Day Fourteen

THANKS #113 the staff and volunteers at New City who put on the most amazing VBS for our kids! 

THANKS #114 glasses... So I can see 

THANKS #115 Cherry stained lips of a preschooler After enjoying a summer treat

THANKS #116 The crisp crunch of a bite of a grilled burrito

THANKS #117 Jovee's pocket flaps (today was inside out day at vbs)

THANKS #118 freshly died hair

THANKS #119 the slush of ice in my water

THANKS #120 hoolahoop

THANKS #121. VBS store goodies!

THANKS #122. Cold brew coffee... Saving me lots of money, waking me up, and providing a delicious treat ;) 

THANKS #123 Baby kicks...

She was sleeping and woke up and wanted my attention- she kicked me over and over and coo'd until I finally looked at her and gave me the biggest smile. 

 

Day Thirteen

THANKS #100 ... A super good community group night. It was great to have some new friends and old friends join us for the first time! We discussed 1 John 2 and really just talked about our lives right now. Its so wonderful to have this little community group to share our struggles with and to be honest with each other. 

THANKS #101 ... the glorious 3 hours I had to spend at Lux reading... and reading... and reading! Read through the book of James and more into 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp

THANKS #102 ...my jamberries came today!! Aaaaaand

THANKS #103 ... I scheduled lots of jamberry parties with my friends!!

THANKS #104 ... The sweet noise of Lucia sucking on her hand

THANKS #105... Delicious chocolate chip cookies from Lux that don't make my tummy hurt if I only eat one :) 

THANKS #107... Our cold air-conditioned home! Especially since it's over 100 outside!!

 THANKS #108... My sweet little baby put herself to sleep

THANKS #109... A very comfortable bed 

THANKS #110... Free healthcare for my family! I'm so thankful for the Indian Hospital that we can go to if something is wrong and it is free to see a doctor and get prescriptions. What a burden that has been for us in the past!!

THANKS #111... For my mom singing us a song on the phone tonight... Just because I asked her too! She's such a good sport!! 

THANKS #112... For the women at my church. I've made so many really good friends at or church and I really needed that. I ran into a few over the last few days while our kids were all at VBS together. 

Day Twelve

Today was actually a difficult day. I remember thinking a few times, I don't want to give thanks... I want to complain. Can't I do a complaint list instead?? Obviously the answer is no. So rather than focusing on the difficult parts, let's look at the good. 

THANKS #95 was for some alone time just me and Lucia. 

I didn't get much reading done. Haha because every time I focused on this...

... There was this staring at me... *swoon*

More alone time :) ... Tokyo wanted to join us. 

THANKS #96 God's provision for our physical needs. Aka lunch. :)

THANKS #97 parenthood. 

... It's hard. I don't like having to be mom. I would rather be aunt or friend. Today, we had to discipline. Leading to...

THANKS #98 having Ricky to help me parent. 

... Today was just better handled by dad! I did pretty much the same thing he did, but once he got home from work, it was more well accepted coming from him. And for that I am SO grateful!! 

THANKS #99 story time with daddy!!

Lu was REALLY excited to get to be involved in story time too!! 

I feel some change coming. I hate it. It makes me nervous... We will see! 

Day Eleven

THANKS #87 is for some special treats! Took the girls to bass pro shop today and had some fudge and spiced almonds. Mmm! 

THANKS #88 picture search books:

I love watching them search and search for the little hidden pictures. 

THANKS #89 time spent with these cute sisters. Jovee's face is so much like Ricky's. Today, I watched her focus so hard as she tied her robe. She's cute. 

THANKS #90 ... I got to take a short nap today! After feeling lame for a few days... (we're thinkin' the gallbladder's gotta go!) it was nice to take a teeny nap and wake up feeling better!

THANKS #91 ... Pink hair. 

I've always wanted it. I think it's so fun! But it's obviously not professional for me to have at work... So I'm thankful I have these weeks off to get to play :)

THANKS #92 is for kisses. That's all I'm going to say about that

THANKS #93 ... A GREAT post partum check today! I got to talk to one of the midwives for about an hour! We talked about the labor, pregnancy, parenting, birth control, having large famlies, sibling rivalry, even down to homeschooling and I got her feelings and opinions on vaccines. It was so nice to hear someone answer my questions clearly, professionally, and without judgement!! I think talking to her I realized how much more "attachment parenting" and "granola" I really am! Haha! I left the appointment feeling like I know what I'm doing and I'm being successful at being a mom! I left with confidence and I didn't feel like I have to make excuses for our families decisions on matters that are important to us. It was great!

THANKS #94 ... I get a whole new day again tomorrow with my sweet girls!!! (Lord willing) ... I'm so SO thankful for God continuing to provide for us so I am able to take a full 12 weeks off for maternity leave. I have really needed this time as a mommy. I never knew I would find so much joy in just sitting here like this:

DAY TEN

THANKS #73 Today I am grateful for the start of Vacation Bible School!!! The girls are so excited about it and I know the staff and volunteers have worked so hard for this week! Today Jovee explained building the house on the rock instead of the sand.

THANKS #74 is for the breakfast i could enjoy quietly at Lux. I love my girls, but it was nice for the oldest girls to be playing with other kids while mommy gets some quiet time!

THANKS #75 is for this quiet little lady who chilled the whole time.

(my view)

THANKS #76 is for suprise friend dates!!! We ran into so many friends today! April, Richard and Asher (who is on the MOVE now that he's one!). We also got to see our friends Tim and Kristen for a few moments, and even more friends at Target, Sentrock and Summer who are newly married! Friends EVERYWHERE!!

(Go Asher, go!)

THANKS #77 ... Siting on the floor in the bathroom talking to Charlee as she takes a shower. To be honest, I can't remember what she was talking about. I just remember her sticking her head out of the shower and her long brown hair stuck to her face as she was telling me about something. Her big brown eyes were distracting me and I couldn't think of anything more than how thankful I was for that moment. 

THANKS #78 and 79 ... Baby kicks and the ruffle noise the diaper makes as she kick kick kicks around out of excitement, frustration, hunger... whatever its for, its just so cute to me! My favorite is the double kick! Where it's almost like a hop if she were standing. 

THANKS #80 ... the conversation I had with Lucia tonight. We talked about goo's and Gah's and ooh's and squeels. Best talk we've had yet! :) :) :)

THANKS #81... the opportunity to become a jamberry consultant!! I'm really excited to jump in to something that is so fun and is right up my ally!! Yay!!!! 

THANKS #82 ... cleaned teeth and cavity free!!! I'm so grateful for the free dental care I get at Life Smiles Dental because I work in the field and my office works closely with his. Also, my hygienist Kelli is one of my most favorite people and I love getting to hang out with her for an hour. 

THANKS #83 ... folded laundry... Don't get me wrong, there is still laundry to do. I have had three loads of clean laundry needing to be folded... but snuggling little babies is more important.

THANKS #84 ... A clean room... it feels so good. 

THANKS #85 ... my in-laws who make us dinner nearly every night. Its not Tuesday, but tonight we had tacos :)

THANKS #86 ... prayers from my sweet Jovee June. I have had quite a few gallbladder attacks recently and tonight was a doozy. When I told her I had a tummy ache, she immediately pulled me over to her and said "come here!" and laid her hands on me as she prayed for my tummy ache to go away. I am so blessed by these sweet and sensitive ladies God has endowed to me!

Lord, Thank You for these gifts that never end. Thank You for a fresh outlook and an over whelming sense of how undeserving we are for all the good You've poured out on our lives!!!!

DAY NINE

I have so much to be thankful for today! (everyday, but today is clearly obvious)

THANKS #64 is for our dedication of Lucia today. We stood before our church family has the leaders prayed over us. We promised to God to raise not just Lucia, but all our kids by pointing them to Jesus. 

THANKS #65 is for the new city youth leaders and the beautiful breakfast they put on for us!! 

THANKS #66 is for this yummy food we ate!

THANKS #67 is for our family that joined us today. 

THANKS #68 is for papa Richard. Happy Father's Day to him! He has raised Ricky in the ways of God, and is now helping us raise the girls to follow Jesus. He watches them while Ricky and I work. He always plays games and reads books and takes them on bike rides. 

THANKS #69 is for the support of our papa Lance today. He, also, is a great dad and papa. Not only is it Father's Day, but its also his birthday!

THANKS #70 is for this sweet smile on Lucia. She loves her Aunty a lot! 

THANKS #71 is the celebrations of our Daddy. I know i've already listed him as well as my dad in thankfulness, but today is different. We are thankful for their fatherhood. When so many dad's are stagnant in their rolls as father, or don't want to be bothered, or don't take on any responsibility, Ricky has stepped up to the plate. Being a dad suits him so well. He loves these three crazy girls that he has been given and wants to see them succeed. He pushes them to try hard, he corrects them when its needed, he snuggles them and is silly with them... dances... tickles... jokes... laughs... so today we are thankful for our "Prince Daddy" as the girls call him.

THANKS #72 ... getting to experience the voluntary love of these girls. Its the sweetest thing when they come over just to love on us. 

Day Eight

THANKS#55 Sweet time with just my little Jovee June making a Father's Day treat for our daddy and Papa. (Reeses stuffed Brownies) Jovee did the Majority of the work :) It was so wonderful to spend time with her alone.

She instisted we put sprinkles on top so

THANKS #56 is for sprinkles!

THANKS #57: Jovee really wanted to do the dishes

I totally let her and she did an awesome job!!! (That should probably be a triple thanks!)

THANKS #58 is for the smile on Charlee's face when she showed me the "tip" she made when going with daddy to see a patient that needed help while daddy was on call. Which takes me to the next one...

THANKS #59 is for the extra on call Ricky was allowed to take at work to help us with finances while I'm on materninty leave.

THANKS #60 is for "Diti Rose" who does NOT want me taking her picture. She loves to snuggle the girls and always calls them "pun-kin." She snuggles and coddles and changes diapers and cleans up after.

THANKS #61 is that aunty is home after being gone on vacation! Who doesn't love a good aunty snuggle. She sure loves the girls a TON!

THANKS #62 is from Jovee. She is thankful for the fan. :) HA!

and THANKS #63 she is thankful for her daddy... which we are ALL so thankful for. He is the sweetest bestest daddy EVER!!!! We are excited to celebrate him tomorrow!!!