Practicing the Discipline of Gratitude {November}

During the month of November, I was thankful for these things, just to name a few . . .

1.  that Jessie convinced me we should set up the trampoline while she was here for a visit.  We took it down for winter on the first, and I can't imagine having made it through the summer and Ryan's deployment without it!

2.  a collaborative Lego science project from the library!

3.  I have successfully passed on one of my least favorite morning chores

4.  my little girl found a treasure at the thrift store today!!

6.  we found a like-new copy of the only book in his current favorite series that he hasn't read (the only one the library doesn't have!).  I spent $1.50 and had an opportunity to remind my son that God is in the details of our lives.

7.  Ryan knew better than me the amount of fun our kids would have with marshmallow shooters!

8.  Our boy received good medical care and is sleeping well after breaking his collar bone while playing football with some neighbor boys.  "Sometimes you just have to dive for them, Mom".  So true.

10.  thankful for my view in the evening  

11.  on Memorial Day I am thankful for the men and women who faithfully serve our country.  And for the kind man in the background who generously gave us our lunch for free!

12.  she finally gave up the fight and took a much needed nap

13.  starting my day with this view 

14.  slow Saturdays that provide moments of soul-ratifying pleasure (we'll just forget about the cacophony of playful noise that was going on behind me!)

15.  Ryan was able to be with his family during a time of mourning over the loss of Uncle Joe.  

16.  he likes to play games with me

18.  helpful hands with a successful baking project

19.  doing my music teaching prep in the quiet studio with a warm drink instead of my usual prep that happens at home amidst the noise of life!

20.  watching and hearing them thoughtfully work through their choices on what to pack in each  box

21.  the gift of tickets to the symphony

22.  Sunday night Happy Time tradition!

23.  the contented quietness of a Thanksgiving project

24.  sharing an evening with my gingers, listening to excellent music

25.  Ryan faithfully loves and pursues our kids, all the way to bedtime

26.  the five of us together

27.  a second Thanksgiving!  Complete with homemade ice cream and learning a name-worth game

28.  the house to myself for a few hours!  My to-do list (and the vacuum) took a beating

29.  the quietness of a drive home from the library

A Little from November

Some November highlights . . .  Giving Thanks.

Rooke was playing at a neighbor's house, and then the boys showed up at our house with a cookbook, and a plan to make some muffins.  I was more than happy to help!

The boys watching football.  Rooke's interest in football has reached a new level this year.  He knows players, team records, statistics, how to find the highlights on Apple TV . . . he's all in.  Ryan couldn't be happier!

We did a "hopping corn" experiment that was pretty cool!

Gretchen cashed in her Mommy Date coupon for some ice cream after music class!

This is our six-stranded loaf of pumpkin challah bread that we made while learning about Moses and the establishment of the tabernacle in Exodus.

Ryan and I were gifted tickets to hear the symphony on a Saturday.  Then the following week, I got to take Rooke and Gretchen to hear a free concert by several of the musicians who perform with the symphony.  The music was excellent, and I was grateful for the opportunity to expose our kids to a masterful performance.  Of course, our special night needed to include a little frozen yogurt treat!

We spent Thanksgiving day at home, just the five of us.  We read books, threw the football, colored, watched football, cooked, baked, ate, shared cookies with the guards at the base gate, watched Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, ate again, played games, and completely enjoyed being together.  We missed family.  Not sharing the table with others felt a little strange.  But sometimes it's good to slow down and connect.  The five of us is good.  And Thanksgiving day reminded me of that.  We have much to be thankful for.  

We enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal again on Friday with friends from church.  We learned how to play Rook, and dessert included homemade ice cream!  

Our Thanksgiving tree ended the month in full bloom! 

Practicing the Discipline of Gratitude {October}

In October, I was thankful for . . .

1.  we made it to the month of October!

2.  our Ancient Egypt party was a success!  Sometimes I come up with ideas I think are going to be fun and great and memorable.  And then the execution is a complete fail.  I'm grateful when the kids latch onto an idea and make it better than I thought it would be to begin with!

3.  we got to experience Minot's legendary Norwegian Hostlfest with friends - for free!  The only time in my life where it was totally normal to take a photo next to an accordion player serenading gnomes! 

4.  a Sunday afternoon spent with hospitable friends form church who know how to garden!

5.  I have full bean bags, happy kids, and a vacuum that works.  The snow is coming, but they just couldn't wait! 

6.  we had the gym all to ourselves for PE!  A great way to burn off some energy. 

7.  an evening warm enough for dinner outside.  (the pizza was a visual of Earth's layers, not be confused with a bull's eye - or anything else! =)  ) 

8.  the dear family who graciously loved on my kids each Thursday evening while I taught.

9.  my hope is in God.  In feelings of great anticipation the day before Ryan came home, I was humbled and grateful for the One who has Rescued me from much more than parenting alone. 

10.  after 198 days, Ryan made it safely HOME!!!!! 

11.  watching the boys play football.  Rooke waited a LONG time to do this with his daddy! 

12.  mid-day quiet time with my Love 

13.  we're together to celebrate our favorite 36-year-old!  Happy Birthday to Ryan! 

14.  a simple walk is never without flare or excitement when I'm with my girls.

16.  OVERNIGHT DATE NIGHT!!  My thoughtful husband arranged for our dear friends to keep the kids overnight so he could surprise me with an epic date =)

17.  the sound of her giggle! 

18.  a beautiful hike to end the day with the ones I love most 

19.  we spent the day exploring some pretty amazing landscape 

20.  so much fun at the water park! 

21.  a perfectly Fall morning walk 

23.  dessert date night at home 

25.  simply playing outside     

26.  the kids' first ring-and-run!  I loved their anticipation and the loaded discussion about "who's in" and our "get away" plan! 

27.  my man cleaned out the garage  

28.  there were no meltdowns at our trip to the dentist.  It could have gone either way!  But in the words of a friend who commented on this photo, "She was dressed for success"! =) 

29.  quiet time and audio books 

30.  fun projects that we can work on together (we were building a ziggurat and Gretchen was just taking a break!)

31.  an unprecedented amount of time spent playing happily together