~20 Days of Gratitude~ Day #3

There's nothing better than drying off with a fresh clean towel when you get out of the shower....or fresh clean sheets as you get into bed at night. Its so hard to believe that this little luxury hasn't always been there. That at one time.....life as I know it...didn't exist. So today I thankful for CLEAN CLOTHES!! Oh I can smell that fresh cent now.....

~20 Days of Gratitude~ Day #2

I know that sounds sooo corny...but I am. I am thankful for having a job. Being able to provide. Being able to pay bills. Buy food. I love what I do....so for me its a WIN WIN situation. Being a nurse is sooo much more than a paycheck....its self satisfaction knowing that you make a difference in someone's life. Its not allways sugar and cream....but the good times certainly outway the bad ones. I am THANKFUL to be a nurse!!!

~20 days of Gratitude~ Day #1

I have been talking with the kids about being THANKFUL....for all that they have. Explaining that so many children out there have nothing. We sat down last Saturday and talked about ways we could show our gratitude....not just with money...but with service. I asked the kids what they each thought they could do to HELP someone else. We talked about selling items such as clothes, toys and things we don't use or need....and donating the money to a local animal shelter....or a foster home for children. We even talked about a bake sale...Kaitlyn 'really' loved this one. We talked about helping out at school in the library or classroom....and not getting a paw ticket (these tickets are rewards at school)...because it was a good deed and we werent doing it to get something back. We talk about volunteering....and though they are a little young....that being in the girl scouts and boy scouts....is all about 'helping' in the community. We talked about them earing money to buy gifts for others instead of themselves....because 'giving' is so much more rewarding that 'receiving'. I was really suprised at how they each offered ideas....such as Kase wanted to sell 2 of his nerf blasters...or give them to someone...(these are like GOLD to him)...and Coby...well he didnt really offer anything....but wanted to give his money to help the puppies an kittens. Kaitlyn....she was a litle more difficult in forth coming like the others....she doesnt like to part with ANYTHING....she is soo much like her Paw Paw Ken... :) ....and Keith's dad isnt much better.....but in the end...she did say she would love to volunteer.

Since November is the month for thanksgivings....I decided to post each day about what I am thankful for.... I want to reflect on the blessings in my life and all the things I over look each day. It's not often that I stop from the everyday rush to reflect....and I want to change that. I want to stop and smell the roses (so to speak)....I want to 'live' in the moments that are my life right now!!

So for today.....I am thankful for our veteran's. The life that I have....the freedom I have....is because of the MANY men and women who have went to war to protect me and those laws which allow me....to be ME. I can say whatever I want. I can live how I choose. I have so many options being here in the US.......because of those men and women. They are my protectors...and I am THANKFUL!!!

Happy Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran's Day....a day to to be thankful for all the men and women who have dedicated their lives to fight for our country. Let us not forget those who serve.....today and eveyday......



....or those who have given their lives in the fight......




~THANK YOU~

7 months, 12 days, 15 hours.....

Daddy....I keep dreaming about you...either I re-live a childhood memory......or like last night....I am trying to talk you into having surgery.....to make your heart well again. Daddy...it was sooo real! Sometimes I wake up...and I am crying....tears cover my pillow. I miss you THAT much!! I still miss you THAT much!!

It been 7 months, 12 days, and 15 hours and I feel.... heartbroken, disappointed that my younger children won't know the Paw Paw Ken that Chelsea does or get to go fishing with you, guilty for not staying 1 more day in Feburary or calling more often, lost, content that you passed in your sleep free from pain, angry for not having more time with you, blessed to have been your daughter, sad, grateful that your faith in GOD brought you to heaven, scattered like I can't find my way, commited to telling your story, determined to enjoy life more, lonely, pacified knowing that this is all part of God's master plan......

....no hour, day, month, or year....will ever take you from my thoughts Daddy....I LOVE YOU!!

Halloween Pics

Well another Halloween successfully over....with WAYYYY too much candy....and lots of tired FEET from walking!! LOL Our community celebrated Halloween on the actual day... even though it was Sunday this year.....so we ate supper and headed to our usual area of choice. Lots and Lots of kids this year....we parked the car and walked through the first subdivision...since lots of kids and parents were already out walking when we got there...plus the weather was nice...so it wasnt too bad. We got out the car and low and behold...I get the "mom...I should have went to the bathroom before we left" comment from Kase.....uuummmmm ya think? Thats probably why I said....GO before we left....anyway....besides hearing him....say..."I have to pee" about a hundred times. It wasnt too bad. (I offered to leave and take him to the store....but he insisted on making the block before we went to the bathroom)!! I wish I could make the kids understand that it doesnt matter who goes first......EVERYONE gets candy.....!! This seems to be the tug-a-war between Kase and Kaitlyn....EVERY YEAR!!! ....but a much better year on listening and NOT running!! Kudos to them! We then left that subdivision...went to the store to potty...then headed to our next stop.....I drove this time...and just let them go to the door by themselves....letting them be more independent!! We then headed to Amy's and over to Mary Ann's.....it was a LOOOONG night...and a school night to boot. The kids went to sleep in record time....they were worn out!!

Kaitlyn was a Princess Vampira

Kase was a Vampire Hunter (this came about when KK decided she was a Vampira...)

Coby was Jango Fett from Star Wars II: The Clone Wars

Kase just had to attack KK....

All three Trick or Treating....

The Pumpkin Patch

We all went to Heather's Pumpkin Patch on Saturday.......there was lots to do. They had a petting zoo, face painting, a pillow jumper (like a blow up bounce), a horse zipper (the kids rode horses made out of tires down a wire), a hay maze, a cotton field and of course a pumpkin patch....and so much more!! The weather was nice....sunny but cool. We haven't been in a few years...and they added lots of new attractions. Coby enjoyed it the most...he woke up on Sunday ready to go back! :)