Laughter

I'm so thankful for my kids and the joy they bring me. They say and do the funniest, cutest, and silliest things these days. I love how they are constantly growing into their own personalities. They crack me up with some of the things they say. I don't know where they get this stuff but it's never a dull moment!
I'm also thankful for coworkers that I enjoy. I love my job and the people I see everyday- both kids and adults. This job has been such a blessing in many ways.

My Daughter

Today I am thankful for my sweet girl. Claire is so much fun and so full of adventure, fun and snuggles. She loves to dance and sing and both totally melt my heart. It's adorable to watch her performing. I can't believe how big she is getting but I'm looking forward to all the girly firsts with her.
These pictures are from her dancing. She requested I take them while she was in motion. :)

Fun

I got new glasses yesterday and I'm so thankful for them! I'm enjoying the transition lenses and loving having "sunglasses" for the first time. These glasses were worth every penny!
Tonight, I'm also thankful for nights when I lay and read. I love the time spent in a good book. I have loved reading my whole life and I'm so glad I can find the time to enjoy it still. Nothing beats a good book, a cozy blanket and something to sip at the end of the day (or week).

Alone

I'm thankful for time spent by myself today. Well, any time I spend alone is nice. Don't get me wrong, you know how much I love my kids. I love the walks we take together but I really like the ones I take while they are in bed. It's a nice way to relax from the day I had and to have time to think without little voices asking me questions or wanting me to watch them do something. :) A little "me time" goes a long way.

Life

I love my life. I'm thankful I have been given this life to live. It such a broad topic and I could elaborate a hundred different ways but I'm going to just say I love it all.
On a more specific note, I'm also thankful for the changes I have made over the past ten months or so. I feel like I have finally come into my own on many different levels. I've figured out how to juggle many things as a single mom, I've successfully worked out my personalized budget and no longer have monetary concerns, I got a job I love that is perfect for me and also for my family, I have grown as a parent in the ways I interact with my kids or discipline them, I have grown in my relationship with Jesus in a deeper and more moving way, and I have really just felt more like an adult. That sounds funny but it's true.
In light of the beautiful weather we have had this weekend and start of the week, I'm thankful for lots of outside time for the kids and the opportunities we have to go on walks and just enjoy our yard.

Neighborhood

Today I'm thankful for the neighborhood we live in. We live in the middle of an orchard and are surrounded by all kinds of fruit trees and fruit stands. We also live less than a half mile from the Columbia River. It's such a nice walk down there and back.
My kids and I walked down to the river beach today and waded in the water, threw rocks in the river, watched boats zoom past and enjoyed the beautiful weather we had. I'm looking forward to more days like this!

Friday

I am so thankful its Friday. I am looking forward to our weekend and the beautiful weather we have coming our way.
The kids and I spent a lot of time outside this afternoon and it was great! I also enjoyed a walk alone after they went to bed. That was really relaxing.
Here's to a Saturday filled with sun and fun!

My son

I'm so lucky to be Zane's mom. Sure, he is becoming an independent, strong willed, sometimes mouthy little man but he is still my baby.
I cannot get over how smart he is. The boy amazes me everyday. I love his smile and his goofy laugh. I especially love how thoughtful and caring he is. My favorite thing he does is when I read the kids their bedtime stories, he puts his arm around my shoulder and neck and plays with my hair.
Over the last year and a half or so he has become my protector, it is so precious to see him get protective or defensive of me. He is only almost 6, I cannot imagine how he will be in ten years. He and I have such a strong bond that will only keep growing.
I thank God for him everyday. He is one of the two most precious gifts I have ever been given. Why does time have to go so fast? I want to bottle him up, at this age, and keep him forever. I love watching him grow and change but I sure do love him just like this. My little Zaney boy.
*we pulled his top tooth out tonight and he is even cuter now that both front top teeth are gone. Hehe

Jinx

I jinxed myself with my last post. Claire woke up three times between midnight and 5:45 this morning. Now I know better than to post about sleeping children. ;)

Sleep

Tonight I'm thankful for the sleep I have been getting the past few nights. Its nice that both my kids sleep through the night about 98% of the time. I usually stay up til 11 or so but lately I have been out before 9:30. I guess I needed the rest.
I'm also thankful that Awana is coming to a close for this year. I love the program and I love that my kids love it, but Wednesdays are so busy. It will be nice to have one less thing to do. That being said, I'm proud of Zane- he finished his Hang Glider book today! He worked so hard all year on memorizing those verses and his hard work paid off today! In two weeks we will have the award ceremony and he will get awards for his achievements. It should be fun!

Hospital

Last night I spent about five hours in the ER following chest pains, numbness, shortness of breath and fast/heavy heart rate. Good news is it wasn't stress induced or my thyroid. It wasn't a heart attack even though my cardiac enzymes were elevated. They aren't exactly sure what brought this on but gave me some leads to follow up on with my regular doctor.
So tonight I am thankful I was in good hands while in the ER. I'm thankful my parents came back early so one could take me up and one could stay with my kids. I'm also thankful that God is the ultimate healer and comforter. I was so completely covered in prayer and I know that's why I was able to remain calm (except when I got my iv in) and just go with the flow. I'm thankful I have so many people in my life who would pray for me and intercede for me. I am so blessed!
I'm going to go see my doctor tomorrow morning to see about starting some testing for the causes of this incident and one like it almost a year ago.

Long day

Today lasted forever. It was a half good day and a half trying day. What has gotten into my son lately? Oh that's right, kindergarten. Ugh.
I'm determined to stay positive, especially since they are in bed now, so let's just cut to the chase. Ha!
Today I'm thankful for all our laundry being washed, folded and put away. :) Its the little things that make me happy.

Patience

My kids tried my patience this afternoon in just about every way imaginable. Meltdowns, tantrums, attitude and all that fun. It was supposed to be a nice afternoon out but ended with them going to bed early and park/playtime being cut short. While I'm not thankful for the trying of my patience, I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a mom and to keep letting God work in me and on my levels of patience. And also for ongoing quest in quickness to redirect and have teachable moments in the midst of the chaos.

Loves

Today I'm thankful for the love of my kiddos. They are both so affectionate and full of love to share. I love getting all their hugs and kisses and smiles and cuddles. I love being their mom! I'm so blessed.

Sinusitis

Today I'm thankful I was able to see a doctor and get a antibiotic shot to kill this sinusitis I have. It's lingered for nearly three weeks. I should have gone in before today but at least I did go. I'm already feeling a lessening in pressure and pain which is why I prefer to get a shot of rocephin instead of get oral antibiotics.
In other news, my son got two awards at his assembly today! I was hoping to be there to see him get his awards but I didn't know the assembly was today. I'm so sad :( He got a certificate for knowing all his ABC's and one for counting to 100. Big time stuff :) Truthfully, he has known his ABC's for awhile but didn't get his certificate until today. Not only do they have to know them before they get their certificate, they have to also know all the long and short sounds and all the vowel sounds. So it's a little tricky. I'm proud of him for getting his awards! Such a smart little man!
And- my kids are goobers. :D

Routines

I'm happy to be off of spring break and back into our everyday routines. I'm thankful for the predictability and time frames we stick to. It's fun to have a vacation or a break from the everyday but it's so nice to fall back into familiar routines.
I'm also super thankful we have warmer temperatures finally! No more winter jackets!! Which also means everything is in bloom and the kids are playing outside A LOT. It's good good times here!

Love

Today, on Resurrection Sunday, I'm thankful for the love of Jesus. A love so strong and powerful that He gave His life for mine and I get to spend eternity loving and serving Him.
I'm also thankful for my kids. I'm always thankful for them but today I am thankful that we can be together and I can teach them the love I treasure that can only come from Jesus.

Saved

I've been thinking about Easter the past few days. I'm not going to go into a huge long post on the true meaning of Easter and all that goes along with it. What I will say is this: today I am thankful for the unfailing love of my Savior. I am thankful that I have been chosen by Him, forgiven of all my sins and have an eternity to love Him.

Today

Today I'm thankful for today. It was the perfect combination of lazy and fun. A lazy morning led to an impromptu trip to The Dalles for me and the kids. That included lunch out per their request. We had fun together. It was just a good day. Most of our days are good days. I guess that's what happens when you love your life. :)

Rest

I woke up with horrible sinus pain and a sinus headache. I spent all morning laying on the couch with my eyes closed (not asleep). My kids were such troopers! They played together without fighting, they watched tv and they also prayed for me to feel better. I'm thankful I was able to spend half my day resting. It's not my idea of a fun way to spend my day but it was needed. I have such good kids. :)

Swings

Yesterday my dad and I spent all morning putting together the kids new swing set. It was frustrating and parts broke but they will be replaced and, really, it was totally worth all of that for their extreme happiness. They didn't get to play much due to cold, windy, and rainy weather. I'm thankful that we were able to buy the swing set and give the kids something they have never had before.

Busy

Today.was.busy. Whew! It was a total blast though! The kids and I joined our friends for a trip to a local kids museum/play station. The kids had so much fun! We followed it up with lunch at McDonalds where they also played some more. Then the productive part of the day commenced. Our huge monthly grocery shopping trip. I love a fridge, freezer and pantry full up for the month! Once we got home, the kids played outside for literally the rest of the day! Let's hear it for gorgeous weather!!
I'm SO thankful that we have such a fun and blessed life. God is so great in providing for us in every way imaginable!

Snail Mail

Nobody sends real mail anymore. Kinda makes me sad. A couple of weeks ago I sent a few of my favorite people some actual mail. It was so fun! I'm thinking of making it a semi regular habit. I don't expect people to write me back. I just like knowing my letter or card brightened their day.

Laid Back

Today was a laid back day. We slept in a little, had a yummy breakfast, and started our day off in a productive but laid back way. Feels great to get laundry and cleaning done as well as do some updates on my phone. Now I'm baking a cake. Have I mentioned I'm thankful for spring break? :)