Hold Me, Daddy

When you're a dad you see this a lot:

I mean - A LOT. Daddy, hold me. Daddy, carry me. Hold me, Daddy, please. When you pull in the garage. When you're at the store. When you're walking down stairs. When you're getting dinner ready. After dinner when you're doing the dishes. And after most bumps, scraps, bruises, hurt feelings, disappointments and just because - hold me, Daddy.

Sisters Chat About Thanksgiving

Maude: I thought we'd talk this week about Thanksgiving (since it was yesterday!)

Esther: cool beans

Maude: First, what do you normally have for Thanksgiving dinner?

turkey, obviously

Lizzi: Cranberry sauce!

Maude: yuck, Liz.

Lizzi: :)

Esther: mashed potatoes!!

Maude: Real stuffing (not the stuff from the box)!!

yummy

Esther: I love stuffing

Lizzi: I don't like green bean casserole, Maude, so I guess we're even

Maude: Hmm, green bean casserole!

Esther: and mashed potatoes

Maude: You're weird, Lizzi.

Lizzi: Yeah, stuffing!

Esther: cannot decide which I love more

Lizzi: Me too

(to Esther)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Today at the O'Brien Household - it is bustling!  Everyone is home but one of us... "Lizzi, we miss you!  And your three sweet guys!"

We spent all last night cooking and setting up tables, talking and sharing.  Most of us were up until around 1 am.  This morning Mom finished up while the rest of us went to H.'s house to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and eat cinnamon rolls.  We will eat our Thanksgiving meal at 1 pm.  Much earlier than we usually do to help with some of the siblings' in-laws' Thanksgiving plans.

A lot of Thankfulness

After we eat our long anticipated Thanksgiving dinner Mom has us go around and say what we all our thankful for.  Knowing that this is coming I have been thinking, and writing down what I am thankful for.  I have found that the list is extensive.  Once you sit and actually take the time to think and just  have eyes to see what there is to be thankful for the list just goes on and on.  From my big windows in my living room to see all the beauty that surrounds my home, to having my family reunited by my husbands homecoming, to having ears to hear music and my sons laughter, taste buds, legs for walking, friendships, coffee, and as I sit in the craziness of my Mothers home with kids running around, siblings catching up, pancakes on the stove top,  I am very thankful. I am thankful for the circumstance, situation, and people the Lord has graced me to be surrounded by.

Better than Sliced Bread!

Thanksgiving is just a couple days away, so I thought I would share a scrumptious bread recipe that I have recently enjoyed making for my family. It is tasty and nutritious, and the finished product looks

pretty! The recipe calls for molasses, but the taste is not strong at all. I also added a couple tablespoons of milled flax seed to mine since I already had it on-hand.

Famous Sisters

Let's play a game.

Name famous sisters (and I don't mean nuns!) both today and throughout history.  But you CANNOT google them (or use any other search engine) - that is cheating!  This list must be from your own head or from someone you talk to.

Sisters chat: about what they are thankful for

Esther: okay
well, today I thought we would talk about what we are thankful for since it is the Friday before Thanksgiving

What is something you are specifically thankful for in Nature?

Lizzi:  Good question!

I am thankful for the seasons

Each one I am in becomes my favorite!

And they all have their unique beauty

and the memories that come with the season changes are wonderful!
Maude: For snow and rain.
Esther: I am thankful for trees! I think anything is more beautiful if there are trees by it. Homes, streets, parks ect. I have a special place in my heart for Trees
Lizzi:  For sure

Maude:  Me too - I love trees.  "I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree..." - I love that poem.
Esther:  if I had to choose a favorite of all creation it would be trees.

A New (To Me!) Thanksgiving Dish

While scouring the internet for some different dinner options a while back I came across a recipe for Cauliflower "Mac" and Cheese Casserole.  It is supposed to be similar to Macaroni and Cheese but using cauliflower instead of pasta which makes it low-carb friendly.  When I saw that it included one cup of heavy cream I knew it would be good!

When I prepared it for my family, my husband was a little skeptical but after trying it he announced, "This is as good as Green Bean Casserole - maybe better - we should have this at Thanksgiving."  Green Bean Casserole is one of my husband's favourite side dishes so I knew he was a fan.

Making a house a home

I have recently been getting into decorating.  I have had a list of things I have wanted to "get done" before my husband got (so nice to be able to say that in past tense)  home from Iraq.  I wanted him to come home to a cozy, settled, warm,  kind of a home.  I never knew how much I would enjoy doing it all!  In our old apartment I really tried to decorate and make it homey but I think with this new place I (finally) found the "feel" our home is supposed to have.  I think oftentimes you may think (as I did) that it costs too much money to make your home "homey" but that is simply not true! Just get a little creative (believe me it doesn't take too much creativity because I don't have much!)

Book Review- My Grandfather's Son

I have just finished reading a book that is one highly worthy of recommendation. I have also decided that it will be required reading for my children when they reach the age to understand the assignment. The book is 'My Grandfather's Son' by Clarence Thomas, one of the Associate Justices of the United States Supreme Court. I had been introduced to the book's premise through an interview with Justice Thomas that I read in Hillsdale College's 'Imprimis' newsletter. It is fascinating, not only because of the hard-working and determined nature he exhibits, and the incredible feats he accomplishes in his life, but also because of the great impact his grandfather's influence made in his life.


It was captivating to read about his journey from destitute beginnings in Pin Point, Georgia, dealing with the trappings of racial degradation, and observing how his grandfather, patriotic amidst discrimination, refused to let young Clarence sit idle. He was very tough on him, not accepting any excuse or delay in obedience. But I believe, (and so does Justice Thomas) that this man's example was what enabled Clarence Thomas to press on amidst his life's greatest challenges and adversity.