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thanksgiving traditions.

Published by Aubrey

Originally posted 11/26/09

I’m a girl who is loyal, all about family and loves traditions. There are certain times of the year when I do certain things that I’ve been taught, that have been passed down through the years and that are special to me. There are things that my mom did when she was little or my dad did when he was little. They shared these things with me and my brother and they are some of my best memories growing up. Now I get to share these things with our kids and we are creating our own memories and traditions.

One of these special traditions that my mom passed on to me is a Thanksgiving morning tradition. It’s nothing big or fancy but simple and fun. We watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and enjoy egg nog, tangerines and cinnamon rolls. I’m not sure how this came about or the significance of the items (if there is any even) But I can picture my mom as a little girl with her brothers, my uncles watching the parade with a tangerine stuck on her finger, sipping egg nog. I can remember dancing in front of the TV along with the bands as a little girl and eating cinnamon rolls. And now tomorrow I will get to watch my kiddos do the same! It’s a great way to start the day with my family, the ones I’m most thankful for!

which path?

Published by Aubrey

Wetlands Path 2

He will never lead you into a place that will not work toward accomplishing His purposes for you.

I read this in my quiet time this morning. It jumped off the page and has stuck with me all day. I’ve been asking myself these questions in light of what I read.

~Am I letting Him lead me? Or am I attempting to lead myself and or let someone or something else lead me?

~If I am letting him do the leading,  are His purposes at work or am I still trying to accomplish own agenda?

~Do I trust that His purposes for me are good and best for me?

Oh how I would like to say yes to all of these. There are times I can say yes. Moments throughout the day, or even a whole day. But day in day out on a consistent? Not so much.

I question His presence. Why is He is so quiet?

I doubt His plan. Is it really better than mine?

I question if He knows my heart. Really does he have my best interests at heart?

I question His path? Is this really the best way?

I was reminded the other day of Isaiah 43.

Do not fear for the Lord is with me. The waves will not overcome me. The waves will not burn me.

This passage gives me assurance that…

He is here.

He won’t leave me.

His plan is best, even when I sometimes don’t see it in the midst of it.

And yes, His purposes for me are far better than anything I can come up with on my own.

So I will choose His path. And by His grace when I get off track and on my own path, He will bring me back.

5 on friday

Published by Aubrey

1.This week the kids were able to spend significant time with my grandparents, their great grandparents. All of my grandparents were a significant part of my life growing up so I am thankful that my kids get to be with them as well. I have such sweet memories with each of them, it is fun to watch the kids create their own memories. I believe there are many valuable lessons to gain spending time with older people. Praying our kids remember these sweet times.

“Big Pa” explaining roman numerals to Mase.

2. It seems like the leaves were just changing colors and now they have all fallen and the trees are bare. I am sad to see all the colors go but enjoying them while they are scattered all over the ground is fun too!

3. I am signed up to do a 10 mile trail run in a couple weeks with my brother. I am excited to be doing a race because I’ve been trying to do one all summer and it just hasn’t worked out. I love trail running. I am just hoping I’m not running through snow! It’s definitely a possibility so we’ll see! I love the logo. The race is at Salt Fork State park. Get it? Salt.Fork. ha ha! I’m easily amused:)

4. I love Fridays because it’s the end of the week and we start to slow down for the weekend. Monday-Thursday we are up and at them early. Breakfast, dressed, chores, school, bible study, library, errands all happen first thing. The show is on the road, there is much to be accomplished. But come Friday the kids still get up early but jammies stay on a little longer as well as the TV. Toys are scattered everywhere, the school books stay closed and we just linger longer. It is nice. A great way to start the weekend.

5. I’ve been doing some brain storming this week for Christmas ideas. You know I see things all year that make me think “this would be a good idea to give my mom for Christmas for me” and then this time rolls around each year and I can’t remember a thing! So I’ve been searching. I hit the jackpot in the Anthropologie kitchen section! Oh my heart is happy looking at all these pretty little things. Adorable tea towels, unique measuring spoons and cups, a utensil holder, magnets, spice jars, a magnetic timer and much much more. So if you are looking for ideas for yourself or others this is a great place to start!

thankful thursday

Published by Aubrey

  • dinner tonight with friends i’ve had for 20 years
  • to be able to help my grandparents out in tangible ways and for my kids to get to spend time with them
  • new umbrellas to use in the rain
  • a grandpa who can fix a broken umbrella
  • an afternoon with all 3 kids taking naps
  • a hardworking husband
  • generous gifts
  • unanswered prayers from an all knowing God

snack mix o’ fun!

Published by Aubrey

we are huge fans of snack mix over here. eat it all the time. it can be relatively healthy, or as healthy as you want it to be. cost effective when you are feeding 3 kids, 2-3 snacks a day and it can be changed up so easily that they don’t get bored with it.

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today i combined Honey nut cheerios, regular cheerios, mini marsh mellows, peanuts, almonds, pretzels, raisins, craisins and a bit of  each of chocolate, white chocolate and butterscotch chips. this was a pretty elaborate mix. most times it’s only 3 or 4 items.

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do you do a snack mix for your kids or yourself? what combos do you come up with?

go. sit. listen.

Published by Aubrey

tonight the kids prayed for/thanked God for:

my Jesus
my country
my shower
that no one would have boo boos
that my sisters would pray to have Jesus in their heart like me
for other people who know Jesus all over the world like Africa and North Carolina
for our new house

ok aside from melting my heart. it was a reminder to me that my prayers don’t have to be perfect, long, well rehearsed, full of church words or anything elaborate. he just wants to hear my heart, words of faith, with expectations, spoken with humility and complete transparency, words of brokenness. he just wants to hear me. to sit with with him. to talk. to listen. to wait. to be still.

5 on friday

Published by Aubrey

1. I’ve made this quiche a couple times in the last 2 weeks for breakfast and it is a hit with everyone! I love it because it’s easy, healthy and full of protein so the kids aren’t asking for Goldfish by 8:30 am! I added broccoli and zucchini to mine just get some veggies in. It could work for any meal of the day I think.
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2. This week we made thankful turkeys. Simple construction paper turkeys with feathers that I wrote things the kids were thankful for. First we covered all the toys they were thankful for then at the end they decided they were thankful for each other. Pretty cute:)
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3. How about orange is one of my frequents blogs that I get crafty inspirations from or really cool, free downloads. She shares a ton of stationary, desktops, labels etc. Great site! She also designs her own fabric which is awesome!

4. Last night I took the kids shopping to fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. We went to the Dollar Store and picked out all kinds of goodies. It was interesting and a little difficult explaining why and what we were doing. I think Mason kind of got it but not so much the girls. I want to give the kids an early start on thinking of others and having a grateful heart. The best part for the kids was filling the box with all of the stuff we picked out. I love thinking of the little guy that will open that box up on Christmas morning!
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5. Do you know about “the fight” tomorrow night? The boxing fight that is. Yeah, neither did I until last weekend when we watched a special on TV about the 2 fighters. It was a show following both fighters through their training schedules, their personal lives and all the hype that goes along with the fight. I’m not one who is normally into boxing but now that I know about these boxers and their families I am emotionally invested and have found myself thinking about the fight this week. Crazy I know! I’m not going to pay $60 bucks or anything to watch the fight on TV but I will be looking to see who wins:)

thankful thursday.

Published by Aubrey

  • warm, sunny days in November to be outside when we normally would be inside
  • an unexpected date with my sister-in-law
  • a generous mom
  • cousins for our kids to play with
  • kids that make me laugh, all the time…even when I don’t want to!
  • answered prayer, above and beyond!
  • grace, grace and more grace!