Thanksgiving and How it Started...

As we bow our heads this Thanksgiving to thank God for all His blessings, let us remember how this tradition started. The Pilgrims arrived in America in December 1620 and experienced a harsh winter of extreme hunger and starvation in which half of them died. Also remember what drove the Pilgrims to this land was a desire to exercise their religious freedom, to chose how to worship based on their beliefs and not the whims of a king of a country.

The following summer, the Pilgrims reaped a bountiful harvest. As Pilgrim Edward Winslow (who later became their governor) affirmed, "God be praised, we had a good increase of corn. . . . [and] by the goodness of God, we are far from want." The grateful Pilgrims therefore declared a three-day feast in December 1621 to thank God and to celebrate with their friends.

Ninety Indians joined the fifty Pilgrims for three days of food (which included shellfish, lobsters, turkey, corn bread, berries, deer, and other foods), of (the young Pilgrim and Wampanoag men engaged in races, wrestling matches, and other athletic events), and of prayer. This celebration – America's first Thanksgiving Festival – was the origin of the holiday that Americans now celebrate each November.

Happy Thanksgiving – don’t eat too much!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

When life seems grim, what can you do to find reasons to be grateful? Follow these suggestions. Think about it differently. Remember a time when something positive came out of a negative experience, recommends psychologist Robert A. Emmons in his book, Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier. Be aware of the little things. "What makes a difference in life are the little things," says psychologist Karen Sherman, Ph.D., and author of Mindfulness and The Art of Choice: Transform Your Life. "Are there little ones in your life that allow you to see the world through their innocent eyes? Do you have the safety of shelter? Are you blessed with good friends or neighbors? Can you say that you are healthy or have recovered from an illness?" Help someone else. What have you done to help someone else recently? "Most of all, can you say that you have touched the life of another person? When you have, in fact, made a difference in someone's life, you have made a great contribution. And for that, you have a lot for which to be grateful," says Sherman.

What Do You Think?

Last month my brother in-law and his wife invited us to spend our Thanksgiving Day in their house at Durham, NC. We agreed to go there since this will be our first and maybe our last Thanksgiving Day together and it would only take us 2 1/2 to 3 hours drive. We are all excited! Anyway, just yesterday, he called and said that we will be going to his mother in-law for Thanksgiving. I said to my husband "what?" They invited us to somebody elses dinner, instead of theirs. I said to my husband, we will not go and that's final. I can not believe it! To think that we don't even met those people yet. I don't understand how could they do that, Maybe if his parents in-law were the one who invited us, then that is different. What do you guys think? Would you go or not?

Breakfast and Lunch with Dad

Today is a father and child Thanksgiving Lunch at my son's school; but unfortunately, hubby has to go to work. I ended up going there myself instead. I am glad that Mrs. Young (Jakes' teacher) allowed Moms to come if Dads are not available. The lunch turned out to be good. Foods were great! I forgot to take picture of it, but anyway there was slice of turkey, mashed potato, green beans, cookie, roll and tea and milk. I like it and I think kids love the foods, too for most of them ate all their foods on the tray. I have to pay for my foods ($3), well that wasn't bad.Yesterday morning was a breakfast with Dad, too! Matt was working so my son and other kids whose fathers weren't there ended up eating inside their classroom instead in cafeteria. Wonder why there is no breakfast or lunch with Moms. That's ok!

Jacob is Excited about Thanksgiving Day...

Thanksgiving is coming very, very soon; and my son is very excited about it. He can not wait; he keeps asking me if it is Thanksgiving Day already. I haven't talk to him about it yet, but at school they started teaching them about it and I am very pleased with that. He talks about the Thanksgiving dinner every time he gets homes from school; funny but he made me feel excited, too! My brother in-law and his wife invited us to spend Thanksgiving with them in Durham; and that’s fixed. Jacob and his cousin will be sleeping on the same bed for the first time and he is very excited about that. We are glad Jake and Cody are very close to each other.