Uftda!

What a busy weekend we had! Thanksgiving dinner, birthday celebrations, baptism, cookie baking and Christmas tree getting all jammed into three days! It was so much fun! Except the part where we had drains back up on our house resulting in tossing 6 bath towels & 2 rugs; use of an entire bottle of Clorax Bleach and a $300 emergency visit from Jetter clean! But the problem is solved and no major harm done. I'm looking forward to a more mellow week!

Scout

We have been having fun with a new tradition in our family; Elf on the Shelf. We named our elf Scout and he is a feisty elf! I get excited each morning listening to them scurry around the house in search of Scout and I love how giddy they become once they find him. Today he showed up while we were choosing our Christmas tree and made the kids squeal with excitement! I'm looking forward to seeing what other mischief Scout gets into this season!

Day 22

I am thankful for the little things...a morning walk around the pond with my children, their noses pink from the cold...a late night snuggle from a little boy who can't sleep... A random "I love you mommy in the middle of the day... The clapping of tiny hand or pitter patter of dancing feet...Eyes beaming with pride after accomplishing a new task...listening to daddy read a bedtime story...Listening to the same song over and over again...Bubble beards in the bathtub...Having a welcoming party greet me at home... There are so many little things that remind each day to be forever grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 21

I'm thankful for this smile. Bree and I talked recently about her "incident" three months ago. She remembers every detail down to having leg spasms and what she ate that day. Talking to her reminded me of how grateful I am to have had that be the worst day of my motherhood. How fortunate am I?!? And it also reminded me of how absolutely resilient my darling girl is. I was so upset over the possibility of dark teeth when this happened but as time went on I found it really didn't bother me at all. Here is her smile now, it's barely noticeable. Her personality still shines right thru. And that reminds of a quote I love, "Don't let anything dull your sparkle". You sure haven't let this dull your sparkle Bree! I'm thankful for that & for you.

Day 20

I'm thankful for the kink in my neck I woke up with this morning (actually every morning). We somehow end up with two kids in our bed by the time morning rolls around. It use to try me crazy that they'd sneak in at night but the older they get, the less it bothers me. Snuggling will be scarce before I know it, I'm trying to squeeze out every last bit before its too late. This morning Dave asked Bree why she won't stay in her bed at night. She replied, "Because I love you"! Can't argue with that!

Day 19

In thankful for the fun week ahead! This is my favorite time of year and I am so looking forward to spending time with family!

Day 18

I'm thankful for good healthcare and that my children are able to receive medications when they are ill.

Day 17

Im thankful for the precious sounds coming out of the baby monitor right now. It's 2am, I should be asleep but I can't because of the coos and giggles coming from Toby. I'm not sure why he's awake but he is happily talking to himself in his crib. I was reminded this week thru a friend who's husband has just begun a fight with cancer that life is very fragile. You just never know when you may lose those close to you. And so tonight instead of feeling annoyed I'm choosing to be thankful that I get to listen to those sweet sounds.

Day 16

I'm thankful for my intelligent, funny, selfless, inquisitive best friend. My husband has been a part of my life for over a decade. I can't seem to put together words that are fitting of the deep respect and love I have for him. I am thankful for the compassion he shows our children. I'm thankful that he teases me and forces me to mellow out when I'm being a (his words) "spaz". I love watching him be a daddy and listen to him teach our kids. I am thankful that he's easy going (I'm not) and adjusts well to change (I don't). We are very opposite and always have been but that is what makes "us" so great together. I hope my boys grow up to be just like him and treat their wives as greatly as he treats me. And I pray that when the time comes Breena marries someone just like her daddy. It'd be difficult for her to settle for anything less since Dave has really set the standards so high. I'm thankful for my husband and the endless ways he enriches my life each day.

Day 15

I'm thankful for our parents. I wouldn't be who I am without the guidance and continuous support of my mom and dad. I'm thankful for their presence in my life and for being mentors now that I'm a parent. I'm thankful for Dave's parents for raising an amazing person who is the best father & husband I could dream of. I'm thankful that they've welcomed me into their family and offer encouragement when we need a boast of confidence in rising our children. And I'm incredibly thankful that our children get to call these four influence people in my life GRANDPARENTS. I hope someday they understand how lucky they are to have grandparents that are so involved and love them so much.

Day 14

I'm thankful for my sweet, busy, charming baby boy. Toby is delightful in every sense of the word. He babbles nonstop and carries on conversations with himself in his own little language. He climbs on everything and sucks on anything he can get his fingers on. He adores his siblings, particularly Breena who is who is always willing to give him a snuggle. He is suddenly maturing so quickly and understands more and more each day. While we have only had Toby for 14 months I can't remember what life was like without him. I'm thankful for Toby and the fullness he has made my heart.

Day 13

I'm thankful for my kind, compassionate, adorable daughter. I'm thankful for the goofy things she says that always make us laugh. She's eager to learn and enjoys school. She's a tough little girl (evident from how bravely she handled her mouth injury) and often holds back tears when she gets an owie. She lightens up every room with her infectious smile and laughter. She is so helpful and great to her brothers. I'm thankful for Breena and the many ways she blesses my life.

Day 12

I'm thankful for my goofy, spirited, lovable, first born son Elijah. Eli's life is like a musical; he is almost always singing to himself. He is silly & wild. He plays hard during the day and crashes hard at night. He is sensitive yet stubborn. He is creative and intelligent. I know he is going to so great things in life. With Eli, there is never a dull moment. As he is getting older he strives to please and requires a little less supervision. He's a ray of sunshine on a dreary day. The day he was born I fell in love with another man (sshhh... Don't tell Dave ;)). I'm thankful for Eli and all the many ways he's blessed my life.

Day 11

I'm thankful for the beautiful day we had yesterday! It was 74 & sunny! We had plenty of playtime outside, two delicious meals on the grill, followed by a relaxing campfire with our kids! It was a *perfect* day!

Day 10

In thankful for Saturday morning donut runs with my kids to the "donut store" aka Kwik Trip. I take them in pj's to pick out their breakfast choice. They get so excited! I love surprising them with little things like this.

Day 9

I'm thankful for a mellow weekend! The week days are filled with activities and I work two evenings. Weekends have become a sacred time to spend with my husband and children!

Day 8

I'm thankful for peace and quiet. Like the times when I'm wide awake in the middle of the night just thinking after settling a child back into their bed. I should really be sleeping, but enjoying the silence is good for my soul.

Day 7

I'm thankful for warmth. I'm thankful to have our new furnace installed and to have heat in our home. I'm thankful for hot showers first thing in the morning and a warm bubble bath after a long day. I'm thankful for my heating pad that keeps my feet toasty at night. I'm thankful for warm chocolate chip cookies and fall campfires.

Victory

I'm so so so proud to live in Minnesota today. The people have spoken and stood up against bullying & intolerance. Next step: legalizing marriage for all couples! Yay Minnesota!!!

I Voted

Today I cast my ballot today and stood up for marriage equality. I hope you all voted and voiced your opinions too!

Day 6

I'm thankful for the things my kids are thankful for. On Sunday we made a Thanksgiving tree (an idea I got from a friend). We sat down and wrote what things we are thankful for on a lead to glue to the tree. Breena's first leaf said "Grandma Allen" and then she want on to list all the member of our family that she is thankful for. Eli's first leaf said "my clock" followed by "toy duck". Well.... He didn't really understand the concept this year but Bree did and it was great sitting down with them to complete this project. I'm thankful that they have many reason to be thankful!

Day 5

I'm thankful for siblings, both the ones I was born with and the I've acquired through marriage. I'm thankful for the friendships I've developed with both my brother & my sister. We couldn't be more different but when I need them they'd never let me down. I'm thankful for the relationships I continue to build with my inlaw siblings. And of course I'm thankful for the all the cousins they've given my children. Cousins are your first friends. I'm grateful my kids have 8 of them!

Day 4

I'm thankful for the ability to purchase gifts for my children. I am about halfway finished with my Christmas shopping for them. I love that once a year we are able to spoil them a little with some items off of their wish lists.

Day 3

I'm thankful for our house. We have been on a roller coaster this past year with our home. I sincerely thought we'd be in a larger home this thanksgiving but that wasn't in the cards for us! Though its a mere 1200 square feet I love our home because its cozy & is full of love. The kids don't care that its small, in fact they love sharing a room. We do have a great backyard so I'm very thankful for that! Plenty of space to run! Someday we will have a larger home, but for now this is perfect.

Day 2

I am thankful to be living in America.  I am thankful to be free; to live in a country that rallies around it's neighbors in a time of need; to educate my children; to decide where I live & what car I drive.  I am thankful to the women and men who serve our country and protect us. 

And on that note...The election is just days away.  Minnesotans will be asked to vote on Ammendment 1 (marriage ammendment).  I cannot wait to fill in my ballot with a big fat NO!  But many others (including some of my own friends) will be voting yes to legalize hatred & discrimination of same sex couples.  If you are on the fence about this topic or if you have planned to vote yes please take a minute to visit the link below.  This is Rep. John Kriesel's speech on Ammendment 1. 

http://youtu.be/0WyYRA4aZSI

"Please Vote No.  Stand Up for Freedom." - Rep. John Kriesel

I'm thank for... Day 1

It's that time of year again! I'm going I try to write everyday in November. So here is goes!

Today I am thankful for our dog, Allie. She barks a lot, takes medication for incontinence, runs after strangers, snarls when Toby get a fistful of fur, and while she drives me absolutely nuts I cannot help but love the darn thing. Allie was my first baby, she came to us at a time when I was really needing a fury friend to snuggle. So ill always love her, no matter how annoying she can be!