Simple

It's the simple little things that I'm thankful for.  I rediscovered baths a few weeks ago. I don't think there is anything better when it's cold out. Well, there is one thing. This little guy likes to join me.

They were so excited because we were having cocoa with marshmallows for dessert tonight. Yep, it's the little things. 

I've spent the last several weeks going through all the kids toys. We just have too much and need to lighten our load. I've sold several bigger toys this week. Our play room looks empty. But, the kids don't mind.  Emily likes the extra room to do gymnastics and Ben and Noah love using the room to run around. Simple is better.

Family Vacations and Cute Kids

Okay, I know that I take photos of my grocery trips probably all too often. But, today was a haul. I got 141 items in all.



You can't even see all the stuff. It was an overflowing shopping car full for $49.35. I saved over $300. I was pretty happy. I don't get hauls like this very often, so I'm grateful when they come along. I'm stocked up on some stuff for 6 months to a year! I'm grateful that I found couponing 3 years ago. Because of that, I found a part time job that I love doing and my hobby is saving money. It's truly been a blessing. I know that it's grocery trips like these that afford us the luxury of great family vacations. And for that, I'm thankful.

And just for kicks, that's my receipt taped to the right side of my fridge. It's easily 7 feet long.


And now for Grampie, who likes pictures of the kids, here's more of Noah. I'll have to take some of the other two soon. Noah's just with me all day and he makes an adorable subject. Noah sits with me at karate and watches Ben. This little girl, Addison, is always there and Noah wants nothing to do with her. Yesterday, he decided maybe she wasn't so bad. They watched movies and shared goldfish. It was adorable.

Staying Home

Being a stay at home Mom is pretty wonderful. Sure, sometimes I want to sell my kids to the gypsies and floor my mini van all the way to the beach. But, those days are few and far between. Most days are wonderful and it's the little things that make me stop and smile and be thankful that I get to spend this time with my kids.

Today, I was working and Noah was watching a movie. I glanced in the living room and spotted him relaxing.

I'm also grateful that we have possibly the worlds most tolerant dog. Rocko rocks!

Cuddles

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to sleep. It's one of my favorite things. I have friends who never let their kids in their bed. We don't mind. As I write this, all five of us our laying in bed together watching TV.  Yes, we put them in their beds at night, but sometimes things don't stay that way.

Emily and Ben sleep together most nights. They find comfort knowing the other one is there. Noah is on his own. Last night, David slept in the guest room because he couldn't sleep. Noah woke up at 5:30. While walking to our bedroom, David headed him off. He pulled him in bed with him and cuddled. Noah loves nothing more than to be in your arms while you rub his head. After 15 minutes, David had to get up for the day. He put Noah on the sofa in our room thinking he'd fall asleep. He didn't. Five minutes later, he was crawling up in my bed going "Mama?"  I pulled him in my arms and rubbed his head until he fell asleep. I was wide awake. But, I loved the time I got to spend with him first thing in the morning. 

Later, I asked him if he enjoyed waking Dad and Mom up this morning and getting double love. He just smiled.

Lazy Sunday

Today was great. We didn't have anything major planned. David made us waffles and bacon for breakfast. I helped Emily clean out her doll and Barbie stuff. David and I watched a movie. The kids just played all day. I did a little work. It was relaxing and wonderful. I love lazy weekends.

We ended the night with some reading time and ice cream is up next. My tank is full and I'm ready to start the week!

That picture was just for you Grampie.

Craigslist

Is it bad that I'm thankful today for Craigslist? I mean, I haven't even said I'm thankful for my kids, but I am...every moment of every day! They will get their day. Just not today.

Craigslist. For parents with young kids who constantly have toys that are no longer being played with or too much stuff, Craigslist is a gift. I've been on a major cleaning out spree lately. My kids have too much stuff. Emily no longer likes Barbies and Noah has outgrown anything that is babyish. Ben doesn't like to part with anything. He's a future hoarder. I have lots to sell. I've been posting stuff and selling things like hot cakes. 'Tis the season!

I added up my 2013 sales. It's $824. Plus, I have $400 or more listed right now. I couldn't sell that much stuff if I had a yard sale every month. Craigslist is fantastic.

On Friday, I pulled up at Robert's market. It's a local gas station that everyone knows about here. I was meeting 2 people. I sold a lot of boy clothes, and the next lady came to buy some toys. I was there for 90 seconds and drove off with $50! It's a total win/win.

And I'm thankful that my husband mops my floors!

My Blog

It's November 1st, and I've seen the challenges on FB and on another blog. Every day, post something you are grateful for. I did this last year. I can probably just dig up those posts and repost them. I almost didn't want to do this challenge this year. But...

I think it's good to try to commit to blogging every day. It takes 30 days to form a habit, or so they say, and I know my blog gets neglected from time to time. So, what better way to reconnect with my blog than to write something I'm thankful for daily.

So, here it goes...

Today, I woke up. Well, I'm grateful for that. But, I went on Facebook and a friend was asking if she should start a blog. Of course, I raved about blogging and the perks and how I love having all of my kids experiences written out. Our vacations are documented better than any video or photo book. We've made so many memories, and because I wrote about them, we won't forget.

I've had friends that have blogged and then stopped blogging. I've felt like stopping the blog from time to time. I originally thought David would write too since he enjoys writing, but he wrote one post in 5 years, when Forest (our dog) died.

I looked back at a few posts from the beginning in June of 2008. Five years I've been keeping up this blog. I have over 1,000 posts to my kids, and I realize what a gift it will be for them one day. I mean just look at this post from November of 2008. Love, love, love.

Today, I am grateful that I've never given up on my blog.