Today is the last day of November!  That means I spent some time decorating today and listening to Christmas music.  It’s a good day.  What’s on my mind this week:

• This week has been full of projects, papers and procrastination.  The three “P’s”.  I felt overwhelmed, so instead of diving into all that I have due…I let it go, and ended up working at the last minute.  And once I got my papers going? Not so bad at all.  Isn’t that the way it usually works?

• I’m tired.  The “can’t keep my eyes open” kind of tired.  This morning I took advantage of Charlotte’s nap and took one myself.  It didn’t work…I’m still tired!

• We decided to cut back on our spending by getting rid of our cable last week.  I knew it was coming, but when Andrew called on the way home from work letting me know we only had until midnight for a last chance at TV?  I was upset.  I now realize, even though I don’t spend a TON of time watching TV, that I may be addicted to “my shows”.  We now have no cable, but have Netflix along with Netflix streaming.  I am now newly addicted to “Friday Night Lights” which has not helped with my procrastination!

• I have found myself thinking back to last Christmas and how little Miss C was.  It’s amazing to think that one year ago we put up our tree and our little angel sat in her bouncer staring at the lights and colors, cooing and smiling.  We have yet to put the tree up, but I know this year will be different.  This year, she will know what a tree is…and this year…she may not sit still and admire it so nicely.  I realize each year will be a new change, and that in itself is exciting :).

• Did I mention I darkened my hair last week?  Probably not.  It’s not a huge change, but I like it and love that it will be another way to cut down on our spending.  Scroll down to our Thanksgiving pics, and see for yourself!

Happy Wednesday.  We are expecting snow tonight…just in time for December!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving—the most wonderful day of the year as it is a day of eating anything you want, a day of giving thanks, and a day that (for me) will kick off the Christmas season.

I have so much to be thankful for this year.  We have a healthy 14 month old little girl who brings our family so much love and joy.  Andrew and I were married in October and are so thankful for the most beautiful wedding, and caring family and friends who joined us to celebrate.  We have our health, a home, Andrew has a wonderful job while I am in graduate school and we are blessed with our faith and a church home.

We know there will be many changes to come over the months and years, and although nothing is *perfect* I am thankful to have the gifts of the present moment.  I have learned that uncertainty marks the beginning of a change you can not yet anticipate.  I can only pray, work hard, and stay dedicated to my family—and by doing that and staying present we can work towards our future. 

Tomorrow is the official day to give thanks for every blessing we may have, but I only hope that I am able to give thanks to God each and every day for blessing me and my family.  Giving thanks may be the best gift we can give one another this season.  So don’t miss it.  By being thankful for those around you who have brought joy, help, love, kindness, care, grace and humility—you can’t go wrong. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my loved ones, near and far.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ~Colossians 3:17

Do you ever look forward to something SO MUCH that by the time it comes along your expectations have made it impossible to truly enjoy the experience?  I can say for me, this tends to happen a lot.

I think being a full-time Mommy has made me live week to week truly looking forward to the weekend, a short getaway, a family outting, or even a night out for dinner with my husband.  They are usually “little things” but my plans sometimes make it impossible to fulfill my expectations, and if what I am expecting doesn’t work out…I usually end up dissapointed.

Last year around the holidays our pastor, Craig Barnes, gave a sermon on expectations vs. expectancy.  It is a sermon that has really stuck with me over the past year.  He talked about enjoying the holiday season to the fullest, and remembering the true meaning of Christmas without having so many “expectations” for the busy-ness of the season.

What is expectancy?  That was my first question.  “Expectancy” is based on the law of faith.  Having true faith, means NOT having expectations for people, events, holidays, your children, parents etc etc.  It is living your life knowing that if you trust in God you won’t be disappointed.  At the end of the day ALL of those other “expectations” you have will ultimately disappoint.

This past weekend I struggled with this concept.  Andrew had been out of town all week for work.  Charlotte had been teething.  I was stressed, and very much looking forward to the weekend expecting family time, help, relaxation and “outings”.  I realized quickly that my expectations exceeded reality, and I felt disappointed.

Praying about it really helped me to realize what is important, and what exactly I was upset about.  I thought about this sermon from last year, and realized that if we are TRULY going to enjoy this holiday season, and our marriage and our lives..than I need to let go of expectations and live a life full of faith.  It’s not easy.  I’m aware of this, and on paper I can say I will “do this, and not do that, and be faithful” etc etc…but I know at times I will fail.  It’s part of life, and sin and let-downs come at times when we need God the most.

Once I understood this was what I was doing…I felt a little better.  I was able to look outside of MYSELF and MY wants and needs to the goodness of God, and the goodness of the blessings in my life. 

I think this lesson is especially important this time of year, when the excitement of the holidays are upon us.  If everyone could take a moment, step back, and breathe…it may make our hearts a little lighter for a littler longer. :)

Have you heard of the term “second hand embarrassment”?  It may not even be an actual term, but in college my friends and I used it a lot.  Second hand embarrassment can occur when a friend does something embarrassing (like talk REALLY loud in a movie) that in turn makes YOU feel that embarrassment because you are associated with them. 

Another example: hearing about the incredibly awful allegations against Jerry Sandusky, former PSU football coach.  I am an alumna of Penn State University, and although I am forever “Penn State Proud”, I have had feelings of second hand embarrassment this week as I continue to follow this devastating case.  Without going into details—I will say my face has felt a little red as we “PSU-ers” feel our pride being taken away.

Something else I hate to admit?  Having this feeling with my sweet little girl. (!) Yesterday at Gymboree, Charlotte was SO excited.  So overly excited that she was shrieking to the point it sounded like she was actually growling at the kids.  She didn’t want to sit still, she didn’t want to do any of the scheduled activities etc etc.  It was the first time I realized my baby is finding some independence and is not a “sit still and do as you’re told” type child.  All the other kids were “behaving”…but not my child!

After class, I realized I was comparing her to some of the other kids.  I realized I had a little bit of that second hand embarrassment during our class.  I felt like a jerk.  Like a horrible parent for even letting these thoughts cross my mind.

But you know what?  Charlotte, like Penn State, will always make me proud no matter what.  Even if I may have doubts, and thoughts that may lead to some second hand embarrassment…at the end of the day Penn State is my place.  And Charlotte—she is perfect to me.  Absolutely 100% perfect. 

Because that’s what love is.  Knowing someones flaws, imperfections, quirks, and sins along with all the good stuff and loving them unconditionally. 

…And mayyyybe picking up a few books at the library on “toddler behaviors and how to correct them!”  <3

(psst…)  See that cute little box in the upper left hand corner of Pearls to Pampers?  If you love me as much as I love writing on this little blog, would you please click on it to vote for us for Top Baby Blogs?  I know, I know….you’re all tired of me asking you to vote for things.  I promise this will be my last request.

(maybe not LAST, but at least for a very long time!)

If you could click on it every time you visit P2P, I would be even more grateful!  Thank you :)

Much Love,

K, A and Miss CG xo