Naps!

All Naps in all forms- particularly the long form:
Baby naps, toddler naps, my naps!  What could be more wonderful?
Nuf said.

Its the little things that count.

Did I mention I'm grateful for great friends?  The ones who come work out with you, who inspire you, who motivate you, who help you watch your kids.  The ones... wait, oh yeah.  I did already.

On to the next item.
Raman Noodles.
Go ahead. Laugh.
But my one-year-old, previously fantastic eater, has turned on the picky-eater gene.  Foods she previously loved she despises.  Delicious foods don't appeal.  Case in point: her cupcake for her birthday was eaten as follows: bite - spit. bite - spit. bite - spit.  I'm not sure she swallowed any of it.
Hence.  I love raman noodles. She loves them. Devours them. Does not throw them on the floor or spit them out or dump her bowl.  Not to mention its as cheap as dirt and I can throw eggs, peas, and corn and there sneakily.  Ha.  Got your vitamins anyhow.  Thank you inventor of Raman.

I am also terribly grateful for music.  Good music.
Guy has been listening to the scripture mastery scriptures put to music.  Genius idea to the "Sons of Ammon."  I've known for a while that my children respond well and learn quickly through music.  Since they're bound to learn lyrics,  they might as well be learning scriptures.  Its working!  Guy has surprised me by randomly singing scriptures I had no idea he knew.  Its a beautiful thing- and yes, I might be bragging and slightly biast.  Even better, Eddie girl is picking up tidbits.  I've been trying to play uplifting, good, upbeat, good music in the mornings to help us start the day off right.   All in all I love, love, love good music.

Dates

I love dates.  That might have something to do with who my date is...
Last night we dropped the kids off at Grandma and Grandpas and hit the town.  After re-finding our favorite scone shop (NOT scone-cutters) we went to see the BYU Young Ambassadors.  It was fabulous!  Good music. Dancing. Cabaret.  A funny date.  A chance to dress up (very, very slightly... we were still in jeans...).  It was wonderful.
Not only was it good music, but good entertainment always leaves me wanting to improve.  Be a better me.  A better wife.  A better mom.
Good timing.
My first test came at 2:30 am when the toddler threw up for the first time... and then again at 3:00.  Needless to say, we had a napping party (or at least I did) during church while she watched a movie. 

Snow

My better half.

I'm not sure what I'd do without my better half.  Be half as good- that's what.  I'm thankful for his smile.  His great sense of humor.  His kindness.  His hugs when I've had a hard day.  His great attitude.  His great dad skills.  His thoughtfulness.  His concern for others- ALL others.  Just him in general.  You'll never meet another quite so good at accepting and loving others, despite how much he knows about them and their shortcomings.  He sure makes my live a whole lot easier, a lot better, a lot more meaningful.
That's all.  I love him a lot.  Lot, lot.

Sentimental

I'm feeling quite sentimental. Today I'm thankful for touch.  You know, hugs, holding hands, holding kids on my lap while I read them a story.  Seeing old couples hold hands as they walk down the street.  Giving my honey a squeeze before he walks out the door to work.  It spells comfort and love to me. 
Today as I laid my baby down for her nap she wrapped her little arms around my neck and laid her head on my shoulder.  Uncharacteristically, she stayed there.  Normally she is so busy she just wants to go, go, go and see new things!  Today, she sat.  I loved every single second of it.  I held her for a few minutes, standing in her dark bedroom, thinking about how much I love and treasure my sweet girl and my great kids.  Sadly, I was the first to let go since the two-year-old downstairs was starting to call for me.  But I am still grateful for those sweet, tender moments. 

Fine Feathered Friends

Today was a lovely day spent in the companionship with a dear, old, friend.  Not old in age, nor particularly in terms of years known.  What is it now?  Eight years since we met?  I digress.  It was a lovely afternoon with a lovely person.  Which brings me to today's item of gratitude: friends! 

 (Note: pictures aren't exceptional, chronological, all inclusive nor in order of importance.  They just ARE.)

I have marvelous, stupendous, exceptional friends.  Some have helped me through the toughest, most frustrating situations of my life and continue to love and support me despite the gained insights into my state of sanity.  They are kind.  Loving.  Inspiring.  Joyful. Individuals with testimonies of truth be they members of the church or not.  I am grateful for the mentors and help they have been along my way.  I sure love. love. love. them. 

Books are great

I've been trying to read good books! I love them! I am so grateful for them.  Some are self-improvement books, others are the word of God.  Others are just a good story, and still others are based on truth.  I have always loved to read and will always, ALWAYS be grateful for a good book to read.

Current or Recent Reads: The Power of Positive Thinking, The New Testament, The Book of Mormon, A Joyful Mother of Children...

Thanks, thanks, thanks.

A tad behind:
I'm grateful for strollers.  Silly, I know.  But I love having ours to take kids walks in rather than holding the baby and trying to keep Eddie out of the road.  Thank you stroller inventor: specifically the sit-n-stand inventor.  You make my days easier.
I'm thankful for King. Obviously.  He lets me take naps after church when I just. can't. stay. awake.  Subbing for nursery will do that to you!!  He also helps immensely when I'm in a bad mood.  Its hard to stay mad when the nearest intelligent source is cracking dry jokes and smiling at you. Bless you, dear husband.  He inspires (and motivates) me to do better, to reach farther, to push myself.  I am no good at that.  Give me an organizing task or a to-do list: fine.  But ask me to push myself, to exercize, to do something (ahem: no sweets) hard?  I need King at my side first.
I'm also very, very glad we get to vote.  I may not like the tone of the campains, I may not like who is elected, but at least I got to vote!! 
Just one more:
I'm very, very grateful for popcorn.  Going without sweets is made bearable by this salty little kernal of joy. 

Gratitude Day 1

November: the time I remind myself- REALLY remind myself- to be grateful.
Thank goodness the first day is easy.

 My baby turned one.  

I'm not quite sure how that happened.  Last Halloween I was walking around, sticking out a mile, and wanting this baby HERE!  Today she is B.U.S.Y.  She's our earliest walker, our happiest (post-colic) baby, our most social, our largest, and I'm thinking our most active.

 I love that her siblings dote on her and spent so much time and energy making her happy.  She spends a lot of time every day pushing the kitchen chairs around the dining room- using them like walkers, though she doesn't need them.

 We love her smiles, her funny/quirky expressions, and her joy when Daddy comes home.

We sure love you Millaker!! We are SO very, very grateful to have you in our family.  Happy Birthday little one!