Five on Friday

1.  Fred worked really hard this week to get all his church work done so we could head out of town.  He was pleasantly surprised to get it done! 
2.  Clayton has outgrown his dress pants.  I hesitantly ordered them on Old Navy last week, thinking they might go on sale on black Friday.  Last week I paid $14.50.  Today they are on sale for $14. I think I'll return them to save the difference...hahaha!!   
3.  Clayton loves math.  He has taught himself how to multiply and divide.  This week he asked me "what that funny sign was that looked like a division symbol, but had a check mark on the front".  I told him that was a square root sign and then explained how to do it.  I never thought I'd have a conversation with my seven year old about square roots.
4.  We went to McDonald's for breakfast with my parents this week. Jack got the big breakfast: three pancakes, sausage, biscuit and eggs.  He ate most of it and then told me 2 hours later he was hungry.  (He doesn't eat like that often,but the boy loves breakfast food!) 
5.  Our children seem to know when it's a holiday and all doctor's offices will be closed.  Andrew has not been feeling well for most of the week.  Wednesday night at 5:01 p.m.(right when all things were closing) he ran a fever of 102.1.  Needless to say we headed to Convenient Care in Jackson.  He is feeling better today.  Finally.

Turkey Trot

We headed out early Thanksgiving morning to watch these two turkeys run in a Turkey Trot...

 The entire crew showed up to cheer them on.

Fred started talking about running in a race on Thanksgiving day and he found one in Jackson.  Clayton overheard us discussing it and immediately wanted in on the action.  The race fee was $20 a person.  I'm no mathematician, but three runners can add up quickly.  I told Clayton we couldn't all three run.  He quickly told me he would use his own money.  Fortunately for him his Mawmaw and Pawpaw sponsored his run.  i think we have created a monster!!

Thanksgiving at Joyland

Jack got to celebrate Thanksgiving at Joyland.  He was a pilgrim.  He told me the food was good and he ate it all...shocking!!

 Two of my favorite pilgrims off the Mayflower...

Thanksgiving

When I taught school at Trinity the kindergarteners always did a program and sang the song below. It sums up the large majority of my feelings today:

There are many things

I am thankful for

I can find them near and far

There are many things

I am thankful for

Let me tell you what they are

I am thankful for the earth

I am thankful for the sea

I am thankful for my friends
And I’m thankful to be me.


There are many things
I am thankful for
I can find them near and far
There are many things I am thankful for
Let me tell you what they are
I am thankful for child
Who the wise men came to see

And I'm thankful for the love

that He gives to you and me.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

 Below is the picture from our first Thanksgiving stop of the day...

This time of year...

It's the holidays again. The older I get the quicker they roll around. Plans have been set for a month from now so we can be at each house. (We used to go to seven houses for Christmas...seven!!) Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the holiday season. I like the "joyful" spirit that seems to appear as December rolls around. I enjoy spending time with family. I love that I can take an entire month out of my year to tell my children (and anyone who will listen) about the birth of my Savior. I like that, but I don't like the materialism of Christmas--all the stress, shopping, spending, sadness and on and on. Christmas, to me, is out of hand. Don't get me wrong. I enjoy giving gifts (and receiving gifts), but I challenge myself every year to think of five things I got (or gave) from the previous Christmas and I usually can't do it. What is the point?
I want to give, really give. I want to give to people in need. I want to give to my children so they will learn the act of sacrificial giving. I want to give to families who can't provide for basic needs. I want to give of my time. I want to give to relationships. I want to give for the sake of relationships. I want to give.
Things are about to change at the Shackelford house. We are giving intentionally and thoughtfully. We are cutting our spending and, instead, giving to others. Fred and I are praying through what changes God would have us to make not only this Christmas, but throughout the year. Join us, won't you?!?
If you need ideas send me a message. I'm making a list and checking it twice--hahahaha!! Check out the video below...

Clayton's First 5K

In an effort to have a healthier city our mayor issued a challenge to Paris. Since we strive to be a healthy family we quickly signed up. The culminating activity was a 5K Turkey Trot. We were all excited to run. Clayton was particularly excited because this would be his first official 5K! Saturday was cold and rainy, but that didn't stop him. He told Fred he wanted to run it by himself. I was very nervous about this, but he did great! Mawmaw and Pawpaw came in for the event! Clayton finished the race (without walking) in under 30 minutes! Jack even ran with me for about a mile.
Fred took first place in his age division.
Clayton was so excited when his name was called for first place in his age division!
And then last but not least...my running partner and I both won third place in our age division.
Clayton's teacher even came to support him. She is pregnant (almost 20 weeks) and she still ran it!

Five on Friday

1. Fred attended Tennessee Baptist Convention in Knoxville this week. While he was there he took a short drive up to Kingsport and purchased a third row for our station wagon. He is now trying to figure out how to install it!
2. Elizabeth took our picture several weeks ago. I finally got my order together. I'm really excited to update all the pictures in my house.
3. Clayton's teacher told me this week that he is really excelling in math. On his own he has taught himself how to multiply. He takes tests at school and I get email updates each time regarding his accuracy and time. He is up to his 7's.
4. When Fred is out of town the boys get to sleep with me. It is always exciting for them. After several nights of this I discovered that Jack talks in his sleep all night. He was sitting up and talking...sound asleep. He likes to sleep with Clayton b/c he says "he has bad dreams" if he doesn't sleep with him. I believe him now.
5. We think Andrew has a temper. He will sit on the floor, cry and put his head down if he doesn't get his way. I've never seen anything like it.