Thankful: Day 29

I am thankful for Christmas trees!

Thankful: Day 28

I am thankful for Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for our ancestors, and while things have not always been peaceful, or the way that is best for all those involved. I am still grateful we set aside a time to remember the beginning of it all. I am thankful for a time to gather with family and celebrate things we are thankful for. I enjoy family without the pressure of gifts, just a time to enjoy each other. Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful: Day 27

Today I am thankful for glasses! I am able to see the joy on my kids faces without having to be a foot away!

Thankful: Day 26

Today I am thankful that I am able to homeschool! I did not even hear of homeschooling until middle school, then it lumped homeschooling into the stereotype. It was not until I first had my son, four and a half years ago, that the thought of homeschool came to mind. The more I read about public school these days and private is just not an option financially (especially now that we have 3). I love my children here at home where I can make sure that God is the center of their education, and I know that none of the current world views, evolution, feminism, and anything else is not getting into their hearts and mind. I am hoping and praying I get to homeschool all of our children all the way through their schooling. I love spending time with them, and I love seeing those light bulbs go off. I love that I get to be there for each experience, and I get to see for myself which things they enjoy. I get to see where they excel, and I get to be there to lean on when they are struggling. I love that I will be the one to help them through each of these experiences and many many others. 

Crocheting was not part of school, but I am making Christmas presents and I have to work every chance I get

Thankful: Day 25

Today I am thankful for "girl friends"! These are ladies who I have made friends with through our church, and have become close friends. I love each and everyone of these ladies, and they are all very special. Some I am closer with than others, but I know if I need anything I can call any of them in a heartbeat (and they know the offer goes the other way as well!

Rachel and me

Holly and her son 

Melody and her husband

Joy and her son

Rebecca and her daughter 

Rachel and Lesa

Lindsey and her girls

Marie with her family (minus their baby girl who was born last Thursday)

Thankful: Day 24

I am thankful for the zoo! We have made it clear that our family loves the zoo. When my husband and I first started dating we went to the local zoo all the time. Now we enjoy taking our children. We love the animals, and God's amazing creation. We also love the time together!

Thankful: Day 23

Today I am thankful for my Aunt Cathy! She is my mother's sister. I grew up going to her house often and remember her pet chicken Henrietta, who would use the restroom outside. I enjoyed spending time with her and my cousins (her children Jamey and Brandy). We had some time apart, but I am so happy we have reconnected in the last few years and my children have been able to meet her. She is her own person, but she is also similar to my mom in many ways. I love that my children are getting the opportunity to get to know her, she is such a special lady! I love you Aunt Cathy!

My beautiful Aunt Cathy

Aunt Cathy and her husband Uncle Roy 

My cousins Brandy and Jamey

Aunt Cathy with her granddaughter, Jessie (Jamey's daughter) and Jessie's son Richie

Her beautiful house in Montana, if it wasn't so cold I might move there. She takes amazing pictures of God's creation!

Thankful: Day 22

Today I am thankful for our home! Yes, we live in a small apartment, but home is what we make it. They say "Home is where you heart is." That is so true, my home is where my husband and children are. We can make our home anywhere. I love the memories we are amking in these walls, no matter how small!

Kitchen

Porch

Bedroom

Old picture of the living room

Our "Count Your Blessings" wall

Other living room wall (and yes that is a punching bag)

Thankful: Day 21

Today I am thankful for our car! It fits us for now, and it is paid off. We made a mistake of buying it new and not always paying on time, but it is a good reliable vehicle. Mostly we are thankful it is ours free and clear!

Thankful: Day 20

Today I am thankful for my stepmother, Chris! When my dad started dating her I thought she was a little weird, and I was not even sure if I liked her (she gave me my first detention). Then I saw that my dad was happy so that was all that mattered, it would not be so bad. After they married I fought her with everything I had, she was changing my world, and I was not ready for that. I thought I am 16 and I am done being raised who are you to try and change me, but she dug in her heels even more than mine. We butted heads, we cried, we probably even yelled some. She did things that made me mad, sad, and even things I thought were crazy (some I still do). I am so grateful for all she did for me! Words cannot express how thankful I am for this woman who married a man she loved and put up with his head strong stubborn daughter. She just loved me and did not understand. She kept trying to pull me in and I pushed away. God gave me a precious precious gift when He gave her to me. I know I was not easy to love, and I am so glad she decided to do it anyway. She stepped in and filled a void. She knew she could never take the place of my mother, but she knew she could fill the empty hole in my heart. I do not deserve her love, but I am so glad she chose to love me despite myself. She has done so much for me, and I am who I am today partly because of her. Now I enjoy our "mother-daughter" talks, and I enjoy her enjoying my children. I love you Chris!

Chris with Ray-J (2months)

Chris with Emma (4 months)

Chris with Ray-J and Emma at the beach this past August 

With Cathy Belle (2 days old)

My dad and Chris on a cruise (world travelers)

Thankful: Day 19

Today I am thankful for my sister Annie! She also is my step-sister. She is 9 years younger than me, which made her 7 when our parents married. She was so much fun! I always wanted a baby sister, and fortunately this one came potty trained! She would let me dress her up and play with her hair. I enjoyed her so much! I am sad I did not get to spend more time with her. She grew up while I was at college. Now she is just months shy of getting her bachelors degree early (I am a little proud), and she will continue on to get her Masters. She is super smart, and a world traveler. I look forward to the times we get to spend together. I love you Annie!

Aunt Annie (16) and Ray-J (2 months old)

Annie just sitting on a pyramid (world traveler)

Thankful: Day 18

Today I am thankful for my brother Kyle! He also came into my life when my dad married my stepmom. He was sometimes my normalcy in the world wind that I was feeling of adding siblings after 16 years of basically being an only child. He was so much fun, and he and I fought the least. He was my "cool" sibling, and even though I picked on him it was only because I thought he was great! I love you Kyle!

Uncle Kyle and Ray-J (2 months old)

Kyle and his beautiful wife Jessica

Thankful: Day17

Today I am thankful for my sister Stephanie! She is my step-sister. She came into my life 14 years ago when my dad started dating her mom. She is 2 years younger than me, and when I was little I used to beg and pray for a sister 2 years younger than me. God answered my prayers! We have had hard time and we have fought, most of it boiled down to me learning to have siblings and her learning to not be the oldest anymore. I am so thankful for the friendship we have developed over the years. I love you Stephy!

Steph with her husband Aaron

Aunt Stephy with baby Emma (about a week or two old)

Thankful: Day 16

Today I am thankful for my brother Todd! He is also my half-brother (Bryan's full brother). We have known of each other since I was very little, but due to circumstances we did not meet until 2006. We have been making up for lost time, and is feel as if I have known him my life. He is a great big brother, and we enjoy talking on the phone. We are looking forward to spending some time together around Christmas. I love you Todd!

Todd and his beautiful wife Tina

My handsome nephews Christopher and Brandon

Again biased I know, but my nephews are good looking! :)

Thankful: Day15

Today I am thankful for my brother Bryan! He is my half-brother from my father's first marriage. He came into my life when I was 5 and he was 18. I have loved having him as an older brother, and we enjoyed picking on each other over the years. Now we get to enjoy each other's children! I love you Bryan!

Bryan and his beautiful wife Amy

My niece Ashlynn with Ray-J and Emma

My niece Kaitlynn and Cathy Belle

I know I am a little biased, but I think his two girls are gorgeous! :)