I've been tagged

OOOOOOOOO!! I'm so excited! My first tag! Thanks Mikey!! Here goes.....

1. Five names you go by
a) Janice
b) Jan
c) Mrs. H....
d) "Insert my kid's names here" 's mom
e) Mom

2. Three things you are wearing right now
a) black patent leather shoes
b) black quilted vest
c) long sleeved T shirt (this isn't all I'm wearing though)

3. Two things you want very badly right now
a) Resolution to some family drama
b) Lose some weight

4) Three people who will probably fill this out
Can't answer this one. No one reads my blog

5) Two things I did last night
a) Went to bed early
b) Did some Sudoku puzzles

6) Two things I ate today
a) Cheerios
b) Ham/cheese/mushroom omelette

7) Two people I last talked to on the phone
a) My son, Lucas
b) My friend, Kristi

8) Two things I am going to do tomorrow
a) Work
b) Attend 2 orchestra concerts, one at 7 pm one at 8 pm

9) Two longest car rides
a) Iowa to New Jersey
b) Iowa to California

10) My two favorite beverages
a) a good cup of strong, black coffee
b) diet pepsi

That was fun!!

I'm thankful for.....

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving which, to me, hails in the busyness of the Christmas season. It is after tomorrow that I shudder to think of even driving close to the mall or Super Target. It scares me.
Each Thanksgiving I hand out simple Thank You notes to my husband and kids and we all write 5 things we are grateful for. I don't allow the older ones to write simple, one word things. I want them to work at this, to quiet down for a minute and be specific about the blessings they have.
This is what I think I will write this year.

(1) I'm thankful that I was able to spend time with my dad just the weekend before he died. I hadn't planned to go there, it was just a spur of the moment thing. I'm glad I hugged him when I left.
(2) On the way home that day my sister and I drove through the storm that generated the F5 tornado that hit communities just 20 miles from my house killing, 8 people. I'm thankful for God's protection that evening.
(3) Just 2 weeks after the tornado struck, our community was hit with an unprecedented flood. Many, many people lost their homes and belongings and their sense of security. I lost nothing in the flood except for a few days of work. For that, I am thankful.
(4) I'm thankful for God's mercy and comfort as I heal from the sudden loss of my dad. I can't explain how difficult it has been. I miss him terribly.
(5) Finally, I can't not include these goofy, loud, precious children the Lord has entrusted to me and my husband. It is an honor to be their mother and I love (almost) everything about them. I cannot talk about them without mentioning their amazing father. My husband has put up with me for nearly 19 years and I'm sure there have been many times he would have loved to bail on me but toughed it out instead. He is a man of unquestionable integrity and faith. He is my biggest earthly blessing.

I want to encourage any one reading this (if anyone does read this:)) to slow down and be thankful, at least for tomorrow.

Has it started already?

Here it is, November 14th and dare I say that the holiday rush has started already? All is crazy in this part of Iowa, in this little house on the prairie.
Last Friday night we hosted about 11 couples from our Sunday School class for a game night. We lit a fire and justed enjoyed good conversation and, of course, LOTS of food.
Tonight I have signed up to participate in a progressive dinner given for the college students that attend our church. While I LOVE hosting people in our home and I love making desserts I failed to remember the "time change" that exists between college students and "real people". I should have figured this out when the college gal organizing all this called to talk to me at 10:15 PM. I am NOT a night person. I am in bed or wanting to be in bed by 9 pm and my productivity decreases steadily from about 4 pm on. I figured the kids would arrive here around 8 pm and I envisioned myself snug in my bed by 10. NOT. Turns out they aren't even planning to get here until 10:15 pm. I should have thought this whole thing through and volunteered for appetizers.
Tomorrow my daughter marches in the Veterans Day Parade. That evening Bob and I will be going to a steak house with a few other couples to get fat and greasy.
Sunday evening we are providing snacks for 40 high school kids from our Youth Group.
Monday evening we are headed to the UNIDOME to cheer on our hometown Vikings in the state playoffs. I am hoping to run into the Cheesecake Maven if I'm lucky.
Next Thursday the children of some dear friends of ours are spending the night at our place. They are 1 and 3. I'm scared. Every time the 1 year old has been here, he's cried the entire time. I will be spending ALL DAY Friday alone with them. Why does that scare me? I've raised 4 children of my own. I work with convicted felons on a daily basis. How bad will it be to tackle these two angels. I'll have to get back with you on that one.
I am looking forward to hosting my inlaws and some friends for Thanksgiving. Bob grills a turkey on the Weber grill. It is THE BEST. I don't know why we only do it once per year.
As you can see, I'm busy, just like all of you, and I'm fearing December will not be much better.