Day 18 Thankfulness: Cookies

Today I am thankful for cookies. I use cookies and milk as a way to bond with my kids. Totally guilty! Nothing like seeing your kids obviously upset over something at school that a good homemade Mom cookie won't cover. We can eat them and hash out the problems and solutions.

I mean come on even on Christmas we leave Santa some cookies and milk! :)

Day 11 Thankfulness: Veterans

Today I am thankful for veterans. Everyday for that matter.

On the American side of my family My Grandfather served as a US Airforce Officer. He flew B-52s and flew in Vietnam

My Dad served as a Air Force medic

My husband served us proud in the Marine Corps and now is a Combat Medic in the Guard Reserves.

I am so proud of my rich family military history. There are men brave men that have fought for our freedom. Today is for the Veterans that are both here and up in heaven looking down on us. We a lot to those brave men!

Day 10 Thankfulness: Our second home

The house we call our second home is technically the first since we bought it first, we use it as rental when we can.

It's a cute little starter home only 15 minutes from the beach! We are stuck with it til the market picks up (pretty much til another war breaks out, military town problems). I am thankful even with all the tenant problems we have had that we have this house. This coming year we plan on hell come high water making a dent into the mortgage on this house. Years from now I am sure we will be grateful for the extra income and who knows maybe we get out there to enjoy it ourselves as well!

Day 9 Thankfulness: Health

I am thankful for our health!

This year my husband has been injured by his own fault and Murphy Law a few times. His wrist when he was in school, his ankle, and his most recent on when a ladder, a square chair and him all fought. Main thing though is HE IS HEALTHY.

Our kids are HEALTHY. So many parents wish to write that about their little ones. I know I did with Nora. I am so grateful to be blessed with two very healthy kids.

I am HEALTHY. I went through a unexpected miscarriage but I am healthy. My daughter went to heaven but I am thankful God saw fit to have me stay with my two other kids. They need their Mom! I am working on eating better, working out more and being more active in everything I do. I have a long ways to go and my metabolism is terrible but it will be sorted out.

Day 8 Thankfulness :Our House

I am very thankful for our house. Sure right now our heat is out (It has to be completely replaced) and our dishwasher isn't working but I am thankful to have a house.

I'm thankful for the luxury of my kids having their own rooms. Let alone that we don't all share one room.

I'm thankful we have a grand room for living and entertaining, our first home with a dining room which we use a lot and adore, a guest room for visitors and friend that have lost track of time. :) I'm thankful we have electricity to use those space heaters, we have running water to hand wash those dishes, we have a roof to protect us. I am just thankful!

There are so many that would love to have this house or any house for that matter. I don't take for granted our house ever. I adore it, I love it and love the ones I'm blessed to share it with!

Family Pictures!

We had beautiful pictures taken at the cotton fields near our house! I just love how they turned out :) I would love to make this a yearly thing.

Our little ones are going up so fast. Every day I'm amazing by how much closer they are to meeting me eye level, what great helpers they are and how sweet their heart are for God.

I am so blessed to have a my little family. My husband and I have weathered so many storms over the years and what feels like a nonstop hurricane this year. There is no one I would love to be on this ride with. I just love that man!

Day 7 Thankfulness: My Mum

~My Mum~

Really where to begin? She is one the hardest workers I know. She worked nights most of my childhood so my parents never had to pay for daycare. She is loving, caring and the most wonderful Nana!

She is Absolutely GORGEOUS!!

I am SOOOOO thankful she is my Mum!

Day 6 Thankfulness: Wine

I am so thankful for that kick back beverage. To have a nice glass of wine to go with our meat, fish or chicken. To have that glass of wine after a long day.

To have that glass of wine with a cheese n cracker plate while snuggled up with my most loved. I don't drink often or a lot when I do but Justin and I both enjoy a good glass.

I miss living in North Carolina and going on wine tastings with my man!

Day 5 Thankfulness: Less is More

I'm thankful for not being a hoarder. I'm thankful for the things we have. I'm thankful that we don't need every gadget out there. That I'm not one to try to keep up with the Jones, or even try to keep up with them.

We live in such a consumer driven society that it is easy to get swept away. I sometimes catch myself doing that. Especially during Christmas. I just love to send everyone and their dead Aunt presents. I love for them to know we are thinking about them. I love for my kids to have a full Christmas. Then I step back and think do we really need x and x. Do we need to strain and empty our accounts buying everyone a present. The answer is no folks.

I'm thankful that my kids don't expect every toy ever made under the tree. I'm thankful we don't have to cram our carts with things. I'm thankful to have the things we have and not desire more and more.

Day 4 Thankfulness: Teachers

My son has a speech disability. We are lucky it is only conversational but I am beyond thankful for his wonderful speech teacher at school!

Last year in Kindergarten, his classroom teacher had to pretty much use other kids to decode what he was saying. My kid talks a mile a minute and his disability has him omit sounds and letters to just keep on talking. No idea where he gets his talkative ways ;)

This year has been much smoother sailing. I'm so happy the school offers a speech teacher free of charge. We couldn't afford one when he was little and his doctors all thought he would just out grow it and not to worry too much. My boy is one smart cookie and it's nice hearing he gets to show off his smarts rather than be behind because of his conversational disability.

Thank you to all the Speech Teachers out there!

Day 3 of Thankfulness: My In-laws

My wonderful, god fearing In-laws!

I love that these two raised my wonderful husband and his 10 siblings!!

They are so encouraging, supportive and just make life wonderful. My Mother in-law is always willing to talk and pray with me, even in the middle of the night!

They are amazing Grandparents to our kids. Always make time for them even if their schedules are full.

With many grandkids and counting, they always make the effort to make each one feel so special. I bet if you asked each grandkid they would all say they were the favorite!

What a wonderful family to have been married into! I was definitely overwhelmed when I first met J's family because I had never met a family with more than 3 kids (no joke and no I don't live under a rock). They embraced me, taught me, and helped us. I just love everything about big families now.

I love my In-laws!

Day 2 of Thankfulness : My kids

I LOVE my kids! Seriously though I never thought I would be a kid person, maybe one but that's it. Man did having Jake and Charlie change my life. Now I would love to have more and more beautiful kids like mine. I so appreciate how precious and wonder filled they make my little world!

They are just priceless!!!

They make days brighter and noiser ;)

They are goodballs

Adventure loving

They are loving

With the miscarriage last year and the Nora being still born this year I have a deep appreciation for this two beautiful, wild child, kids of mine.

Day 1 of Thankfulness: My Husband

I'm thankful for my husband of almost 8 years!!!

My wonderful man is my life rock. He knows how to keep me grounded and when to encourage. We haven't walked an easy path.

Our marriage has been tested in more ways then I ever thought possible but still every morning when I wake up before I'm out of bed I thank God for giving me, my perfect match.

He is the handsome man to our two kids and angel baby. They are so lucky to have him as their Dad!

SO many people and life circumstances have tried to tear us apart but he is still the only one I want. We should seriously write a book about our life story. It would probably be put in the non-fiction though!!

I love you!