Thankful

Today is a chilly, gray day, which feels like perfect napping and book-reading weather to me. The kids and I had a busy morning with lots of outside playtime for the big ones, and I got everyone down for their naps kind of late. I was hoping that at least the 3 year old would take a good nap, but to my surprise all three kids all took a good, long nap at the same time! (And, as a plus, the baby took a little bit longer to fall asleep, so I got to go back in his room to rock him and smell his sweet baby smell.) I got all of my chores done, read for a little while, then as I was sitting on the couch I thought about all of the little things that I'm thankful for today. Like . . .

-- getting to have a really good quiet time with the Lord in the middle of the day;
-- having the time to prep tonight's dinner, tomorrow's dinner, and the kids' school lunches for tomorrow so I can play with the kids when they are up from their naps;
-- having the laundry done for another day;
-- having lots of good books to read;
-- our awesome coffee maker;
-- getting to watch the clouds through the skylight in the living room;
-- the mild winter and getting to enjoy the playgrounds before it gets too hot again;
-- that Theodore will be old enough to play at the sprinkler parks and sand parks this summer!
-- my sweet girl and how much she loves her brothers;
-- my baby boy and the way he clings to me like a baby koala;
-- my big boy, who comes stumbling down the hall after naptime with his hair flattened on one side, one cheek red from laying on it, rubbing his eyes and mumbling, "Moooom, did I sleep?" :-)

Counting my blessings

Here are just a few things that I'm thankful for this year. :-)

1. My hubby (who is always at the top of the list (except for that one time that I forgot him completely . . . ha ha ha . . . sorry about that!). He works hard every day, and sometimes part of the night, and on weekends, to provide for us. Part of that provision is so I can stay at home with our three little ones, for which I am truly thankful. Not only is he a hard worker, but he also plays hard with the kids, teaching them all sorts of essential skills like Shooting a Nerf Gun Behind Your Back While Diving to the Ground, How to (Not) Stay Away from Big, Scary Spiders, and Driving Around Corners Really Fast Sometimes Makes Mommy Carsick. Something else that I am SO thankful for is that he never, ever, ever complains about what I fix for dinner, and he has eaten every meal that I've prepared (except for this one disgusting tuna casserole I made 7 years ago). Which is really nice, since I'm far from being a 5 star chef and some days get caught up in hiding from playing with the kids and don't get dinner ready on time.

2. My awesome kids, for filling my life with joy and making me a better person. For making me slow down to notice the little things, always being up for a new adventure, and for not caring that I dance like Elaine on Seinfeld.

3. My sister, for moving here 3 years ago and being a constant source of support and laughter. Oh, and for babysitting the kids (for free!) and putting them all to bed for us (for free!) and even telling us that we need a date night because she wants to babysit them and put them to bed for us (for free!). Seriously. Everyone needs a sister like her.

4. My dad, for being exactly who he is.

5. My mom, for moving here to help out with the kiddos.

6. A (somewhat) rainy fall that followed the longest, hottest, droughtiest summer that I never hope to experience again.

7. Coffee.

8. An injury-free return to running.

9. Early bedtimes.

10. Freedom.

11. Yankee Candle coupons. Those things are expensive!

What are you thankful for?