Project 365, Week 48

Lots of celebrations this week, lots to be thankful for.

November 22

No picture.

November 23

Our new sign got installed! It took much longer than we anticipated, but it was worth the wait! It felt very official and exciting to see it on our front lawn.

The front entrance isn't completed, but progress has been made.

November 24

We also installed security cameras, which the kids were all about. :)

Shaun's mom gave me my first pre-Pinterest Pinterest board when we got married with family-favorite recipes in a recipe box. :) My day was spent grocery shopping, baking, cooking and generally getting ready for a crowd.

November 25

Thanksgiving Day! Amanda did a beautiful job setting the table! There were "only" 19 people this year, so the kids and adults tables were joined. We were happy to have Nana back after she had to miss last year and we appreciate her commitment to being with us for Thanksgiving.

A couple lines from The Thanksgiving Song, by Ben Rector:

So fill your plate and fill your drink

And fill this house with family

The kind of love a thousand miles can't wash away

'Cause the older that I get

I see that life is short and bittersweet

Thank God for this Thanksgiving Day

I'm so grateful for this little family we have. We've done good times and bad together and we're growing through it all. 

I went to bed, exhausted and to be a blessing, the girls surprised me by cleaning up and putting the house back together. What an encouragement to find that the next morning!

November 26

The kids were SO excited to pull out Christmas and the girls did the tree entirely on their own.

My dad stopped by with a thoughtful gift from him and Kiki...so sweet!

November 27

Happy 15th birthday to Amanda!! We planned a full day of things that make Amanda happy and so sweetly, she most wanted us to be together as a family. We shopped and ice skated, had dinner with extended family and finished the day out with a movie.

Nana and John treated everyone to dinner and Auntie Sarah made a special effort to have a birthday banner and cake for her at the restaurant. And the night before she was at Auntie Amy's house with a balloon and cake, so she got plenty spoiled!

We're so thankful for our sweet Amanda-Girl. She is fun, tidy, loyal, trustworthy and responsible. She has a heart for justice. Her personality is magnetic...people are naturally drawn to her and enjoy being around her. God has such good plans for her and we're grateful we get to watch it all unfold.

(Amanda at almost 9 hours old, headed home)

(Amanda now, in all her beauty)

November 28

Nathan and Laryssa hosted the family at their new house. It was special to have all the cousins together!