Hanging at the Capitol...Day after T-Day

So usually the day after Turkey Day, my mom and I go shopping...although we go around 10 a.m., get coffee, leisurely walk around asking if any of the "amazing deals" are still there...usually NOT! and then we meet Vinny and the kids at the Capitol around noon for a break. I love the hustle and bustle excitement of the day, and don't usually expect to get any great deals since we don't go early enough, but the day is great the way we spend it, in my opinion! I love this picture of the kids!

I don't know if we threatened Nick in this picture to show his teeth but I am glad he is! So Cute of the two!

My sweet girl!

Little do you know, but right before this laughter Gianna was in a funk, pouting with arms crossed, and Daddy swooped her up...causing her to laugh her way out of "princess-y attitude."

Thanksgiving...

So this is pretty pathetic...I only have 3 pictures from Thanksgiving! UGH! The truth is, my back was spasming and I was in a muscle-relaxing induced-sleep on my Auntie's bed for most of Thanksgiving Day. Thanks to my mom, the dishes I was committed to contributing were ready to eat! I woke up for dinner, and then it was back to bed...so I am not thankful for the health I do not have...but I am thankful for my amazing family and the understanding hearts of those around me. When will my back issues cease? I think that would truly be a Christmas Miracle!

Dominic and Cousin Braxton playing with Hilde...

How did I manage a picture of Dan and Jody and None of My Own Family???!!

Can't wait to find out what they are expecting! That is something to be thankful for!

Day 1 of 24 Days of Holiday Fun!

With the help of my friends I was able to compile a list of ideas, old and new, that makes up our 24 Days of Holiday Fun Advent Calendar. Today is Day 1...reading the Christmas Story while eating popcorn. I wanted to start the season out reminding the kids of the "reason for the season." The kids pull out the "thing to do" each day...sometimes it is a craft/baking time, other times an act of kindness or giving, and sometimes an activity.

Dominic's First Written Sentence...

Here is Dom's first written sentence that he wrote by himself today. He has been writing up a storm all year in the form of pictures with details, but when he saw some other kids writing sentences- he wanted in on it too! He wrote "I put up the Christmas lights." I am so excited for
him! His teacher said he is just taking off so quickly!

Daddy brought home his very first sentence writing for me as a present today, and then in all the excitement both kids jumped on him, dying to wrestle! Every night is a wrestling match when Daddy gets home from work.

Dating Dom

Here we are, ready to head out on our long awaited date. Dominic chose to get a donut and strawberry milk (yuck!) on the date, while I had coffee. He has been anxiously counting the days until this date since in his mind, Gianna gets to go on dates WAY MORE than he does. (It is b/c he is at school and G and I will go to Starbucks for hot cocoa while running errands...I just fancy up the idea of errands into a "date.") It was so fun to chat with him about all the little things. I found out he has a little crush, although he assures me that Chelsea is just his "friend that is a girl" not a girlfriend. He did get a secret smile talking about her that cracked me up! He then chose a movie to rent for later that night, and then we ran some errands together, which resulted in him getting a racecar from the movie Cars. He is such a great little companion, much calmer without his sister! Thanks Dom for a great morning together, just the two of us!

I shall not covet...

Today at church the topic was "coveting" and well, it hit home, especially at this time of year. I do not WANT to covet, but sometimes it is hard. Because truthfully I WANT the cute decorations, the wonderful toys for my kids, the perfect holiday party outfit, and the accessories that go with it. BUT I am working on being grateful for what I do have...I am counting my blessings, right here, right now for all of you...

• MY HUSBAND-God knew (and Marissa, Jenni, and Abby- I always think of our first night at Ramblin' Jacks) that he was my perfect match! And of course my mom, who set us up...even tho he was 9 years older!
• our kids-how amazing each and every one of them are- we have been thinking about foster care, knowing that we have much to offer to some little someone in a time of change...we are thankful that our kids are growing up with LOVE, consistency, boundaries and presence..even when they don't want our presence!! (ha ha pre-teen!)
• family-extended...what ties us together? Blood. No more real than that. That is all they need to hear- we need you, and they are here.
• a home-we have a roof over our head, with garage-sale finds made sooo cute with paint, new vision, and love!
• food-how often do we take this for granted? so many kids go hungry in our country each day...feeling the pit in their stomach, wanting to be full and see food in the cupboards.
• FRIENDS-we have so many friends that make us look at each other and say-we are so lucky! If we were to hit a crisis, they would be there, with us, in that time...supporting. and they are here ANYWAY...no crisis, just us, just them, together.
• our basic needs are met each and every day...and then some.

so those are the basics! But of course a MILLION other things come to mind...

• music...playing to the beats of my life
• hugs and kisses from my daughter-our bedtime routine is extremely complicated, and extremely wanted!
• our community-small town, in each other's business, but thankful in an emergency!
• I don't have to drive far to get anywhere! I can really be in mulitple places in a short amount of time!
• traditions...Santa Breakfast in Oly, Jammies on Christmas Eve, La Push in the Summer, Hurricane Ridge in the Fall, family Sunday walks in the neighborhood and the list goes on... and on...
• Dates with Dom-what a sweet and appreciative date we had yesterday! You are a tender spot, touching me each day. I can't wait to hear you talk at the end of each day!
• Nick and I are in good spot- working through the step-mom-stepson journey...
• Saturday mornings, our family all together-(b/c Nick is with us)
• Sunday mornings at church together...usually griping at each other up until we get there, but then coming together as we walk through the doors!
• the smile (that he tries to hide) that appears on Nick's face as I pull him close, hug him, and tease him!
• my husband reaching for my hand in church, when I am nudging him to pay attention to a particular point!
• I get to stay home with our kids...even though there are things we forgoe to make this happen.(tell myself "focus on what's important")
• the snow-capped mountains when I drive out of our neighborhood each morning.
• all of the years we have had at Summit Lake-splashing, sun and laughter, in the simplest of terms.
• nights with the 6-Pack...just asking questions, lovin' each other!
• I have a part-time job to supplement our income...and I enjoy it...most days!
• a van with automatic sliding doors when my hands are full!
• for kids that appreciate the small things! I have never seen anyone celebrate and rejoice over a movie and popcorn like Dom and G!

and the list goes on...

There are so many things I could add, but the phone keeps ringing, and I have a lot to appreciate in this moment-glass half full...zoom in on the "wonderful"...the phone is not annoying or distracting, it means we have people who love us and care about us! (Refocusing, re-perspectiving...that is what I gained from the sermon today!)

When mom's away...

Apparently there was no checking before taking the picture since I see some belly showing! (that is what happens when Daddy takes the picture!) Daddy was teaching them about the concept of static electicity.

I just discovered these pictures on the camera...I am not sure where I was at the time...but Gianna said they were making a party for me! How cute! I love Dom and G in this picture.

Thanksgiving Crafts...

So I started looking at T-day crafts on the internet and at the same I started feeling like a not-so-hot stay at home mom! I was not doing all of these amazing craft projects that I saw on all of these amazing websites...what did that say about me as a mom, as a person? I mean here were moms using leaves as the most incredible ways and here I was LAST MINUTE trying to find some crafts to do with my kids...and no I was not looking for in-depth crafts, I was looking for easy crafts...AHHH some days!

Here is our family of pinecone turkeys we made...Gianna's has the pink and purple. Dom's is the rainbow turkey!

This is Dom's drawing of a turkey... we followed 6 steps in creating the drawing (for Kindergarten teachers out there, you could easily do this with your class), and then traced with Sharpie, then painted with coffee, sprinkled with salt and it is drying at this moment. I think he did an amazing job! We still have to paint the beak and waddle. Thanks to the website we found this...which I can't remember the name as I was in an internet-turkey-thanksgiving-craft-haze!
www.artprojectsforkids.org (I went back to find it since it has some really great ideas!)

Here is Gianna working on her "glowing turkey" project-which we found on Family Fun website.

Finished projects-they have flameless candles which you can't see, but they are cute and glow nicely!

We collected Fall leaves and made them into the turkey feathers...I think we have had enough of Fall crafts and are ready to move on!

Happy Veteran's Day to my AMAZING Husband...

Today at school Vinny led the Veteran's Day Assembly...Dom was very proud of his Daddy! Doesn't he look HOT in his uniform?

He later went to Dom's Kindergarten Enrichment class and spoke with them. He also talked with them about the book, Nubs..."a true life story" in Dom's words.

I think it is so cute that Dom is the closest to his Daddy- Daddy is not "old news" to his son! Dom's face was full of excitement as his dad was introduced!

I love what the experience of the Marines has added to my husband's life. He said it changed him in so many ways-many for the better! Our family is proud of what he protected and fought for during Desert Storm, and we are so glad God brought him to us! He is a gift to our family and our kids are blessed to call him Dad.

Abby and Cameron's Anniversary Celebration

Cameron threw a surprise renewal of vows celebration for Abby this last weekend. It was such a fun surprise! As you can tell from Abby's face, she had no idea!

Their vows were funny, sweet and so wonderful to witness.

All the girls...so happy to be here with you!

Love you Ab!

Jessie and Ryan came from California for the party. We were soooo happy to hang out with them! Can't wait for the next time!

Three Amigos!

Love my husband!

The next morning the girls met at Katie's to have all the kids play together...so fun! Look at everyone-AND Abby and Molly were missing with their kids! It was so great to have Jessie there with her 3 boys! After all these years-we are still close and being together still feels like the best place to be!