Thankful 28

Day 28: I am thankful for Maddy's preschool. She loves it so much and from what I can tell, they do an amazing job. She is always counting down the days until her next day of school and comes home nearly every day with a craft they have done. She's so creative and I love that they are learning through creativity rather than trying to squelch it already and just have them do workbook stuff. I know we made the best decision financially sending her to the 3 day a week preschool at the church rather than full time at the school, but I truly feel this program also fits Maddy better. I think she would have been bored going to preschool full time. There are plenty of years of full time school ahead of her. In less than 9 months I'll be sending her off to kindergarten.

Thankful 27

Day 27: I am thankful for the ability to be warm when it's cold outside. I am thankful for coats and blankets, fire and shelter. I greatly dislike being cold and am thankful we have made enough advances in our society that we don't have to struggle for warmth.

Thankful 26

Day 26: I am thankful for the ability to cook as well as bake. I know some people who can ONLY cook, some who can ONLY bake and some who cannot do either. It's so nice to be able to do both. I can see or hear about a recipe and be able to make it if I want to. I've also been doing so much cooking lately that I'm starting to come up with recipe ideas of my own...I never thought that would happen! I LOVE baking - a little too much I think. It's therapeutic for me. I've always loved baking cookies and cakes and this year I've expanded my bread repertoire. Now I'm starting to expand into the crockery cooking category. Half of the recipes on the menu for next week are crock pot ones. Apparently I'm ready to break ours in - I think we've used it once. Hopefully one day I will get a stand mixer. Then I can really bake up a storm!

Thankful 25

Day 25: I am thankful for Christmas spirit but I wish it were more prevalent all year long. It's so nice when people are cheerful and smiling, wishing complete strangers well. It seems like most everyone is more joyful around Christmas-as they should be. I wish we were all more aware of our salvation than just around Christmas and Easter. All the lights and decorations at Christmas are fabulous too. I don't know how you wouldn't be able to look at a magnificent light display and feel full of joy and wonder. I still feel like a little kid driving around looking at the lights. And now I have children of my own who also adore the lights. Nick put ours up on the house today and I can't wait for our big kids to see them. They're having a sleepover with GiGi and G-Dad. Lilly kept pointing at them making sweet little noises. How I love Christmas...the financial part is stressful now but the celebration of Jesus' birth, family getting together, wonderful food and beautiful decorations are incredible. Tidings of comfort and joy.

Thankful 24

Day 24: I am thankful for my entire dysfunctional family! ;) My immediate household of course: the hubby and my 3 babies, my mom and step-dad, my dad and step-mom, my grandparents (SO happy I still have them), my uncles and aunts, my cousins, my in-laws, nieces and nephews and all of my many adopted siblings. I have such a fabulous network of family and friends. My heart does ache today for my baby sis who had to spend it without her hubby and baby while she awaits her transfer. Thank God they get to be together for Christmas.

Thankful 23

Day 23: I am thankful for spending time with friends and family. Today I got to have a long overdue reunion with one of my besties that went through a divorce and became a recluse. It was amazing catching up and just enjoying each other's company. Plus, the kids all had a great time playing. Then I got to spend the evening with my little brother whom I don't see enough of. It's always so wonderful when he comes to town. I've had a very blessed day full of incredible people.

Thankful 22

Day 22: I am thankful that God always provides. There are months I'm not sure how we will make it financially yet we do. I have been at the end of my emotional rope numerous times and He gives me the strength to make it through. It is only through Him that we made it through all of Lilly's surgeries with our sanity intact, that Nick and I are still together, and that we have survived on one income for 19 months tomorrow. I believe this journey was given to us so we might know Him better. And we do...God is so good and ever faithful!