a new day

No. 30: I am thankful for a fresh start. Every morning, I can decide to be better than I was the day before. I can be more patient, less grumpy, healthier, stronger, happier. It's my choice, and it's not always easy. But waking up to this cheerful guy helps.

p.s. I feel much better today.

He doesn't even mind that his home office is pink.

No. 29: Last night I thought I was going to die. I felt so sick. Today, I am very thankful that Mike can work from home so that while I lay in bed, he gets the kids off to school, and goes to the grocery store, and talks to Stella all day, and puts the baby down for a nap, etc., etc.

p.s. I'm never eating food again.

and Oliver, too

No. 28: Last week, when all of his cousins were running to the park, Oliver found me and asked if he could go to the park, too. He is such a good kid. I am thankful for our handsome, obedient boy.

our Mabel

No. 27: I like to tell people that Mabel is the best girl you will ever meet. Really, I don't know how we were so lucky to get her. She is a gem. Just this morning she heard Elliot fussing a bit in the living room and dropped what she was doing to be with him. I am so very thankful for our sweet Mabel.

good food

No. 26: Thanksgiving might be over, but that didn't stop us from having it for dinner again tonight. I sure am thankful for leftovers. And I think we have just enough turkey left to make this soup tomorrow. I can't wait.

Oh, David

No. 25: Oh man, we had good food today. I hope you did, too. As thankful as I am for all of that yumminess, I am most thankful today for baby David who flew in from Las Vegas. My brother, Lincoln, and his wife, Mimi, waited a long time for that cute little guy. We are so happy that he is here!

a full house

No. 24: My dad and my brother and his family arrived today. And my little brother and his family come tomorrow. That's 16 extra people at my house! We are having fun, and I am so thankful to have them all here for Thanksgiving. I think my kids are in heaven.

my little pilot

No. 23: I am thankful for pilot caps, and weather that is cool enough to wear them. There is just nothing cuter on a baby.

Elliot's is from Hanna Andersson. But look at these super cute ones at olives on a string.

a pretty piano

No. 22: I am thankful for our very old piano. Isn't it beautiful? I think it's my favorite thing in our house. I'm so glad that Mabel is able to take piano lessons. I hope she doesn't take after me and sticks with it.

love

No. 21: I am thankful that there is a lot of love in my house. Not only do we love each other, but we really like each other, too.

p.s. I'm also grateful for these cookies (the blurry ones right there) that Leslie made this afternoon. They had just the right amount of pumpkin.

cousin reunions

 No. 20: Leslie's family arrived this afternoon. Yay! I am thankful for cousins who pick up right where they left off, even when they haven't seen each other in a long long time.

you

No. 19: The nicest people read my blog. I'm serious. You are all so nice. I'm not sure how you got here, or why you stayed, but today I am thankful for you. Thank you for your nice comments and emails, for thinking my kids are cute, and for always brightening my day.

creamy white cabinets

No. 18: I finished painting my cabinets today. Oh, I am thankful to be done! More pictures and a few cabinet painting tips coming soon.

books and kids who like books

No. 17: I am thankful for good books. I just finished The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. I don't normally read young adult literature, but this was sweet and so good! I completely recommend it. Are you on goodreads? Let's be friends.

I am thankful for kids who like to read, too. A trip to the library or bookstore is just about the most exciting thing around here.

What's the best book you've read lately?

a birthday girl

No. 16: I am thankful for my Stella. She turns 3 today! Oh, Stella. She keeps me on my toes and I wouldn't have it any other way. Happy birthday regular girl princess ballerina!

Gramma's here.

No. 15: I am thankful for my parents. They have taught me everything I know, and I am grateful for their kindness and love. 

We picked my mom up at the airport this afternoon and I don't think Stella has left her side since. We are so happy to have her visit!

a new motto

 getting ready for a Sunday afternoon stroll

No. 14: I am thankful for wise counsel from our church leaders. Last night, Mike and I (and Elliot, too) attended the adult meeting of our Stake Conference. Our Stake President told us about a time when he was on a diet. He was feeling overwhelmed by the task until he realized that all he had to do was eat right that day. He didn't need to worry about tomorrow or next week. If he had the same determination to eat right today, everyday, then eventually he would meet his goal. He then applied this to living the gospel. All we need to do is live right today, and take it one day at a time. Doesn't that make sense? Why hadn't I thought of that before? So now I have a new motto: Live Right Today. What do you think?

lazy mornings

No. 13: I am thankful that on Saturday morning I don't have to get up early and get people ready for school. While Mike goes running, I bring Elliot into our bed and we lay around, waiting for the big kids to find us. It's a good way to start the weekend.

I've been serging.

No. 12: I am thankful for my serger. I'm taking a teeny break from painting to make curtains, and I've been using my serger all afternoon. I'm not sure how I ever got along without it.

Do you want to marry your serger, too?

Veterans and Grandparents

my handsome Grampy, at home on leave, 1946

No. 11: I am thankful for people who are willing to fight for our country. I think they are so brave.


p.s. I'm thankful for my grandparents, too. They are two of the most patriotic people you'll ever meet. I love them.

the Dip

 This was my lunch today. . . and just about everyday.

No. 10: I am thankful for Yodipity. Is that dumb? It's just that it's so good. I get the same thing every time. Half chocolate, half cheesecake with granola, dark chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips. Yum.

in-laws

No. 9: It's my sister-in-law's birthday today (Happy birthday, Cathy!). I really lucked out when I married into the C* family. I love my in-laws. I am thankful that we live close to them and that we all get along.

p.s. On our way home from Cathy's yummy birthday lunch today, Stella told me that Ben and Cathy are her favorite "person". Yes, they are one person, and they are quite popular around here.

outside

No. 8: It's a nice, breezy day here in the desert. Today I am thankful that I can send my kids outside to play.

this guy

No. 7: I am thankful for Mike for so many reasons. He is the kind of person who sets a goal and then works really hard to achieve it (I've never been very good at that). So today I am thankful that he inspires me to be better.

p.s. Remember when Elliot used to be little?

this baby

No. 6: I am thankful for our happy Elliot. He was 6 months old yesterday! He celebrated with a few bites of Yodipity. It's going by in a flash and I am trying my best not to miss a moment.

this sister, too

No. 5: I am so thankful that there are people like Julianne in the world. She is willing to sacrifice so much to help those with so little. And she does it all in a pretty dress!

Happy 26th, Jooj! Love you!

this sister

No. 4: Today, after a quick chat on the phone, I am especially thankful for Leslie. She has always been the best example of grace and style. I love her dearly and wish New Mexico wasn't between us.

p.s. Have you been following her What I Wore Wednesday posts? I look forward to them every week. And then I mourn the total lameness that is my wardrobe. :)

Pizza Night

No. 3: Tonight I am thankful that I didn't have to cook dinner.

Our local pizza parlor was donating a percentage of tonight's sales to our school. So we had to go, right? While we were there, Elliot got his first taste of water. It was exciting. And cute.

Peace and plenty here abide.

No. 2: I am thankful that my home is a peaceful, loving place and I am grateful to have all that I need and more.

a month of Thanksgiving

I love November. The weather is cool, pumpkin treats are in season, and Christmas is just around the corner. But the reason I love November most is because I get to think about all of the things I am grateful for. This year, the list is mighty long. So every day this month, I am going to share one thing from my list. It's going to be fun!

No. 1: I am thankful that Halloween is over. :)