Giving Thanks

I am feeling the poignancy of the holidays deeply this year. Life is changing a bit more quickly with the kids getting older and moving on with their own lives. It's been a wild ride this year and the pace hasn't slowed down much with all the Joy happenings over the last few months. My oldest knew I was needing a pick-me-up and delighted us by coming home for three whole days over Thanksgiving. A surprise because dairy farmers don't spend a whole lot of time resting!

 Look who was in charge of breakfast!

 On second thought, probably better not to look.

 Some can pull it off, others.....not so much!

We were blessed to be invited to a friend's house for Thanksgiving dinner. I was very grateful not to host or cook this year. May God find great favor on the people who invite a family of twelve over.

 When Jerrod wears the hat, we call him green bean. 

He's sportin' it quite a bit since he went Marine on us.

Joy's very first Thanksgiving. We are thankful for her life and for how easily she has become a treasured member of our family.

I LOVE this picture for all sorts of reasons. All ten together for a whole day is a mother's gift. The personalities, the siblings, how they came and who they are, completely represented here.

 We tried the jumping off the wall pictures. 

Some knew what we were trying to do and some clearly didn't.

Yeah, that didn't work so well.

 The point is this:

 The youngest and oldest definitely get all the photo glory.

 Especially with a handsome hat from the dress up bin.

 But little girls are pretty cute in overalls and piggy tails.

 And  a five year old who dances down the wall

 sporting a gap in the smile is practically irresistible.

Back to the youngest? 

He wins the most-pictures-award. 

Hands down! 

We have much to be thankful for.

November 22, 2012