Day 30

I know I have mentioned family in other "thankful" posts this month but I can't end this month of gratitude without going back to the core. From my husband, to my kids, to my parents and sisters, to my cousins and my in-laws and closest friends.... there are so many people to be thankful for. Tonight I am reminded how much each of these people mean to me. I ask that God wrap his arms around each and everyone of them, keep them safe, lift them up through the difficult times and guide them through this journey we call life.

Day 29

The sound of a little boys voice singing the lyrics to any song that comes on the radio... Tonight his choice was "that's what you get for waking up in Vegas". Love you Tanner Seth!

Day 28

Moments of relaxation in my bathtub.

Peyton's belief that all the "kings" we are seeing on peoples lawn nativity sets are the same "kings" that were in the Ceasars Palace show!

Turning the t.v. off at dinner time to talk about our days.

Spending thirty minutes looking for the remote that went MIA during dinner.

Red "the elf" who has come back to watch the kids and report to Santa... They will do whatever it takes to keep Red happy.

Crockpot.... Dinners ready when we walk in the door.

Day 27

Last night was a difficult night... it was hard to feel thankful when I knew someone else was hurting so badly. My heart was broken for an acquaintance whose husband was killed in a head-on-collision in North Dakota while he was there working in the oil fields. It was an ugly reminder of how fragile life is. Tragedies are difficult events that make it hard to see exactly what God's purpose is. It is through these events that I am reminded that God is in complete control and we have to trust in him. I just have a hard time understanding why he takes these good men and women... life is not fair.

At the same time that my heart was feeling heavy and broken I couldn't help to feel blessed. Thankful for all of those that God has given me in my life. Thankful for my husband who puts his life on the line everyday to provide for his family. Thankful for my kids who I was able to tuck into bed. Thankful for all my family and friends that I know I can lean on in times of tragedy. Thankful for the power of prayer as I spent the night praying for this wife and mother who has a very difficult journey ahead of her. Thankful for any sense of peace that God can grant to her.

Day 26

Retail therapy! I can't believe I of all people am saying this! I am usually so frugal and cheap especially when it comes to buying things for myself. It's easy to buy for the kids but most of the time I feel guilty spending money on myself. Today though I had such a great time shopping with Jess and Jamey. I bought a few things but more than that just enjoyed our time together. Today I am thankful for "girl" shopping trips!

Day 25

Thankful for naps the day of Black Friday. Today Peyton and I took a two and a half hour nap. Curling up next to her and just soaking in "vacation" is the best feeling ever.

Day 24

Happy Thanksgiving! So many things to be grateful for my the most important of all is family. I am so thankful to be blessed with such an amazing family, both immediate and extended. God has blessed us. Through our ups and downs we always stand by each other. Today I am grateful for every person I call family.

Day 23

Aunties! The love an aunt has for their nieces and nephews is irreplaceable. I am honored to be an auntie to six great kiddos and one more on the way! Even more so than being an aunt I am so thankful for the wonderful roles my sisters and sister-in-law play in my kids lives. From hanging out, watching them play sports, painting nails, make up sessions, sleepovers and lots of long chats. Thank you Jenn, Jess, Jamey and Megan for being the best aunties ever, for you I am thankful.

Day 21 and Day 22

I got a day behind while on vacation so today I have two thankful posts.

Day 21
I am so thankful for my two healthy beautiful children. They bring a smile to my face everyday. Although there are days when being a parent can be difficult I wouldn't change it for the world and I am so thankful for them. During our family vacation we got to a lot of fun stuff. Swimming, arcades, shopping, enduro cross races, eating out and just hanging out!

I am also thankful for my two amazing "nannies" Jaye and Amanda who went with us. It was so much fun to have them along, and have all the extra help!

Day 22
Today, I am thankful for our home! After being gone on vacation it was SO nice to come to our house. Bring away for a few days makes you realize how enjoyable it is to be in your own house... A place where you feel safe, warm, comfortable and loved, our home!

Day 20

Today I am thankful for the opportunity to attend Cirque du Soleil's "O" show. It was absolutely amazing to see what these performers are capable of. The choreography, costumes and music were so well done. There were acrobats, synchronized swimmers and divers, fire performers, dancers and singers. There was so much going on all the time. It truly was amazing.

Day 19

Friends.... old, new and yet to make! Being in Las Vegas with Keith and Aubrey was really fun... I couldn't help but think of all the good times we have had with friends and family over the years in that city. Being there with a different group made me realize how precious the "oldies" are, how great it is to make new friends and leaves me wondering who will yet come into our lives!

Day 18

iPods, Nintendo DS, Dramamine, nannies, headphones, snacks, rest stops and good music. Tonight I am thankful for all of these things as they have made our eight hour drive to Las Vegas very bearable. We were lucky to have great roads and smooth sailing! I am so excited for this opportunity to take a vacation with our family and of course our two favorite babysitters Jaye and Amanda. They have given us plenty to laugh at tonight!

Day 17

Being a working mom can be bitter sweet... Sometimes I feel like I am missing out on too much of my kiddos childhood, not giving them the attention they deserve, not volunteering in their classes, visiting them for lunch, dropping them off at school.... the list could go on and on. Tonight, at parent teacher conferences I was reminded why I chose this path; because at the same time I am raising my own family I am making a difference in the lives of my students. It is such a blessing to know that what I do is affecting their futures, it makes it all worthwhile. So tonight I am thankful for a job that not only helps to financially support my family but makes a difference in the lives of my students.

Day 16

Today I am thankful for our dentist who took such great care of Cole after he passed out in the chair as he was getting a tooth pulled. It was a rough afternoon but I am so thankful he is okay.

Day 15

Can we watch a show? Tonight I am thankful for television, I know it sounds crazy, right? However I absolutely love nights when we all curl up on the couch to watch some of our favorite shows together. The kids love to watch Survivor, Biggest Loser and Amazing Race... There are others we watch sometimes too but these shows always bring us the little bit of down time we need before bed.

Day 14

Eight days seemed like two weeks... and for the kids it felt like two months! Today I am thankful that my hubby made it home safely from his trip to North Dakota. It was a great reminder of how thankful I am that he has a job where he is home every night and can tuck the kids in to bed. So many times I take our relationship, his help around the house and his time with the kids for granted and this was a great reminder of just how lucky I am. Thank you Cole Ross for always being by my side and being the best father I could ever imagine! Welcome back home....we missed you!

Day 13

DVR, electric blankets, remote start on my Yukon and heated leather seats! Materialistic? Probably, but four luxuries that I am thankful for!

Day 12

It has been one long week for everyone involved... Cole was sent to North Dakota on short notice for a job that was supposed to last just a day and he would be back within three. Well, things never seem to go as planned and he has now been gone for a week and we still aren't certain when he will be back. Tonight we got the chance to FaceTime with him and it was so great. So, tonight I am reminded that I am thankful for all the technology available to us.... Even though sometimes it can "take over" tonight it was a great way to make "missing" hearts feel a little bit better!

Day 11

I am thankful for all the men and women who have served, are serving or will serve for our country. What a remarkable person it takes to put their own life on the line while defending our countries values. Today I am thankful that I am a citizen if the United States of America.

Day 10

So many times our kids say something that we find so cute. We laugh at it and think I gotta remember that but so many times we forget. Tonight I am thankful for listening to my daughter talk about how she wants to be a teacher when she grows up, just like Grandma Jane, mommy, Aunt Jess and Aunt Jenn (although she said we need to babysit for Aunt Jenn so she can teach again!) Tonight I am thankful for the dreams my kids have and pray that one day they feel as though they accomplished what the set out in life to do.

Day 9

In-laws! I am so thankful for the wonderful in-laws I have. I feel so blessed to have them close by. The kids love spending time with them! They are always willing to watch the kids so I can hit the gym, run errands or whatever I need to get done!

Day 8

Today I am thankful for my kids teachers and schools. We spent the evening tonight at Tanners Family Dance night. I love the feeling I have when the kids are at school.... I know that their teachers love them and want the best for them. I know they are getting great educations but I also know that they are in a place where they are safe.

Day 7

Spin class.... I am thankful that I can go the gym and leave a sweaty mess. It makes me feel so much better and I know that I am a better mom, wife, sister, daughter,friend and teacher when I take care of myself!

I am also super thankful for my inlaws who always agree to watch the kids while I hit the gym for an evening class!

Day 6

Today I am thankful for my mom... For a million reasons but tonight for helping me fold and put away away a billion loads of laundry!

Day 5

Today I am thankful for sports. Tanner has learned so many life lessons through his participation in sports. Hard work, determination, passion, team work, dedication and in the process he has made a lot of really great friends. I am also thankful that Cole was able to coach him in his first ever competitive game and the new rule "what happens in the gym stays in the gym" was created!

Day 4

Today I am thankful for surprises! My best friend Jamey surprised me at school before she headed back home! I was do thankful that I got to hug and kiss her babies one more time. It reminds me that we always need to absorb every minute we have together even if it is just to say goodbye.

I am also thankful for Starbucks! The carmel salted mocha Jamey brought me gave me the caffeine boost I needed to get through the day!

Day 3

Tonight I am thankful for goodnight kisses!

Day 2

Today I am thankful for the lessons that pets teach us. Clover you will be missed by so many people. Thank you for putting up with my two little rascals over the years.... We all love you!

Thankful - Day 1

30 Things I Am Thankful For
November 2011

I love November... Don't get me wrong, I could probably find a reason to love every month of the year but there is just something about this month that I love. Maybe its the idea of shoving my face with great food in a few weeks, black Friday, the change in weather, basketball season, anticipation about the holiday season... I'm not sure exactly what it is but it is just a great time of year.

My goal for the month of November is to remember to be thankful, to post everday a reminder of the great things in our lives. Obviously I am most thankful for my family but I want to work at recognizing all the little things that I should be thankful for everday... the things that so many times I take for granted.

***Family - I feel so blessed to have the family that I do. Both immediate and extended. I have been given a great support system. We have definetely been through our share of ups and downs but we always stick together.

Happy Halloween

Another successful Halloween. The kids always look forward to Halloween. This year we were some sort of scary guy in a black costume with face paint and a a mermaid princess! Needless to say they both looked great! We continued on with the tradition we have made (not always by choice) to carve pumpkins on Halloween Eve! Halloween night started with a "spooky" dinner. Brains, mummies, swamp monsters, and ghosts. The Smith's, Meyers, and McKinleys were all able to join us. After that it was off to trick-or-treating. First in our neighborhood with all of the kids and then off to Vista Valley to meet up with all of the Sting boys. It is always so much fun to let them trick or treat in big groups. The older boys get to be together and the little ones can do their own thing... and of course us adults always enjoy hanging together. The weather was beautiful and we now have enough candy to last until next year!