Thankful Thoughts 11.29.15

Thankful this week that Matt got our camera up & running again. We have been used to the blur of our phone cam... and now this.. we love capturing memories :)

Thankful for 5 days off of work.

Thankful for filling those 5 days with seriously only the best stuff. Family. Friends. Food. Faith.



Thankful for a safe 11 hour round trip drive to Iowa to see my sweet Granny Eggena. I love certain things that don't change- and when we walk into her home - the memories flood back. The carpet is the same. The couches and the kitchen. All the same. The pictures on her fridge I think are the same from many years ago too :)  Even though she can't walk unassisted, her mind is sharp, and her memories are many. I loved hearing them. I love seeing her eyes twinkle as Hudson mashed his face in the cupcakes. I loved that my uncle drove 30 minutes to buy us cupcakes and cake.... just because. I loved hearing about my mom's successes in High School as their local paper is running a series of "Ancient Times from 50 years ago" and she has been featured weekly!

Thankful that my mom dropped by with our pet fish... Twilight Sparkle Elsa rejoins our crew :) Hudson is in LOVE with her & thankfully has left her in the bowl :)

Thankful that although we got a ticket from a crazy Iowa State Trooper, we did find out that we were legally right and our window tint is in fact legal in IL. So after some hassle, we should have it all figured out... and 127 bucks still in our wallet :)


Thankful that we spotted Rudolph last week! What a beautiful creature!

 

Teacher selfie during the snow zone time at our field trip (Perks at teaching at an underprivileged school- the push for field trips and real life experiences outside the school walls is huge and SO many places offer free trips, bus-ing included! We get to go on one a month!)

 When the sweet boy in my group sees a SIGHT WORD.... and all the people said AMEN :)

 My terrific trio during the trip.

Thankful that my 1st Math meeting at the Children's Museum was a success ( It was 3 hours during a saturday, which is no bueno, but Matt and the kids got free access to the museum which was awesome for the 1st hour ;) Then sight seeing around our awesome city & trying a new hot dog joint made the other 2 hours fly by & I left with 2 new books, a boat load of math center ideas & 25 9 sided dice!!)

Thankful to talk to this guy!

Thankful to be invited over to join amazing friends for a delicious feast.

 Spoons!

 

 Keep it coming, Momma ;) 

 getting the full sensory overload with whipped cream :) 

Multitude Monday: 11/16

Thankful this week... 

that Heaven intervened in a big way... in a big life decision.
 Isaiah 55:8 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

for peace.

for amazing, uplifting ministry. Seriously. 

for conversations that pierce the heart - reality is so beautiful it hurts. Reality, masks off, true hurts expressed... conversations that rock your world and open your eyes to what others are feeling, needing and going through. You know those weeks where you think you had it hard? Then you hear other's share their heart... and you just say whoa... Lord thank you for my week. Thank you for helping me get through my mess so that I can be a listener to those who need to share...  Thankful for friends who trust, share, and bear. 

Galatians 6:2 [Full Chapter]

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

for the hope and joy that despite the pain in Paris (#prayforParis), we have a God who knew & who knows & who will strengthen us... as we see the need to keep pressing on & telling others about God's love, because God's love is the only thing that will drive out hate & violence. We can keep shining our light.

to have a husband who's cooking skills blow my mind- my current lunch is salmon with a mustard glaze and diced sweet potatoes, multitasking skills are superhuman & his patience during my totally obnoxious, loud, gross cough for 2 WEEKS ....has been such a blessing. 

to see our kid's getting along 

that the holiday time is quickly approaching and this year we are feeling super prepared and READY! Thank you Amazon for allowing me to not wrap or mail presents to AZ :) Although I am doubtful the wrapping will be cute festive or pink, and a piece of me loves doing all that stuff myself... I know it will be done perfectly and ON TIME!!  

for a Patriot victory, with one second... won by one point... 

that Thanksgiving break is in T minus 7 days!!!! I am looking forward to 5 days off FOR SURE :) 

Whirlwind Weekend

Thankful for our weekend in PA!

Thankful for our road trip warrior kiddos.  What worked best for us: Ipads for each kiddo {I totally took my class's iPads loaded with our personal games and movies:)}. Blanket for each. Snacks. And frequent stops at the rest areas to throw football :) We broke up the trip : 5 hours one day, 6 the next. We did that on the way home too, and making the driving time small, really helped as I was super under prepared as far as snacks went ... We go to FL in a month, and that trek is 18 hours, so this was a practice run, and we learned we need headphones X 3, more snacks and more drawing/journal type things. We were wondering how the kids would do in our sedan, as our last road trip was in Clifford the big red Suburban... but even with a puke session from Hudson, and some minor squabbles, we totally did it!!! It also was a nice break when I went in to the back for littles time, so big H could be co-pilot :) Ohhhh and Pandora!! You know how we love to belt out singing, so in between songs we found the PG comedy station & Christian Comedy station. We were DYING!!!


Always a happy site to see all 3 in ZZZ land ;)

Thankful that although our plans did not go as we had planned, {Hudson vomiting during afternoon ministry meeting (puke session numero tres on this trip... seriously!!??), ALL the way up the long aisle at the school (Sigh, Gross, Embarrassing)}, and then my nasty cough acted up in full swing... we left mid way through the conference totally encouraged, excited and uplifted. We also wonder if the janitor who had the awesome job of cleaning that puke maybe got to hear what Marv was talking about & could have encouraged her in her day :)

Thankful to have seen and heard Paul Thiessen's Mexico Update. Pray for the workers in that land.

Thankful for Melissa and Doug's awesome crafts. Perfect conference activity!!This mask craft was amazing, although once created she wanted to wear masks the whole conference, which I embrace just fine but Daddy is another story ;). We figured when in downtown Philly, she could be a masked sequin ninja all night :)

Thankful to have reconnected with old friends. Seriously- it had been like 20 years for some! Love the East Coast!

Thankful for the awesome carriage ride in Philly. Who knew Ben Franklin did SO much for our country's history!? 

Thankful to pass along childhood memories to our kids. Every summer- our road trip from MA to IA had us stopping at the Fremont Indiana outlets for back to school clothes & of course Shelton Fireworks. We skipped the clothes shopping {I know I can hardly believe it either ;)} but we did find a new store called the Pickle Factory, that made Hannah smile from ear to ear :) 

 Shelton Fireworks- hasn't changed. I kinda like places that stay the same year after year... I love the memories of that big red barn. And the excitement of Harrison was equal to or greater than mine and Dustin's as kids. So so so cool.

Thankful for pictures like these during stressful days at work :)

Thankful for Jim McMaster's encouraging twitter account. Loved these two posts. Hopefully they will encourage you :) 

Happy Tuesday :)
XO