Thankful Thursday

It's been too long since I've stopped to give actual thought to the things that I'm thankful for. It's not the big obvious things that I like to pause and think about. It's the little things that I all too often take for granted.

I am thankful for our vehicles. It's comforting to know that when I get up in the morning that I don't have to worry about whether or not I can get to work. It hasn't always been that way, and I'm grateful that it is now.

I am thankful for the snow on the ground yesterday. It was only a small little bit but the kids were thrilled. They happily ran around and played with each other in the morning before school with no arguments. That's all too rare at our house. :0)

Last night I suggested to Addison (who loves to help in the kitchen) that we make dog treats and take to the animal shelter for Christmas. She happily and excitedly agreed and then Wyatt chimed in that he wanted to help too. I'm thankful for their giving hearts. It gives me the warm fuzzies that they are caring little people and I pray that they don't lose that as they get older.

I'm thankful that we have stained concrete floors. Every time it rains and the dogs and kids track mud all over the floor I'm grateful that I can just mop it up rather than having to clean the carpet.

I'm thankful for my parents. My Mom came and stayed with the kids while Dax & I were at the conference in Las Vegas and also while we went to pick up the car. They are so helpful and allow us to do so much and never complain. I could never fully express the depths of my gratitude but I hope they know how much I truly love and appreciate them.

I'm thankful that the Halloween candy is gone. I've been so bad at resisting its temptation that I'm glad it's not around anymore. But, alas, Christmas candy and a whole host of cookies are on their way.

I'm thankful that my mother-in-law and sister-in-law decorated our Christmas tree while they were at our house for Thanksgiving. It's usually a whine-fest with the kids over who gets to put which ornament on the tree which turns it into a miserable afair. This year, however, they were perfect while helping Bushia and Aunt 'Manda decorate the tree. Nary a whine or wimper, of course making a liar out of me. :0) But that's fine, the tree is done with no fights. :0)

What the heck?!

Yesterday at lunch time I ran to the store and it was at least 85 degrees outside. Then last night before I went to bed I check outside since a storm was blowing in and it was freaking snowing!! What's up with that? That is way to much of a temperature swing in one day for me. Although, on the bright side, the kids got ready for school in record time this morning once they had looked outside. lol

Back Home

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Family came to our house this year and we had a delightful time. It's always nice when it's easy like that. :0)

Dax & I just got back from 9 days in Las Vegas. That's a really long time to be there. We go to an accounting conference every year. I know what you're thinking, but really, accounting is not all that glamorous. It's a common mistake really. lol

We went to Phantom of the Opera while we were out there. It was great. We also went to see Terry Fator and a comedian while we were there. We didn't go see as many shows as we usually do which made it a little more relaxing. Although, that gave us a lot more time to hang out in the piano bar in Harrah's and drink--not always a good thing. lol

We love to sit around and people watch. There are all kinds....like this guy that we saw (more than once) walking down the strip. He wasn't wearing anything but those pink shorts, flip flops, and totally sporting his spray on tan. And it was probably around 60 degrees that day. Don't ask me!!



The National Finals Rodeo starts while we're out there and they do a lot of 'cowboy' markets so I got to do a little shopping while I was there. woohoo!! I bought a rug for the living room. It's supposed to be here Friday (or sometime shortly there after) and I can't wait. *happy dancing*

Now it's time to get the Christmas cookies going.

It's Party Time!!

Well, the birthday party has come and gone and it was a success. I feel like I've lived in the kitchen for the last week. Addison and Wyatt wanted to take cookies to school on Friday for their classess and Kirsten and Abigail took cupcakes. Then I had cupcakes to make for each of them for their party (they each get to choose their own party theme).

We had their party at the bowling alley and everyone seemed to have a great time.




Addison chose panda bears as a theme.


Abigail chose monkeys


Kirsten picked Minnie Mouse


Wyatt picked guns but I couldn't find much in the way of gun cake decorations. lol I made cupcakes like targets and used tootsie rolls for the bullets (Dax said they looked like suppositories - lol)


I think a good time was had by all. Now it's time to start planning for Thanksgiving. We'll be doing it at our house this year so it's back into the kitchen for me. :0)

To Tell or Not to Tell...

It's been awhile since I've come clean about all the things that I 'haven't' done so I guess it's time. (Certainly it's not possible that I've just been that good.)

I absolutely did not buy a couple of new tops for myself while I was out shopping for the kids' birthday presents. I mean, I was totally looking for the things on their lists so how could I even end up in the section for something I might want? It just doesn't make sense....right?

I did not put some cashews out for the little mouse that lives in our office. I mean, I don't want him here so why would I feed him? I'm not a softy like that.

I did not put off the final cleaning in my house until today knowing that my in-laws are arriving tonight. I don't like to procrastinate like that. Everything done way ahead of time with time to spare - that's my motto. (Really, who am I kidding?)

I did not eat a brownie with a mini peanut butter cup baked in the middle for breakfast. That's far too many calories for me to eat at all, much less have that sugar rush first thing in the morning.


Okay, that's all that I'm not confessing to right now. Especially now that I've got those brownies on the brain!!

Long Weekend

Dax & I closed the office and took a long weekend. My wonderful parents (they allow us to be able to do so much) came and stayed with the kids while Dax & I went and played.

We got up at about 3:00 on Thursday morning and headed to the airport to catch a flight to Virginia. Why in the world would anyone want to do that? (I know that's what you're asking) Because Dax had been playing around online and found this and we were headed to buy it.





He's like a kid at Christmas with his new toy. (And believe me, the last thing we needed was another car at our house!!) Doesn't he look happy though?




We had intended to be able to drive back at a somewhat leisurely pace and enjoy ourselves. As it turned out though we had to wait until Friday morning to complete the transaction and it was raining and yucky for two of our driving days. This slowed things down considerably and pretty much took the 'leisure' out of it. But, it was nice to have some time alone together anyway.

We did take the opportunity to spend the night in Texarkana (where we used to live). We stopped by and surprised a friend that we hadn't seen in years. (You know who you are Amy) She has gotten married since we last spoke and her new husband seems really nice. After we left their house, Dax and I both talked about how happy she looks and that it was nice to see that. She's a really sweet person and deserves to have a husband that treats her well and makes her happy. It was really nice to see her and I'm glad we decided to stop.

We made it back home yesterday afternoon and boy are our butts tired of riding in the car!! The kids are thrilled about the car because they think it looks cool. Dax took today off to get it all cleaned back up after the long drive home and then he's going to pick the kids up from school in it - per their request.

Now our really hectic schedule begins. My in-laws will be in town on Wed. night, the kids' birthday party is Saturday, my in-laws leave on Sunday, Thanksgiving is at our house on Thursday, and then Dax & I leave for a conference in Vegas on Saturday. Busy, busy, busy.

What a Weekend

There is not a spot on my body today that isn't sore, I swear. We spent the whole weekend cleaning. I shampooed carpets in the kids' rooms on Friday. Spent Saturday and Sunday cleaning out the shop. Judging from all the trash carried down to the road you'd think we just moved in. But on the bright side, the shop is now cleaned out. There are several boxes in the garage now and my plan is to get through them by Wednesday this week. It will be nice to have that monkey off our backs. It's only been there for 4 years or so. I found out that I had a lot of cute decorating items that I had totally forgotten about. lol

Hope you had a better weekend...or at least more relaxing. This working when I should be lounging thing sucks. lol

Thankful Thursday

Another week gone by with many things to be thankful for.

1. I'm completely grateful that the elections are over!!! None of the people and/or things that I voted for won (must be some sort of voter's curse) but I'm glad it's over just the same.

2. I'm thankful (and thrilled) that the peppermint mocha and gingerbread coffee creamers are back out. I miss them the rest of the year, although this time I've already bought some to freeze. :0)

3. I'm thankful that this time next week Dax & I will be on our way to Virginia to pick up a car that he's been wanting. I'm looking forward to just the two of us for a few days.

4. I'm grateful for the rain this morning. It wasn't a lot but we'll take what we can get. Plus, it's brought the temperature back down a little.

5. I'm thankful for the grades my kids had on their progress reports last Friday. (although, isn't Halloween an awful day to send home progress reports for those kids with bad grades?) Anyway, there were only 2 B's in the whole lot. Makes me proud!

6. I'm thankful that the a/c in the suburban waited until fall to decide to quit cooling. With birthdays and Christmas coming up at least it can be put off for awhile.

7. I'm thankful that my kids enjoy each others company and play well together. Naturally they argue just like other siblings but they do get along and play together really well. It's a blessing!!

How 'bout you? What do you find yourself taking note of this week to be thankful for? Do tell.

Halloween Costumes

I hope everyone had a great Halloween. We went trick-or-treating on the Square in town. Most of the shops on the square stay open to give candy to the kids. It's a great 'small town' activity and it's one of our favorites. After we left the square we ran home for hot dogs and potato salad and then off for traditional house to house trick-or-treating. They only did that for about 45 minutes (maybe an hour) before they decided they were tired and just wanted to go home. I guess they figured they'd gotten enough candy. lol When they asked if they could eat some of their candy early on I told them that this was the only night of the year that they got to eat candy until they thought they were gonna be sick (if they wanted that much).

Well, here are the costumes:

Addison was a hippie. I couldn't get her to let me take a picture without her making some sort of dorky face. *shaking head*



Wyatt was an alien. His costume looked really good (I just couldn't get a good picture of it) but it was really hard to see out of the mask. There was this pattern over the eye part and it made it tough to see.



Kirsten was Princess Liea. We made her costume because I had trouble finding one. She was pleased with it so that's all that really matters, right?



And Abigail was Cleopatra. I made her costume from an old party dress I bought at Goodwill. She was happy with how hers turned out too. Seeing one of my babies with makeup on is more than I'm ready for (although hopefull she won't want to wear it quite this heavy when she does.)

Thankful Thursday

Well here we are again. It's been busy as usual.

1. I'm thankful that I've gotten all of the payroll reports done (and not even at the last minute :0) )

2. I'm thankful that my kids are pleased with their Halloween costumes.

3. I'm thankful for having the windows open because of the fantastic weather we've been having.

4. I'm thankful that Wyatt seems to be developing a love of reading.

5. I'm thankful for all the silly things my kids do that make me laugh.

6. I'm thankful that I have parents that would do anything they can to be there for me if I need them. It's comforting to know there are people in your life that will always be there for you.

7. I'm thankful that I paid $2.17 per gallon for gas yesterday!!


How 'bout you? What are some of the things that have made you feel better or at least brought a smile to you face? How long has it been since you've stopped to think about some of the little things that make you happy?