Giving Thanks

Thanskgiving has come and gone. The planning, grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking, decorating, and entertaining is over. Today, with everything back to normal, I can finally sit back and reflect on my blessings. Here are a couple of pictures of the some of the things I am thankful for. This is Breck ready to eat her pie.

And here are Emma and Lawson eating Thanksgiving dinner.

And now a reflection on some of the things I am thankful for:

The doorbell ringing with Emma's giggling, bubbling enthusiasm spilling into the room.

Braydon's analytical mind always wanting math problems to solve, and his joke telling during dinner.

Breck's quiet, sweet nature, who always seems to have a book in her hand.

Lawson -what isn't to love about a three-year-old! and, "Come get me Gaapa!"

Mike's leadership and incredible patience. And he loves me!

My son's - they have grown into awesome men, who are wonderful husbands and fathers and they are very funny too!

My daughters-in-law, Corrin and Jaime - they love my sons, are terrific moms, and they are so helpful and caring!

My mom - she is showing me how to grow old. If I can live to be 86 years young and be as active as she is, it will be a blessing.

My sister - we may not talk to each other for weeks, but I know if I ever need her, she will be there for me. There is something very special about having a sister.

My in-laws, George and Bev. I am thankful for the son they raised and the support they have given us over the years.

My friends -what would my life be without them. In the meal of life, they are the dessert, sweet and satisfying.

My sister-in-law - she makes life fun.

My students - I love fifth graders. There is nothing more satisfying than hearing a class say, "Can we do this again tomorrow? We love this!"

My church family. I am accepted and loved by them.

My dad - he showed me unconditional love. And because of him, I was able to understand and accept God's uncondtional love for me.

God - He loves me, and I am His child. There is nothing more important in my life. For this I am most thankful!

Hunting at its best

I have seen many hunting shows where everyone shoots their limit in just minutes and I have read blogs where someone shot so many shells that their barrel warped (maybe that is an exaggeration, huh Jeremy?). Well the boys and I were ready for one of those last weekend. We got up at 5:00 because where we like to hunt ducks just a few miles from home is on public ground and is very popular. We arrived around 5:30 and instantly started setting our "spread". We have duck decoys, geese decoys, a "lucky duck" that moves its wings - all just ready to bring the birds in to us. When we got back on land we had to get all set up. Because of the popularity of the "hotspot" a lot of the vegetation has been trampled down but that is no problem because I have a piece of camouflage material that we just put up between trees to hide behind.
Ah yes, we are finally all set - now we just have to wait. Towards the back of our area is a tree that we place our blind bags beside, hang our gun cases on and just congregate by. We opened our blind bags to get out our coffee cups, thermoses and with pride of our progress started talking about all of life's issues.
Then suddenly it happened. A large flock of ducks started coming our way. They circled, then set their wings and landed in our spread of decoys. We all looked at each other and realized that none of us had taken our guns out of their cases - let alone loaded them! We also knew that once we moved or made any noise we would be "busted". MENTAL NOTE - ALWAYS LOAD YOUR GUNS BEFORE POURING COFFEE!!!!!

This and That

Have you ever noticed that when you think about your life it seems that nothing is really happening? That is what I have been doing recently then I look and haven't blogged for three and a half weeks yet in reflection of that time things have happened.
First of all, last week Andy and Corrin went to Las Vegas for a convention. I haven't figured out why the State of Nebraska would send Andy to "Sin City" for more education, but it gave all the grandparents time with Emma and Lawson. A&C dropped Emma and Lawson off last Sunday at 9:00 in the morning. Grandparents Doug and Jackie were on their own trip coming home from Florida. Emma was sad as she understood Mom and Dad were leaving and Lawson said, "Come and get me Granpa!" You could just tell in his voice that he was concerned about M&D leaving! We had the kids until Doug and Jackie came to pick them up late in the afternoon. From then on, D&J would take care of the kids in the morning, getting them ready for school / daycare, Brenda would pick them up and bring them to our house where she would prepare to feed the kids and me. My main responsible was to come home and entertain them. I would walk in the door and would hear. "Come and get me Granpa!" I would change and play this game for a short time, then this would be followed up with, "Look granpa, I have puzzles." This means putting three jigsaw puzzles together (two Power Rangers and one Spiderman). This is very intense work as Lawson doesn't put up with any wrong placement of pieces. We would have to finish the puzzle we were working on before we could leave the coffee table for dinner - Lawson is a taskmaster! After dinner we would try to finish whatever task we have started before Doug or Jackie pick them up. I did have one very disappointing moment when Emma beat me in "Sorry" twice! I am sure this is why I was given this responsiblility.