A Time of Thanksgiving

Hey Everyone, Yeah for the elections being over with. I am in shock and awe of the hatred flying...I don't know why. I accepted whatever may come either way, but I guess I am in the minority with that thinking. Either way, if I want to see certain changes then I need to step up and be that change...the president is one person who is doing what they think best. SO, be the change if you don't agree with the outcome. Enough of that....THANKSGIVING is almost here! I love Thanksgiving. It is a time of reflection and a reminder of what we are blessed with. I know the Gilmore's are blessed beyond words. We are stewards of many things and I am so grateful for each one. I think this year we became more aware of how blessed we truly are when Charlie took a missions trip. We become so blinded by our greed for more that we don't recognize it. Guilty as charged....I turn a blind eye and get on my "I need/want" more...however, this year we became aware that we have more than enough, and we should share; be giving of what we have. I want my children to recognize a need and be able to help or fill someone's true need. I want them to see the example of this. One way we do this is Operation Christmas Child. We fill a shoe box of all kinds of goodies. They get shipped all over the world, and yes,some stay right here in the USA. I love that my kids can go to the dollar store and pick out things for other children. Now, I know they don't quite understand yet. BUT they will...and so it will become 2nd nature to them.Instilling, good qualities like these are what I desire for my children. I know they aren't perfect, and they have "those tendencies"..you know what one's i'm talking about. :) Another way we like to give is through Angel Tree or at our church we adopted the foster kids in Jefferson and St. Lawerence counties. We have been able to get gifts for every child the last 2 years, and I am thrilled to be apart of that. Again, we get to go shopping for kids who won't have much of a Christmas. It is so rewarding and you feel good.To answer the age old saying "we should do this all through the year"...yes we try to. If we see a need we try and fill it the best we can. We try to keep our eyes and ears open to needs in our community. This year, we are staying home for Thanksgiving. We are so excited to be able to cook for Charlie's parents, and have the kids just chill for one holiday this year. They are used to the hustle and bustle, but since we are flying to Missouri for Christmas we needed a small break from the travel. My parents are hoping to come up the next day and spend some time with us. It depends on my dads work schedule. Either way we love to have one and all. We love company and ALWAYS have room for anyone who wants to come visit. So, that is somethings we do around this time of the year. Since, we plan on traveling for Christmas we are doing what we can now. It will be lots of fun! Charlie can't remember the last Christmas he spent with his sister and mom. It makes it all the more special! I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone out there. Charlie's nephew Michael will be home from his 2 year mission trip to Germany, and we haven't meet Gabriel our new great nephew. Exciting for sure!!!!!! Love to you all and remember be kind because its the right thing.