JCPenny is offering free haircuts to school age children from kindergarten (or 5 years old) to sixth grade.  The free haircuts are offered on Sundays by appointment.  You can get the phone number for your local JCPenney salon here.  When I called to make an appointment, they were really booked.  I had to schedule two weeks out, so plan ahead.  

I took advantage of this great freebie a couple of weeks ago and took my oldest in for a haircut.  I think he looks great and he got a sucker when he was done which made his day.  The stylist won't check you out at the cash register because it is a free haircut so bring along some cash for a tip.  

Here is our menu from 2 weeks ago since I took Thanksgiving week off from the menu plan.  I hope you find some inspiration and I would love to know what you are having for dinner.  (I need some inspiration too.)  Feel free to share your menu ideas or links to your favorite recipes in the comments.  


Monday:  Turkey, gravy, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, bread machine buttery rolls
Tuesday:  leftovers
Wednesday:  leftovers, fruit
Thursday:  Tortillini, salad, breadsticks
Friday:  American Chop Suey, buttered green beans
Saturday:  Bacon wrapped sliders, salad, onion rings
Sunday:  leftovers

There is so much for which to be thankful.  I have been listening to an audio book "The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage" by Dr. Laura.  It has really made me reflect and think about the quality and amount of time I give my husband.  I realized that I don't spend enough time with him so I took the night off from blogging last night.  Since I took the night off, I might write a little more tonight.  

I am thankful for my family, especially my husband and three beautiful boys.  I love being a wife and mom and sharing life with these amazing people.  

Tonight I am thankful for my new Mom's group at church.  We have had two meetings so far and they have been wonderful.  For two hours I get to sit and talk with other Mom's while my little munchkins are in the nursery with the kindest women taking care of them.  The boys love the play time with different toys and other kids and I love sitting with a cup of hot tea and a snack enjoying the company of other women like me.  It's rejuvenating.  Today we said the rosary.  It was actually my first time to ever say the rosary.  It was meaningful and I liked spending time in group prayer.  We also read a chapter in a women's devotional and several bible verses.  I am so thankful for this group.  This is the first time in many years that I have felt a real connection with others in my church community.  

Today I am thankful for my Dad and his creativity, work ethic, and generosity.  He has been working hard building a playground for his grandchildren in his backyard. He was given a well-loved playset that he took apart, hauled to his own property  and reassembled.  Then he bought all new swings and has been working many hours adding new elements to his playground.  He added a gang plank, bridge, sandbox with seating all around, and he is working on a clubhouse over the sandbox which will have a large tube slide attached to it.  Well done Dad!  We love your playground.  The boys got to play on Grandpa's new playground over Thanksgiving break and can't wait to go back.  

Tonight I am thankful for Children's books.  When the boys are bouncing off the walls I can always settle them down with some of their favorite stories.  As the boys get older, they seem to be more interested in books.  We have been reading to our children everyday for as long as I can remember.  They love to sit next to me or my husband and cuddle in for story time.  

Tonight I am thankful for the Thanksgiving holiday.  I love gathering together with family and preparing a celebratory meal.  I love the boys spending time with their cousins and making the same kinds of memories that we made when we were kids.  I love being reminded of how important it is to say Thank You to God for the blessings he has given us this year.  

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving.

It has been a couple of days since I have posted.  I had to take a break.  We had a guest from out of town and then we have been preparing for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  I am back at least for today.  I know it will be a busy week.  

Tonight I am thankful for my family members that I have known and loved who are no longer with us here on Earth.  I am thankful for the memories and the time we had together.  In particular my grandparents.  

Grandpa Marchal was a hardworking dairy farmer who loved his family and liked to kid around with us.  I have fond memories of visiting the farm and poking around the milk parlor and the barns.  He usually had Scwhann's icecream bars in the freezer too and shared them with us.  He loved fish and all things fishing.  He could tell a good story too especially about fishing.  

Daddy Joe and Gay Gay spoiled us as grandparents like to do.  Not too much, just the right amount.  They always had special treats for us like the small boxes of cereal.  I still remember what my grandmother's vegetable soup tasted like after a 12 hour drive to her house.  It was usually followed by her chocolate chip cookies.  I remember the smells and the warmth of her house.  All the little knick knacks and the oil lamp.  We loved to watch the oil run down the sides of the lamp.  I remember the sounds too.  There was always music on the large wooden stereo.  My memories are all of Christmas music since we were usually there at Christmas time.  The love and joy in everyone's voices as we hugged and kissed and caught up on everyone's life.  My Daddy Joe's great big hugs that lifted us off the ground, even as adults.  I could go on and on and I've already shed a few tears writing this post so will have to stop.  

I am so thankful for the memories and love we shared.  

Tonight I am thankful for our friend Jeff who drove 5 hours to come and spend time with my husband this weekend and go to the football game tomorrow.  We'll see who's team wins.  They're on opposing sides.  They both also love playing board games and are logging some serious gaming hours this weekend.  Their friendship spans decades as they have been friends since they were kids.  

We're glad to have you visiting with us Jeff.

If you would like to participate in 30 Days of Giving thanks, you can link up your posts at Blessed Beyond Words.

Tonight I am thankful for a kind gesture that I experienced today.  I pulled into the parking lot at the same time as another Mom to drop my oldest off at preschool.  I had the younger brothers with me and would have had to take all three in which takes 15-20 minutes.  The other Mom offered to take my son in with her son.  My son was happy to go with her because he is good friends with her little boy.  I was so appreciative because I still had to take my middle son to his preschool.  This saved me a lot of time and hassel not having to get the younger boys in and out of carseats and in and out of the building.  The other Mom often has two younger children with her too and understood what a help this would be.  

Thank you, Lisa.  You were such a blessing to me this morning.