Day (who knows)

Day 19, (or maybe 20).... I'm thankful for... PETS

Shadow, the doggy my kiddos will remember as their first pet. He's a great doggy! Now that he's 8, and on more meds than most senior citizens, we are starting to realize that he won't be around forever. NO worries, he's not sick or anything, he's been on these meds for years. We've just been told that they will shorten his lifespan. Bummer, but without 'em, he wouldn't be here, soooooooooo.....

Just love this doggy!!!! I think he's really Jason's BFF at the moment. They have a cute communication together. It makes me giggle.

Love ya doggy!

Day 18

Day 18: I'm thankful for... LIFE

I look at life a little differently this morning. WHY? Well, someone I hold near and dear to my heart is struggling. I will not say who, nor why, right now. Nobody is ready for that today. Just know I am thankful for life, for health, for family, for friends, and really should be thankful every waking moment for the gifts I have.

Happy friday!

Day 17

Day 17: I'm thankful for... EXTENDED FAMILY

My extended family reaches waaaaaay beyond blood. Some of my family is simply chosen family. There are not enough words to express my chosen family and blood family in the same post, so I'll do my chosen family another day, perhaps. Here is my related to by blood, marriage, or in-laws...

Extended family by marriage (most of 'em). This is my dad's side. There are my dad, his wife, 6 kids, 5 spouses, 13 grandchildren, 1 not born in this photo, and another pregnancy actually that was just announced this week. So, by next Christmas, there will be 15 (or more, who knows) grandchildren.

Ohhhhh, what would we do without Uncle Kyle!

Nana and Grampy... no words. They just read the manual on grandparenting and implement every word of it.

GRAND, my mom. Grand loves her grandkiddos! I love it!

Grampy in the ocean with the kiddos.

Day 16

Day 16: I'm thankful for... BEING A STAY-AT-HOMEish MOM

If I did not have a job title of SAHM, I certainly would not, could not enjoy moments like this quite as often...

Long drives to play in the snow.

Snuggling on the couch.

Face painting at school events.

Ordinary (or not-so-ordinary) stuffed animal hugs.

and, baby giggles! Ok, so my kiddos are no longer babies, but I was able to witness more than my fair share of baby milestones, laughs, giggles, crying, screaming, loving, fighting, sharing, fighting again, eating, whining, playing... well, you get the idea.

I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING!

Day 15

Day 15: I'm thankful for... MY BROTHER

I know I did siblings earlier, but today is my brother's birthday, so I wanted to do a post just about him. Patrick and I are not what some people would call "close", but we are as close as we ever will be. We don't chat every day, or every other day, or sometimes even months go by without chatting. In the not-so-distant past, we had nearly 3 years of crappy times. I have no idea what changed it, perhaps silent forgiveness. Neither of us said anything, we just started slowly with actions. As I type this, I think that has been the story of our 30 (almost 40) years on this planet. We've been put against each other, we've been each others savior, enemy, and often somewhere in between, as well. I'm so so so thankful for him, I'm so thankful for the good and not-so good lessons he's taught me, I'm thankful for our time long ago, and our time together NOW. Happy birthday Patrick... from your little sis.

This is Uncle Patrick playing with Juliana. Patrick flew 3000 miles to be with me and Juliana when Jason was in the ICU in Boston. He stayed an entire week. As soon as he got the phone call that Jason went from sick to "HOLY CRAP, HE MAY DIE!", he got in the car, went to the airport, and flew 3000 miles to be my support. On the flight home, Laura (his wife) was his flight attendant. That is how they met. So the joke is... thank GOD Jason got deathly ill, because if it wasn't for him, Laura and Patrick would not be together.

Again, fantastic Uncle Patrick visiting us in Michigan. If you look closely, Juliana is holding a $10 bill. Patrick was leaving for the airport, and gave her the money to stop her crying. Clearly, it worked. :)

Goofy Uncle Patrick with Kevin! I'm pretty sure he was doing farting noises. Typical.

I'm so so so incredibly thankful for the two boys my brother brought into this world. He truly is a model daddy. He changes diapers (constantly), he wakes at all hours, he doesn't mind vomit, he kisses his boys without hesitation, he dotes on his sons like he won't live to see tomorrow. It is wonderful to witness. This is Patrick with his youngest baby boy at 12 hours old.

Sitting with his oldest boy. I love watching him in Daddy time.

Again, happy birthday to my big bro!

Day 14

Day 14: I'm thankful for.... TEACHABLE MOMENTS

It's ok to build sand castles near the water. Don't fret, just build again, and again, and again.

Stuffed animals can only be used for cuddling, and snuggling, not for wiping your rear end.

Running through the kitchen is okay, especially when you're running from the dog or a sibling, but never from your mommy n' daddy. :)

Climbing stairs is the best way to go up, even when you're old enough to do it on your own.

Airplanes are loud. Just sayin'.

Thought I'd thank Jaime for reminding me to be thankful today. Thanks girl! xoxo

Day 11

Day 11: I'm thankful for.... (bad) PHOTOGRAPHY

Why am I thankful for bad photography? 'Cause if/when I take a good one, I'm so dern proud of myself! :) Taking pictures, good or bad ones, is probably one of my most favorite things to do. I'm not really good at it. Perhaps it is my cheap-o camera, who knows. So today, we are going to see friends who are professional photographers to get the kiddos pictures taken. It's been a while since they were taken, so why not?!!?? Enjoy a few examples of my bad timing, bad lighting, and just bad pics... they make me laugh though.

Katherine and her wife Nikki... pro photographers! I can't wait for today's photo session. Ok ok, so this picture was taken about 4 or 5 years ago, so what. :)

I missed Day 10. I'm thankful for missing it. I was out caring for my sweet CASA kiddo, I was folding our laundry, I was buying new clothes for the photo session today, I was snuggling on the couch watching Cupcake Wars with Juliana, I was cleaning chalk from the sidewalks, I was walking over bridges to pick kiddos up from school, I was reading "September 12- The Day After" with Kevin... well, you get the idea.