how grateful we are

On this the last day of November
we are finally
passing around the camera
as is family tradition
to capture 5 things we are grateful for this year.
I always think it's hard to narrow it down to just 5
because we are so blessed around here,
but I guess we just pick the first 5 that comes to mind
or that the camera lands on.
.
This year it was Kacin
who took the camera around
to take pictures for L and D.
He did a pretty good job
photographing the essentials
that make up their lives.

L is thankful for . . .

her kitchen and toys

especially her babies

the rocking horse

her pink blanket

and her boots

D is thankful for . . .

his toy cars

his bikes and "cars" to ride through the house

music

keys, keys, keys

Daddy's car, well, all cars

Kacin is thankful for . . .

TV that I can watch

my brother Kyler to play with

Minecraft to play

Mommy and daddy--daddy because he plays with me and mommy because she likes to cuddle with me

(love this face Eric :) )

D because I can play chase with him

L because she laughs really funny with me

Kyler is thankful for . . .

books to read

mom and dad because they read to us

Kacin because he is my brother

TV because I can watch and play video games

Minecraft because it's a video game I can play

and my whole family because they are good to me

Laura is thankful for . . .

Eric making waffles for breakfast almost every Saturday morning

eggs from our chickens, even though I personally don't like eating eggs, I like that our chickens help us to be a little self-sufficient. And their eggs are just so pretty.

contacts and glasses so I can see the world around me clearly

a calendar to keep track of our families activities, and I am grateful that we can participate and be a part of so many great things

my family, that we can spend time together and grow together and that we have healthy bodies

Eric is thankful for . . .

the Smoker and all the yummy food I cook in it

graham crackers and milk. delicious.

(diet) Mtn Dew because it gives me less heartburn than Dr. Pepper

Tums, because of my love of Mtn Dew

family because I love them

Other pictures Kacin took this morning . . .

These Days

During my all day foster care training yesterday, I made a list of 200 things I am grateful for. I was surprised how easy getting to 200 was. And I know I could've gone on with all the big and little things that fill my life with peace, joy, fun, and convenience. Now if only I could be content with the 200 plus wonderful things that surround and bless me, and stop daydreaming about new floors . . .

In other news, L asked me to paint her nails. Don't tell my dad (he doesn't condone such things). I was happy to do something girlie around here for a change. I get nail polish--I don't always get Star Wars, football, Minecraft, or Legos though.

All on her own, L set up the table tonight for a meal for her and her babies.

Do you know how much D is talking now? It is a lot. Well, a lot more than he was. Maybe that's what I should do during my next foster care class--make a list of D's words. He can put two words together and even said Kyler and Kacin's names the other day. Hot dog! Speaking of, he has been singing that Mickey Mouse club house song this week--"hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog . . ."

Kacin has spent a lot of time playing with his little siblings this week. Like, he discovered he can chase them around the house and everyone will laugh and scream, and if he takes D's keys then D will do the chasing, too. Sweet. Loud. Very loud. But sweet family fun.

Kacin also got his Wolf in Cub Scouts. Yay!

I have one boy in my house who is beyond, beyond excited to be turning double digits tomorrow. Really, Kyler will be the big 10. And he won't let any of us forget the fact that tomorrow is his day. We have talked and talked about what we will eat tomorrow, what we will do and "Mom, tell me again how you want me to stay little." and "Take a picture of me and say it is my last moments being 9". I'm excited for Kyler's birthday, too. He is a great kid. And for some reason in my head I've been thinking he's been 10 for awhile now so it'll be good to know that he is actually 10 and I am not just making it up . . .

Oh, and Kyler got his Religious knot in Cub Scouts. Yay!