Grace & Gratitude: Devotional & Activities

Have you ever really stopped to think about what the word ‘thanksgiving’ actually means to you? Or does this season just get too busy to even enjoy or reflect?

If that is the case for you, then this devotional might be a good thing. It would also be a nice way to involve the whole family during the week of Thanksgiving or maybe even the week before the holiday… however you wish to use it. Don’t let the time of year stop you from checking this out because it doesn’t have to be reserved for November! We can always use a refresher on how to practice GRATITUDE!

I’ve made it into a printable PDF, so it is easier for our homeschool, and maybe that will make it easier for you. If anyone needs me to type it out on the blog, I can do that also, just let me know in the comments below.

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Special Holiday Meals: Polar Express Party

Everyone looks forward to this party at our house every year! It does take a little work and planning, but it is so WORTH IT!

We try to make some homemade gifts to give out as Christmas gifts to our family and friends… usually food. We also have some fun games and lots of yummy treats to keep us busy until the Polar Express starts! Then our living room turns into an interactive Movie Theater… so much FUN!

Here are some of the posts that we have related to our past Polar Express Parties:

Polar Express Party (2016)

Polar Express 2022

Polar Express 2023, Sourdough Gifts & Recipes, and Other Life Updates

Polar Express Planning (2024)

Polar Express 2024

Polar Express 2025

DIY Advent Games: Engage Kids This Holiday Season

Advent Celebrations: DIY BINGO Game and Crafts

Making Memories: An Afternoon Tea Time Menu Ideas

We want to create special memories, and my kids enjoy having tea time. Shyanne didn’t understand the concept of a make-believe tea time for a good while, but she likes having the real thing. We like to try out different teas, and we have been growing some of our own herbs for teas.

You can cut the regular sandwiches into small shapes for ‘finger sandwiches’ and make or buy a variety of cookies, cakes, and other treats. Check out our Hobbit-Inspired Menu for some ideas.

The conversation should be positive and productive, and it can help teach proper social interactions. Set the table with some pretty dishes and cups… maybe even buy some that are special for this event.

Getting ready for the event shouldn’t be complicated, and everything doesn’t need to be homemade… if you make it too hard, you won’t enjoy it, and you will be less likely to repeat it.

Let the kids help plan the menu and themes, and have them help prepare the treats. HAVE FUN!

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Special Needs Resources: Cerebral Palsy Toolkit

Recently, I came across a glitch on the blog that had caused the requests put through on my ‘Contact’ form to not be delivered to my email anymore. I found several questions and requests. I have made a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page to hopefully answer some of those. One of the requests was to post this special resource.

Finding out that you are expecting can be one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also be very scary. We know from experience that things can be downright terrifying, especially when faced with the knowledge that your child may have special needs.

Our youngest daughter, Shyanne, was born with multiple diagnoses and health conditions. Before she was even born, the odds were stacked against her. The doctors never expected us to make it through the pregnancy, and things got very scary towards the end when both of our lives were at risk.

It felt like someone had taken our life and made a HUGE jigsaw puzzle out of it, then added some extra pieces in there that had to fit. Every time we thought we were making progress, someone would come along and mix it all up again or ‘find’ a couple more pieces that needed to go in. Her story was complicated, and no one knew what the big picture would even look like… but God did!

He helped us through that very emotional time, and even though we couldn’t figure out how we were going to make it all work, HE gave us a sense of peace. We had to hand it over to HIM and HE put the pieces in place… one at a time, to create a BEAUTIFUL masterpiece that we could have never imagined.

HE made a way when we couldn’t see one, and we have witnessed miracle after miracle in our daily lives… That is why we created her blog:

Sweet Shyanne: The little girl who could

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Special Holiday Meals: Good Luck Meal

Sometimes we feel that we just need a little extra luck, or maybe it is the superstitions of a day like Friday the 13th that makes us a little weary… truth be told, we just need to pray about it. However, a good meal doesn’t hurt either… just for fun, of course!

This is a semi-traditional menu plan that we came across somewhere, and we tweaked it to fit with current-day dishes:

Good Luck Meal

for Friday the 13th or any ‘unlucky’ day

BBQ Pork Ribs

Black-eyed peas, Greens, or a Good Luck Salad ** see below

Hoe Cakes

Pineapple Upside Down Cake


**Good Luck Salad

Pick your favorite salad greens and veggies, arrange them in the shape of a horseshoe, and serve… lol 🙂