Thanksgiving Oertle Style

Thanksgiving was at our home this year.  This was the first Thanksgiving that I have shared with my parents and brothers in well over a decade.  It was the first Thanksgiving that my kids remember sharing with my family, so it was a sweet time.  And of course we had WAY TOO MUCH FOOD!!  Everyone chipped in and so no one was stuck cooking it all.

Kiersten created a beautiful table using my late Grandma Kordatzky's china

We had two pans of my yummy non-traditional stuffing.  It's my family's favorite and they really won't eat any other kind

Fall all around the house

My mom made the delicious turkey

Said turkey

Kiersten stealing sweets, I am sure

People comatose after a huge meal

It was a really nice day!

Thoughts

Exactly one year ago today, unbeknownst to me, I was hiking in Yellowstone for the last time. It was such a grand day. The air was cool, but not freezing and the terrain was still almost bare. Winter wouldn't settle in for another several days. We chose to hike Hellroaring, looking back that hike was filled with so many surprises and treasures. Until today I am not sure I understood the magnitude of that day...it was a gift. I will never forget the breathtaking view as we crested a mighty hill to find hundreds of elk staring at us in surprise. We watched those creatures for what seemed like hours. That was also the same hike in which we tracked fresh wolf prints for over a mile. It was a sweet day with my kids and Chris. That day life felt so perfect. Life certainly was simple.

My life looks different this Thanksgiving. Much different. Last year I was living my dream. I am so thankful for that time. What a gift to live a dream for a short time, rather than to never get to live it at all! But in the midst of such hurting, such sickness, and such pain it would take a fool not to find thankfulness in this life, too. I will not be found in my own folly!

So thank you God for so much:

1. For my salvation that is real

2. For peace that comes when I least expect it

3. For contentment despite myself

4. For a lively income when so many others are hurting

5. For health when everyone around me seems ill

6. For a huge Thanksgiving spread that I have enjoyed preparing

7. For Thanksgiving dinner with my parents and brother for the first time in over 10 years

8. For a beautiful home that sits on a lovely golf course

9. For family that loves me no matter what

10. For sweet new friends that have no idea that they arrived just in time

11. For a new home fellowship that fills my heart with hope

12. For laughter that makes my sides ache

13. For smiles that remind me to smile

14. For perspective when I grumble

15. For old friends that weather hard storms because without them I have no idea where I would be

16. For happy children that make for a happy momma

17. For a teenage daughter that doesn't stop smiling

18. For a teenage son that stills gives hugs

19. For a Columbia fleece that still gets used when I thought that I would have to hang it up

20. For an understanding spouse that never grows weary even though I do

21. For a mother in law that listens and doesn't say a word in return

22. For a new niece that is due to arrive any moment

23. For a place to chop down a Christmas Tree instead of having to go to a lot

24. For good books to read when I want to curl up on the coach

25. For quiet mornings and peppermint mocha coffee

Take a few minutes to enjoy today and absorb your unrealized blessings. There are no guarantees that they will be with you next Thanksgiving. Enjoy your turkey!

Saturday

On Saturday the kids participated in their first speech and debate tournament. Dress code for the event was 'corporate' and I thought both Christopher and Kiersten looked great!

Christopher participated in two debate rounds and one IE (individual event). Chris and his partner won both of their debate rounds and Christopher scored 2nd place with his advocacy speech, which was "Wolves Should Be Reintroduced Into Their Former Territories".

Kiersten, who just bravely joined the team 2 weeks ago participated in one debate round. Unfortunately Kiersten and Beth didn't win, but I was so proud of her. Kiersten joined the team after several students dropped out, leaving an odd number of kids. The whole group has been researching and studying for 4 months and Kiersten did so well for just joining a little less than two weeks ago. She got some great experience and I know she will do better next time! Also, Kiersten and her friend are working on a dramatic interpretation piece from Pride and Prejudice. Can't wait to see that!

The day was long, but so very rewarding! I think the kids especially loved gathering with their friends and opponents at the pizza parlor at the end of the day. For me, I am just loving watching my children grow, experience life, and find their own way.

Special Delivery

It is calling me. I first heard it's faint whispers Monday morning...calling, beckoning me. The pull of its voice has progressively become more inviting as the week's days have slowly moved by. Right now, at this very moment it has come knocking at my door. I fear looking out my window, I might open my door too soon. For I know said voice is carrying all kinds of goodies.


Yes, Thanksgiving Break is upon us. Three glorious weeks. I have worked hard, the kids have worked even harder. In fact, this break has been the motivation behind so many weeks of grueling schedules, long school hours, and heavy book reading.


But, in just 4 short hours I will open the door, welcome in TB and lavish in the many gifts that the season brings. Some of the goodies I hope it brings:

Days roaming the streets in Colonial Williamsburg

Afternoons at The Cheese Shop

Hikes in Shenandoah

Tea with Friends

Christmas movies

Late nights

Chocolate

Non-academic reading

Lunches with my mom

Sewing

Baking

A finished Christmas to do list

Dates with Chris

Slippers, sweats, and coffee until noon

There is one thing that I hope TB doesn't have when I open the door-an alarm clock!!!


Happy Almost Thanksgiving Break!

For Today...

Outside my window... looks crisp, beautiful sun, 53 degrees.

I am thinking... already this has been an exhausting-yet good week and the busiest activities are still to come.

From the learning rooms... debate, debate, debate.

I am thankful for... tea and chat with new friends, grace, and mercy.

From the kitchen... tonight is lasagna on the fly.

I am wearing... my favorite jeans.

I am reading... When Dreams Come True by Eric and Leslie Ludy.

I am hoping... for answers today.

I am creating... curtains for my kitchen, Thanksgiving menu, and Christmas lists.

I am praying... for peace, for good friends, for reconciliation for a friend's marriage, for a traveling parent, for teenagers hitting the world's floor running.

Around the house... laundry, debate practice, family evening.

One of my favorite things... watching my teenagers gather with their friends.

A few plans for the rest of the week... meeting with Stephanie tonight to finalize the Thanksgiving menu, clothes shopping for the kids, lunch with a friends on Friday, debate class and library, and the big debate tournament on Saturday.

Wreaths of Maine

This year the kids are embarking on a new business venture and I as their Marketing Director are calling on all of my bloggy friends to participate.

They are working with Wreaths of Maine to bring you the finest looking wreaths that money can buy. Truly, these wreaths are a work of art. Each wreath is handmade and shipped on a date of your choosing.

Please visit www.wreathsofmaine.com and enter code 4458 when prompted. Christopher and Kiersten receive a $6 commission for every wreath sold. There is no added cost to you by providing the code, you would still pay the same price, but without the code the kids don't receive their commission. And, if you are so kind as to purchase a wreath, please email me or leave a comment here. All names are entered into a drawing to receive a prize.

Happy Wreath Shopping!

Ahhhh...Friday

I.Love.You. Yes, Friday I love you. Thoughts of you kept me moving all week long. Putting.One.Step.In.Front.Of.The.Other.

This week was super crazy...or wicked crazy as some of my peeps would say. I survived my first Nor'easter (a historic one at that), weathered weeks of layoff rumors, finally nailed down teenager's out-of-control debate schedules, spent about 32 hours on academia, and managed to cook every night, save tonight (date night!). What a week.

And today Friday rewarded me. I slept in, visited The Gramms, had an afternoon visit with lovely ladies, snuggled the sweetest little baby, had intelligent football conversation with little Luke (who put me in my place in regards to the Seahawks), and had a fab date with Chris.

Planning greatness for Fridays makes it easier to do the hard things during the week. It is like my own little internal reward chart. The older I get the less guilty I feel about making time to rejuvenate myself. So let the tradition begin-four fabulous days of hard work earns Fridays that leave me saying.....Ahhhhhh.

Happy Weekend!