Happy Thanksgiving 2010!

This year the Fisher family certainly has a lot to be thankful for.

One of the main people on my gratitude list is a certain little 'just turned three-year-old'. He really is a little silly turkey most of the time and has been keeping me on my toes a lot lately!



If you know anything about me, you know I have a major sweet tooth, so these two delicious pies are certainly on the list too.



This year we started a new family tradition by making a 'Thankful Tree' after dinner this afternoon. I had planned to make a tree from a branch and pot filled with stones, but I never did get around to it with all of the holiday hoopla. Instead, each family member wrote a few things that they are thankful for on construction paper leaves and I arranged them into a pine-cone center-piece that I keep on my dining table.






There were a few interesting additions to the 'tree'. While I was pretty impressed that Curtis had God on one of his leaves, I was not surprised that both boys put the Wii on a leaf. I did enjoy using this thoughtful time together to bond as a family and will continue to try to instill the practice of active gratitude into my two boys.



I have seen first hand how drastically active gratitude can change a life, and while I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving I would also like to take this time to remind you to be mindful of your blessings all year round.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

ATrain Ride North

Recently, Clark and I took a train ride up north to visit my family. We rode up on an over-night train, getting as much sleep as possible while the train carried us through the Bible-belt states.

Here you can see as Clark waved to Paw Paw excitedly as the train pulled away.



Clark was very excited to ride on the train. I began discussing it with him about a week before the trip and he asked at least twice a day to "get on the train." I don't know what it is about little boys and the train, but it is definitely a match made in heaven.


After we woke up on the train the next morning, we had breakfast in our seats and prepared to depart in Raleigh, NC.



Instantly we knew we were under-dressed for the weather, so we pulled out our hoodies and headed to the rental car place for the next part of our trip.




Visiting Grandmom and Grandpop was really fun. Clark got to bounce in a bounce house, visit a really cool children's museum, and feed goats on a real working farm. We both had a great time catching up with my parents and enjoying the peacefulness of their country home.

We also got to visit my oldest brother and his family while on our trip. It was so great seeing them, and both Clark and I were very sad to leave when the time came.



While I mostly enjoyed my nephew's company, I also enjoyed his drum kit just a little bit.



And Clark and I both enjoyed a wonderful Japanese meal cooked by my super cool Sister-in-law. Don't worry we didn't give Clark any of the sake!

I would definitely recommend overnight train travel to families with children. While I didn't get a great night's sleep either way, it was nice to be able to just sit back and relax as the work of the travel was being done for me. Clark LOVED everything about the train and still talks about it to this day. We are discussing a trip north with the whole family for sometime in the future, but for now I am enjoying being back home in my own bed (and my own warm-weather home state).