On a Holiday such as Thanksgiving I love a perfectly set table with gleaming crystal and an overflowing fragrant centerpiece; I love the gentle strains of a string quartet mingling with the aromas brought on by 24 hours of cooking.  O... and how I LOVE well groomed children wearing coordinating shirts, sitting patiently (and thankfully) around the table, eagerly awaiting our feast!  But let's be realistic here... 

This was how our Thanksgiving Day looked.

Shirts were tossed off

In lieu of sunshine on the skin.  

Tire swings and branches,

Basketballs and dirt bikes,

Happy outside boy bodies.

They came to the table with sweat.  

They came to the table

Switching  place cards with brothers

so they could sit next to a specific friend.  

They came to the table

pointing out the things they would eat 

and the things they wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole!

Then they gobbled up their turkey and asked for more Martinelli's

They were loud with laughter and... thanks.

It was all a bit chaotic for me.  Truth be told it always is.  But in hindsight I'm challenged to be thankful myself.  Thankful for the three boy bodies shooting out energy and joy from each and every pore.  Thankful for the space here at home for them to romp and roam and play.  Thankful for friends with bushels of boys who understand our crazy Holiday madness.

Have I given up on table manners?  HEAVENS NO!  Did I still buy them coordinating Christmas sweaters that will end up on the floor before Grandma can snap a picture on Christmas Eve?  Yes, yes, yes... Ideals, Ladies!  Ideals!  I am a sentimental fool and spend much energy each day correcting behavior and training their outward manners and inward hearts.  But I refuse to let their BOY-ness shatter my THANKFUL-ness.  I commit each day to be Thankful for what they are that day, even as they interrupt my quiet and controlled dreams of elegant Holiday tables.  Let's purpose to enjoy them as boys as we help cultivate them into Gentlemen.  

A special welcome to those visiting from