Tuesday 27 November 2012

Thankful for-Day 22-My Parents

I really mean this.  I have the best parents ever.  They sacrificed so much for us growing up so that we could go to private school and take dance lessons, and play sports, etc, etc.  We never had the fanciest of clothes nor did we wear name brands, and I think that helped form who we are today.  We were taught how to manage money and to not spend more than we have, and to always tithe first, before any bills were paid.  We were taught how to pray, and to put God first in every aspect of our lives.  We were taught how to love our spouses, and they were the perfect example of this.  Dad never did (or does to this day) pass up an opportunity to steal a kiss from mom, or grab her butt (or other body part).  We always thought it was so gross, but appreciate it now!  We were taught to be passionate about things we love.  We were taught to stand up for what we believe in and what is right, true and good.  We were taught how to act like ladies and how to respect adults.  We were taught to lean on each other when the "going got tough."  We were taught how to treat our friends and enemies.  We were taught about good work ethic.  We were taught how to sell stuff and negotiate and to NEVER play full price.  We were taught how to fish and how to throw a cast net (and boy would Dad have loved to have raised some girls who would hunt too...no such luck).  We were taught how to stay married.  We were taught that homeschooling could be cool.  We learned what kind of husband to look for and what kind of wife to be.  We were taught how to parent God's way, no matter what the world says.

So today, I want to say how very thankful I am for my wonderful parents (and they don't read my blog so I've got to now email them this link so they see this!!!).  I love you both very much and thank you for all you have done for me and continue to do for me!

Thankful for Day 21-Wifi

I've been at my mom's and she has a computer, but no WiFi, which meant I couldn't post because all of my pictures are on my laptop.  So I'm grateful to be home where I have WiFi.  Now I can catch up on my days of thankfulness!

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Thankful for Days 19 and 20-Heidi and Lindsey

My sisters.  They are awesome.  We haven't always gotten along, and still don't always get along.  But I know this.  We choose to be friends, and we always make up.  It isn't always easy having sisters, but on the flip-side, I couldn't imagine life without them.  Though the miles separate us, we still manage to see each other all together at least twice a year (and sometimes more separately).  I'm so grateful to have sisters that all make the effort to stay close.  

 Girls, don't be mad at this picture.  The only other halfway recent one of us is in the pool this summer and I KNEW you'd kill me if I posted that.  It's equally bad of all of us, so that makes it fair.  
My dear, sweet Heidi.  I'm here in FL with Heidi right now and have enjoyed every second of her and her sweet boys.  Sad to leave tomorrow :(  Grateful for you my eldest sister.  You are sweet, kind, giving, selfless, beautiful inside and out, and I love you so much!
Lindsey, you will always be my favorite duet partner.  No matter how much we disagree, we will always be in perfect harmony.  I love you Lindsey and am grateful for your honesty, perseverance, beauty and strength.  How awesome is this pic by the way?  You'd think by the looks of it that we think we are professionals...oh wait...we do!



Sunday 18 November 2012

Thankful for Days 17 and 18-Reunions and Reunions

I am thankful for old friends!  This has been a busy weekend full of reunions!  Friday night was a very casual, relaxed evening with my friends from high school.  A few of them organized a party for our 15 year reunion and it was a blast.  I'm so grateful to get to spend time with these people and learn about their lives and children and where they are in life (and it's really neat that I'm not on FB and get to actually find out about their lives through conversation...just sayin').  


 Hanging with the girls (we laughed all night.  Such a fun time!)
 The whole crew
 Me and AT
 The guys singing a little Hank.
Me and Annice (sitting around a fire pit that later burned down this deck...just terrible. Thankfully it was in the middle of the night and they caught it before it touched the house.  Nobody was hurt.  Lesson for us all...never put a fire pit on a wooden deck!)

Then the next night was my big Alpha Gam sister's wedding.  It was fabulous and I got to hang with the girls.  We danced and laughed and danced some more.  I'm so grateful for that time I had with my girls!
 Do you have one of those friends where you just pick up where you left off?  That's me and Illy.  We can go months without talking and then just act like we never missed a beat.  I always can share my heart with her and love her dearly.  My Nilly!!!
 Me and Alecia, the stunningly beautiful bride!
 There was a photo booth there...lots of fun!
Blake, Nikki, Jill, Illy, me and Emily.

I'm thankful for a weekend full of reminiscing and making new memories with old friends!

Thankful for-Day 16


This is a really big one.  Bunny finished her reading lesson book!  I'm not going to lie.  This book "Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" was not always easy for us.  I have a friend who has very bright children (you know who you are) who told me to use this book.  I cursed her silently in my head over the last year as we struggled through this book.  Not easy with a strong-willed child.  I'm sure her children flew through it ;)   But the point is, we finished it and I'm so glad we did, because Hadley is really reading well because of this method (see pic below of the last story she read).

On Thursday we celebrated the completion of this book by going to see Brave at the downtown Franklin theatre, which we've been wanting to go to.  We hadn't been since the remodeled and re-opened it.  It was really need.  It feels like an old-timey movie theatre...well, actually, it is one!  Tickets are ALWAYS $5 there, and they sell beer and wine.  Win/win/win.

So proud of my Bunny and thankful for her perseverance to finish this book!



Thursday 15 November 2012

Thankful for Day 15

I'm so grateful for my 12 year old son who talks to me and his dad about everything.  When something is bothering him, he comes to us.  I hope he still does this when he's in high school and into adulthood.  He's a great kid, and I'm thankful for him.

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Thankful for Days 13 and 14-Red and Friends

I'm so thankful for good music.  Music makes me happy.  Taylor Swift's new album is so good.  I do like Taylor, but typically put in one of her cds because the kids want to listen.  Not the case with the new album.  I put it in because I want to listen.  Her writing is really getting good as she grows and matures.

Also thankful for my group of friends here in Franklin.  I'm thankful for all of them, but in this case, I'm talking about the ones from my mom's group.  We get together once a month at someones house for "Bunko."  We rarely play bunko though.  We eat dinner, talk and the hours fly by.  It's just really nice to have a group of like minded women who you can share things with.  We mostly laugh...lots.  Last night was no exception.  Thank you God for these women who are unique in their own ways and are the joy of my heart!

Monday 12 November 2012

Thankful for-Day 12

I just started singing at church again after 6 years!  This is my first time singing at this particular church ever.  I'm very grateful to be a part of this group of singers.  It is non-pompous, and so welcoming and just downright pleasant.  Tonight we prepared our music for Advent and I just looked around the room at all of these people who gave their time (without pay) away from their families, to prepare the music for the coming of our Savior.  I felt such a sense of gratitude to be surrounded by such talented people who are freely serving the Church with their God given gifts.

Sunday 11 November 2012

Thankful for-Days 10 and 11 Babies and good weather

Phew, this blogging everyday is wearing me out!  I guess since I'm doing two days in one, I'm not officially blogging everyday, but who's counting?

I'm thankful for unexpected 70 degree weather in November.  What a beautiful weekend!

And I'm thankful for a day snuggling with my chunka hunka burnin' love nephew, Blaise!


Saturday 10 November 2012

Thankful for-Day 9- My 6 year old

My sweet girl.  My FIT (fashionista-in-training).  Pun intended since she pitches lots of those :).  I can't believe she is 6.  Time flies and she is just growing so fast and learning so much.  I love my baby girl and am so thankful for her.  Happy Birthday Hunny Bunny!


Thursday 8 November 2012

Thankful for Day 8-New Life

Introducing my latest angel I'm thankful for...Kolbe Augustine Lott...


My sweet...

 ...kissable...
 ...contemplative...
...squishy, snuggly nephew.

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Thank For-Day 7 God with us

I'm thankful to have the knowledge that God has his hand on our nation no matter what the future holds.

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Thankful for Days #5 and #6

#5-I'm thankful for my yoga class that keeps me sane and healthy.

#6-I'm thankful for my new Lululemon top I got to wear to my yoga class today.

Namaste


Sunday 4 November 2012

Thankful for-Day 4-Fall Saturdays in the South

For us, this means football.  It's our favorite time of the year.  And last night was the most exciting game I've seen in years.  I'm so thankful for a sweet victory!  Roll Tide ya'll!


Saturday 3 November 2012

Thankful For-Day 3: Participation Trophies

You will usually find me on my soapbox about participation trophies for sports teams.  I think rewarding mediocrity gives our next generation a sense of entitlement.  But not today!  Today, I'm grateful for that little trophy!  My little guy was so happy to get it.  He has been proudly carrying it around all day.  He has seen his brother's shelf full of them and now he has one of his own!

Friday 2 November 2012

Thankful for-Day 2: Laughing at Myself

Check out this little gem.  Apparently, it's been ruthlessly going around FB.  So unfair that I am not on there to defend my, ahem, fanny pack.  Oh wait, I'm pretty sure I wasn't an FBI agent packin' heat when I was 17.  So I have no defense!  Oh well, at least I can laugh at my past, poor, fashion choices!

Thursday 1 November 2012

Thankful for Day 1-Getting up Early

So today I was up at 6:30 am.  This is super early for me...don't hate.  Anyway, I've had this awful cough for a week and woke up early coughing.  Instead of putting my husband through the torture of waking up to a hacking wife, I decided to get up and make the coffee.  I really am not a morning person, but once I'm up, I so enjoy being awake!  I feel like the Proverbs 31 woman...for a few minutes anyway.  While waiting for the coffee to brew, I put a load of laundry on.  Next poured my coffee and said my morning prayers...in the peace and quiet.  It made me smile.  I then decided to make the kids a special breakfast and lay out their clothes.

What a great start to the morning!!!  I thought the kids would be thrilled with chocolate for breakfast, but apparently my muffins lacking gluten, sugar and dairy (with added veggies), were not the chocolate they were wanting.

Oh well, I still liked them and I'm grateful for waking up early today!