Things I'm Thankful For

DAY 11.  The military.  It was easy to find something to be grateful for today.  I know first hand the sacrifices made by the men and women (and their families) who wear the uniform to defend and protect our country.  Without these selfless people who put the safety of many above their own our world would be a different place, one I wouldn't want to live in.  Thank you to all veterans past, present and future who wear the uniform, defend our country and do it all with little thanks from those whom they defend.

Things I'm Thankful For

DAY 10.  Good friends.  I will always feel a sense of overwhelming gratitude for the outpouring of love I have felt these last two days.  People who have called, texted or messaged me to make sure that I am okay. I love each and every one of you.  Thank you so much.

Things I'm Thankful For

DAY 9:  My three wonderful children.  Today it is really hard to find something to be thankful for.  My heart is so heavy with grief.  But if nothing else I see my kids in a new light today.  I love them so very much and would do anything for them.  They are all precious gifts that I have been given and they mean the world to me.  I will cherish them more and am so grateful for them.

No little pumpkin

A fourth little pumpkin will not be joining our family in the near future........ more later when I can see through the tears................

Things I'm Thankful For

DAY 8:  My Comfortable Bed.  I absolutely love my bed.  Right after we moved into our house Jake convinced me that we needed a sleep number bed and I grudgingly agreed.  They seemed so expensive and I wasn't really sure that we needed it.  But because he wanted it so much, I agreed.  It only took a few night for me to realize that we did indeed need this.  I had never slept better.  We could both have the kind of mattress that we wanted and be comfortable all night.  I still love my bed now, after nearly 8 years.  I would never get anything else.

Things I'm Thankful For

DAY 7: Mormon Messages.  I love being able to watch these short little video clips whenever I need a little pick me up.  I can watch them on my phone or on the computer.  Tonight we had a more low key Family Home Evening and we let the kids pick a few to watch after we got back from dinner.  Their favorite one is "the marshmallow one", aka Continuing in Patience.  There is something for everyone and always just what I needed to hear.  This I think is my favorite one, although picking just one is HARD.  I love them all.

Things I'm Thankful For

DAY 6: A quiet Sunday afternoon.  I didn't feel the greatest today and Jake had to work until 6.  I am thankful that my kids let me rest on the couch after church while they watched movies and played games.

Things I'm Thankful For

DAY 5: The Church.  I am so grateful to belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I am glad that I know where I came from and where I am going.  I love feeling the spirit and knowing that I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father. I know that my family can be together forever.   It brings great peace to my life.

(Oquirrh Mountain Temple)

Things I'm Thankful For

Since it is November and we, as humans, need to be reminded of the things in our lives that we are grateful for again and again I have decided to do one thing each day this month that I am thankful for.  I really do like this time of year and I wish that most of the world didn't skip right over Thanksgiving for a more commercially friendly holiday (that I love too!) so I am going to spend a little extra time this year being thankful for all of the things that I have been blessed with.  And, since I am a few days late in getting started I am going to do a big catch up post now and then one each day highlighting the things that I am most grateful for.

1. My wonderful family.  We have had a couple of really rough years and I am so glad to be finally living all under the same roof, spending time with the ones that matter most.

(we need an updated picture, but I guess now we will wait for the baby to make it's appearance for one)

2.  My husband, Jake.  I love him so much.  He is my best friend.  He works so hard to give us everything we could possibly need and/or want.  He is always there for me.  He gives my life balance.  And I know that he love me.

3.  Good music.  I love a song that has a message that really hits home and this new song by Hilary Weeks really did for me.  It has a great message.

4. Books.  I have read more books than you could ever try and count.  I love reading and getting "lost" in a story.  I love reading to find out information and just for the fun of it too.  I could read all day long and into the night, but I don't think my family would be too pleased so I try and limit myself.  

Nesbit's

On the Saturday before Halloween, Jake and I decided that we needed to get our rear ends in gear and find some pumpkins.  It was only 2 days before Halloween and the kids were getting a little worried that we weren't going to have any this year.  Not wanting to just go to a store and buy some (what fun is there in that?) We made our way across the river to a nursery called Nesbit's which we had seen advertised at the Red Wing Farmer's Market.  We found it and spent the afternoon of exploring what they had to offer.  I can't say that I was overly impressed, but the kids had fun so I guess that is all that matters.  And the weather was nice so it was hard to be in a bad mood.  It was a little pricey and they didn't seem to have tons of stuff to do that didn't cost even more, still not sure if we will go back next year or not.  Guess we will have to see.
The kids first found an old wooden train that they crawled around on.

Ashton and Abbie found some tire swings that had been cute to look like horses that they had a ball playing on.   I couldn't get them to hold still for a picture.

While the kids were swinging Lexie found some baby animals that you could pet.  She had fun with the goats for a while.

The favorite animals were the baby bunnies....

Ashton's favorite was the hay bales

we almost couldn't get him to leave when it was time to go.

Their "pumpkin patch" left something to be desired but then again it was only a few days before Halloween but the tractor ride out to it was fun.  

Overall it was a fun family afternoon, but we still ended up going to the grocery store when we got back to town to get pumpkins that were actually big enough to carve.  Next year maybe we shouldn't wait so long.