the hodges family: Happy Thanksgiving!

These are the best few months of the year...although crazy busy...the fall through the new year is so so much fun. Through the craziness, one thing we are really trying to instill in our children is having 'a heart of gratitude'. All throughout the year we strive to look for those 'teachable' moments where they can be learning how to not take for granted, and think of others before themselves, and be not only content but genuinely happy with all that we've been blessed with. Even us adults need reminders of that ourselves every so often. So to keep that at the forefront of our minds this year, I crafted a thanksgiving advent. ;) To which my husband asked, "Are we going to have an advent for every month of the year?" ha! No, honey...for now just November and December. There is no such thing as being overly thankful. God has truly blessed us...and I want our children to realize how much they have to be thankful for as well.

Here's our little Thanksgiving advent...

This year for Thanksgiving, Brent and I hosted the Hodges side of the family. My sister was a life saver in sending me step by step directions and links on you-tube as to how to manage the massive 24lb. turkey we purchased. Brent and I were so excited! I have to mention this, just so we don't ever forget it...3 am the morning of Thanksgiving Brent and I get up to take the turkey out of the brine it was soaking in for the previous 24 hours. As we were removing it from the massive bag of ice cold water, brine mixture to place in the roasting pan and get all ready for the oven...the bag it was in burst like a gigantic water balloon.

Brent and I were COVERED from literally head to to in ice cold, herb-filled water, to the point of having to go change our clothes, wipe our faces to our feet, off, etc. When Brent shouted, "I'm awake! I'm awake!" I lost it. Could not stop laughing. Delirious, yes. Hilarious, yes. Brent kept apologizing, over and over as our entire, kitchen (which was spotless and all ready for our company) was now covered in brine, cabinets, counters, the floors, all the way ou to the family room. And I just couldn't quit laughing. A Thanksgiving to remember, that's for sure. But after it was all said and done, we had such an amazing day with our extended family, and a delicious, juicy turkey! ;) Here are a few pictures from the day.

love this little man...