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!

When Life Gives You Apples...

Make pie! I made this delicious granny smith pie yesterday. I'm glad I thought to take a pic before the husband and kids devoured it. :)

Slice of pie and a scoop of ice cream just say Fall to me :)

Jake's 7th Lego Party!!

I have been gearing up for an upcoming party for Jake. He asked for a Lego party and for us to re-do his room. More on the room later but the Batman Lego clock is staying of course. :)

Has anyone ever noticed how HARD it is to find Lego invitations, Lego décor for parties? I bet like most themes he chooses, next year it will all be fully accessible at Walmart for every Lego party idea you can think of but then we will be on to the next adventurous theme ;) So far I made these Lego movie invitations

I found this adorable image at Rookno17.com and edited through Picfont with our party information. On Amazon we got this adorable cake topper

Then I just bought yellow cups, red napkins, blue plates to keep with the colors of Legos. We will have the Lego movie playing :)

We ordered these Lego Sets at Discount Party Supplies.

It is the easiest and cheapest way to get figure sets. They are not true Lego brand but at around a $1 a piece, we made the sacrifice ;) The plan is to let each of the kids build their own set and race each other. :) It will double as a party favor and will have little loot sacks of candy to take home as well.