl has many career opportunities.  However, she does have a hard time making decisions.

If you came to visit, you would have been greeted by the head…

witch. 

She’s nice, and dating a cowboy. (who seemed to miss being photographed this year.)

If you came to visit…

you would have been tired at the end of the day.  Because…

Personal Hygiene and makeup for this crew started early.  We tried to enhance their excellent features for this special holiday.

…and it was a must to take some photos in the best light of the day; early morning.

If you came to visit, you would have wanted a nap, but there was no time for napping. We had to join the goblins for Halloween parties at the local school for creatures and unusual characters.

If you came to visit, you would have been given the award for biggest party animal after you went to 3 parties.

1…

2…

3…

If you came to visit, and got hungry…

you could have joined us at our spooky table for…

pumpkin-shaped pizza.

Or, you could have joined the characters and their friends…

for door to door candy mooching.

…and if candy and pizza just were not enough you could have always joined the little monsters and their friends for donuts and hot chocolate in our kitchen.

(oh look, the cowboy can be seen in the background.)

If you came to visit, you could have stayed home with the cowboy and passed out over 1,000 pieces of candy.  He is a good conversationalist, and he would have enjoyed your company.

If you didn’t come to visit; our door is always open.

The head witch loves guests of all kinds; even if you are a member of the walking dead.

If you didn’t come to visit, it’s okay…

The head witch took so many pictures you will have missed nothing.

(as is evidence on your computer screen)

The head witch is not certain she wants to be a witch forever, so she’s brushing up on her photography skills.

Maybe she will pass along the title of head witch to this little cutie; and take pictures forever.

Because pictures are what she loves.

…but playing a witch on Halloween takes a close second.