Turkey Day

We decided to try and keep the holiday low stress, so home was very appealing. Thankfully some of our new friends had no travel plans for the holiday either. The Ruiz's had the joy of hosting Thanksgiving at our new home. Usually this is something I totally stress about, but I'm excited to say this time I really tried to enjoy myself and it was a wonderful time.

I thoroughly enjoyed decorating and making it feel festive. I was very happy with the table decor and it warmed my heart as we shared stories of our favorite foods and holiday experiences.

I also made a few flower arrangements for the food island.

While we waited for everything to cook the boys enjoyed some tackle football in the cool crisp fall air. It was so fun to watch two boys who historically don't like to be pinned play ball grinning from ear to ear as they took each other down.

Coleton and Tinsley are real close in age to Caleb and Makaylee. As we sat down to enjoy an amazing meal I got some sweet and fun faces.

Tinsley

Coleton

The funniest quote of the day occured as Caleb engaged in a converstation with Lucia our friend who is due with her first baby any day now. Caleb pointed at her belly and said, "this is Hayden and then he point northeast of the baby bump and asked what is her name?"

Sticking with a tradition we started last year I made turkey shirts for the kids. I thought it would be fun to have a tangible item to see how much they've grown. Last year we used cloth paint and this year we traced their hands on construction paper and then scanned them into my scrapbooking software, so I could edit them and make them fun. Each year I will try to come up with a new creative way to make these shirts Caleb loves.

The event was a blast and further solidified all we have to be thankful for. Caleb made this during MOPS earlier in the week and it brought tears to see him recall and thank God for our loved ones far away.

With our bellies full and a big weekend ahead we got the kiddos ready for bed, said our prayers and reflected on all the amazing blessings we have in this life.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Silver and Gold

So I've been a little Debbie Downer lately. I think having a lot on our plate has contributed, but I also think I'm missing my gold. Say what? Do you remember the song from Brownies "make new friends but keep thee old, one is silver and the other's gold"? Well, lately I've really been missing my sweet (old) friends. It is kind of compares to that favorite pair of jeans that fits just right. You have history and know what to expect. At the beginning of the day they may be a little tight, but you know exactly how they will fit at the end of the day. They are just comfy and safe. We love it in Pittsburgh. I am thankful for so many things about our current situation, but I do miss the friends that felt like family in the Big D.

I am supposed to be writing about what I'm thankful for and I can honestly say I am extremely excited and grateful that in the mist of my pity party, God showed up. He allows does. Just as I was feeling lonely and missing my old life God reminded me that even though I treasure and value the past relationships He has blessed me with, there are new treasures to be found. Yesterday, I was probably feeling my lowest. I really didn't want to go to MOPS. Just a bunch of faces that you make small talk with for a few hours and then you depart only to do it again 2 weeks later. I almost didn't go and I had the perfect excuse since my sweet buddy decided to sleep until I finally woke him at 9:40. Thankfully however, I don't like to waste money and I figured I paid for this I need to go. So we hustled to get ourselves ready and get to MOPS an hour and a half late. I made it just in time for the guest speaker, who was such an encouragement and then we had our discussion time. Randomly (I am sure it was God) I found out that my small group leader lives 3 houses down from me, has a little boy 3 months younger than Caleb and a husband that loves hunting. It was like a sun beam shone down on me. It my not be that comfy pair of jeans, but I know she loves the Lord, I can throw a good spiral pass to her house and icing she has a little buddy Caleb's age. For today, I am thankful for the gold that has taught me with time and effort the silver actually can magically morph into gold.

Legacy

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, and no I can't believe it, I thought I would take some time to reflect on the things I am thankful for. I'll start with how thankful I am for the legacy Cory's Pawpaw left. 6 years ago when I became a part of the Ruiz family is about the time Pawpaw was diagnosed with lung cancer, so most of the time I have been in the family he was sick. He had a couple years where he improved, but the majority he didn't feel well. Seeing his loved ones morn made me sad I didn't really get to know him well. What I now know is Pawpaw either continued or started the legacy of loyalty and hard work in the Ruiz family. These two qualities are what I admire most about Cory. As we morned S.C. (Pawpaw) I heard stories of how being sick was frustrating to him, because he had to slow down and couldn't work as hard on the ranch as he wanted. I also heard about how this single dad raised his 3 young children all on his own. He left his home in west Texas and created a life for them in Vidor. He provided for all their needs caring for them as both mother and father. I really can't image how hard that would have been. Bisabuelo (Pawpaw) reminds me that even after we are gone the qualities we instill in our children can be passed on for generations. I was encouraged that parenting is such an important gift and we have the ability to impact this world one child at a time. Whenever, I start to feel discouraged and try to find meaning I will remember watching Caleb's Great Grandpa hold him in his arms with so much pride that the Ruiz name would continue on. Maybe with a much lighter skin tone and lacking the ability to speak Spanish, but Pawpaw's strong work ethic and loyalty will be two qualities that I will instill in Makaylee and Caleb and continue his legacy.

Strolling the Montour Trail

In Peters there is an amazing trail that is 46 miles and paved with a smooth surface that makes it ideal for bicycling, walking, running, blading, cross-country skiing and nature appreciation. We decided to stroll and take some photos along the way.

Soho and her three grandbabies

Fall has pretty much ended up in Steeler Nation, so there are leaves everywhere. Caleb sweetly has decided leaves are flowers and I get a beautiful bouquet of dried brown ones almost daily. This one came with a kiss. Hmmm, good for the soul.Pretty little lady. Attie unlike my kiddos is always willing to strike a pose. These cousins had such an amazing time together this visit. It really made me melt to watch them getting past the dreaded toddler fighting over everything and becoming genuine friends. Caleb loves his Attie Jo. He refers to her as his best girl.

KayKay, Soho and Attie Jo @ Carnegie

One thing Caleb loves to do in Pittsburgh is head to the city, go through the tunnel and visit the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. He was very excited to show his cousin the big dinosaurs.

Soho and Attie Jo looking at some herbivores from the Cretaceous time period.

TRex vs TRex

Caleb thinks this exhibit is pretty cool, because the theropods are getting ready to collide. He loves to fight his dinosaurs.

Digging for dinosaurs is Caleb's favorite thing to do at the museum. He couldn't wait to share the experience with his best girl.

There is a really neat Egyptian exhibit with a number of artifacts from the ancient society. They show all the god's they worshipped and there are a number of different mummies. It is a little freaky, but it is interesting to talk about as we learn more about the one true God freeing his people from Pharaoh.

On the second floor of the Carnegie Museum of Natural history is Botany Hall. I wanted to check it out to learn a little more about the poisonous plants in this area. The kids and Aunt Kay Kay decided this wide open secluded place was perfect for a wrestling match.

Go Lions

We had such a fun time at the game even though the Lions lost. The fans were pretty brutal. This surprised me. I thought, if you are going to take time out of your schedule to go watch your team, win or lose you'd think they would cheer? But no, I think the majority of booing came from the weirdo who sat right in front of us. He absolutely annoyed the you know what out of me. I was about ready to give him an ear full, but he was a rather large guy and I didn't think Cory would appreciate a repeat of the movie scene from How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days.

We decided to put the kids in childcare, so we could actual watch. Caleb was a little bitter that he didn't get to enjoy some football. When we picked him up I was greeted by the cold shoulder followed by screaming and crying. Did I mention how nice it was to be kid free for a few hours.

Me, Kaycee (my sissy) and Chelsea (my cousin).

What a fun group of girls. I sure would love it if we all lived a little closer.