Thankful {Day 24}

~Thanksgiving Day~

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I'm thankful for all the little things in life: sweat pants, blue jeans that fit just right, brand new socks, buffalo wings, noodle soup, sleeping in, staying up late, movies, hugs, kisses, real mail, phone calls from a friend, football, lazy naps with the boys, and so much more. I hope you take time to give thanks today.

As I listened to the radio yesterday I heard a good reminder ~ If you've known Jesus all your life take time to be thankful for that. If you are a new Christian, be thankful that you've found Christ. If you are still searching, be thankful that there is hope for you! Jesus is waiting, turn around and take a look.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful {Day 23}

~High School Girls' Basketball~

Yesterday marked one of my favorite days of the year. In fact, it's right up there with Christmas. It is opening day of girls' basketball! I loved playing and now I love watching. I just have to make sure that I have one of my children on my lap so I don't go all crazy. :) I am thankful for the things I learned as a player - not just about basketball, but life too. I'm thankful for healthy competition. I'm thankful to be a Lion. I'm also thankful to the people that I sit by because they keep me on track with my, "that was a terrible call, sir." ;) Go Lions!

Thankful {Day 22}

~Tradition~

Putting the Christmas tree is one of my favorite traditions. My mom and I always put it up together and we would talk about each ornament. We'd talk about where we got it, and the memories we had on each vacation.

My husband is so awesome about things like this. He always indulges me. He turns the tv off, puts on Christmas music, and tells the boys they have to come and listen to my stories.

This year the boys were into the stories and hanging the ornaments. It was awesome! Here are my three sweeties taking care of me. :)

Thankful {Day 21}

~Bingo~

I'm thankful that my kids get to experience another one of my childhood traditions. We headed to "Big Stone" last night to play "Turkey Bingo." We didn't win any turkeys, but we did have tons of fun! Melia and I were loving our Bingo Lingo. B4 and after. I'm also thankful that the boys think their grandpa and grandma are so cool. They'd love to be with them every.single.day.

Thankful {Day 20}

~Team~

Today I am thankful for my team, my 4th grade team. I was nervous switching from TK up to 4th grade, but these two ladies have made it a breeze! They are both so willing to help me with any questions I have about the curriculum or anything else that comes along. I'm thankful for finally being a member of a team. For 6 years I taught on my own "island." Let me tell you, a team is the way to go! I love it! Thanks so much Angie and Amy for all the help, advice, and laughs! I love you both!

Thankful {Day 19}

~Nieces and Nephews~

Today I'm thankful for my nieces and nephews.



Jaina is our oldest niece. She is in 1st grade. I had the privilege of teaching her in TK. She was so good at separating Mrs. and Auntie Sara. She still calls me Mrs. most of the time. :) Jaina's mom and dad are Justin's brother and sister-in-law.



Gavin is our oldest nephew. He is also in 1st grade. Gavin is into sports as much, if not more, than my boys! He's always busy going to sporting events and watching on TV. Gav always helped with the "babies" (Katelynn, Leo and Adri). Now he always asks about "baby" Eli. Gavin's mom and dad are my sister and brother-in-law.



Katelynn came along next. She is nearly 4 1/2. She's 3 weeks older than Leo. She looks like my sister and has her spunky personality. Her mom says she gets her fashion sense from her brother. I may have to intervene on that one... Kate always wants to come and play at "Beo Beo's" house. She and Leo count down until they get to see each other. Katelynn is my sister and brother-in-law's daughter.



Adri came five weeks after Katelynn (2 weeks after Leo). She has the bluest eyes! She loves her "mimi" (blanket) and playing with make-up. She's very good at playing mommy with her babies. When she is here she asks me for babies. She doesn't like it that I don't have any! Adri is my brother and sister-in-law's daughter.



Finley, the fire cracker, surprised his mom and dad by coming on the 4th of July! Ever since he was a baby he cried EvErY time I held him! :( This summer he stayed at our house for a few days, and I think we might be friends now. Fin and E are six months and are learning how to share. :) As dark as his sister is, Fin is blond! Finley's mom and dad are my brother and sister-in-law.



Jackson is our youngest nephew. He and Eli are 3 months apart, and their "birth" stories are similar. Both came early! Jackson has curly hair, that I swear he gets from me... (Totally inside joke. Right, Erica?!) He and Eli play together nearly every day at Kid's Club. I wonder if the two of them will get into some trouble as they grow up. Jackson's parents are Justin's brother and sister-in-law.

So far that's all we have. We'd love a few more. Nieces and nephews are great: love them, spoil them, send them home!

I'm glad my boys have forever friends their ages.

Thankful {Day 18}

~Fresh Strawberries~

I'm so thankful for fresh fruit, but especially strawberries! I picked these in July from a local strawberry farm. Oh, they were heaven in my mouth. I made 3 strawberry pies, ate too many fresh, made stuffed strawberries (See recipe below), made red, white and blue strawberries, and made strawberry loving boys. Erica and I learned a few things from our first trip. Bring water, go early (not at high noon!), bring something for your legs to rest on, and wear bug spray would be our advice!

Cheesecake-Stuffed Strawberries

24 large strawberries, hulls removed
12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 cup, plus 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar (add gradually, to taste)
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

Place cream cheese in a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds, or until soft. Use an electric mixer to combine the cream cheese, vanilla, and sugar. (Add the sugar gradually — I like mine pretty sweet, but don’t feel forced to use it all.)

Use a sharp knife to make a hole in the center of each strawberry (going as deep as you can without hitting bottom).

Spoon or pipe the filling into each hole. I like to pipe it in with a cake tip; it goes faster and looks better.
Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top!

If you feel really fancy, melt and drizzle chocolate over the top.

Thankful {Day 17}

~Gap Silver Status~

Yep, I'm thankful for my credit card and the great deals I get. Ok, so mostly I'm thankful that I can get two things at 60% off this coming weekend! I need new pants for work. Perfect timing!

Thankful {Day 16}

~GNI~

I'm thankful for good friends to have fun "Girls' Night In." Fun conversation, funny movies (which are not Disney movies!), and bonding time. Thanks for the fun, Julie, Jill & Lisa!

Thankful {Day 15}

~M&Ms & Ice Cream~

Need I say more?!

Thankful {Day 14}

~Pinterest~

I am thankful that Pinterest makes me feel like I could one day be as crafty as my mom or my sister or my sister-in-law...

Thankful {Day 13}

~Leland St.~

I know I've mentioned it before, but I grew up on the best street in America. We always had so much to do. From hide and seek in the graveyard, to house in my basement, to Nintendo and Super Mario Brothers 3, (yes, the actual first Nintendo), to Doritos and cheese, s'mores over a candle, and so much more. My neighborhood friends helped shape who I am and how I raise my kids. I pray every day that my kids get to have relationships from our neighborhood like I do. I am so thankful to Melia, Ashley, Tom, Alan, Adrienne, Kelli, Matt, and Chad for all the fun things we used to do.

Thankful {Day 12}

~My Bed~

I'm thankful for my warm and cozy bed. I'm thankful for the 4 pillows I sleep with every night. Annnd, I'm thankful for the 3 boys that share it with me.

Thankful {Day 11}

~Freedom~

Today I am thankful for freedom, and for those who help protect our country. My brother served in Iraq and may have to go again. I am thankful that there are people who are willing to serve. I am also thankful for the families of those people who serve. They sacrifice a lot. Thank you, US Veterans. Thank you, Eric! I love you!

Thankful {Day 10}

~A Warm Shower~

Who am I kidding? I love a scalding HOT shower. So hot that my skin is bright red when I'm finished. I'm thankful that I have running water, and that it gets HoT! I do my best thinking and talking to God in the shower. It is the only 15 minutes a day when I am alone. :)

Thankful {Day 9}

~RCYF~
I am so very thankful that we've been able to be a part of SR. RCYF for the past ... years. :) The kids come to learn, and a lot of the time, I learn from them. The youth in our community are just amazing. They are so willing to help a friend in need, care for the hurting, and so much more. The boys in our group are always ready to give me a hard time. (It was quite an interesting bus ride to Colorado in July...)

One of my friends in college told me that when you go to Heaven, all of the people who helped mentor you in your faith will be there waiting. What a cool thought.

These pictures are from our trips to Rocky Mt. High. Our first trip is in the brown shirts; this past trip is the outdoors picture. The adults that went along both times have special places in my heart. (Especially Sue and Cheryl...they know too much! ;)

Some of the relationships that have developed out of these groups are so deep and meaningful. As long as Cheryl lets us, we'll be there to get our dose of sarcasm for the week.

I'm also thankful that the high schoolers are so loving to my boys! They play with them, stand by them at basketball games, talk to them, teach them bad things (Cole...), and just love on them. Leo and E think they are big stuff when their "big friends" (as Leo says) talk to them.

~S, B, M, B- love that this is how we met.

Thankful {Day 8}

~Babysitters~

I am thankful for the different babysitters that my boys have. I love that I can leave them with different people who love them as much as we do. We don't go out all that often, but when we do we know we have a list of girls that'll love on our boys while we are gone. Unfortuenatly, I don't have any pictures of the boys with their "other mommies", something I'll have to take note of in the future. Thanks for loving on my boys!

**And a special shout out to Amy, who has watched my boys nearly every Wednesday for 7 years while we've helped with RCYF at church! You are more than a friend - you are family!

Thankful {Day 7}

~My Church~

I am so thankful for my church and my church family. Our pastors and our leaders are amazing examples, and I am so thankful that I can attend this church. I'm also thankful that we are free to worship in our country. I can't imagine living in a place where people tell you who and what to worship. We serve an awesome God, and I am so thankful that I am free to do so.

Thankful {Day 6}

~My Job~

I am so thankful for my job! Even though it's been really hard to get up the last few weeks with it being so dark outside, I love my job! My class this year is pretty amazing. I believe that our school is the best around. I know it's the best because I work with the best!

Thankful {Day 5}

~SMS~

She is my very best friend! I can rememeber the exact day I realized she was my BFF - in her parent's kitchen right before her graduation. Our relationship works perfect for us. God brought her into my life, and I'm so thankful He did!

*Annnnd... I'm thankful that she found Nate! They will be married in May, and I can't wait!

Thankful {Day 4}

I don't have a new picture of my in-laws, but I am so thankful for them!

My boys are so blessed to have awesome grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins!

Thankful {Day 3}

Today I am thankful for my family. We don't often get to be together, but when we are, it is a lot of fun!

~Dad & Mom~

My parents rock! I had a great childhood. They always were there to help me with anything and everything. They have been so supportive with every decision I've ever made. They are awesome gradparents, too!

~Jill~

My big sister! She always was so cool! When she married Ben, and had Gavin and Katelynn, she was even cooler! Who would have thought that we'd be this close with such an age gap... (sorry, Jill! Couldn't let that one go!)

~Eric~

I think my big brother always had a special place for me in his heart. He cried at my wedding. :) (sorry to spill, Eric!) We had so much fun growing up! His Jill, Adri and Finely make him complete.

Thankful {Day 2}

Today I am remembering how thankful I am for my boys.

~Leo~
The oldest, my first baby. You made me a momma. I'll never forget the first time I held you. I'm thankful for everything you add to my life. Your personality makes me smile. You are so very smart, and I love that you love books! I'm so thankful to be your momma!

~Eli~
My forever baby. You made our family complete. You've been adding spice to our life from the day you were born! You have so much energy and such a big heart. You love us to watch you doing all the new things you are learning. I love how intense you are with everything you do. I'm so thankful to be your momma!

Thankful {Day 1}

In honor of Thanksgiving, I am going to try to publish a post every day in November telling 30 things I am thankful for.

~Day 1~



I am so thankful for Justin. He is an awesome husband, provider, daddy, friend, companion, everything! I just love him and who he helps me to be.

Oh yeah, and yes, ladies, he cooks, cleans, changes diapers, cleans puke, and much more. BUT, sorry ladies, he's been mine since 1997. Get your own!