Thankful Thursday

Social Media and Creative Outlets.  Let me elaborate.  I'm not sure if I can even begin to tell you how it has changed my life.  Reading other bloggers and connecting with other women online has been an amazing blessing.  Facebook gets a bad rep but it has allowed me to connect and become friends with people that were once mere acquaintances.  My latest endeavors into Pinterest have me seriously considering projects I would have never attempted or dreamed up and I'm actually doing more creative things with my kids because of it.

Sometimes all of this connectivity can come at a price. If you let it consume you.  The key is finding the balance between being living with and without it and not getting lost inside a virtual world. I'll let you know when I find that perfect mix :).

It's the tenth and by golly I'm going to get my pics up somehow.  I attempted to upload to the family computer and that did not work.  I'm going to have to get my husband on it-ASAP....I'm dying to show you how to make a Yoda and C3PO costume and how cool I looked as Leia, turqouise spray paint, Jack's first hair cut, oh so many things just waiting to be shared!!

Thankful Thursdays: Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I have more to be thankful for than ever before.  This year has been full of changes.  The biggest change obviously being welcoming Jack.  But I have found it is more than just that.  This year we entered into a monumental new phase of life.

We aren't having children anymore, that part is over.  This means no more bundles of joy until... grand kids????  It makes me feel like I am really an adult.  And I know that this will go by so quickly.  Everyone says it does.  Everyone says to make each moment count. 

So this year while I am continually thankful for everyone in my life I am most thankful for change.  Sometimes it is hard but most of the time it is for the best.  Next year I want to be able to say I am thankful for making each moment count.

Thankful Thursdays: Full

I am not always composed and cool.  I try to be patient.  Ellie told me the other day that I just needed to be patient, she would be ready soon, ahhh!  Sometimes we disagree, yes Ethan you have to read to aloud because it's beneficial to everyone.  Things aren't always fun.  Laundry for four kids is more than a chore.  But my little people are the best.  They love me unconditionally (they obviously aren't teenagers yet) and the feeling is mutual.  I am thankful for each one of them.  They are well behaved when it really counts, polite and helpful.  I could go on and on about how proud I am.  They are unique and special in their own ways and I like finding their differences as much as I like finding their similarities. 

Last year around this time the five of us were sitting at the table for dinner.  Dale and I joked that we still had an empty chair.  Little did we know we were a few weeks away from finding out we would be filling it.  This year our table is full.  Our hands are full.  And most importantly our hearts are full. 

Thankful Thursdays: Veterans Day

I find it so easy to be thankful for all veterans but especially the ones in my life.  Without one veteran I wouldn't be here!  I find it amazing that my husbands father and mine both served in Vietnam and came home.  It amazes me that the events of them surviving ultimately are the reason why we are here and have children.  I am so proud of my father and his service and sacrifice.  There was no heroes welcome for him in 1970's San Francisco. 

My husband Dale also served in the Armed Forces and National Guard.  He was in Operation Restore and Uphold Democracy in Haiti.  While I never felt the pain of having him gone (he served before we met) I know that many of my friends go through this on a daily basis.  I may have four kids but I can't imagine having even just one and my husband serving.  Those women are heroes!!! 

I know that with four kids the possibility of one or more of my children serving is a huge possibility.  I hope I have the strength to be strong and support them.  Especially if we are in a time of war.  Support your local Blue Star Mothers, it is really easy!  Do you still have Halloween candy?  Would you like to get rid of it and bring a smile to a soldier?  Call your local Blue Star Mothers and see if they would accept it to put in care packages and see what else they need.

So today say thank you to those who have served and those whose loved ones have served.  Whether you support a war or not, supporting veterans, active duty and their families is something we can ALL agree on and do!

Thankful Thursdays

Every Thursday in November I will be doing a post on being thankful and some of the things I am thankful for.

This first Thursday is going to be fun and lighthearted.  Coffee.  I am so thankful for coffee and half & half.  There have been a handful of times that Dale has made a special trip to the store for either one.  I think he just wants to make sure the kids stay okay.  I can be pretty cranky without it.  Ellie calls me a "Coffee Woman."  I mentioned half & half because my husband would say I have half & half with coffee instead of the other way around.

Sometimes its the little things in life that make it wonderful.  What little things are you thankful for?