In this Thanksgiving week I am thankful for so many things.† One thing that I am thankful for surprised me as I counted my blessings this week.

I am thankful that I have been laid off.† As crazy as this sounds, I truly believe the last 5 months have taught me so much about myself and my life.† I am stronger than I ever thought I was.† I have learned some things about the way I manage money.† I have learned that I can live on VERY MUCH LESS than I thought.† I don’t make much† money but I will never again spend money on things I don’t need. I would go into Wal-Mart and I may as well have torn up a $100. Most of what I ‘had to have’ was things I could very easily live without. I will never again not have savings if at all possible.† I will save a larger portion of my check every week.

The best part of being laid off has been the blessings I have received.† The people in my life who have gone beyond anything Keilee or I could imagine.† I could write a post about each and every person who has blessed us.† It would be the longest post I have ever written.† What I have taken from this experience is what an act of kindness to others can do.† Keilee and I can not wait until I am back employed.† We can not wait to bless people as we have been blessed.

Monday was our last Co-op of the year.† Ever since Keilee has been homeschooled we have not done Co-op.† I am so glad we did it this year.† We have met amazing people and Keilee has made such great friends, some new and some she has become closer with.† Keilee made Reindeer cupcakes and Indian TeePees in Cupcake Class and we had a Christmas party after classes.
Keilee made crystals this week.† They turned out beautifully.† The recipe is here.† Crystals† Even the bottom of the jars were beautiful.

Keilee has been knitting like crazy this week.† She is make these huge headbands and making them like different animals. No pattern, she just knows what she wants and does it.† She is so much more creative than I am!† So far she has made a dog, a cat and a Mustache Frog.

The weather has been beautiful here although it is supposed to be COLD this weekend.† We have been spending time outside. Keilee took these pictures.† The dog is our neighbor’s dog.† Isn’t he gorgeous?

One things I have learned from homeschooling is that my house will never be neat and orderly. I have learned am trying to learn to live with that. Everywhere is evidence of this lovely, creative child I have.† A stranger could walk through this house and immediately know what her passions are.† I don’t think they would have a clue about mine…

Here are a few of my favorite Instagram pictures from the week.† Our library closed this week for a 2 month renovation!† We got the maximum allowed 50 books and 4 audio books.† We can keep them until February.† I think I am going to have to go to a nearby city and join their library.† I can not imagine that long without going to a library!† Keilee has been trying to roll her hair to make it VERY curly for her Amy March role.† Look at those curls!!† Nomad is her guinea pig.† He has learned to just relax and live with it.

A HUGE blessing this week came from Christy at Unexpected Homeschool.† Her and her adorable daughter Amber sent Keilee a big box of goodies.† All of her favorite things.† They also blessed me for which I was so grateful for.† I sat on the floor and cried and just could not believe it.† Thank you sweet Christy.† You do not know how much that meant to me and it came at the absolute perfect time.

Keilee is not 100% well but she is feeling better.† She got a cold/sinus infection on top of her stomach problems.† But she is feeling much better now.

I woke up on Thanksgiving day and began to cook for Daddy’s house.† Keilee jumped out of bed and ran into the den to turn on the only channel we get with our antennae to watch the Macy’s Parade.† She kept calling me in to look at this float or hear that song. I just had cold chills from the memories..… Mother cooking all day to get food ready to go to our Nanny’s house and my brothers and I watching the parade and calling Mother in to see things.† If you don’t believe life comes full circle, move into the home you grew up in.† Because it does…oh yes it does.† After 4 1/2 years I still miss my Mother every day.† More so on holidays.

We spent Thanksgiving afternoon and evening at Daddy and Marlene’s.† We had way too much food and it was so yummy.† Then we played games on the iPad.† Keilee and Seth has a contest going on Train Conductor app.† I think it is 99¢ now but I got it free on “Apps Gone Free”.† You HAVE all downloaded that right??? The Train Conductor game seriously freaks me out. I could NEVER have that many things going at once!† Then Eddie, Seth and I played Scene It Movies 2. I LOVE movie trivia!† I couldn’t find it in the app store to link up here. Not sure what is up with that!† I have had it since I first got my iPhone about 5 years ago. † I LOVE that game and it is a great app.† These apps are my favorite resources this week.† Pictures are of my Daddy and my brother.

What a great Thanksgiving week we have had.† We have so much in a world where so many have so little.† And we are thankful, every single day, we are thankful.

Homeschooling Rocks!
Karen

“The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.† No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. “ ~H.U. Westermayer

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”† ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Linking with Mary at “Collage Friday”
Susan at “Favorite Resources“