Attempted family photos

Yesterday, we drove back down to Jackson to attempt, keyword is attempt, to take family photos and to spend time with everyone again.  The kids just LOVE to be together. After the pictures the kids had a cotton picking contest and dad, known as "Papa", got the kids hyped up to go get the eggs from the chickens.  The kids ran back with excitement because the eggs gathered were multi-colored.  What no one knew was that in the morning, Papa had went and dyed the eggs so the littles would think that the chickens laid colorful eggs.  The house was very loud but so worth it. The pictures did not turn out that great but it was worth paying for the memories.  Although, there are several times where I feel like the outcast, I love my family.

It really was the happiest of Thanksgivings....

Thanksgiving Day was really wonderful and drama free.  We were the last to arrive but were still early than the planned dinner time.  We walked in and all of my siblings were seated in the living room with my parents and my cup was full.  I am blessed with a wonderful family.  My dad's biological father (John W Eaton, jr), his biological mom (Anna Christine Eaton), Aunt Sandy (dad's oldest sister), and Aunt Anna (dad's youngest sister) all made appearances and a plate of food throughout the day too.  After our bellies were full, the kids headed to play and dad prepared a hay ride.  He loaded all the grand-babies up on the trailer and off the tractor went.  The kids were asking to go in the water, so he put the tractor in reverse and eased a little into the pond.  When we headed away from the pond, Will was on his knees and went head first into the pond.  It was hilarious but hopefully he learned a valuable lesson about listening since he had been asked multiple times to come away from the rear and not lean over. The ladies in the family all did a favorites gift exchange.  We were each asked to purchase six of our favorite things and bring.  Here is the breakdown of what each person brought and shared:
Mom- mascara and Caress body wash
Renee' (me)- night gown and chocolate
Amy- chocolate and soap
Sandra- Poo-pouri
Kara- lotion
Becky- a journal
Charity- spatula, have courage drawing, and her favorite quote about courage "Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, I'll try again tomorrow"- Mary Anne Radmacher
When the sunset dad, built a bonfire for the kids to dance around and then Jake and I loaded up eight of the kiddos and ventured to see the movie "Wonder".  It has been a wonderful day and I could tell my mom and dad were both filled with joy having us all there. Mom stayed so calm too and enjoyed the day.

Happiest of Thanksgivings!

For a school teacher, the time between Fall break and Christmas break just happens but happens quickly.  It is already Thanksgiving. One of the great things particular about this Thanksgiving is that my entire family is together.  As much drama as it will bring, I love it! Often I feel I that I am the "black sheep" per say and yearn for acceptance and love.  I am aware that some of it comes directly from me. I feel that I have a great relationship with my sisters but often think my brothers are indifferent as to if they see us or not, well more so, James.  I picked them up from the airport Tuesday night and they spent the night here. Wednesday, I got up early and ran to grab more milk and soda (James had asked for a particular kind) and donuts.  When I got back in, I had to change and get to dentist appointments, I was planning to spend the afternoon with his family and he had mentioned adult dinner plans but I have not seen him again since.  Jake bought a 2017 Nissan Armada 2 weeks ago, so we are letting James use the highlander so I am sure at some point, he has to see me because he has my car (wink, wink).  Sydney has spent the last two nights with us and Aubree is loving that.  Sydney was here to surprise Aubree when she got home from her Beta trip.  Although, there are days that sometimes I feel bad for myself, I know that I have a very blessed and happy life.  I have a husband who adores me (most days) and loves me.  I have four kids who make me a better person. Ginny is at the stage where she could care less if I am around or not but I know she loves me.  It hurts my heart that she does not talk to me more and when people tell her she acts like me, she tells them she wants to be nothing like me.  I am trying to learn teenagers and instill a sense of gratitude in all my babies.  Will seems sour most days and focuses on the negative, so we are trying to help him see the good and make wise choices.  He is a good kid but sometimes does not think things through.  Christopher is a mama's boy and when asked what he wanted for Christmas, he simply wanted his family to be happy.  Now that may sound sweet but he is sneaky too.
Our home, electricity, air conditioning, heat, cars, medicine, washing machines, and food are a few other things I am thankful for.  I am grateful for the opportunity I have to learn to have faith and believe in God. At times my testimony is just a hope but it is a good hope and a good way of life.  Each morning on the way to school, Aubree or the boys, remind us to read the scriptures and I am thankful for that routine that our family has gotten in.  I know that will help increase my testimony and the testimony of my children of the goodness of the gospel.  I am thankful for a Heavenly Father that loved me enough to send his Son and that Christ loved me enough to allow forgiveness of my short comings and make a way for eternal families.  So, this Thanksgiving day, as we prepare to go to Jackson, I will see the joy in my family and focus on the good.  I will try my darnedest to serve and love others.  I will be a beacon of joy to others.
 And I just realized that I did not add any Halloween photos or photos since Fall break, so I will add the. This Halloween, Jake stood in the window and jumped against the window as trick or treaters passed, it was hilarious.   The girls also recently had Young Women's in excellence. Aubree shared how she is developing her faith as she tries to be kind to others and Ginny shared a family cookbook that she has been working on. It looks great thus far.

Christopher, Will, and Riley

Meeting Clark Michael Adamson

20th Eaton Grandchild- Clark Adamson