Thankful!

 

1. My Marriage. I know it's corny but I just LOVE my husband! We got married so young, after not even knowing each other very long, and had kids back-to-back. (no, I don't know what we were thinking either!) The odds were really stacked against us, but we continue to prove people wrong. Sure we have our problems just like everyone else. But we have worked hard at it all, and never given up on each other. Arnold is an amazing guy, he works hard for our family, is respectful, and really has always helped out with the kids, or whatever I needed. I honestly cannot imagine doing life without him... (especially since I have never mowed the lawn and I refuse to clean up vomit!) :D haha. But for real, I am so thankful that God has blessed us in this area, and I know we've had good role models to look up to-- both our sets of parents have been married for 50 years now!!! And that is so rare these days. 

2. Being able to go back to college. I am so glad I decided to go back this fall, and start back on my Medical Office Administration program. I actually love being a student (nerdy, I know!) and even though I had a rough start with some of the work, I am doing quite well now! I especially like writing papers. 

3. Our health. With everything going on these past 2 years, we are beyond blessed that our family has stayed so healthy. We did have Covid back in January, but it was pretty mild cases for all of us. And none of our parents got Covid, and we were SO relieved! I watched so many people lose their parents or family members this year and I am trying extra hard to not take anyone or any time for granted. Also, we found out Rachel has scoliosis this year, but thankfully it is a mild case, and she is going to a great dr who is going to keep a close eye on her spine for the next few years while she's still growing. 

4. Fixing up the house. Arnold and I have been married 15 years, and we are living in a house built in the 60s, that used to be his grandparents. Needless to say, we've had to do a TON of updates and replacements around here. The oven used to be turquoise... YES seriously!!! Since we had kids so young and life was thrown at us fast with tons of expenses, we haven't gotten to add on a lot of cosmetic things or fun touches until the past few years. We have replaced living room floors, painted, gotten some new appliances, a new kitchen table and light fixture, a new fireplace unit.. and JUST this past month we have started doing some major work on the kitchen! It's amazing to see old wood paneling and ugly 90s floors go bye bye! Doing all this work makes me so happy, and it feels like we just moved in. 

5. My new nephew, coming in the Spring!! :D I am so excited that my brother and Sister in law are going to be having another baby!!!!! For the longest time I had a feeling it was a girl, but I guess I was wrong! I don't care boy or girl, I'm just excited to be an Auntie again! Now that we know it's a BOY, I am so excited to see sweet Ro Ro become a big brother! That is going to be precious. I also cannot wait until April, when hopefully we will be traveling to Charleston to meet the new little fella!!!!! :D

6. Finding a new church. I am so happy we took the recommendation of Katie and tried out Discovery church. They are unique in that they usually have their services outdoors. This is actually great for people like me, who tend to get anxious. The wide open spaces help! They have some AMAZING musicians, and the music always gives me goose bumps, I love it. The pastor is really awesome, he is always on fire for God, and tells the biblical truth, but in love. I am really enjoying going on Sundays, and we have gotten the kids into youth group. We hope they can start going more regularly now that some of their activities are dying down some. 

7. Brooke finding her way in highschool. I still can't get over how much Brooke has grown and blossomed since starting highschool. Now that we've finally got her ADHD issue figured out and shes gotten help, she is doing amazing at school. She has been making good grades, AND juggling both marching band and cheer. She has wanted to be a cheerleader for so many years, and even though she was nervous and unsure, she gave it her all in tryouts and made the squad!!! I may have been even more excited the day we found out than she was ;) 

8. A new pet. We are loving having miss Ruby around! I honestly didn't think we would get another pet anytime soon, but she was an awesome "birthday present" this year! She is our first female pet, and she definitely rules the house! She is full of energy, runs around chasing toys, and bugs the heck out of Max, our older cat. He doesnt appreciate her playing with his tail ;) 

9. My sweet friends. I have some really awesome friends. Even though we've all been in crazy busy times of live lately, we still know that we are just one message or call away if we need each other. I am blessed to have 1 friend I've known 20 YEARS now, and one over 10 years. They have been there for me, even when I wasn't loveable or worthy, and I can't thank them enough :) 

10. KATIE SURVIVING COVID!!!!! Most of you have heard all about Katie earlier this year, but she really is just an amazing MIRACLE, and proves God can do anything. I just can't wrap my head around the fact that we almost lost her. I remember thinking that I was devastated I'd never see another encouraging comment or message from her online... or never go do something with her again. And turns out.. she was at my birthday party this year, we now attend the same church, AND I regularly see her sweet comments on my pictures or posts online. I smile extra hard now every time I see one. I can't imagine doing life without my Katie!!! 

11. Caleb adjusting to highschool and Rachel's quirkiness. Caleb has done great adjusting to life in highschool! He's making good grades, has made new friends, and is loving JROTC! Rachel is silly and funny as ever, she can always make me laugh, just like when she was a little girl. 

12. Our 2021 Vacations. We were so blessed to go on some amazing trips this year. First, Arnold and I went to Nashville for our 15 year anniversary celebration! We packed so much into those few days, and had so much fun. All the tours and museums were cool, all the food was good, and even the hotel was super nice. It's not my typical idea of fun with all those crowds and traffic, but I had more fun than I thought I would! And Arnold was loving the music scene! Then in June, we took the kids to Pigeon Forge! We had a blast between the wax museum, Parrot gardens, and our first escape room! Caleb even braved the huge sky wheel.. and the view on top was GORGEOUS!!!! The best part though, was just hanging around the hotel room in the evenings, and us being silly and laughing and talking together. Since we were forced in tight spaces, they had to hang out with us.... and I LOVED it ;) 

And just a few quick more things I'm thankful for (some are silly) ;)

*Amazon's super quick shipping

*Some awesome shows that came on this year, such as Ted Lasso, Only Murders in the Building, and Never Have I Ever.

*That the Pioneer Woman came out with bedding

*That I found out more about my biological grandparents

*That IMAN won Dancing With the Stars!!

*That movie theaters opened back up

*Surprise flowers from hubby 

*Book sales!

October in Review!!

 We took the kids to a farm about 30 minutes away from us, that we had never been before. I told them I KNOW they are getting older, but I am not ready to give traditions up! I promised they wouldn't have to do any "kid stuff" and I just wanted some pics and family time. It was actually pretty hot for an October day! We had a good time, and at the end the kids all wanted to buy mini pumpkins, candy apples, and other treats from their store. Afterwards we went out to eat at a seafood restaurant we hadnt been to before. It was pretty good.

The main reason I picked this farm was the gorgeous sunflower fields they always showed online. They let people pick flowers and pay for them if they want... unfortunately most of the field was picked over when we got there but we still got a few cute pics. The girls found sunflowers already laying on the ground. 

Im so proud of Caleb and Brooke-- they both brought home straight A's on their report cards for the first semester!! Brooke has been insanely busy trying to juggle school, cheer AND band, so this was an extra big accomplishment for her. I love how hard she has been working. Caleb has really adjusted well to high school... he has made friends and is loving JROTC. 

One Thursday evening we went a little ways out of town to see Brooke cheer at an away football game. So we picked a restaurant near the school and went to dinner. It was a pizza place and they custom made your own individual pizzas. They also had an outdoor seating area. All the staff was so nice, they even offered us little chocolates while we were waiting! AND their town still sells cherry lemon sundrop, which is so hard to find around here! So I was in heaven. I was very impressed and I hope we will go back. 

October is breast cancer awareness month, and so one of the football games was a "pink out" and the girls wore pink shirts and bows to the game, and used pink pom poms. I love all the support that month they show for awareness. My mom is a survivor of breast cancer! For 18 years now! :)

One of the girls on Brooke's cheer squad has a dad who works with Arnold, and him and his wife and me and Arnold are all friends. It's nice to have a friend to sit at football games with. I had fun with Chasity this season talking, (maybe a little gossiping!), eating funnel cakes (ok that one was me!! :D and taking pictures of our girls to embarass them with later :D

One day I met mom and dad for lunch at Cafe Gouda. I love getting together with them every so often, just because. Of course that day it was POURING rain and so we were all soaked when we went inside. 

Can't believe football season is already over!!!!! I have enjoyed watching Brooke cheer so much. It makes her so happy, and you can always tell when you watch her. She has made some great friends and really gotten a ton of exercise which is so good for her. I am still so proud she wanted this so badly and went out there and made it happen! We are starting basketball season soon! 

Finally the fall weather decided to show up, and I was able to break out my new boots. I got them way back in summer time when I saw them and fell in love. We were really there buying Caleb shoes and they had that buy one get one half off deal so I couldn't just pass that up, right?! I dont wear boots too often because they make me even more of a giant and taller than Arnold :D

We are also done with marching season! I loved going to all the competitions at the different schools and watching our group and all the others. There are some really musically talented kids out there! Brooke looked adorable in her uniform... they are Cavaliers but a lot of the other schools (and my own dad!!) kept calling them cowboys/cowgirls :D Our very last competition was extra special because it was at the high school I went to!!!! I was in marching band in high school, but only for a year (my mom made me drop out because she wasnt happy with my math grade) :-X But my band director was still there directing! I still remember our theme my freshman year, and it was "sun." We played a Beatles song that year, and they played one this year! That man must really love the Beatles ;) Anyway, it was such a fun time.. and Brooke has wanted to quit several times because of exhaustion, the music being too difficult, mean kids, etc.. but I'm so glad she has stuck it out! 

I saw on Tik Tok (yes im on there now, but only for decor, store, and mom videos :D A recipe for a cheesy potato and bacon soup... so I decided to try it one day in the crock pot. I am NOT a good cook and I hate to cook, but I was pleasantly surprised when Caleb said he loved it! And Arnold did too. And I know they weren't lying because they got more ;) 

Arnold plays with some friends in a band locally, and they had their first gig in a long time. It was the same day as one of Brooke's band competitions, so I went to that with her, then we showed up just in time for the show. It was someone's birthday party and they just provided some background music... so we sat in lawn chairs with friends and watched for awhile before I took the kids home. 

The highschool had a spirit week for homecoming, and they had kids dress up every day for different themes. Brooke is a cheerleader and they made them dress up every day. They had a Christmas themed day, so we got her a flannel shirt, and she wore her boots, and stole my earrings for the day ;) 

My mom had her birthday, and she turned 70!!!! I think shes ok with me announcing that ;) 

We went over to their house to have dinner with them the day before her bday. 

One of the gifts we got mom was a personalized tea towel with her dog, Willow on it. It turned out sooo cute! I just love the Jane website! 

It was very hard to get willow to sit still for a picture! :D

We wrapped up the month with going to the fall festival at our church. It was HUGE, and I think they said they ended up having 4,000 or some people attend. I love that they made it easy for even the older kids/teens to be involved.. they let them go down the candy trail and they got lot of treats (I may have stolen the cotton candy!!) and they had dinner for everyone... and at the end of the night they had an hour of praise music and worship and it was incredible!!! I was seriously crying by the end of the night... I am sometimes so moved by worship music. I am loving our new church. :)