Thankful To Say The Least

 Thanksgiving itself is such a mindset.  Not the holiday, but the act of giving thanks.  I have read a few books on giving thanks and done some Bible studies and it seems that it always comes back to the state of our heart.  Our attitude and our speech both are a reflection of our gratitude- or lack thereof.  I'm not sure why it is so easy to fall into a woe is me mindset, but I am so thankful for quick and swift reminders that get me back on track.  I have so much to be thankful for and so often I am fearful when I hear stories of others and their pain.  Those that have lost.  And suffered.  I whisper urgent prayers for them quickly followed with, "Please don't let that be me.  Please don't let that be my family."  I feel guilty for these prayers, but they come so immediately.  No one wants to suffer and go through trials.  However, in varying degrees, they come.  I pray I can remember to give thanks in those moments as well as in the mountain top moments. 

We left on Thanksgiving morning to head to Harrison and we were so excited. 

 The morning started off with snuggling on the couch and watching a the parade.  It is funny what sticks in the girls head--they definitely remembered this from last year and insisted the parade watching tradition at Gammy and Gampy's continued.

 That afternoon we all had a delicious meal at Mom and Dad's and took turns writing what we were thankful for on a sign the girls and I had painted.  It was our first year to do that and we had a good time reading everyones. 

 SO thankful that Ross was with us for Thanksgiving and not on call. Love this sweet, hardworking man of mine.  I can remember crying in the bathroom not that many Thanksgivings ago and trying to wipe my eyes so that no one would know.  I desperately hoped that I would have a Thanksgiving to celebrate with a husband and children.  How I wish that girl would have been more faithful and known that this most precious husband and children were on their way. 

 The weather was just PERFECT this year for our tree decorating.  Our sweet tree down by the pond didn't fare too well, so we moved him up to Meme and Pop's front yard and decorated him there.  I love my sweet Poppy so much.  He was determined to carry on this tradition and make it work.

We got so much time together playing and snuggling and that is really and truly my biggest THANKS.  I love quality time and feel so warm and fuzzy whenever I am with my whole family.  Cue the tears.  So thankful we live close enough to enjoy these moments. 

Meowwww- Liv Turns THREE!!

We started the morning super happy (Mil looks caught off guard, haha) and excited to head to Liv's party.  She had a specific kitty theme in her mind and we couldn't wait to get our paws on some of Steph's delish breakfast food.  Our little litter looking so cute.  Purrrfectly precious.  Okay, I will stop.

Since Liv loves all things gold, her beloved color was in the party decor and it sure did shine.  Such a fun party to walk into.

She LOVED every gift and had no trouble tearing into each of them.

Steph had a precious adopt a kitty station and there were birth certificates and everything.  My girls were giddy about this portion.

I have a special bond with my wild and wooly, loud and loving Poodle.  She's so precious and smart and strong and fierce.  Happy Third Birthday Liv!!

November's Highlights

 This is a home highlight of almost every month for us, but we just LOVE Legos.  The girls can play and play and Legos are one of Ross's love languages, so that works out nicely.  Such a fun family activity.

Another excited November event was the birth of sweet Thatcher Wayne!  We were so excited to meet this sweet boy and cannot wait to see him grow and develop his own little personality. 

 We had a very busy month getting ready for recital and Amelia is in quite a few more classes than Elise, so Elise has to wait in the lobby with me a lot.  We have a schedule down and LOVE our time out there together.  She is SO good and never gets impatient while waiting on Amelia's class to be over.  Bragging!!

 Amelia had a blast learning about the Pilgrims and the Indians.  She came home with fun info every day and named herself Butterfly Dancing.  Precious girl.

 We did a fun Turkey Trot race at Bergman and Elise got FIRST PLACE and Amelia got SECOND PLACE.  Such a freezing cold morning and we tried desperately to talk the girls out of running but they were not having it.  So, on we went and I am glad we stuck it out.  Extremely proud of them!

Grandparents Day at MHK

 Amelia was SO excited for Grandparent's Day and school and I was too!  One of the many perks to volunteering up at the school is helping with events like this.  I got to peek in at her with G and Pa and see the excitement first hand.  LOVE volunteering as coordinator.

 

The Book Fair was up at school and Amelia scored a bag FULL of goodies from G and Pa.  G loves books as much as I do and Amelia really picked out some good books. I am always surprised by how much she gravitates towards non-fiction.  I am definitely a fiction lover and Amelia always picks books that give facts and details about animals, weather, etc.  That is definitely her daddy in her. 

 After Grandparent's Day we got Elise from preschool and all went on a walk at the Fred Berry Conservation Center.  It was a really neat trail and we enjoyed our first time over there.  I hope to go back during the summer when they have programs for the kids. 

 

A really great day and we are so glad that Pa took off work so we could all be together!

Halloween 2014

Amelia got to wear her costume to school, but chose a pirate outfit out of the dress up box to "save" her real costume for that night.  Hilarious.  Elise had spider dress up day and was perfectly content with that.  Amelia was reallly in character here, crack me up.

The Butlers came and trick or treated with us in their old neighborhood and it was a nice and relaxing night.  We decided not to do the huge festival at our church this year.  It was so crowded last year and I felt like we were rushing home to trick or treat and I just decided this year we would take our time getting to the houses and it was such a great choice! It was very cold and Amelia decided to wear her pirate outfit again and Elise wore the spider costume that has been worn many times.  Hilarious choices. 

 Bennett was such a great little man pulling Elise around.

 The girls thought my clown get-up was hilarious, but looking at this picture freaks me out.  Haha.  I am lucky they didn't have bad dreams.

One precious house gave out beanie babies!!!!!  Joy, joy.