{7} I am Thankful for...

... Sundays, and more specifically, my current church calling.

I serve in the nursery and love it.

Like I never want to do anything else, they will have to drag me out kicking and screaming.. love it!

Our nursery is h.u.g.e.

We are busting at the seams until the New Year when many of our little ones will move up into the next class, Sunbeams. 

I love all the little voices, 

the needs for hugs, 

the excitement over new toys, snacks, or activities, 

the squeals of joy, 

the dress up sessions, 

pretending to eat plastic food, 

building lego rockets and castles,

and racing hotwheel cars.  

It is the best spent two hours, EVER!!

{6} I am Thankful for...

Date Nights!

Everyone tells you how important date nights are, especially early on in your marriage.  But lets face it... they are tough to work in when children are little and money is so very tight.

No more excuses for us.

Facts are that if we don't literally put date nights on the calendar then there is always something else ready to take its place.

So finally, we are doing date nights every other weekend, yep, TWO date nights a month.

Long time coming, but so worth it!

 

{5} I am Thankful for...

... Homeowner's Insurance.

Yep, it has been a real blessing to us this year.

2010 will be remembered for the amount of water damage that happened to the house.

 It is hard to tell in these photos but this was the latest damage caused to our downstairs ceilings and mouldings because of a line break in the upstairs toilet, sigh.

 I discovered this problem because of the flooded hardwoods in the entry... heartattack!!  It was a Sunday morning and Shawn had already left for his church meetings, so I had the delight of discovering the horrible mess on my own. 

 But in the end, the toilet was fixed... no structural damage, walls are being repainted as I type, and the floor damage was minimal and nothing a little dab of refinisher won't fix.

So, now that the initial shock and tears are gone, I indeed am thankful that we can pay a minimal deductible and have everything put back to what it was.  And more importantly, I am thankful that our little 'disasters' this year were not the kind that risked the well-being of our family.

After the painter leaves today, we will start saving for our next deductible to repair the roof and Savannah's ceiling.  It is in a safe holding pattern but needs permanent repairing asap.  Hope 2011 proves to be a year with NO paid insurance deductibles.  Cause have I mentioned we had to pay a couple car repair deductibles this year too?... all I'm saying is that they had nothing to do with me... hee-hee... hubby had an off year :)

{4} I am Thankful for...

... Shawn.

In a few months we celebrate 18 years of marriage.
I prayed that I would marry a guy that after many, many years..
I would still be absolutely crazy about...

And I did... I just love him!

{2&3} I am Thankful for...

...our boys!

Miracles that happened 6 years apart.

Christian was a splendid surprise.  After being told we may never be able to have children and trying for almost 2 years for Savannah... just weeks after having Savannah we found out we were pregnant again.  What?!  We were prepared to have to try and wait again for years before even hoping another baby would come to our family.  Savannah and Christian are only 1 year 2 weeks apart.  Christian was a tough baby and a handful of a toddler... but seriously has been a relative breeze ever since.

Ty was also a huge surprise.  I personally had stopped hoping for another baby.  I actually had contentment that our family of 4 must be complete.  Afterall, Christian was almost 6 and we had been trying all those years to have a baby.  But yet, so very thankfully, we were indeed meant to be a family of 5 afterall.  Ty's pregnancy was riddled with complications and just plain crazy stuff... but he is here!  Ty was an easy baby and an even easier toddler.  He is a stubborn 8 year old and we will see what wild ride that has in store for us, grin.

Boys... !  The noise, the laughter, the fights, the mess...

Such a blessing!

{1} I am Thankful for...

...a daughter that is strong and focused.

This past Sunday, Savannah was awarded her Young Womanhood Recognition.

This is the result of years of work and participation in the Young Women Personal Progress Program.  

She planned and carried out numerous goals and experiences in different 'Value' areas including Projects, in each value, that require incredible thought, effort, and time.

She received a lovely pendant with her Recognition.

I too earned my YW Recognition when I was 16 and it has blessed my life.

I told her on Sunday that together we have begun a Righteous Tradition.

Young Women Theme

WE ARE DAUGHTERS of our Heavenly Father,

who loves us, and we love Him.

WE WILL "STAND as witnesses of God at all times

and in all things, and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9)

as we strive to live the Young Women Values, which are:

FAITH  *  DIVINE NATURE

INDIVIDUAL WORTH  *  KNOWLEDGE

CHOICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

GOOD WORKS  *  INTEGRITY

AND VIRTUE

WE BELIEVE as we come to accept and act

upon these values, WE WILL BE PREPARED

to strengthen home and family,

make and keep sacred covenants,

receive the ordinances of the temple,

and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved,

until the day of the Lord come.

(D&C 87:8)

Cast of Characters

 

 (thank you Kim for letting me snag this photo from you)

Ty requested months ago to be a cowboy... again.  He actually was a cowboy several years ago but loves the 'garb'.  He always gives his very serious tough guy face for his pictures.

Savannah was not going to dress up this year but found out that the Youth Dance in October was a costume party and wanted to participate.

She was a beautiful Vampire.

 She loved, LOVED these glittery bats... for a gal that doesn't do glitter... I was impressed!

 So shall I remind everyone that two years ago my son chose to be a toilet... proud mom moment!

Last year he was a trashcan, literally strapped on a can and trash!

This year.... a shower!

 I didn't even know how to help him, this is beYOND my creative capabilities so I just stayed out of his way as he implemented his design.  Well, I had to drive him to Lowe's so he could cruise the PVC and plumbing aisles... so I should get some credit right?!

I think the absolute genius of the setup was attaching it to his camping backpack frame.  Making it easy to put on and take off.... afterall he was wearing this thing to a dance need I remind you :)

 He snagged his Dad's robe, we even tracked him down a shower cap but my 'no fear' fellow was actually afraid of the shower cap, hilarious!

 Is anyone reminded of the classic Karate Kid Movie?  Anyone?

 

 THE END