Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Thanksgiving Eve

 As I seek to find gratitude and teach the kiddos the same, I know we have so very much to be thankful for. Even when we weren't living through a pandemic, the hospital setting where I work is a constant reality of how much we should all appreciate our health, our families and our lives each and every day. It is never lost on me just how grateful I am for all that we have. This week we tend to express that even more, and I found myself in a constant state of 'thanks'. 

A bit of thanks in the form of photos 

Our favorite fur-neighbor. She holds your arms when you pet her and makes it incredibly challenging to get any yardwork finished.


My amazing suite-mates/team at Abbott. I only get to see the other 2/3 of my team in a virtual platform most of the time, but I'm grateful for this amazing group! They are dedicated and work tirelessly but most of all, make work more enjoyable.

My favorite 4 legged suite-mate that I get to dog-sit every once in a while. 

A new team for Sidney that she has embraced and loved and they have welcomed her with open arms. These girls are fantastic and just what she needed

My AMAZING mom who is there for me every morning when I call; and who loves up on the kiddos with all of her heart. 

This group of friends from freshman year in the dorms at SCSU. We created a bond that we never have let go and the memories just keep coming. 

Lincoln's gathering his own group of buddies, and though they are l-o-u-d and crazy, they are a fun group of boys! 


I am forever grateful that Sidney has finally found a love for reading books. Her dear friends introduced her to a romance author and she is hooked. 
Bonus, she puts her phone down for hours at a time when she gets going on a new book. 


We are all thankful for Regan's friend group. She is in the midst of some challenging years and making the safe choices can sometimes be hard. So so grateful for that head on her shoulders. 

Much of those good decisions are influenced by Regan's strong desire to play softball at a higher level. I am grateful for the opportunity to chase her around the state as she attends prospect camps and tours colleges, searching for the perfect fit. 

But I am even more grateful to that woman on the bucket below, and the countless hours spent together.

 Coach Becky loves seeing Regan's passion to put in extra work and is always willing to stay late after practice whacking balls at her, or giving Regan private lessons.

They spend hours together and never tire, and I'm so thankful that she shares her talents.
We thought we were going to lose her at the end of the last season, and man were there tears! Lucky for us, we're still together :) 


But most of all, I'm thankful for each and every one in this picture. 
Yes, we have our moments. And yes, occasionally we need a break from one another. But they are my everything and I love them to pieces. 

Find ways to give thanks and wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving! 


Monday, November 15, 2021

Happy 8th Birthday!


 Our favorite little boy turned EIGHT last month, and I honestly can hardly believe it. How in the world is he growing up so fast, right before our eyes. It honestly feels faster with him than with the girls. Maybe it's because we are busier these days and have fewer days to lounge and 'play'; moving from field to rink, one school to the next. 
He's just so grown up 


Eight things I love about him: 

            * He is incredibly loud, talking non-stop, about absolutely nothing relevant. Literally, it can make your head spin, he talks so much. But I hope he never stops telling me about his days. 

            * He also loves to run and climb and jump and often makes my heart stop when he says "watch this!" from a structure far too high as he leaps to the ground. 

            * He is so so so social, loving up on everyone he meets (maybe because it's someone new for him to talk to!). He easily talks with adults and kids alike. 

            * Linc loves when anyone will wrestle, tickle, or play tag with him. Large muscle activities is where he lives. 

           * He eats more fruit than anyone I know. And will compliment his fruit with a snack of pickle chips. 

          * Daily will tell me that he loves me, and mean it. Random times throughout the day he will stop what he is doing and holler out "Love you mom!". Melts. My. Heart. 

          * He loves to learn and experiment, play sports and fly his new drone that takes those lovely pictures (thanks Grandma Jan). His newest favorite books are the Who Will Win books, so much so that we bought all 45 of them! He loves learning about which animal will win the battle. 

          * He speaks the truth. Good or bad, he's going to tell it like it is! 


The cake he insisted on decorating himself

We were so excited to celebrate him turning 8! With a Halloween birthday, it's fun to incorporate the holiday into his birthday. This year we went to the pumpkin event at the zoo and he had a B-L-A-S-T!

Happy Birthday buddy!