It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

I've been waiting for this moment all week!!!  And what I mean by that is that I AM AT HOME!!!  Yeah!  Yes, I do know that we make up our own schedules and we are as busy as we make ourselves but the past week I've been in high gear and I am ready to finally slow down and take a deep breath and enjoy the holiday spirit!!!

As I type I still have things running through my head that I think maybe I should be doing instead of blogging but I'm enjoying the quiet house with Austin napping, a cup of hot tea right beside me that I'm sipping on, the dryer is running and there's soft instrumental Christmas music in the back ground.  I love my rare moments like these and that's why I was looking forwards to today.  I took the children to school this morning and then needed to swing by for Austin's car seat that I forgot at mom's yesterday.  Then I was home to clean the house.  And boy did it need it!!!  Here's why ...

Last Wednesday, I went to help out with Ashlyn's Thanksgiving party at school.  I brought the children along home because Thanksgiving Vacation had officially begun!  I managed to get the bathrooms cleaned before focusing on the foods for the night.  Mike's family came here for our family Thanksgiving dinner.  It was a crowd but with the food in the garage and room for the kids to play, it all went well.  I flopped in bed that night ready to relax my tired mind and body!

Thursday was Thanksgiving Day and we all slept in a bit and had a lazy start.  But when we did start, we started with cleaning up the house from the night before gathering.  The floors needed the most attention and the toys got put in their right places.  All the chairs and tables were folded up and by lunch time we were ready for some left over turkey and mashed potatoes!  Then we sat down for our annual Thanksgiving family meeting.  This is where we all name some things we are thankful for and then some goals for the upcoming year.  This year Mike added that we each say a "word" that we would like to focus on in 2018.  My word is "fearless".  We relaxed in the afternoon and then at 7 PM, Hadassah and I went out for some Black Friday shopping.  It was another fun night out with her but by midnight, I was crawling in bed.  I was tired and so I left her with Jess and let the two of them finish up the night shopping fun!

Friday was a laundry day and a trip with Mike to Costco.  We got some Christmas gifts and grabbed lunch at Panera Bread together before heading back home.  Then the kids and I set up some Christmas decorations!  I love, love to do this and also love to see their excitement too!  Ashlyn was all into helping and set up the Nativity Scene so cute!  We ended up down at my parents for a fun evening with siblings and cousins!

On Saturday, Mike's mom and I went to purchase some poinsettia's and then to a bookstore.  It was another day of in and out errands.  I came back home to blow leaves and that night, the kids and I put a puzzle together.  Puzzles is something that we love to do but it takes time and dedication, so the winter months are the only time we actually attempt these.  I sat and listened to Hadassah and Matthew make funny comments and giggles at each other all the while putting pieces into the puzzle.  It was warming inside to have them right beside me having a good time together.  Meanwhile, Mike was trying his best to not let a cold slam him to the couch. 

Sunday morning, Mike woke up feeling terrible.  The cold seemed to hit him hard and he was sick.  Matthew and Austin stayed home with him while the girls and I went to church.  It's been a long time since I only carried my bible to church!!!  It felt odd yet great!!!  I enjoyed the sermon and singing and even lead out in Sunday School because Mike wasn't there.  We stopped for a pizza on the way home and joined the boys in the kitchen.  Mike was too sick to care about the food but the rest of us enjoyed it.  Hadassah ended up with youth group friends and me and the kids went over to Jody's new home.  Mom and Jody were there together because their husbands and sons went to the cabin.  We sat in her new home and ate some warming soup and chatted.  Ashlyn stayed overnight with her cousins and loved that!  Thanks Jody!  Mike texted me and asked for more NyQuil.  Not a good sign!!!

Monday morning came with a pretty sunrise and we were mixing sand tart dough by 9 AM!  Jody, Mom and Mim came over to bake some cookies and then do some chocolate covered crackers, etc..  Again the house was buzzing with the children's chatter and sprinkles were being put on the cut out sand tarts.  Mom and Mim chocolate covered peanut butter crackers and pretzels.  Jody boiled some sweetened condensed milk into caramel and then made a chocolate caramel candy!  The kitchen was a mess but the cookies smelled and tasted great!!!  All the while, Mike was still trying to get better!  He did go for a drive and listened to his audio book while trying to get rid of his nasty cold.  Mom and Jody went down to Mom's house for the evening while we had plans on getting a Christmas tree.  But, Mike was too sick.  Instead, we got to bed just a bit earlier and I was so into that because I kept feeling like I was getting a cold or sick too.  "Oh, dear Lord!!!  It's not even December yet!!!  Please don't let this be a long winter of colds and sicknesses!!!  Amen!!!"

Mike used to be a big hunter but now he would much rather go golfing or work than sit in the cold woods waiting to shot a deer.  That means he is home over rifle season and I'm just fine with that.  But us ladies still stick to our annual shopping events and chocolate messes and cookie baking!  Jody and Mom wanted to go to Weavers Store on Tuesday, so of course Austin and I rode along.  Time with mom and sister is always a good time!!!  We stopped for donuts and then crossed off some Christmas list items.  We grabbed lunch together at Issac's and stopped at Big Lot's before dropping me off at home.  I wanted to be home with the kids after school.  Today was Dad and Mom Lapp's 44th Wedding Anniversary and some of Mike's siblings last minute meet for supper with Mom.  It was a good night but we really missed Dad Lapp once again.  So much is missing without him around and with us.  Hadassah did decide to stay at home with the little ones so that made for a much stress free dinner for Mike and I!!!  Thanks Hadassah!  But the night wasn't over yet.  Ashlyn' been begging to go for our Christmas tree but Mike's been so sick that we kept pushing it off.  Well, Mike is finally feeling much better.  We went home to pick up the kids and we all jumped into Mike's truck and went to pick out our tree!!!

Austin loved the tractor selection at Weaver's!!!  "Let's get them all, Mom!"

We went to our usual spot for the tree again this year.  To a farm in White Horse.

We picked out the perfect one and hauled it home.

 

She was so into this Christmas tree this year!!!  She asked if she could just sit down and eat pretzels while gazing at the tree.  She also asked to sleep by the tree but somehow she did get to her bed instead.  I love her enthusiasm for the holiday season!!!

And now that brings me to Wednesday.  If you are totally bored by now reading this journal post, that's OK.  I use this blog to look back on other years and it helps remind me of how our life is right now.  Wednesday is planned to be our all day Christmas shopping day with all of us sisters and mom.  Sadly Mindy couldn't join us though because her Uncle was killed on Tuesday and now they were on their way to Ohio for the funeral arrangements.  The rest of us ladies were still able to have the day together in Exton.  We shopped and ate and laughed and shopped and now most of my Christmas shopping is completed!!!  I love outings like this with these ladies!!!  The day was so much fun!!!

I started my shopping at school.  There was a Vendor Day at school and I bought this for myself reminding me of my 2018 "word".  Ashlyn nicely claimed it from me now because she said she wants to give it to me for Christmas.  :)))

Lunch at Chipotle is always a good option!!!

And I had my first peppermint white chocolate latte for the season!!!

When we went to Produce Junction, that did us in.  We had so much stuff packed in the back of the Yukon!!!  :)))

And that is now why I was looking forwards to a full day at home!!!  It's been a crazy past week and the relaxing mood is what I wanted for today!!!  The house was so dirty from all our in's and out's and cookie crumbs and Christmas tree dirt!!!  It is now thoroughly cleaned and I am loving that feeling of Pine soled floors and freshly swept carpets!!!  Now, that I told you about my crazy schedule, I'm off to fold some laundry and hopefully get some gifts wrapped and placed under the tree!!!

These are the good ole days and even if I get tired and weary from busy schedules, there's nothing I would want to cut out!  Cheers to a fun weekend ahead and time with just my hubby and I!!!   

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; his love endures forever." 1 Cor. 16:34

"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:18

I love fall and the holiday that happens in it!  Thanksgiving is when most people reflect on the goodness of God.  Of how He has blessed and provided.  We do this too and I'm thankful that there is a national day set aside for this moment.  But I am highly aware that after today, the Christmas lists will be handed out and the shopping of wants will begin and through all the hussle and bustle of Christmas, we so quickly forget about the holiday season we just came out of ... Thanksgiving Day!!!

Things are a bit different for us this Thanksgiving Season.  One HUGE difference is that Dad Lapp is no longer here with us at our gatherings.  Dad Lapp passed away into eternity in July.  The start of the holidays without him is tough.  Because Mom Lapp's siblings are gathered today, we invited the Lapp family over to our house last night for a dinner.  I've been preparing for this all week and we set up tables and chairs in the heated garage along with the food!  It worked out really nice to have that all in the garage and then relax in the living room after dinner. 

Each family brought a food along to share and that made our Thanksgiving feast ... well, a feast!!!  Mom made the turkey, filling and pumpkin pies.  I peeled and cooked and baked mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes.  I cooked up a two big pots of fresh vegetables and gave it a touch of melted butter right before serving them!  We had salad, rolls, cranberry relish, gravy, different desserts and hot coffee!!!  The whole meal was so yummy!!!  One funny thing did happen right before we ate.  Actually, two funny things.  The first thing was when everyone sat down to eat, Mike was up thanking everyone for coming.  Soon strangers came knocking and walking through the garage door.  What was this?  Mike went to see what they needed and they asked if this was a restaurant or if they needed reservations?  What???  He escorted them back outside and told them that we are having a family dinner.  They were tourist who were looking for Fisher's Restaurant (which is just down the street).  They said they saw lots of cars parked outside and thought maybe this was it!  Mike came back in and asked if there's a restaurant sign outside?  We all had a good laugh!  The second thing was that we still have a water cooler in our garage that we don't use anymore.  It's the kind that is electric and holds gallons of water.  It's perfect to store milk, water and drinks in it but we don't use it anymore.  So, Mike started auctioning of this cooler.  It was all out of fun but I don't know we got a sale from it!!??  Then Mom Lapp got up and thanked us children for being there for her as she goes through this grieving season in life.  She missed Dad so much and her grief is real.  It was a great time to really thank God for our health and for His strength!

After we ate the kids went running and played.  The older ones played some ping pong and watched a TV show.  The adults all sat around in the living room chatting.  Normally, we have our Thanksgiving Day at Dad Lapp's for lunch.  We would gather around Mom's spread out table and eat.  Then the guys would shoot their rifles and hit clay birds.  The games would come out and we would all be together till evening.  This year was a little different but still good.  By the time we got to bed, I was grateful again for family and yummy food and a time of rest.  :)

We had no big plans for today.  We slept in a bit and then all helped clean up the house.  The tables and chairs got folded up.  The floors were all swept and cleaned.  Toys were put back in place.  Then we were ready for our traditional family meeting.  We started this a few years ago and love, love that we kept this up.

This is a family meeting where we all sit together and say a few things that we are thankful for.  This year Mike asked us to have one word for the upcoming year to reflect on throughout the year.  We then listed a few goals.  It's so much fun hearing from the kids and listening to what they are grateful for!  I like to post my family meeting minutes on here because it's then a place we can go back to and remember what we said.  Here's just a few things we discussed.

Mike's "word": DISCIPLINE - in time, in exercise, in life

Lori: FEARLESS - this was the first word that popped in my mind when Mike asked us to think of a word.  It must have been a word from the Lord because even though I would like to think that I am a fearless person ... I have a long way to get there!  I like when life stays 'normal' and without hardships and when things stay in my control.  Well, we all know that that would be a fairytale life and not one you would find on this fallen earth but it's how I would function if it were possible.  So, because it was the first word that spoke to me, I'm sticking to it!!!  To become a fearless person would be awesome!!!  To live strictly by faith would be so fulfilling!!!  Yet, I want to hang on to my securities!  Lord, help me!!!

Hadassah:  RUN - She wants to run in life and thrive!  "Does this help me run or is it a stumbling block in life?" is what she wants to frequently ask herself! 

Matthew:  STRENGTH - improve on the weaknesses and stand strong in the strengths.

Ashlyn:   KIND - to be loving and kind.

Austin:  PLAY - go for it kid!  Play, play and play!  

After our meeting, we ate left over turkey and mashed potatoes from last night.  It was so yummy!

Matthew, Ashlyn and Austin each took the pumpkins off of the porches and smashed them in the field.  They had a blast!

Now, it's time to relax and maybe get a nap!?!  Then Hadassah and I are off to do some Black Friday Shopping!!!

Oh yeah.  Here are some pictures of the parties from school yesterday.  Ashlyn is really enjoying first grade and she was such a cute Indiana!!! 

Austin was cute too in his little Indian hat!

First grade did a Mayflower project.

Shakia and Ashlyn ... making good memories in first grade.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.  And be thankful." Col. 3:15

"Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving." Ps. 147:7