Happy Thanksgiving!

Our Thanksgiving Tree is done, as done as it can be this year. There have been many things we have noted that we are thankful for, yet so many more that we haven't had time to comment on.

This year Thanksgiving falls on a very special day in my life, and because of that I am posting my Happy Thanksgiving to you all a day early so I can dedicate tomorrow to this occasion. "Mr. Cartwright" and I were married 15 years ago. For this I am eternally grateful. More on this tomorrow...

Friends, Happy Thanksgiving.

Leaves #31-35

Our tree is getting very full. I pray our hearts are too.

"Mr. Cartwright": Max, our family dog
"Mrs. Cartwright": Godly upbringing
"Little Joe": being taught by my mom in school
"Marie": my bed
"Inger": daddy telling bedtime stories

More Thankfulness~ #26-30

"Mr. Cartwright": my job
"Mrs. Cartwright": my freedom
"Little Joe": my clothes
"Marie": my new Bible (Thank you, Mr. Tim Borland)
"Inger": Bible, birds, and bees

Thankfulness cures the heart of complaining and grumbling and discontent.

Leaves #21-25

Our Thanksgiving Tree is growing many new leaves. I realize in Autumn leaves are usually falling off, but ours are definitely growing new ones.


"Mr. Cartwright": "Little Joe", "Marie", and "Inger"
"Mrs. Cartwright": my four precious children
"Little Joe": my home
"Marie": my family
"Inger": "Hoss" to come home (I realize this is not a thanks, but rather a request. She asks for me to put this on every single time we add a leaf, so I just had to this time. I take it as an anticipation of answered prayer:)

More leaves~ #16-20

"Mr. Cartwright": My wife
"Mrs. Cartwright": other believers in Jesus
"Little Joe": the ability to play the trumpet
"Marie": my brother's being in a safe place
"Inger": numbers (you've got love that one; I'll be reminding her of this when she is in the midst of algebra)

I Thessalonians 4:7 "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

#11-15

Here are the next 5 leaves added to our thanksgiving tree.

"Mr. Cartwright": my son, Josh
"Mrs. Cartwright": adoption
"Little Joe": Max a.k.a. "Cochise"
"Marie": my house
"Inger": butterflies

Give me your top 5 things you find yourself thankful for today.

The Thanksgiving Tree

So, you may say it is a little early to start thinking about Thanksgiving. I say, "Having children in the house, every day is an opportunity to talk about thanksgiving." Contentment and selflessness are always subjects being discussed at the Ponderosa. These things do not come naturally. These character qualities take hard work to instill; many times I'm looking in the mirror as I exhort my children in these areas. Every year around this time, I imagine spending all my "spare" time doing beautiful fall crafts with my children, helping them to focus on the themes of harvest, plenty and thanksgiving. Every year, I fall short. So this year, we are starting a bit early. I encourage each of you moms out there to plan ahead and come up with a creative way to inspire your children to tackle the heart of Thanksgiving. We are making a Thanksgiving Tree that we will add leaves to each day with the many things we have to be thankful for. As my children add their individual leaves I will post them here. I would love for you to write or leave a comment about what you have chosen to do this season to celebrate the gift of gratefulness.

"Mrs. Cartwright"- my wonderful hubby

"Little Joe"- The Bible

"Marie"- my sister

"Inger"- God