Elijah's View of Thanksgiving

It is an elementary tradition. The teacher asks the young pupil how turkey is prepared at their house. This week Elijah brought home his class's version of "How to prepare a turkey for Thanksgiving." I nearly peed my pants reading through it. And, although, biased I do think Elijah's had the most imagination. It was also clear that his class is used to hearing timers!

I would go hunting in the forest to find my turkey. I will be really quiet and look. I'm going to jump out and shoot it when I see a turkey. I will carry the turkey home on my back and hold it by the leg and the body will touch my back. I will put the turkey in the oven, but first I'm going to take all the feathers out. I will just pull them out. The turkey will cook for 10 minutes, while the turkey is cooking I'm going to play games because I like paying games. When the little thing that always beeps when my mom cooks that means the turkey is done. I will grab some gloves and take it out like the special gloves that my mom has. I will use a knife to cut the turkey apart then we will eat it. We will have stuffing that my mom will make. Mom makes almost all the food in my house so she will make potatoes and gravy. Then I think I would have some pumpkin pie; maybe, I'm not sure. I'll probably play a game with my dad after dinner because that's what we always do.

By Elijah (age 6)

I love this kid!

6 weeks

I am not good at waiting for things. I never have been. I was the kid who searched for presents, found them, unwrapped enough to peak and then rewrapped them. (Although I do remember having a partner in crime for this.)

I have 6 weeks to wait for the newest blessing to the Anderson family. I can hardly contain myself. I have been so blessed in this pregnancy. I feel good. I sleep okay. I am not totally huge (yet). Not knowing if we are going to be graced with a boy or a girl consumes most of my wandering thoughts. Thinking about all that little clothes and warm cuddles makes me smile. Every time the baby moves (which is a lot) I smile in anticipation of meeting this beautiful creation.

But....at the same time, I am not nearly ready to welcome a baby into the family yet either. I haven't found the flannel sheets for the crib to keep the baby comfy cozy. I have not picked out or made the curtains to cover the hideous light that shines in from outside. I have not planned all my sub stuff yet (yikes!). I have not planned out all of the details that need to be planned from December 23 when baby comes through Christmas Day when I will hopefully get to go home. I am not ready.

It is strange living in this duplicitous stage of life. To want it over with and need more time all at the same time. Either way in 6 weeks or 42 days or a lot of hours God is giving us a baby. And truly no matter what happens my only prayer is for a healthy, happy, baby; a safe delivery; and a smooth transition into life with three children.

My Beautiful Sister

"Hello my beautiful sister" this is my standard greeting when my sister calls or when I see her after school. She often quips back something about how her look for the day is far from beautiful.

What she doesn't seem to understand is that I don't call her beautiful merely because of her physical beauty (of which she has been blessed with much). I call her beautiful because her beauty is as Peter said, "of [her] inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight" (I Peter 3:4). Sara, being the humble woman she is, will never accept this compliment but truly she reminds me daily what a woman of God looks like. My beautiful sister daily shows me what a Godly mother looks like as she disciplines with love and Biblical basis. Her quiet and gentle spirit draws people to her as she shares kind words, cookies, and a bit of God's love with all she comes across. She shines with beauty as she loves our Grandma, who can be difficult to love at times.

I am so blessed to have a beautiful sister; one who truly shines with the beauty God intended women to have.

Dear Elijah

Dear Elijah,

Tomorrow you begin a whole new chapter of your life, school. I know you keep saying you are not excited and that you are a little bit scared too and I don't blame you. Starting something new is scary, but you are going to do so great. God has prepared you for this. You are so good at making friends and helping others feel included. You are always willing to give it your best. These qualities will make you successful at school. And really you will be good at anything you try.

It sounds cliche but I can't believe this day is already here. I confess there were days when you were an infant when I couldn't wait for you to grow up but now here you are growing up before my very eyes and I would give anything to go back to the days of your babyhood when you would look up at me and smile and we could cuddle on the couch.

There are a few things you need to know about school. First, always respect your teacher, even if you don't like them. Second, not all homework or things you learn in school will seem relevant at the time (or ever) but always do your best anyway. Third, kids are not always nice and sometimes people will say mean things to you. Just remember, if it isn't true, don't let it bother you. And as much as I love you, I will not always be able to solve or fix it, but you can always come and talk to me about anything. And last, no girlfriends until you are 25 and absolutely no kissing until you are married.

I love you, Elijah! You are going to be a great kindergartner.

Mom

The Proper Care and Feeding....of Grandma

One of the reasons I wanted to be back in SD was so I could help my beautiful sister with Grandma. It has been a job that is both enjoyable and frustrating at the same time. Grandma has changed over the years and it has been an adjustment learning to love this grandma.

One can hardly blame her. Life has not been easy for her. Losing a husband and two daughters to lung diseases is horrible. Helping care for your oldest daughter who is battling a losing battle with a lung disease is a bit cruel.

I have found it is especially easy to blow off Grandma when things get busy; like back to school time. But God had so burdened my heart with a conviction to make the effort; to love and care for her; to show her that the God she loves is a God who forgives and who loves (even noisy upstairs neighbors).