Thankful Pies

Good Wednesday morning!

Last night, I took a meal to a family who just had their first baby... a boy named Jonah. He was 7 lbs. 2 oz. of newborn perfection. Wrinkly little forehead. Soft black hair. Tiny button nose. And the most wonderful smell. The I-just-had-a-bath-and-I-smell-like-baby-bath-and-baby-lotion-and-baby-powder smell. I just breathed him in. Exhale...

Now rewind three hours earlier that day. I'm sitting in my big, gold van beside my 15 year-old son. Not in the driver's seat... in the passenger seat. I'm using a voice I don't even recognize. It is soft, controlled, emotionless. I, however, am not any of those things. Josh did well. We went to a new neighborhood to practice today, because instead of baking pies for my neighbors this season (read the bottom of this post), I'm giving them the gift of teaching my child how to drive in someone's neighborhood other than our own. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ALL rolled up into one, Neighbors!

Josh is a different type of driver than Austin was, which only leads me to believe that Roxie will be a different type of driver, also. I was talking to a mom of four the other day, and we both agreed that although the children had the same mom and dad, whether you had two or twenty, they are all so different. It would really be helpful to parents across the globe if their kids had at least some of the same characteristics, but nope... that ain't gonna happen!

I miss the newborns. I even miss all the annoying older moms telling me to enjoy this time because it will be gone before I can blink. (By the way, I refrained from telling the new mom last night the same exact thing.)

Austin is receiving acceptance letters from colleges that are more than an hour away. Josh is learning to drive and thus, one day he, too, will be able to drive away. Roxie is picking out outfits, fixing her hair, accessorizing, and making "life plans," as she likes to call them, and watching her brothers grow up and away, and looking forward to the time when it's her turn. It's an exciting part of life for them.

When Roxie was born, I wrote a long story about how she came to be. The last paragraph summed up my feelings at that time in my life, and it's very accurate even now.

"September 26, 1995 - Our life with Roxie officially begins. I can't even imagine how it is going to turn out. When Austin was born, I was amazed at how much I loved him. He was my total obsession. When Joshua was born, I was amazed I could love another child as much as my first. He was my heart. When Roxie was born, I was amazed God had blessed me yet again with this beautiful little girl. She was my heart's desire. I am the most blessed woman."

I thought all day yesterday about what happens to a mom when her "total obsession," her "heart," and her "heart's desire" all grow up and start their own lives. (If you can't tell, I've been a little melancholy.) Luckily for me, I still have my "best friend" living in the house... and I can repeat the last sentence of that journal entry made so many years ago... "I am the most blessed woman."

I know, I know. We're not finished yet. We've got six or more good years left of at-home parenting. Oh, and lest any of you forget, me, Josh and the big, gold van may be appearing in a neighborhood near you very soon! (We're working on "dodging mailboxes" next week!)

Now for our Seasonal Tradition. Let's bake some pies!!

Thankful Pies

I already warned you there was a lot of food this week, but this little tradition has something other than just a pie attached to it... the real meaning of being thankful and thoughtful.

All you have to do is jot down a list with your child or children of people in the neighborhood you think might like a pie. It could be a widow or widower, a young family, a single working mom, new neighbors, etc., etc. After you have made the list and have a number (anywhere from one to five is "doable"), take the kids and buy the ingredients for a pumpkin pie. If you're not a big baker, it is easy, easy. Buy the number of pie crusts you need. Check out the recipe on the can of Libby's Pumpkin. If you buy the 29 oz. can, it makes two deep dish pies or three regular pies. There is no easier recipe, and the kids can help with adding ingredients, mixing, putting aluminium foil around the edge of the crust so it doesn't burn, etc., etc.

While the pies are baking, have the kids write notes to the neighbors telling them why they are thankful for them. "We're thankful for you because you give us giant candy bars on Halloween." "We're thankful for you because we love all the Christmas decorations you put up every year and they are beautiful." "We're thankful for you because we love it when you walk your dog down to our house for us to play with him/her." "We're thankful you have kids our age to play with every day."

If there isn't anything specific the kids can think of, have them write down a Thanksgiving verse on the note. Here are a few:

"That I may proclaim with the voice of THANKSGIVING, and declare all Thy wonders." Ps. 26:7

"Let us come before His presence with THANKSGIVING; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms." Ps. 95:2

"Enter His gates with THANKSGIVING, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name." Ps. 100:4

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phil. 4:6-7

You may have had a difficult year yourself, and you might just want to put on the note, "I'm just thankful I'm able to bake this pie for a wonderful neighbor."

Kids from the age of three and up will be able to help in some way with this tradition.

Also, delivering the pies is fun. Call the neighbors to make sure they are home. Don't go in the house or add any stress (unexpected company). Just knock on the door, leave the pie and note and give them a hug. You never, ever know who might need a hug that day... or a Thanksgiving Pie.

Tomorrow's date is a Family Date, and takes a little planning, but it will be fun!

Have a great day, and I'll talk to you tomorrow!