Giving Thanks

I(we) have so much to be thankful for. I'd like to think I count my blessings all the year through but if I'm completely honest then that's not true. While I am always thankful for the many blessings I have I also always seem to want a little bit more. So this month we really tried to have conversations with the kids each day about all the things in their(our) lives we have to be thankful for. There are of course the most obvious of things that kids think of...our home, family, food, friends but we wanted them to dig deeper and really think about ALL that we are blessed with. We had some great conversations over dinner, in the car and in the grocery store and it really made me take inventory also. So here's a little list of things I'm thanking God for this year.
* I am so thankful for the beautiful, healthy family I am surrounded with. My parents, my in-laws, my siblings, my sibling-in-laws, my nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins. I'm so thankful we live in close proximity and even though we may not see each other as often as we like I cherish the times we're together.
* I am thankful for my four wonderful monkeys. What a blessing they are in my life. Of course there are difficult days but even in the midst of frustration and chaos I can't imagine a life without them. They are incredible little people and I'm so thrilled for the opportunity to help raise them with Rocky and of course God...whew...another thanks! Can't imagine raising them without the comfort of knowing He's in charge!
* I am thankful for my amazing husband and I don't tell him nearly enough how honored I am to be his wife. He has an overabundance of patience for my imperfections (as there are many)and he never misses an opportunity to speak or show his love to me. He works incredibly hard to provide for our family and allow me to stay home with our kids. And even with all the extra hours he puts in he never misses out on time with the kids. He is a devoted husband and father and I am so thankful God picked him just for me.
* I am thankful for my health and the fact that tomorrow morning I can get up and run. I never want to take for granted the ability to do the most basic of things.
* I am thankful for the fall and the Christmas season upon us. To me it's the most beautiful time of the year and I can honestly say there is not a day in Autumn that I don't marvel at God's handiwork. I will have to work on being thankful for that during the rainy spring!
*And I am thankful that we live in a country where we are free to worship our Savior and my daughter could make her thanksgiving book and openly write about her love for God.
Wishing you all a Happy day of Giving Thanks!

The Potty

Oh how I wish we could conquer this next milestone with Millie. I'd like to think the time was near that we could do away with pull-ups but the reality is we're not even close! Yes, occasionally she starts her day with a pair of panties and she has managed to tinkle on the potty a few times but mostly I end up cleaning up accidents all over the house. When asked if she needs to sit on the potty she replies "no, it makes me sad." Hmmm...how do I reason with that? Don't we teach them to share their feelings and shouldn't I honor her feelings? Or is she already a master at manipulation? I've been down this road twice before and I should know by now they're all different and when they're ready it will happen. Sam was the same way. No interest at all and then he turned 3 and voila he was potty-trained. It was almost like it happened overnight. And after all Amelia seems to be cut from the same mold as her brother. Both a little slow to talk, both require very little sleep and yet seem to have endless amounts of energy and they are both such great little snuggle bugs. So maybe I should hold out until 3 before I get too worked up and then again she's her own little person maybe it will be closer to 4.....oh Lord please help me! two peas in a pod

Just having some fun...

...with our new camera!

Wine Country

Yesterday we were all outside working in the yard (okay Rocky was really the only one working)and I walked into the garden to check out the damage and take a few pictures when I was struck by a very strong smell of alcohol. It didn't take long to find the culprit...our fermenting grapes. Every year we have this beautiful crop of grapes that I never get around to doing anything with. They grow so easily and just keep coming back year after year and every year I say I'm going to make grape jelly. Well as you can imagine this year was no different and so the grapes are left to be eaten by the blue jays...who by the way seem to catch quite a buzz after a small feast of grapes. So no grape jelly this year....maybe I'll get around to it next summer!

p.s. more nature pics to come as I'm having so much fun playing with our new camera!

Welcome Sweet Lua

My sis Ali had her sweet baby girl last Friday. She is such a beautiful baby and the kids ate up every moment of loving on her. I think Maggie would have held her all day if we let her. I can't wait to get my hands on her again! We love you little Lua!

I left Josie at home with Rocky. For one I knew it would be easier if she was at home and second because I wasn't ready to see her next to a brand new one. I remember so clearly how big Maggie seemed when the twins were born and the age difference is exactly the same. I know Josie is a chunky monkey but I want to keep her my "tiny baby" as long as possible!

Miscellaneous Fall

Wow! Our family has sure changed in two years! I can't believe this was two pumpkin patches ago! Sam and Maggie look so little and of course Millie too! Anyways onto the current fall events. Two weeks ago we had a little birthday/pumpkin carving party for Uncle Ry. Kristen brought yummy strawberry/rhubarb pie and we enjoyed a fun afternoon of carving and in Ryan's case drilling. Josie slept through all the festivities and we had to wake Amelia up to join us. That seemed to be a big mistake at first as she was incredibly crabby but once she woke up she had a great time digging in the pumpkin guts!

Millie still trying to wake up from her short little snooze! Lu loved squishing her hands in the pumpkin guts. Auntie Kristen was quite creative as always and made an adorable Hello Kitty stencil for Maggie's pumpkin. It turned out so cute...sorry no picture.

Introducing Uncle...the 30 year old! With the beard he almost looks 30!

Sammy was anxious to get started with the carving.

Auntie Kristen doing the tedious task of fishing out the pumpkin seeds. Kristen has started a little tradition of roasting the seeds with a special blend of yummy flavors and this year she outdid herself. Best batch yet! I wasn't very good about sharing with the kiddos.

The girls dressed up as Nastia Luikin and Shawn Johnson. It was a great costume since they can wear it over and over again! I have a hard time getting Amelia out of her leotard and sweat outfit so it was perfect for her. She has become quite obsessed with these two gymnasts but that's another blog for another day! This picture was at Maggie's class party.

Shawn Johnson with Guitar Hero. Auntie did a fabulous job creating this emblem for Sam's shirt. It was a tough year agreeing on a costume for Sam. He was longing to dress as something out of a bad horror film but in the end he came to his senses and decided to create his own character...Guitar Hero! Surely a unique one and one that didn't break the bank or cause anyone nightmares!

We've had such a beautiful fall around here. The last few days have been a bit wet and dreary but that's to be expected...it is after all Washington! And one last bit of exciting news...I'm an auntie again! Ali had her baby this morning. She was 7 lbs 15oz and her name is Lua. I can't wait to snuggle her tomorrow!