Early Thanksgiving Traditions Explained

Sometimes I think that we forget why we celebrate Thanksgiving and the people who started it in the first place. I believe that it is a good reminder to think back and thank those first settlers in the Americas and all that they sacrificed to make America what she is today. So I have done some research and found out why we celebrate some of our most favorite Thanksgiving traditions.

30 Days of Thankfulness in November - Day 17

Day 17 - Today I am grateful for my parents! I have the most loving, kind parents in the whole world. They would literately give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. My parents have taught me to enjoy life and love others. I am so thankful that they are my parents. I had a great life growing up and they are the best examples ever of Christ like love. Love you Mom and Dad!

12 days of Christmas

I found this in the Daily Herald Newspaper online. I have always wanted to do the 12 Day's of Christmas to someone, but never really had any good ideas of what to do.

I think that this is perfect!

The “12 Days of Christmas” is a standard part of the Christmas season — like Charlie Brown or mistletoe. It’s a fun little song with unknown origins, although there are speculations that circle. For a fun family service project, use the “12 Days of Christmas” as a catalyst for gift-giving to a family in your area.

Have everyone suggest people to receive the 12 Days of Christmas and why. Then discuss and decide as a family who should be the recipient or recipients. Perhaps it’s someone who is particularly lonely, or a family with health problems. Maybe it’s a family who has done extra nice things for you over the past year.
Use the verses, one for each day beginning on Dec. 13 and ending on Christmas Eve, and deliver tokens and a note explaining how it coincides with the song.

 We give examples of what could be given, although some may need to be tailored for the recipients. On the first night, include a note explaining what these nightly gifts are, for example: “Congratulations! You are receiving the gifts of the 12 Days of Christmas. Watch your doorstep each night until Christmas Eve to find out why we think your so great.”

It’s also fun to do this in secret. Leave each present on the doorstep, ring the bell and run. Watching from the bushes makes it even more fun.

I really love this version of the 12 days of Christmas, so I made these cute cards that you can print off for your own 12 day's of Christmas!

{Click on the picture to save it to your computer}

Gift list:
Day 1: Basket of pears
Day 2: Turtle chocolates and Dove chocolates
Day 3: Gift card for French Fries at a fast-food restaurant
Day 4: Whistle — any type, such as slide whistle, referee whistle, recorder, etc., available in toy departments or dollar stores.
Day 5: Candy Ring Pops
Day 6: Dozen eggs. If farm-fresh eggs are available in your area, all the better.
Day 7: Hand or dish towels
Day 8: Hot cocoa mix
Day 9: Candy canes
Day 10: Slipper socks
Day 11: Bouquet of balloons
Day 12: Collection of kitchen utensils such as a wooden spoon, spatula, whisk, etc., tied with a ribbon.

Enjoy & Merry Christmas!

20 Amazing Holiday Wreaths

Oh how I love this time of the year and gathering ideas to decorate my home for the holiday's. Christmas time is one of my favorite holiday's for so many reasons. I love the colors and I am a freak for red, green, and white. I love the music, and the atmosphere! Most people don't like the snow, but I love it! It is peaceful and white and pure. Plus I can watch it from my window!

Here is a collection of Holiday wreaths that will get your creative juices rolling! Notice how most of them are red, green, and white. I told you I am drawn to those colors. I just can't help it!

What are your favorite colors to decorate with? What is your favorite part of the season?

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30 days of Thankfulness in November - Day 16

Day 16 - Yup I went there! Food. I like to eat I am not going to lie. My favorite is Mexican! I love me some Mexican food, especially tacos. I could eat them everyday!

I found this yummy spin on tacos and thought that I would share. You can find the recipe here.

30 days of Thankfulness in November - Day 15

Day 15 - Today I am so thankful for this sweet little girl, my squishy! After we had our fourth child and it was a girl we were happy and thought that we were done having kids. For a while I was just fine and happy. My family was complete. However when Kaylee was about six months old I started to feel like there was someone missing. And here she is. Kierstin is the caboose for our family and we just wouldn't have been truly complete without her. She is my chunky little monkey and such a happy little girl.

I am so grateful to have this little girl in my life. She has brought so much joy and happiness during hard times. I love this little girl!

30 days of Thankfulness in November - Day 14

Day 14 - I am so thankful for this sweet girl! All I ever wanted was a daughter. I wanted to experience having a little girl and then growing up with her and shopping for prom and wedding dresses. Don't get me wrong, I love my boys more than anything, but there is something special about having a daughter. I remember the day that we found out that we were having a girl. I cried all day long.

She has been such a blessing in my life and I am so grateful that she is my daughter and I get to be her mom.

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer - Printable

Check out this cute printable that would be the perfect touch for anyone! I love it so much and you can find it here!

30 Days of Thankfulness in November - Day 13

Day 13 - Today I am so grateful that I got to live in the amazing country of Germany for 4 years! I miss this place so much that it hurts. I think that this is one of the most beautiful places ever and so rich in culture.

After the hubs and I had been married for a year he joined the Army and we were stationed in Germany for 4 years. I grew up so much while living there. We were so far away from home and all alone, but we made life long friends who became family.

I miss this place so much. I long to return to Germany and the beauty that it is. I am so thankful that I was able to live here for a short time!

30 Days of Thankfulness in November - Day 12

Day 12 - Today I am thankful for this little man! Where to begin with this one..... He is my middle child. Nuf said. Ashton is a ball of energy and a softy, however he doesn't like people to know that. He is the child that if someone starts crying or gets hurt you automatically think he had something to do with it. He is one tuff cookie. Ashton is also my sick child. He has Reactive Airway and gets Croup all of the time. I hate it, it is not fun watching your child suffer and have a hard time breathing.

I am so grateful that Ashton is mine. He might be ruff around the edges, but he is all boy and he has the best personality! I love this kid with all my heart! He will always be my baby boy!

30 Days of Thankfulness in November - Day 11

Day 11 - Today I am thankful for my Veteran! I am proud to say that my hubby is a Veteran of the United States Army! We proudly served our Country and my husband fought for the freedoms that we have today. I am so proud for all of the sacrifices that he and so many others have given for me and my family.

Thank you to all the Veterans today! 

30 Days of Thankfulness in November - Day 10

Day 10 - Today I am thankful for this kiddo. Braden is my second oldest. He has such a kind heart and he loves to play with others. He is a lover of all creatures. This kid loves animals and critters, he would take in every stray cat that came along if I let him. He also got my creative gene! You can always find him making something out of paper. You name it and he has probably made it!

I am so grateful that I get to be his mom.

30 Days of Thankfulness in November - Day 9

Day 9 - Today I am grateful for my son that made me a momma for the first time! My oldest Trevin. I might be somewhat biased, but isn't he handsome?

This teenager is such a loving, hard working, caring person. He always wants to help out and make sure that I get the help that I need with the chores. He loves to cook and help with his little sisters. I couldn't have asked for a better oldest child. He has been a trooper being the "test" child because I had no idea how to be a mom. I guess that I did something right because he sure has turned out good!

30 Days of Thankfulness in November - Day 8

Day 8 - Today I am thankful for my siblings! There are six of us total, but eight if you count my sister-in-law and hubby. Yes that is me on the end large and prego, I still had four months left to go! I am the oldest of six kids, I have three brothers and two sisters. It was always fun growing up. There was always someone to play with and we were all buds.

I love my siblings and I am thankful that we all grew up together!

30 Days of Thankfulness in November - Day 7

Day 7 - Okay so I am a day late and this couldn't be a better thing to be thankful for this week, because three of my five kids have had croup this week.

My little family has had it's share of sickness over the years and we get it just like everyone else. However I have one child that makes modern medicine at the top of my thankful list.

My youngest son has reactive airway disease and because of that he gets croup all of the time! And when I say all of the time I mean that he is six years old and he has had it about every other month all year long with the exception of summer (thank goodness for that break) for his whole life.

We have been to the ER many times. We have been on many medications. We have seen different doctors. We had to use an ambulance. And to top it all off, we have been admitted to the local children's hospital for a couple of day's because nothing was working. And this is all for the same child.

I am so thankful that I live in a time and place where we have these modern medical advancements, because no one wants to see their child struggling to breath. It is very, very scary.

November and December Reusable Calendars

I made these calendars a while ago. I know that it is already November, but I thought that I would share them anyway. So if you need a blank calendar that you can use over and over again then here you go. Oh and here is December also. Enjoy! 

You can find the November calendar here and the December calendar here.

30 Days of Thankfulness in November - Day 6

Day 6 - Today I am thankful that I live in a state that has all four seasons. I grew up in Utah and Nevada and I sure did miss those winters with snow. I know that I am not like normal people because I love the snow. I love how peaceful and quiet the world seems when it is snowing and then the pureness and crispness of the fresh white snow. I love it! 

I am also a huge fan of the Fall colors! I am lucky enough to live close to many different mountain ranges and we often find ourselves out on an adventure, and what better time of the year to do that than when the fall foliage is in full swing.

I am very grateful that I can live in such a beautiful place. What is your favorite season?