Goodbye to November

And as we begin December, I will just make my protest that there are no pink or purple candles in all of Oak Ridge, for my Advent wreath.  UGH.  Why is it so hard to find them?  Maybe because all they have out now is red and green things, for Christmas, which have incidentally been out since September!

Happy Advent!

Driving Teenagers

Bad News: Anna crashed the car.

Good News: It was in our driveway

Bad News: She went into Bogdan's new car

Good News: It's just cosmetic

Lesson learned, we'll see...

Proclomation from George Washington

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

Thanksgiving Prayer

May we be thankful for all we have,
For the ability to love and laugh.
For the ability to cry,
 
For every bite we have to eat,
For life itself,

For each heartbeat.

For our shelter,
For warmth and heat,
For our children, who bring us joy.

For our soldiers, to come back home.
For peaceful results in lands far and near.

For those who have gone

To your Heavenly Home,

May our actions and words

Show our love for them has grown.

For God's promise,
For his perfect love,
For his kingdom here and to come.

For two strong legs,
For two strong hands,
For the capacity,
To understand.

For all that you have made us to be.

For hope,
For love,
For faith,

For all this and so much more, we are truly thankful. Amen.

Funny Thanksgiving

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,
MAY YOUR  TURKEY BE PLUMP.
MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY HAVE NARY A LUMP.
MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS.
MAY YOUR PIES TAKE THE PRIZE,
MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY OFF OF YOUR THIGHS!!

Turkey Day Laughter

Getting back to normal

Fall play is over and we all had a good time.  Anna did a good job helping with costumes and we had a successful run and strike.  And we made over $3000!!  That will put us in a good position for the spring musical, The Sound of Music!!

Anna came home sick from school, mostly exhausted from the long weekend of the play.  She also teaches preschool, and we all know how germs are shared along with everything at that age.

Gabriel continues with winter conditioning for rowing and won't start spring regattas until March or April.

Marian had a nice time at a Girl Scout event this weekend, and we came back with tons of fun events to try with the troop.

A Comedy Tonight

Opening Night for the for fall play.   Kids are ready and dress rehearsal went well!!

Busy days for all lately.  Everyone is getting home late, will be nice to get back to normal next week.  And maybe sleep in late on Saturday!

Only 2 words

VOTE

PRAY

All Souls Day Prayer

Merciful Father,
hear our prayer and console us.
As we renew our faith in Your Son,
whom You raised from the dead,
strengthen our hope
that all our departed brothers and sisters
will share in His resurrection,
who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

All Saints Day

All Saints Prayer

Father, All-Powerful and ever-living God,
today we rejoice in the holy men and women
of every time and place.
May their prayers bring us your forgiveness and love
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen