Season of Thanks

 EJ's Thankful Hat...

 Handsome Pilgrim.

 Beautiful Emmi.. She is such a joy ... I am hoping I can put this next to their prom picture in 10 years. There are only 4 girls in a class of 9 boys so he better be nice!!!!

 Doing the turkey poem

So yesterday as a Mom I have to admit I was failing. I let the attitudes, and defiance get the best of me. All I wanted was for gymnastics to be over so I could come home, have a glass of wine and some soup (thank goodness for crock pot recipes bc I was too tired to cook!) . Then I realize I am in control of my kids and they cannot win! EJ has such a spirit about her that is persistent and her excitement for life sometimes overcomes her obedience. Yesterday we had our "turkey" parties at Hillander. The problem this year is both kids have parties at the same time.. so I am running back and forth and cannot devote my attention to either one. I just snap pictures in hope they remember I was there! At school they have these buckets that they get their "stick" put into if they misbehave... well I noticed we were in the yellow bucket again. For the same thing... "NOT LISTENING!" She is a wanderer.. she goes from room to room. She tells me all the time she wants to be in Mrs. Cremer's class with Wyatt.. so she just gets up and goes. After I went to Wyatt's party, I went back to get EJ.. she was gone. Not that it is particularly alarming.. but after about 5 minutes of looking (feels like 20!)  I was a little worried... again she was in someone else's room playing with their class and toys. So I drag the kids out to the car in all my frustration and relief and pretend not to be upset ... heck do you really want the other moms to see you loose your cool?!  Too much candy, too much excitement for one afternoon!
So last night I start to reflect.. after my glass of wine which I so enjoyed... I thought about what I am thankful for... and when I walked in I saw the turkey feather hat on EJ's head.. it was a "thankful hat." Each leaf represented something she was thankful for. The first thing I noticed was the middle feather.. "Aunt Sue." I asked Kelly when the hats were made and she said last week.... Last week, every night we prayed for our "Aunt Sue" (Not really our Aunt.. Emily's aunt but I have claimed her since I was 4)  Aunt Sue went heaven the same week Grandma did so it was a sad week. I am thankful EJ understands prayers, I am thankful it is not just something we do at night but something she remembers when asked "what are you thankful for." She probably does not remember the few times she met Aunt Sue.. but she remembers praying. I am SO thankful for that.
Wyatt even put on his thankful chart he was thankful for his sister. Hallelujah!  There is hope one day they will get along all day without fighting!

Pictures, pictures, pictures!

I have to admit I love pictures, but taking them of the family is usually a nightmare. For Zach and I our biggest arguements come on picture days... I can remember our engagement pictures... nightmare (yet they turned out great!)  and our first official "family" picture... another nightmare. I am honestly surprised the photographer did not get in her car and leave! I wanted too!  So you will notice there are not a whole lot of "family" pictures... I try at least one a year and dread it every year. I have learned a few things... do not force outfits... if the kids do not like it... have an alternative! It is not worth the tears, and fits! Second, disappear! Do not be within visual distance of the kids.. they always take better pictures and act better when I am not around. There is no third.. I am hoping for a fun, casual environment this year... So let the picture taking begin with only smiles!

Today I did Mom and Ralph's with their grand kids.. Ralph has two who recently moved here and play so well with my kids. Together taking pictures was a little wild.. but I think we got a few! I did bribe with icecream. I am wondering what I am going to have to bribe with by the time we get around to doing ours!

Home.. a whole new meaning.

 We will miss you GG... so glad you are Home...

Thank you to those of you who prayed and sent sweet notes of support this past weekend. My grandmother was a huge part of my life.. she was an amazing woman. I spent every summer with her and she taught me so much and had a huge influence on who I am today. I have never met a stronger woman... she had no limitations, they just did not apply to her! She was a true icon.

Her obituary is in the paper today and I hate that it is only one column! I want everyone to know all the lines, boundaries and hurdles she faced and defeated in her lifetime. Seriously, how many people do we know started out in a covered wagon and lives to be almost 98 years old?! There was nothing average about her. She qualified for the 1932 Olympics (shouldn't that athletic ability pass on somewhere?! I am hoping my kids might get it!).She once scored 102 in a single basketball game and was the first woman licensed referee in Missouri... just a few little fun facts! She fought for the equalization of womens sports most of her life and then an advocate director for the elderly after she "retired." Never did she take "no" for an answer. She felt females should have the same opportunities as the boys. She graduated from college in a time where it was not common for a female to go to school. I often wonder where all this courage came from and it was her strength and faith within herself. She was just amazing.. she was the best grandmother and mentor anyone could ask for. 
Her passing was beautiful. She had been in a sleep induced state the last week of her life and then last Friday as my Mom and Aunt were holding her hand, she opened her eyes wide and mumbled.. "Going Home."  My aunt prayed and said, " Momma don't be scared, the angels are coming..." and after 8 short breaths she was Home. She said she saw Jesus in the last few weeks of her life, and her husband of over 50 years and her baby girl (June) who died at birth over 60 years ago... There is great comfort in knowing she is in heaven and being reunited with those she loves.
I just am so thankful Christ died for us, it is a gift that is unimaginable and so gracious. He took my pain, my burdens, so I can live with Him in eternity and be reunited with those we so dearly love on this earth.

Thanks again, I just wanted you to know a little bit about my sweet grandmother! Love always, Vickie