W47: My gratitude list part TRES

November 17-23, 2013

Day 17
I'm thankful for missionaries who dedicate their time and service to the Lord. I love these Spanish sisters in our stake. But even more than that I love my missionary PARENTS and BROTHER.

Day 18
I'm thankful for trips to civilization, good sales and kids that are happy to shop.

After dropping the kids off at school we headed to Boise to pick up Sam from his long weekend in San Fran with the Richards. Luckily there was enough time to stop at two of my favorite places {Target & Hobby Lobby.}

I'm thankful for family. Siblings, cousins, parents, aunts, grandparents, uncles and everyone in-between. That is where its at.

We are happy to have Sam back. He is a great helper, easy to have around and plays whatever silly game Lucy wants him to. There she is stretching him out for ballet. "Stretch to the left. Stretch to the right. Stretch down. Ballet. Ballet. Ballet." She adores him for this.

Day 19
I'm thankful for creative and active outlets for my children that provide confidence, skill and exercise.

I'm thankful for this beautiful, talented, kind girl who is also my friend.

I'm thankful for Cub Scouts and the learning, skills, friendship it provides my boys. I'm thankful {most of the time} to share that with them.

We had a pack meeting Tuesday night. It was slightly chaotic. I was grateful it was over at the end of the evening. Rude but honest. The theme was magic and science experiments. Each den prepare something to share. The webelos were completely boy lead. Austin wanted to do quick sand. He looked up the recipe online and practiced it the night before. He was happy with how it went and was excited to present. It was quite hilarious but I'm proud of him because of the leadership he demonstrated.

The Webelos' pins were all mixed up including completely forgetting one scout. Ahhhhhhh. I think the parents are going to have to be very involved to make sure their boys get their correct badges/pins. Or maybe I can help the committee chair with that part...something.

Day 20
I'm thankful for my full time job of growing with six special kids. Hands down the hardest, most humbling thing I've ever done. So grateful to a husband who works hard to provide so i can stay home with my people.

I'm thankful for dentists to help us with our bad dental genetics. The boys had cleanings. Spencer made the no cavity club {Wahoo!} while Austin needed further work. They had an opening so I took Spencer back to school and they kept working on Austin. A few months ago Austin had a filling come out so they ended up pulling it and filling a cavity in the tooth next to it. He didn't go back to school.

I'm thankful for opportunities that remind me to A. be flexible and B. my kids come first even before church callings. There was a night in Excellence in Parma and it got to the point that it was physically impossible for me to get the kids back to Vale and over to Parma in time. I was disappointed I could not attend but the kids were ready to be home and that is where I needed to be.

Day 21
I'm thankful for bebe Jane. This sweet girl is getting happier and happier each day. She is grabbing onto toys {her siblings think this is a great trick} and smiling and laughing constantly. She is getting very fun to interact with. She still sleeps well.

She was trying to rival her sister in happy volume at the library. I know they are going to throw us out one of these days if we don't learn correct library behavior!

I'm thankful for opportunities to give service, random acts of kindness and expressions of love. I learned in my youth that it brings me JOY! I have also learned as an adult that it brings me much JOY to do service with my family and to teach them the importance of thinking of others.

After ballet we decorated Kurt's office for his birthday the next day. It was quite the run around to get a key and sneak in without him knowing. We were late {about 15 minutes} to the ward Soup Social but we kept it a surprise! The kids had each made cards, cookies, and a new photo display of the kids for Kurt's desk. Austin used gorilla tape and pens to make the number 35 {something Kurt always does for the kid's birthdays.} Plus a sign, streamers, balloons and confetti. It was hard to keep it a secret! But it is always worth it.

Day 22
I'm thankful for this man. There are not enough words to express my love and gratitude. Happy 35th Birthday Kurt!

Even though it was HIS birthday Kurt took the kids to school AND picked them up! That was so super nice for me. That's just one small example of how he is always serving me. He enjoyed the extra time with his kids. When the kids got home from school we rushed out the door to go to the temple for our birthday date. Along the way Kurt had seen Bill & Cindy who were also going to the temple so we combined forces. Sam was so super to watch the oldest 2 and youngest 2. Spencer and Ruth had their first sleepover at the Bairs. It was an understatement to say they were very excited.

I'm thankful for the temple, the covenants I've made there, the opportunity to return often and the sanctuary of peace it provides.

Delicious dinner at Texas Roadhouse afterwards. It was a great evening and all the kids did well {that's always an appreciated blessing.}

Day 23
I'm thankful for running water and all the other comforts I enjoy on a daily basis.

We have never had good water pressure down at the animal barn. About 3 weeks ago Kurt thought he would fix that problem since we have pigs again and cold winter weather is coming. Shortly into the project he realized it was not an easy fix. So it seemed to be a patch job just so we could still have water. Saturday he was determined to get it fixed for good. It ended up taking the entire day. 20 minutes after we had water again and Kurt had just finished covering up the trench and pipes we were out of water. Again. I really hated to go out and tell him the bad news. It turns out that our pump died. Seriously, what are the chances that it would happen within the hour that he had just fixed another problem. By 9:30 pm we finally had water again. It was 12 without and an entire day spent fixing problems when Kurt is swamped at the store and really needed to be there. {He says its feels like spring right now. They sold 5 pivots this week and just cannot keep up. They hired a salesman and a new accountant to replace Kelli.} I really appreciate his efforts to serve and support our family. He is amazing man. I feel like all the things I list that I'm grateful for are because of him. I'm an extremely blessed woman.

Meanwhile I took Spencer to his basketball games that morning. He played well. Lucy and I cheered loudly. Its still fun to watch! Only one more Saturday of games left. Its been a great little season.

~~~Romans Reflections~~~

- I heard Lucy singing her version of The Farmer and the Dell, "The farmer takes the crazy, The farmer takes the crazy..."

- As we were driving one day Lucy said to me in a very excited and happy voice, "I'm SO EXCITED right now!!" I asked her why, "Christmas is coming?!!" How does she know this? I think we are going to have a fun holiday season around here. Santa can bring her anything {including pink broccoli.} 

- Emma asked me, "Why isn't RPM world wide?"

- Lucy changed up her "Congratulations" hand shake this week by saying, "Glad to know ya!"

- So naturally the kids are singing the uBer obnoxious song, "What does the fox say?" They have been brain storming movies with foxes in them. For example Robin Hood. "What does fox say? Ooo-de-la-le" And Swiper from Dora, "What does the fox say? Ahhhh man!"

- Any time someone passes gas in the family the kids will say, "Malagasy!" {followed by laughter} haha
- I asked Austin and Emma Lynn to brain storm some book that would be good fit reads for Lorna. Spence and Emma are really enjoying the read a loud in their English class right now, "Ruby Holar." Emma said to me, "But mom it has a bad word in it and Mrs. White doesn't care. She just says it." After a pause she continued on, "The word is stupid and she just says it!"
- Spencer asked at dinner, "What is a protein?" After the discussion he came to this conclusion,  "Meat and its relatives."
- Lucy asked yesterday at dinner, "Can I have some more cool beans?"