Thanksgiving Friday

A new trend, dare we call it a tradition, is feasting and having Thanksgiving on Friday.
It's has worked for people's schedules, and had made for a richer, calmer celebration.
So Thursday becomes a very stress free day - we linger at home. We finish cleaning with no rush, we prepare the foods that need prep, no rush, we linger and play games, no rush, we do a few chores, no rush, we went for a walk, no rush. Did I mention no rush, no stress.

So Friday becomes a great day to celebrate. I get up early and do a bit of work and go do store checks because it is Black Friday and I do work retail, but no rush. I even had time to hit the gymn for my daily workout. Got home to help with the final prep work. Ok, let's be candid, it helps to be married to an incredible cook and hostess. Anyhow, come 3 pm we are gathered in and ready to dine. The family is gathered, the cousins who are home are gathered, the food is ready and served, we feast. A simple combination for one of the most delightful holidays of the year.

Happy Friday thanksgiving. Come join us next year.

(Having problems posting photos)

FLASHBACK - An Armstrong Thanksgiving

Life still happpened before I blogged - so here is a favorite flashback

There are many people that question the value of public high schools in our communities both the institutions and the students. At this Thanksgiving time of year our family would be very ungrateful indeed not to share for the incredible Fall our son has had at Armstrong High School. The students, the coaches, and the teachers have combined to show a huge amount of kindness, acceptance and embracing of diversity.

Our son, Evan, is a 16-year-old sophomore at Armstrong High School. Like many boys his age he is on the football, wrestling and track teams; he struggles a little with his social and science classes, and loves singing in the Varsity choir. He loves both the social and academic parts of school. He thrives on the vibrancy of a large high school with the multitude of opportunities for all students. One difference with Evan is that he was born with Down Syndrome.

A few weeks ago Evan was nominated for homecoming royalty. He, we, were thrilled and delighted by the inclusion and the honor. We attended the Homecoming pep fest and with other parents watched our youth participate. Evan was introduced and he carried himself well, head held high with an arm extended to his female counter-part. We were genuinely delighted by the round of applause he received. At the end of the pep fest when the royalty winners were announced, we were thrilled to hear announced Evan’s name. Then even more thrilling was the roar of approbation. The crowd screamed, clapped, stood and stomped and we as Evan’s parents sat and cried. Tears of gratitude for a school and community that embraces diversity and inclusion. Yes, a reason for an Armstrong Thanksgiving.

This was no fluke; a few weeks later another outpouring of kindness and acceptance occurred. . Evan has been a member of the Sophomore B-squad football team. Coach Dave Hansen and Coach Dan Enna have made it an incredible season. If you’ve ever had a son play football you know what a religion it can be. Evan is a zealous convert to the sport. He trained daily with the team in a safe environment, carefully orchestrated by the coaches. Fast-forward to the Minnetonka B-squad game. Game situation is 4^th quarter, 2^nd and goal from the 8^-yard line, Minnetonka is ahead. Armstrong calls time out. The coach runs out onto the field and has a conversation so that the refs, the Minnetonka coaches and players are all on the same page. After the time-out, Evan goes in as halfback and his number is called. The snap, the hand-off, Armstrong forms a type of wedge up the middle Evan goes high-stepping up the middle crossing the goal-line as the Minnetonka players deliberately move back. He SCORES! All celebrate as Evan runs off the field. The clock – records no change; the scoreboard - records no change; the yard markers - record no change. But a change there has been: another outpouring of graciousness and kindness by the officials, the coaches, and the players of Minnetonka and Armstrong. They gave a minute of fame and glory to a young man who loves football, and loves playing the game with “the guys” but who clearly can’t compete on the same field. Thank you to coaches who train and lead our young men and who are willing to set an example of inclusion and kindness.

Evan stands a little taller, Evan speaks a little clearer, Evan celebrates a little more. This November 25^th is for us an Armstrong Thanksgiving.

Cousins, Cousins, Everywhere part2

Lindsey & Everett - Jen & Tanner - Laure & Tyler - Julie & June

Mackey - Michael, Marie - Julie, Blair - Jen, Eric - Lindsay, Everett -  Tyler, Laura, Robert

 The Illinois/Wisconsin contingent gathered together for a Saturday night dinner. Yes, we could have been at the BYU Basketball game , played here in town , but we forsook the hoops game for hanging out. I was going to take a picture in the basement but it looked like a bomb had gone off so i passed. The kids were having too much fun to be condemned by my camera. In the meantime it was calm for awhile in the kitchen so we took a couple  of photos. (Josh was with his  recouping girls  so they passed this round and were missed)

Gathering and Games

whether duck duck grey duck (read not goose)
or table chat it was all fun

Silent gratitude isn't very much use to anyone

We were discussing with our home teacher how The Sunday morning session of Conference  has historically contained the thematic or keystone talk of the prophet. It might be because more people attend Sunday Morning session, that the church has better distribution of the broadcast Sunday morning , or tradition. Nonetheless, it was interesting re-reading President Monson's address of Sunday Morning - "The Divine Gift of Gratitude" Truly gratitude is a life changing attribute and state of being.

As he recounted the story of feeding the 4,000. I reflected upon times in my life when I have  - " Like many of us, the disciples saw only what was lacking" . In the midst of a trial it is oft time difficult to gain the eternal perspective, maintain a positive outlook, and project and be an attitude of gratitude. I have consciously tried to cultivate an attitude of gratitude to as President Monson quoted - Said the Greek philosopher Epictetus, “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. Grateful for what? For all the wonderful things that God has done to make me  / us happy. As CS.Lewis said in his book " We are not quite as happy yet as HE wants us to. God wants us to be happy both now and through eternity and does all he can to facilitate it if we will but subject ourselves to his will. "The prospects that God has opened to our view are Wonderful and Grand." I am grateful.



" We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues. Someone has said that “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others . . . Often we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don’t get around to it. Someone has said that “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. . .  to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven".

 And so at the close of Thanksgiving season and the start of the Christmas season my heart swells with gratitude for my Rindy, my children and their families, my health, my opportunities, my material blessings, books, friends and temple. I think the thoughts started to formulate as I read Kristin's blog, then built as we discussed Presidents Monson's talk in Priesthood, fed further by our home teacher - I'm grateful for our Savior and the plan of happiness. My heart does indeed touch heaven.

Thanksgiving Feasting

No one does it better. Rindy served another great feast. We more than ate our fill.
The dishes are now done so we can sit down to pie and a bit of gaming.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Getting Closer

So what to do?

The table is spread.

What to do indeed!

Its time for a parade.

We drove downtown for the Chicago McDonald's Thanksgiving Day parade. An easy drive downtown, convenient parking and temperate weather (high 30's). The trip was Blair, Julie, Dean, Eden, Mac, and us; we missed the boys who are at John & TJ's. The parade had many marching bands dancing and playing up a storm; inflatibles, dancers, horses and the like. Definitely a fun parade.

Thanksgiving Warm Up

As anyone could note the official cooking has commenced as Eden and Rindy are stirring the pot. How can you not be thankful with a partner who delights us with exquisite food and a grand-daughter who lights the room. It will be a glorious Thanksgiving.We are indeed blessed.