Thankfulness Tree

Traditionally in the month of November we share things that we are thankful for, so this year I wanted to get Everett involved. My friend Tiphany and I were discussing this and she was sharing with me some ideas that she had and some she found on Pinterest. Everett and I had just finished a painting of a fall tree and I thought it would be great to use cut out tracings of his hand prints as leaves that he could write some things he is thankful for on.   

He has been enjoying sticking up his leaves and I am loving the different things that he is coming up with! Here are a few that he's said so far: bread and the food we eat; trees, they grow in the ground; my friends at AWANA; candy from trick or treating; and my personal favorite, Marines for protecting me! 

What are y'all doing to celebrate this November? I am already planning how we can incorporate this same idea into an advent Christmas tree! Stay tuned! 

Month of Thanks: Week Four

Thursday, November 22: I am thankful for my mother in law Teresa and her husband Tony.  Teresa is one of my closest friends and Tyler likes to joke that she likes me more than she likes him!  I am really thankful that I have a great relationship with them, especially because I know many people struggle with getting along with their in-laws.  Everett loves them and especially loves with PawPaw plays the guitar! 

Friday, November 23:  Today I am thankful for my father in law Mark and his wife Sara. I am so thankful that we live so close to them and that they are able to be a part of Everett's life.  I love being able to hang out with Mark and Sara and that Tyler is able to be close with his dad. 

Saturday, November 24: I am thankful for all of the things in life that have lead me to where I am now.  Looking back it's hard to not think about the things that I would have done differently but I know that if things didn't line up the way they did I wouldn't be where I am now. 

Sunday, November 25: Today I am thankful for my church family and all of the wonderful people who work so hard all week long to prepare for the services.  Tyler and I are so blessed to be part of a church that truly cares about its members and the community that it serves. 

Monday, November 26: I am thankful to be able to stay home with my baby big boy.  I am grateful for the families that trust me to watch their children and allow me to be able to do what I love.  The kiddos are so great and I truly enjoy being able to see them learn and grow every day. 

Tuesday, November 27: Today I was reminded at 4am when my husband's alarm went off that I am so blessed to have him.  He wakes up and goes to work every day in order to provide the bulk of our income for our family.  He is really great at what he does and I am so thankful for his dedication. 

Wednesday, November 28: I am thankful today for all of the possibilities in life that are still to come.  I had a wonderful lunch meeting today with two very lovely ladies from church who are really inspiring.  It helped me to see that it is time to get out of my comfort zone/hiding place and start taking on more responsibilities. 

Thursday, November 29:  Today I am thankful for Everett's inquisitive nature. He is so interested in everything and he is constantly learning and figuring out how everything works.  I love watching him as he plays and seeing how his little brain is working.

Friday, November 30:  While trying on maternity clothes today, I was reminded of how blessed I am to be pregnant.  Not only are we welcoming a new baby into our family but we are giving Everett a sibling! I am so excited for this new adventure. 

Month of Thanks: Week Three

Saturday, November 17:  Today I am thankful for keeping in touch with old friends.  Tyler, Everett, and I celebrated "Friendsgiving" with our close friends from college and it was great to get to get to spend some time catching up with everyone.

Sunday, November 18: After purchasing our house back in September, Tyler and I decided to have an Open House to celebrate and invite family and friends over.   We hosted our Open House today and I was reminded again how thankful I am to be surrounded by such great family and friends. 

Monday, November 19: Today we went out to dinner to celebrate my Grandma Dallas' birthday.  She flew in to be with us for Thanksgiving and I am so thankful that she is here!  She is a great lady and I always enjoy spending time with her. 

Tuesday, November 20: I am thankful for modern conveniences like cell phones and televisions.  Sometimes they are a burden but other times I am greatly appreciate how much they make my life easier. 

Wednesday, November 21: I am thankful for all of my sister-in-laws! I was blessed with one sister by birth but now I have five more wonderful sisters.  Marley, Tyler's youngest sister spent the day over here with Everett and I and we had a blast.  Love you Nikki, Jordan, Kelsey, Riley, and Marley! 

Month of Thanks: Week Two

Thursday, November 8: I am thankful for the beautiful Virginia scenery.  Today while driving down the interstate and the crappiness that comes with 95 I was reminded of the beauty that God has given us with the changing of the seasons.  

Friday, November 9: Today I am thankful for the gift of friendship.  I was able to have lunch with a good friend of mine today, Vivid and I am was reminded of how important it is to spend time with other moms and to know that you're not alone in this whole motherhood journey.

Saturday, November 10: I am thankful today for the relationship that Tyler and Everett have. It is so reassuring to know that we are on the same page when it comes to raising him and that we are equal partners in our marriage. 

Sunday, November 11: Today I was able to serve in the nursery at church, which is something that I really enjoy.  I was reminded about how much work goes into organizing all of the volunteers, curriculum, and details of the preschool program at our church.  I am so thankful for Robin, the preschool director and all of the time and love she puts into making the program great for the kids. 

Monday, November 12: I am thankful for my little sister... even when we get on each others nerves.  Everyone always says "your sister will become your best friend" and I don't think that either of us really ever believed that.  Now that we are older we really are best friends and I am glad that we live close enough to see each other frequently.

Tuesday, November 13: I am thankful for my brother and all of his many talents.  He is currently playing the role of Rolf (You are 16 going on 17..) in The Sound of Music at The Riverside Dinner Theater.  He is so talented and I hope that everyone has an opportunity to go and see the show! 

 

Wednesday, November 14: Today I am thankful for good true friends.  Friends who know what you are talking about and can finish your sentences.  Friends who you can pick up from where you left off, even if you haven't seen or talked to them in a while.  Friends who just understand you and tell you the advice you need, not the advice you want to hear. 

Thursday, November 15: I am thankful for the support that I have from my local La Leche League group.  With the new baby coming I was struggling to decide if Everett and I were ready to give up breastfeeding and they have really helped me to be confident in the decision to continue nursing.  

Friday, November 16: Today I am thankful for baby Flubber! This whole pregnancy thing did get off to quite a rocky start but I am so excited to be bringing a new bundle of joy into this world.  Everett and I were able to hear the baby's heartbeat again today and I was reminded of how blessed I am. 

Month of Thanks: Week One

Thursday, November 1: Today I am thankful for my amazing baby boy.  He is such a wonderful joy to have and has made Tyler and I's life richly blessed. 

Friday, November 2:  I am thankful for my husband. He is always by my side and is such a great father to Everett. I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else.

Saturday, November 3: I am thankful for the gift of eternal life and salvation through Christ.  Every day is a blessing and a gift from God and some days I forget how lucky I am to have a savior in Christ. 

Sunday, November 4: Today was Orphan Sunday at our church we were reminded about the call for Christians to take care of the widows and the orphans (see James 1:27).  This reminded me about how thankful I am for my grandparents who adopted my mom.  They took in not only one child but two children who needed homes.  My grandmother and poppa are great grandparents to me and my siblings and also to Everett.  I am so thankful to have them in my life. 

Monday, November 5: I am thankful for my mom.  She has always been there for me, guiding me, and helping me through life.  She is one of my best friends and I am so lucky to have her.  I am so thankful that she is able to be in Everett's life. 

Tuesday, November 6:  I am reminded today of the great sacrifice that so many women made years ago in order to give me the right to vote.  Women DIED fighting for equality and for that I will never miss an election.  I am so thankful that we live in a country where we are given a voice and a choice in who runs our country.  (Also, if you have not seen the movie Iron Jawed Angels, you NEED to watch it.  It will help you understand the struggles that these women went through and how hard they worked.)

Wednesday, November 7: I am thankful for my dad and his adventurous spirit, loving heart, and gracious spirit. My dad is such a giving person and has taught me how do the same. He taught me how to take pride not only in my things but also in the life I lead.