Day 30: Thankful for My Mom

I just had to save this post for last... I tried writing it a million times and the words just never seemed to do my mom justice. She is, without a doubt, the most loving, generous, compassionate and selfless woman I know. She has sacrificed SO much for her family and is an amazing example of how to live your faith. She has always believed in me, encouraged me, loved me and supported me. She has taught me how to be a wife and mother. So thank you mom. Thank you for the jelly bean trails, the back rubs, the cool wash clothes on my forehead, the fun times shopping, the Albion football games working the concession stand, the trips to the park, the vacations, the dress up clothes, the summer camps, the endless library, the beautiful home, the visits to The Dairy, running down Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, tubing on the boat, kayaking in Lake Superior, sledding on cookie sheets, filling out countless scholarship forms, taking me to Tech, visiting KC and 3M, being there when the boys were born and everything in between!! I love you so much and am very thankful for you!

A few years old, but almost all the recent pics of my mom and I include the boys!

Day 29: Thankful for Friends' Blogs

Okay, it's almost mid December and I need to wrap up my Thankfulness posts! We have started to receive Christmas cards and one of my favorite things is to read the Christmas newsletters that people send out. I like them so much, that it doesn't even matter if I actually know the people I am reading about :) Anyway, blogs to me are like a Christmas newsletter all year round! What's not to like? I have loved re-connecting with friends, looking at photos of their kiddos and hearing about family updates all through the blogs. It's a way to stay in touch all year through. The reason I started this blog was due to the encouragement from other blogging friends - "your mom will love it".... "I'll set it up for you"... and they were all right! So as I get close to wrapping up this month of Thankfulness, I just want to let all you girls know how thankful I am for your blogs. Thanks for letting me be a part of your life (from afar!), thanks for letting me watch your kiddos grow and thanks for encouraging me by sharing honest accounts of life. I am so very thankful.

Day 28: Thankful for our Fireplace

It's the U.P.... it's late November... and it's cold!! And on days like this I am very thankful for our wood burning fireplace that makes our house nice and toasty warm. I've even learned how to successfully start a fire myself with out causing too much smoke to fill the house! It makes me very happy and is so cozy :) Today I am thankful that Luke cut all this wood for us and that we get to enjoy nice fires during the wintertime!

Day 27: Thankful for the Christmas Season

So why didn't anyone tell me that Christmas + a 3 year old = AWESOME! I'm serious!! Last year Blake enjoyed decorating the tree and sort of "got" that it was Jesus' birthday and Santa was bringing presents. This year is totally different. As soon as he saw Christmas lights on the houses he started yelling "Christmas is here!". As soon as he saw the Christmas tree in Walmart (back in early Nov thank.you.very.much) he asked if we could put ours up at home. And today, we finally did put our tree up and decorate it. And Blake loved every single minute. He helped me pick up the laundry in the living room so we'd have a place to put our tree :) He then helped Luke put all the lights on the tree. Finally, he helped put the ornaments on the tree. When he found the Cross ornament he started kissing it and so I asked him what he was doing. "Just giving Jesus a kiss". Melt my heart! My eyes actually teared up. He also wanted to put the ornament with Mary at the top of the tree so she could "watch over us". Honestly, it is such a heart-stopping moment (in a good way) to see Christ's love grow in your child. Blake still gets confused and asks each day if it's "still Jesus' birthday", but we're working on explaining the Reason for the Season to him! While Blake had this glorious experience with decorating the tree, Drew didn't fare so well. He was cutting a tooth and was a little excited about some of the ornaments, but one wrong step on the step-stool and Drew was covered in pine needles and headed for an early bedtime :( Maybe next year baby Drew!! Today I am thankful for the start of the Christmas season and for the opportunity to show Christ's love to others.

Helping with all the lights. Side note: they went a little overboard and momma had to run to the store to get two more boxes of lights!

Blake hung the first ornament! He picked one that he "made" himself as a baby :)

Drew's turn for the first ornament!

I just love this picture of Drew looking at the ornament with Blake's baby picture

Helping Dad put ornaments up high

"Kissing Jesus" - love it!

Christmas Tree 2011!

Day 26: Thankful for Family Traditions

Many years ago, Luke's dad had the foresight to plant a bunch of Christmas trees behind his house. Today we went to harvest one of those trees! We talked about Steve and found beautiful tree's for Kris and ourselves. We've gotten our tree from this spot for many years . It's usually a beautiful, cold, snowy day. However, this year was the first time we've ever cut down a Christmas tree in the rain! Blake loved the mud and both boys actually helped us cut down the tree. I've included a couple of pictures. Today I am thankful for the tree's Steve planted and for this wonderful family adventure to select the perfect tree!

We picked out the perfect one (although Blake is more interested in the saw)!

Everyone "helping" cut the tree down :)

Had to include this pic of my cuties... although maybe I should stop taking pictures and fix Drew's hat so he can see! Poor boy!

Day 25: Thankful for Auntie Rosie

I grew up a die hard "Black Friday" shopper. I have SO many memories (and even video!) of my mom, Auntie Rosie, cousin Kellie and I getting up super early to be in line before the stores opened. It was always the tradition that Thanksgiving evening we'd pour over the circulars (usually while eating the left over chocolate silk pie directly out of the pie pan) and make our lists for the next day. We'd shop separately in the morning (girls vs moms), meet up for lunch, shop together in the afternoon and then go and visit our grandparents graves in the evening. So when I think of "Black Friday", I can't help but think of my Auntie and how much I miss her. She was truly an amazing woman and a great Godmother, Auntie, Sister and Mom. And as she spends her first Thanksgiving in Heaven as a Grandma, I know she's watching down over all of us. In fact, I know she'd be quite disappointed in my lack of "Black Friday" shopping this year... "but Auntie, I'm in Iron River!!"... "there's only an Ace Hardware here" :) Kellie and I have already looked ahead on the calendar and figured out that my birthday falls on "Black Friday" next year! How fitting! I'll have to make Auntie especially proud with some super deals next year! Just thinking ahead makes me happy :) Thank you Lord for Auntie Rosie and all the special ways she remains a very close part of my life.

Day 24: Thankful for Thanksgiving Day

Luke comes from a huge extended family and they all gather together on Thanksgiving. This year we celebrated the day with them at Kermits. John and Clare are such gracious hosts. I believe the final count was 68 people which includes four generations! Lots of great food, wonderful visits with family and a whole lotta kids running all over the place :) Blake never slowed down and absolutely loved playing with all the cousins. I, of course, ate way too much including a yummy raspberry trifle that Luke's mom made. We had fun watching the Packers/Lions game since there were so many people cheering for both sides. Unfortunately, my Lions lost and I lost a few bets :( But there's always New Year's Day to redeem ourselves! Overall, just a wonderful day with family giving thanks for all the blessings in our lives!

Note: Not that anyone is interested, but I don't want to forget that I started the day out realizing that I forgot the boys' Thanksgiving outfits. So I drove all the way back to Iron Mountain to get them. Initially, I was so irritated that I had to "waste" 1.5 hrs of my morning doing this. But it turned out to be such a wonderful opportunity to have some quiet "me" time. I reflected on what I was thankful for and was even able to call my family, cousin and close friend, with out being interrupted. Thank you Lord for this time on such a special day.

Day 23: Thankful for Birthday Wishes

Today I am feeling overwhelmed with love and good thoughts on my birthday. The day started with hugs and kisses from my boys, then balloons and cards at work, then messages from friends and family (including a special FB shout out from Chrystal that made me cry) and finally a wonderful dinner and gifts at my MIL's with Luke's Aunts, Uncle and Cousin. Just all around a great day and I am so very thankful for all the birthday wishes and love I received!

Day 22: Thankful for French Toast

Why is there something about french toast that just makes me happy? It's comforting and makes me smile and it's familiar and new at the same time! Yum! It's the simple things in life and today I am thankful for french toast.

Day 21: Thankful for Time with Drew

Yesterday evening, Luke took Blake out hunting for a few hours and I got to spend time with just Drew. He, of course, was very upset about not getting to go along with Dad and big brother. He cried his little eyes out until I told him that we could taste some of my birthday cake (even though it was a few days early). We started out just taking bites of the frosting and eventually cut an entire piece. He must get his sweet tooth from his Mama because he loved it.... loved it to the point where he cried AGAIN when the piece of cake was gone! Ha! Gotta love this boy! We spent the rest of our time doing his favorite things - playing trucks, riding Lucky the horse and putting all the matchbox cars into an empty wipes container (over and over and over). Drew is such a laid back, stubborn, loving little man who fills my heart with happiness! I am so thankful for this time to spend with him!

Day 20: Thankful for Prayer Group

Back in 2007, Luke and I made our Cursillo at the Marygrove Retreat Center in Garden, MI. It was an amazing experience for me and during that weekend I made lifelong friends that I continue to meet with each week. They support me, hold me accountable, make me laugh, offer up prayer intentions and challenge me to be a better Christian. Tonight while grouping, I thought about how comfortable I am with this ladies and how much I look forward to spending time with them. They know me better than most and still love me :) I am incredibly thankful for them and for the opportunity to make my Cursillo!

Day 19: Thankful for a Clean House

Why is it that my house starts off clean on the weekends and then just gets worse and worse as the week goes on? Each week I tell myself that I'm going to stay on top of the clutter and get the laundry put away... but some how I fall short! Anyway, Saturdays are my day to get everything back in order again! So today I am thankful for the time to get the house picked up before the boys got home. It's like an instant weight off my shoulders when I can look around at a clean house. I was extra efficient and even had time to make a chai tea before everyone got home :) A clean house + chai tea = pure thankfulness!

Day 16: Thankful for the Niagara Bridge

We live in Michigan and our daycare is in Wisconsin (just across the river). Normally it takes me about 10 min to get to daycare and then 10 min to get to work. Well, back in January, the bridge that I take to get into Wisconsin was shut down for repair. It just reopened on 11-11-11. It's been a long ten months! My typical 20 min commute in the morning turned into a 45 min commute. Needless to say, I was in a rush most mornings. With Luke gone this week , I knew I'd probably be running a little bit late. However, with the extra time in my schedule (courtesy of the bridge being open), I have been to work early each day! I am so happy every time I drive across that bridge. The extra time starts my day off on the right foot!

Day 15: Thankful for Melissa and Karen

With Luke gone for 6 days, I was a little nervous about what I was going to do "on my own" with the kids for that long. Keeping them entertained in the evenings can be hit or miss. Thankfully, Melissa and Karen came to my rescue! They each had us over one night to play and eat dinner. The evenings went by so very fast and the kids had a blast playing together! I was incredibly thankful for the chance to visit with my friends (and the fact that I didn't have to cook dinner!). All around a win-win :)

Day 13: Thankful for Our Church

We hardly ever sit in the “cry room” at church, but today we were running a little late, there were no open pews and it was easiest to just slip into the cry room before mass began. We were the first family in there, but others quickly joined us. When Mass started, Father Mike’s microphone wasn’t working so we had to leave the door open. I was so worried the kids would be disruptive, but they were so good! Sure they got antsy, ate snacks, read books, etc but all of the kids in the room were well behaved. I had to smile as I looked around at the other families in the room and realized what great friends we have made through church. Our kids are growing up together and our families are growing in faith together. Even after Mass, several others stopped into the cry room to say hi to the kids and compliment them on their good behavior. I love having such a supportive church community and I am so thankful for the friends we have made!

Day 12: Thankful for My Car Starter

I’m getting behind in my thankfulness posts. I find that it’s so much easier to try and write one each day, while I am “in the moment of being thankful”. Now I’m thinking back to last Saturday and trying to remember what we did. I was on call and spent a lot of time at the mill over the weekend and while this is going to sound really superficial, I am thankful for my car starter :) This sounds silly, but when it’s cold outside and you are walking out of the mill by yourself at 10 pm, it’s really nice to have a warm car to get into. I’ve only had the car starter for a few days (Luke got it for me as an early birthday gift), but I am loving it. These U.P. winters are cold and I’m looking forward to not having to scrape my windows as they will be nice and melted by the time I get to my car :)

Day 11: Thankful for Service Men and Women

11-11-11. What a cool date and a great day to honor the many men and women serving our country to protect our freedoms! Today I am thankful for them and for all the veterans that have come before them. I am thankful for my dad and his service to our country and the many friends and family members who have also served/are serving. May God continue to watch over and protect them.

Day One: Thankful for Great Neighbors

Each day in November, several of my friends are posting on Facebook about things they are thankful for. I think this is a great idea and a good way to think about all the blessings we have. Instead of writing on Facebook, I thought it might be a good encouragement to blog more, if I wrote on here. So first up - I am thankful for our Neighbors. I am thankful for how they take care of us and spoil our kids. I am thankful to be surrounded by such loving, Christian families. This was especially evident on Halloween - between the neighbors who had special care packages for our kids, to those who asked us to stop back at their house twice since our kids were the only trick-or-treaters, to those who invited us over for a "spooky" supper and gifts for the kids. After searching for a house for over two years, it's a wonderful feeling to have found this awesome spot! (I'll post more Halloween pictures later on, but here are a few to get started):

Blake dressed as Woody from Toy Story for his preschool party

Blake "changed his mind" and had to dress as Buzz Lightyear for the evening trick-or-treating. Drew went as Mr. Bear in the evening since the costume was warmer.

Spooky dinner set up!

Miss Kathy's edible finger pretzels :)

Raggedy Andy ready for his school party!