Being Thankful #4

I have been thoroughly  enjoying these past few days because my little sister is here!  Yes, she also brought her hubby and my new nephew (who, by the way is the sweetest this EVER!). I really think I took my sisters for granted when I was younger.  It was one of those things I think all sibling groups go through.  When growing up you kinda tolerate your family because you are forced and it's not until you get older that you actually look forward to hanging out with them (especially when you live far apart).

There is something about sisters when you are older.  Its a kinship that you really didn't have when you were younger. Now you have gone through the hard junior high and high school awkward years, we've survived college and the weird early 20s. We have come out on the other side, more confident, wiser and mature (at least some of us).  We know who we are and, like it or not, we have accepted our sisters for who they are.  We are able to laugh at our faults and imperfections while rejoicing with the little things.  Gone are the days of sibling rivalry and petty cat fights.  Here to stay are long phone calls and laughing until your belly hurts about the "remember whens."  Before we couldn't wait to have them out of our rooms, now we count down the days until we get to see them again.

I am so glad that God chose to bless Annika with a little sister.  More often than not Annika and Taryn are the best of friends.  Creating schools, homes, zoos, pet shops and princess fairy lands.  Dressing up and dressing the same.  Sometimes I think I need to do more play dates for Annika with her school friends.  But, then I see how well her and Taryn play together and that is one of the most important things. Sisters will see you at your best and worst.  She will know your highs and lows. Friends will come and go but your sister is stuck with you no matter what.  Yes, there are times when I need to tell Annika and Taryn  to "treat your sister like you would treat a friend," but I really think they like spending time together.  I know in a few years the hormones will kick in and I will blissfully look back on these days.  Yet, I know that when the dust clears they will be the best friends again.

Being Thankful #3

I'm really glad I didn't commit to writing everyday!  It's been a bit crazy around here lately.  I thought I would post on something I am very thankful for and really take for granted: the access to quality healthcare.  Now, I am not going to get into any debates about "universal," "government run" or "private" healthcare.  I really don't have the time or the energy to get into that.  I already needed a 3rd cup of coffee just to write this little post...and it's only 9:45 in the morning.

I am thankful that on Tuesday morning I could walk into my pediatrician's office and get Landon help for his asthma.  I am thankful that late Wednesday night I could walk into the Emergency Room and get little Simon help with his breathing...turns out he had pneumonia and double ear infections. Poor guy. :( I am thankful that on Thursday morning I could drive up in my minivan and get my prescriptions from my local pharmacy without even getting out the car. 

I am most thankful that this little guy 

and this little guy are on their way to feeling better.

Being Thankful #2 Seasons

The seasons in Southern California, where I grew up, are fire season and non-fire season.  When you look at the 5-day forecast, it's usually 78 degrees and sunny.  Every. Single. Day.  Oh, don't get me wrong, when it's -10 degree windchill out here in Kansas, you can bet I am missing Sunny SoCal.  But, there is something to be said about the changing of the seasons.  This year Fall took it's sweet ole' time coming, but now it's here.  I am loving it!  Mmm...the crisp cool air mixed with the smell of fireplaces and dry leaves.  Just makes you want to fill up on a warm bowl of chili (with a cinnamon roll on the side).

Then there are the colors.  The colors of Fall are gorgeous. Granted, we aren't anywhere close to New England when it comes to leaf peeping and fall foliage, but this is the scene that greets me when I leave home:

Then there are the Fall activities.  

I know you can do them in 80 degree weather, but bundling up for a hayride is half the fun!

Taryn at the Cider Mill with her Pre-K class

Dan had his annual pumpkin carving night.  Annika chose to carve her pumpkin again this year.

Here are Dan's finished products:

Jake and Izzy from Jake and The Neverland Pirates

Of course, Halloween (or Reformation Day!) is a highlight when it comes to Fall events.

This year we had an Island Girl, Belle, a Pirate and a cow.

I am thankful for seasons...especially Fall.  Hope you are enjoying your Fall whether it be in shorts and t-shirts or snow boots and parkas!

"As long as the earth endures,

seedtime and harvest,

cold and heat,

summer and winter,

day and night

will never cease."

Gen. 8:22

Being Thankful

I was thinking about posting about something I am thankful for each day in November. Today is November 2... already a day late and a dollar short. Besides there are days when I can't even seem to brush my teeth before 2 p.m. Therefore, I'm going to set the bar low. Rather than blog every day in November, I am aiming for at least a couple times a week. Let's hope for the best, shall we? This will be similar to a few Februaries ago when I posted on my Favorite Things.  Perhaps some may overlap?

To start things off, let's focus on a little 3 year old who I am thankful for in my life.  In fact, there are many days where I have to repeat how thankful I am for him, over and over and over.  It's either do that or send him to the zoo.  I tell Dan that Landon has his daddy's mind because if he had my mind he would be too lazy to do some of the things he has done over the last few weeks.  I have been jotting his antics down...here are a few highlights:

*taking cup fulls of water from the toilet and pouring them out onto the carpeting in his bedroom...we figured it was at least 2 toilet bowls full (probably 2 gallons?) soaking into his carpet. Dan walked in when he was mid-pour. Not sure who was more shocked, Dan or Landon.

*pulled out the towel holder from the wall in the bathroom and put the screws down the drain

*poured out all of Simon's baby bath down the drain

*pulled off all the toilet paper from a brand new roll because he "needed a telescope."

*took the van keys down into the basement "to unlock the bathroom door."  Reference the first few items as to why we lock our bathroom doors (thankfully he remembered where he put the keys otherwise I am sure we would still be looking for them)

*made a make-shift stairway with his dresser drawers so he could reach up on top of his dresser to turn on his light and turn the c.d. player on full blast.

*collected all the Hi-Ho Cherry-O cherries to put in his pockets.  Found a few hanging around the drain in the bathroom...pretty sure a few are making their way to the ocean.

*Apparently gave himself a semi-swirly by sticking his head in the toilet.

*left childcare on Sunday with two pocket fulls of playground pebbles.  When I asked him what he had in his pockets he said "I don't have any rocks in my pockets."

*flushed aforementioned pebbles down the toilet

*stuck a pinto bean up his nose in Sunday School...twice.

*repeatedly (at least once a day) turns on the neighbor's outdoor spigot to "make grass soup."

*And the coup-de-grace happened just yesterday when I was helping Landon go potty before his nap time.
Me: Landon, buddy, why do you have a little bit of poo-poo on your undies.
Landon: I don't know. I didn't go poo-poo in the garden.

Excellent.

Yes, I am very thankful for Landon.  He has showed me many other things to be thankful for...
*washing machines
*Oxi Clean and bleach
*bathroom door locks
*absorbent towels
*Homeowner's insurace
*chocolate, lots and lots of chocolate

My friend LL at Vitafamiliae had this shirt posted on one of her blogs...thinking this would be a perfect Christmas gift!