Happy Thanksgiving 2014

We are spending the day with some friends that have a girl Lexi's age and a boy Jordan's age. I'm making rolls, pumpkin pie, and green bean casserole.  We might head over to spend time with old friends this evening and eat more pie (like I need more dessert).

Hope this day is full of amazing memory making moments and love for everyone.

Happy Thanksgiving!   

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last week, I decided to go back and read my Thanksgiving post from last year.  I realized that my list of things that I am thankful for is exactly the same this year too.  Actually, I'd just get rid of the the last one.  While part of me realizes that it is just a great list, my heart sunk because I feel stuck in a sad little loop of my new life as a poor single mom.  I allowed myself to have a little pity party one day and then that was it (ok a few additional moments of despair here & there).

Today, I choose to smile because I am simply tired of feeling hopeless and sorry for myself.  Life goes on and I am thankful for all that I do have, but mostly I am thankful for wonderful people.  I feel blessed to have extraordinary kids, a fantastic family, amazing friends, and an exceptional boss.  Without them, I really would be hopeless.

Happy for my Cousin

I have been very grateful this month that others have gone out of their way to help us.  Whenever I catch the news, I am often saddened by the cruel or horrendous acts that people have done.  This month, I want to remember that there are many who are filled with loving hearts.  My cousin posted this clip of her son & family on Facebook:

Thanksgiving Post 2011

This evening, I suddenly felt like I wanted to make a list of things I am thankful for.  It is a little long and I don't care if anyone else reads it.  It was simply a great reminder for me. 


I, Freckle Face Girl, remember:

1. I am thankful for my kids and the opportunity to be their mom. A while ago, I was in a class where the teacher asked us to think about what we were born to do. I realized that I was born to be a mom. That doesn’t mean that I am perfect (far from it), but I am passionate about it and I truly feel it is one of the aspects that helps to define me.


2. I am thankful for my job. I started working for this company almost 10 years ago. Life certainly has changed since then, but they continue to give me a pay check as well as moral support.


3. I am thankful that I work from home. At times it is tougher than working in an office, but it also allows me to live closer to the type of lifestyle I think is best for me and my kids. I realize that not many people are this lucky.


4. I am thankful that my kids go to fantastic schools and have great teachers. Most importantly, they are happy.


5. I am thrilled to be raising my kids in an area where their influences are mostly positive. I am amazed that elementary aged kids here only know “bad” words to be things like stupid, duh, and shut-up.


6. I am thankful that my mom has been such a great support my whole life, and especially over the last few years. Beyond her moral support, she continues to pay my health insurance and do whatever she can for me and the kids.


7. I am thankful for my family and glad that drama is not part of the dynamics. It isn’t because we are not bursting with personality. We just believe everyone is crazy, so we don’t get offended easily/at all.


8. I am thankful for the many wonderful friends I have made in my life and the ability to stay connected to them.  I am also glad for friends that treat us like family and invite us to spend holidays (Thanksgiving) with them.


9. I am thankful that I attend a church with great people who are kind, compassionate, fun, smart, and continually working to improve themselves.


10. I am thankful for the many wonderful ways that my impossible prayers have been answered. One or two were even mind-blowing.


11. I am thankful for the opportunities to help others. It is amazing how those simple acts inspire someone to pay it forward or come back and return the favor years later (see #10).


12. I am thankful that this year is coming to an end. Before this year even started, I had a premonition (link to post) it was going to be tough and it truly has been. Now, I am just hoping something will brighten up next year. – So far, I have received no premonitions either way…


13. Maybe it is cheesy to end it like this, but…. I am thankful to be single so that I don’t have to share the master suite. I just LOVE having my own walk-in-closet and bathroom.

Favorite Black Friday Activity

Last night, I decided to give shopping on Black Friday a try.  I had done it once before back when I was married and we went to spend Thanksgiving with his Grandma, Aunt and cousins.  His three cousins are all girls about my age and they love to go to Kohls every year.  We got up early and got there about 4 or 5 am, whenever it opened that year and were able to go right in.  We were able to get one cart and we would take turns standing in line while the rest of us would gather items.  Later, we went to Panera Bread for breakfast.  It was actually quite fun.

Sadly, my experience this year was nothing like that. First, I decided to go to Toys-R-Us at 10pm when they opened. Second, I couldn't get anyone to go with me. My mom and sister are still suffering from jet lag from their trip to Egypt and have been going to bed around 7:30 or 8pm every night. I probably should have picked Walmart at 5 or 6am and they would have been up for it.

I arrived at Toys-R-Us right at opening time to find an overly crowded parking lot and a line that wrapped around the entire building. In fact, the end of the line was directly in front of the door. I had to follow it all the way around. The first half of the circle went rather quickly, which gave me false hope. That was when they let in the first 300. Then about every 15 minutes, we moved up in line. They were letting 50 people in every time 50 had left. I kept waiting thinking that it couldn't take THAT long. Plus, Jordan's birthday was on my mind (Dec 1st). I thought that this was a good opportunity for me to shop for the kids without them. It ended up taking exactly two hours to get in the front door. I was still optimistic at that point. It was only midnight. I decided to grab a few things as well as a gift for Jordan and head home. As I was winding through the store, I noticed the extremely long line for the registers. I couldn't believe it, so I asked how long it was taking. I was told about an hour and a half to two hours. That is when I put my stuff down and headed right home, because I knew I was defeated.

From these experiences, I have learned that going with a fun group and making it more of a social outing is the only way that Black Friday should even be considered (for me anyway). From now on, I'll save my shopping for less busy times.

This brings me to my usual Black Friday activity, which is working on Christmas cards. I just love sending them out at the beginning of December. I planned to work on them today, but Lexi was also excited about making cards this year. I helped her make some for her friends. I'll have to start working on mine tomorrow. If any of the regular blog readers want to get on my list, just send me your contact info at: frecklefacegirl01@hotmail.com.

Truly Blessed

My favorite holiday is here again.  Mostly, I love the food and spending time with family, but it is also a wonderful time to remember all of the things that I am thankful for like:

1. Healthy and happy kids
2. A great job that I can do from home
3. Generous family members
4. Amazing friends
5. Dreams of a better future that we seem to be moving closer to all the time

I would like to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope you get to spend it with people you love.

Turkey Day

Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday.  It is fun to get together with family or friends or both and just enjoy each others' company.  Of course, munching on great food is always nice too.  I even love hosting it.  This year, we don't have any exciting plans, but we are still looking forward to it.  Lexi and Jordan talk about Turkey Day all the time. 

Today, I wanted to give Lexi something to do that was quiet during Jordan's nap.  I handed her some paper and told her to draw a turkey.  I had no idea what it was going to look like.  We haven't been drawing or coloring turkeys this year.  A little later I went to see her drawing and was blown away.  She even drew a hat!  Some times I can't believe that she is still only four. 

Thankful For

It has been one crazy year for me and for lots of my friends and extended family. As you know, my year has basically revolved around divorce. I have also been feeling sad for others who are close to me (friends & family) that are dealing with so much more than I had to. On the bright side, I have received news that quite a few people I know are pregnant. Overall, it has been a year for the books. There are MANY things to be Thankful for though including my top six list for 2009:

1. My wonderful kids who are healthy
2. Friends and family that have gone above and beyond to be supportive
3. That the second half of the year has been MUCH better than the first half
4. That money is tight, but we are getting by on my part time job and child support
5. That my brothers and their families are all coming for two weeks at Christmas
6. That Steve and I don't hate each other

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here is a picture of my little turkeys:


I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We're looking forward to seeing my work-aholic husband. :)