Nourishing November

 November is one of my favorite months of the year.  I love Thanksgiving.  I love making a point to talk about how thankful we are and point out how many blessings we have been given.  My favorite is spending it with my kids.  To hear some of the things they are thankful for warms my heart and gives me hope that we are raising them right and with hearts turned to Jesus.  

We've continued to work hard at school.  I gave the kids the week off to relax.  I even relaxed this past week.  I didn't cook much, other than what we had on Thanksgiving, and I didn't do any laundry!  Ryan is an excellent student and very easy to teach.  He is so quick and if he doesn't quite have something figured out at first, he'll practice on his own just to be better.  I love being his teacher.  He makes me so proud.  It's not about grades necessarily to me, but I will say he's mastered every concept I've given him in every subject.  He's rocking 3rd grade!

Every afternoon, while we are doing school Rusty naps in the floor or watches the hermit crabs.  He wants so badly to play with them.  I'm afraid that wouldn't turn out well!

My sweethearts all dressed up for worship.  Sunset has since cancelled in person worship and we miss so badly our time there.  Fellowship is so important for spiritual growth and this second shut down has affected our family.  Not our health, not our finances like it has for some but definitely our hearts.

I get to share a birthday with one of my favorite people in this world, my dad.  His birthday is one day before mine and for as long as I can remember we have celebrated together.  He's the best dad in the world and an even better Poppa.  I'm so thankful for him and his continued role in my life.

On my birthday, Tye and the kids got up and made me breakfast.  Tye picked out the sweetest card, the kids made homemade cards and Tye made my favorite eggs and strawberries with Nutella.  My favorite part of this entire morning wasn't the meal or the card but the kids (and Tye's) face the minute I walked into the kitchen.  They were so proud of what they made and SO happy to give it to me.  Gift giving is such an important lesson.  GIVE with a happy heart!  I didn't give this time but I sure did RECEIVE with a happy heart!

Have I ever mentioned that she's amazing and can literally run our household by herself.  After Tye left to head back to the field Ayden insisted on cleaning up the kitchen from them making breakfast.  She wanted me to SIT and drink my coffee.  She is so very thoughtful.

This man right here is incredible.  Those of you who know Tye already know that he's a great guy, funny, really goofy, extremely smart, hardworking and really just all around wonderful. 

 I don't tell him enough how much I appreciate him.  I need to work on that.  So many times when he comes through the door I immediately ask for help or tell him what's been going on all day at home.  This time of year is hard for him.  He works ridiculous hours and in usually not favorable conditions.  He eats in the field and comes home after everyone has gone to bed.  He's dusty, tired and worn out but gets right back up and does it again.  He always does it with a smile and sweet spirit too.

When we miss him a little too much we take turns riding with him.  It's bumpy, dusty and loud but we all want to ride and usually argue about who's turn it is to go.  ME included!

As the kids and I finished up our Thanksgiving story tonight it was my turn to say what I'm thankful for...all the things I listed are because of Tye.  I'm able to live my dream life because he works so hard to provide it for me and the kids.  We love him and are all so proud of him.  We are going to work on telling him more often.

The kids spent the night at B and Shell's this month.  Shell let them sleep out on the patio, which is a screened porch.  They LOVE it.  They are making memories that they will remember forever.

We disguised some turkeys for a school project this month.  I'd have NEVER known these were turkeys if I didn't help make them.

Ayden-Snowman

Myles- Farmer

Sydney-Ballerina

Ryan-Aggie football player

The boys made a skateboard/scooter ramp that they are determined to brake a bone on...I can't watch.

Myles and Sydney having a tea party with Dumbo and Cubby. 

Ryan has always loved the mud kitchen and still gets in kicks of making things.  He made 108 dirt balls with hidden things inside.  They stored them in the treehouse and said that if we ever have a robber they can take care of things if Tye isn't home.  I'm telling anyone reading this that is thinking of robbing our home...I'd be scared.  There were rocks and sharp arrowheads in some of them.  BEWARE!

Spencer came over to play when he didn't have to go to school one day.  The kids wanted to build a fire so bad so I went to supervise. 

 

 SIDE STORY: My dad told Myles that he needed adult supervision to do something the other day and Myles said, "I don't have adult supervision.  I just have regular vision." hahaha

Anyway, they were talking about cooking in the old days so I suggested they try to pop popcorn.  They held the little pan over the fire and could not believe that the popcorn actually popped!  It was popping everywhere and all over the dirt.  They didn't care and ate it anyway.

Ayden and Ryan have been working so hard taking care of their pigs.  They have been walking, brushing, watering, tanning and feeding them everyday.  I am so proud of them and the work they are putting in.  No matter what happens at the stockshow THIS is what it is all about!

Ayden walking Jenny Dean.

Jenny girl is a little nuts but we love her anyway!

Brushing her other pig, Ginger.

Ryan brushing Cream.  Cream is the funniest little thing.  She will immediately lay down and assume the position when Ryan gets the brush.  She is like a dog.  Ryan also has a pig named Cookies.  She is pretty sweet too.  When he first lets her out of the pen she runs around like a chicken with its head cut off but he's working on that. haha

Sweet Ginger patiently waiting on her vanilla wafer.

One night after putting the pigs back in the barn Sydney and I were walking back to the house.  I told Sydney to just look at what God made and how beautiful it was.  She ask me why God made the Sun and I told her for lots of reasons.  She said, "I bet I know the goodest reason."  I ask her what was that and she said, "because he loves us so much!"  There is NO doubt in my mind that's one of the reasons he made it so beautiful.

Ayden had a eye doctor appointment in Lubbock.  She got new glasses but they haven't come in yet.  She is adorable and grown up and it's a love/hate feeling for me as her Momma.  I used this as an opportunity to spend time with just her and it was wonderful.  Sometimes being in a large family, doesn't always give time for individual conversation and connection.  It's such a special time even if it's at the doctor and a quick lunch.  I cherish my girl.

Worship on Sunday has been spent in the living room.  Myles and Spencer wanted to sit beside each other and it was precious watching them together.  Myles kept his arm around Spencer, with a tight grip at times, and Spencer sat and watched Myles sing.  I hope that Myles can be a good friend, cousin, and role model for Spencer as they both grow up.

Thanksgiving 2020 was filled with love, laughter, eating and thankfulness.  We ate lunch with Tye's family and supper with mine.  It couldn't have been a more perfect day.

Three generations of Mason men in this picture.  Ryan has incredible role models and I think they love him a little too!  The way Ryan is looking at them in this picture warms my heart.

Poppa smoked the turkey which is seriously the only way I like turkey now.  It is the most delicious part of our meal.  Every year the kids take turns breaking the wishbone and making a wish.  It was Myles and Sydney's turn this year.  Myles won and made a wish.  Later, he told me he wished for everyone in the world to have as good of a Thanksgiving as we did.  Precious little soul.

Brittney came down for Thanksgiving and spent Saturday at our house.  She played with the kids and Tye and I got to visit with her too.  Once again, so thankful for both sides of our family and everyone in it.

The world may look crazy, STILL, but it isn't hard to take some time look around and SEE what all God has given us.  Thanksgiving is a time we take to stop and be...be thankful for all the things we take for granted, be reminded of who gave them to us and remember how it all came to be.  The kids and I studied in depth this year about the Pilgrims and Indians.  If you haven't read that part of history in a while I challenge you to do it.  They weren't thankful for toys, cars and black Friday deals.  They were Thankful for life, food, family and most of all the blessings that God had given them through Indian friends.  It sure can put priorities into perspective and is just the "story" we needed to hear this year.