November Happenings

Our Thankful Tree

We hosted Thanksgiving on the Shore again this year.  It was a smaller crowd than past years, but my Mom and Dad joined us for some yummy fried turkey (and all that other stuff).Thanks to Mom, we made a Thankful tree.  We do have a lot to be thankful for. (I spent the month of November listing the things I am thankful for (click to see that post). )

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving Chris was heading to the VT vs UVA game in Charlottesville with Jamie so the girls and I rode with him to meet up with Monica and the kids in Charles City at Damaw's house.   While the boys enjoyed a day of football Monica and I enjoyed some downtime with the kids.

The kids!!

Reily and SE playing "dogs" in Lilly's crate.

The hunt dog auction,

Looking for special rocks.

October Events

To pick out our pumpkins we took a trip to Damaw and Papa Peter's Pumpkin Patch.  The kids got to pick out their pumpkins AND play with the Robertson kids. 

Looking for the perfect pumpkin.

In the patch.

Still searching..

future Mr. and Mrs. ????

2 sweet girls

Even Lilly got to come this time.

After our day picking pmpkins we met Kathy and picked up Chris' dad.  He came out to the Shore to spend a week with us.  The girls had a great time with Grandpa and we really enjoyed his visit.

We made a "fairy house" from some of our picked pumpkins.

Swinging at the park.

3 generations of Bentleys.

We made a trip to Front Royal for a visit the weekend before Halloween.  Who would have though we would be heading out for snow gear on Saturday morning!

cutie-patootie

searching for something...

Snow Sisters

BEFORE

AFTER

Snow girls

For the first time we did not do a family themed Halloween. Instead Grace was Little Red Riding Hood and Sarah Elizabeth was Belle from Beauty and the Beast.  I used my sewing skills on Grace's Red Riding Hood cape.

Visiting Gigi in costume.

Hitting the street for some candy in Onancock.

Trick-or-Treating with the Smiths.



November Bonfire

In early November we had a bonfire night in the backyard.  The girls roasted hot dogs and marshmallows and Chris and I had clams.  We got some tunes going and chilled out for the night.  It was a perfect night, not too cold, but cold enough that a fire felt good.

Mom, Dad, the girls, & Lilly!

Silly Sarah Elizabeth

Giggly Grace!

Sweet Sisters!



Keeping it in perspective...

“But the biggest mistake I made is the one that most of us make while doing this.

I did not live in the moment enough.

This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of the three of them sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages 6, 4 and 1. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night.

I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed.

I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.”

~Anna Quindlen

 

I just have to share...

2 new Sarah Elizabeth quotes:

We took a family shopping trip to Trader Joes.  Chris pushed a cart with SE in the front and I pushed one with Grace in the front.  Chris left SE to get a cup of coffee and she started to get antsy.  So I told her to "sit tight".
To this she responded:

"Grace, I will sit tight.  You sit loose."

Last week Grace made a pinky promise with Chris.  Sarah came runnng from her bedroom saying,

"I want to make a thumb promise because a pinky promise is too hard."

A Month of Daily Thankfuls

Monica told me I had to read One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp this summer.  So I did.  And then I bought the audio version so I could listen to it again during my morning and afternoon commutes this fall.  I  passed the audio version on to my mom and dad.  Then I found the One Thousand Gifts Facebook page, and then http://www.aholyexperience.com/ .  All of these events/experiences combined with a change in churches this fall has been propelling me towards something.  I think that something is: living a life full of thanks. We are all given so much.  In our human eyes it falls into the categories of good and bad.  But I have been learning that no matter how our eyes see it, from God all is good.  In the end, God's perspective is so much greater than ours. Therefore we need to make our human eyes see though a thankful lens, so that our lives become about living in gratitude.

 This list of 465 November thankfuls may have a few repeats, but I tried really hard to come up with new ones each day.
1. My parents who set an example of constantly seeking to learn more about God

2. Little girls who jump on their beds like it's the best thing they have ever done.

3. Conversations with my mom every morning on my way to work

4. Grace coming out of school excited about sharing her writing work
5. Little girls who come home from school and can play so nicely together

6. watched a sunrise this morning with the girls that was really cool!

7. I am married to a guy who is letting me jet off to Tampa tomorrow morning without a single complaint

8. friends had prayers answered

9. I'm going to Tampa to see Becca Hewitt and Michael Nealon and Potter and Buck!

10. ‎The United ticketing agent who got me through a major travel snafu (no record of me in the system) and on to my 6am flight

11. Safe travels to Tampa

12. Baby Potter

13. Walking around St. Pete with Becca and Potter in a tshirt enjoying the sunshine

14. Chris and the girls having a great time with French toast, pizza, tv dinners, and How to Train Your Dragon

15. I slept until 11am (10am new time)

16. awesome 60 minute massage

17. seeing a great friend so happy with the surprises life had in store for her

18. POTTER and his sweet baby smell

19. Chris and all he does for the girls and I

20. a delicious spinach salad for dinner

21. time with Potter this morning

22. funny dogs at the dog park

23. I made my connection in DC

24. smooth flights

25. catching up with Angela

26. all went well at home while I was gone

27. I'll get to kiss Chris and the girls tonight !

28. Chris kept up with the laundry while I was gone

29. a 1hr fog delay today

30. the dogs are peacefully snoozing

31. I got to talk to my brother tonight

32. successful attempt at making tzatziki sauce with the girls help

33. Halloween candy

34. one of those nights you are so tired that you will fall right to sleep

35. my job- a perfect fit for our life right now

36. 2 hr fog delay this am

37. trip to the library with the girls

38. girls watching Chris and Clarke at work in the bar

39. easy chicken pasta dinner

40. girls did the bedtime routine w/o constant prompting from me

41. husband who loves the problem solving part of his job

42. Lilly is having a chill night

43. beautiful sunny afternoon

44. Tootsie Pops for a sweet treat

45. Lori helped me out today since the girls got out early but I didn't

46. happy hubby b/c the new farm generator will have an automatic turn on switch

47. ready made spaghetti leftovers

48. Clarke cleaned up the dinner dishes

49. Chris wrangled the girls through the beginning part of the bedtime routine

50. early dark makes the girls think we let them stay up really late

51. I was able to take tomorrow off to hang out with the girls

52. the car floor looks relatively clean after yesterdays vacuuming

53. laughter from the girls room instead of tears

54. this practice of being thankful is helping me to really look at my days to see how I should be more thankful than I am

55. a day with my girls

56. 30 min on the elliptical

57. 30 min in the pool with the girls

58. yummy lunch at El Maguey

59. packing Operation Christmas Child box with G & SE

60. great finds in the yard sale drop offs

61. www.aholyexperience.com

62. a thankful hubby

63. cleaning out the closets for the MCHF yard sale

64. chocolate

65. sweet kisses, hugs, and whispers at bedtime

66. great MCHF yard sale

67. cleared out a carload of stuff from our closets

68. everybody took "quiet time" today (for some that meant sleep for others just time to chill out)

69. laundry is caught up (hopefully on my list tomorrow will be laundry is put away)

70. our family bonfire

71. listening to tunes while sitting by the fire under so many stars

72. a God that can create so much

73. Chris explaining solar systems and stars to Grace

74. silly girls by the fire

75. Fat Tire at Exmore Food Lion

76. clams roasted over the bonfire

77. girls who say "this is the best, can we do this every night?"

78. Chris acting as lumberjack to get our bonfire started

79. I had 1 1/2 hours to myself this morning

80. Chris and the girls slept in- for the first time in quite a LONG time

81. heard a reminder on how we are to pray

82. God's grace for our mistakes as people

83. God's grace for our mistakes as parents

84. lunch out

85. Grace is totally READING!!!

86. rest time for everyone

87. girls in the bath tub

88. the smells of dinner ready to be eaten

89. coffee in the afternoon to get me through the rest of the night (you would think my rest time would have woken me up- just made me foggy)

90. the awesome wrap dress I wore today that I scored at the MCHF yard sale on Sat

91. I came up with all 13 of these pretty easily- but when I sat down to type I had no idea what I would write. I think that means God is allowing me to become more thankful of all things

92. when you see your kids act how you've taught them to, without your constant reminders, they do it b/c it's who they are

93. 30 min on the ARC trainer at the Y

94. 3 large trash bags full of hand-me-down clothes

95. Chris agreed to be in The Nutcracker as a party parent.

96. The squeals from the girls when he agreed

97. our reliable car for all the driving up and down the Shore

98. Chris and SE getting their special time when he brings her and gets her ready for ballet

99. my job- it’s a perfect fit for us right now

100. Lilly is definitely getting calmer
 101. finding deals on cute/thoughtful gifts

102. laundry is almost all put away

103. knowing my bro knows he is loved by me

104. the relationship my parents fostered between my bro, sis and I

105. I am thankful that I have Faith, because that is a powerful thing

106. a beautiful warm fall day

107. 2 "super spy" girls playing after school

108. the girls went into the post office to mail a letter and get our mail all by themselves

109. leftovers make an easy dinner

110. boxing in Exmore tonight

111. hubs put the girls to bed so I could go

112. the kitchen was pretty clean when I got home

113. somehow news that would have rock me to the core years ago draws me closer to God and doesn’t send me spinning

114. the good sore after a tough workout

115. imaginations

116. oreos

117. studying the Bible with Chris

118. having a small group to prepare for

119. fresh eggs sitting on our counter

120. early dismissal today

121. picked the girls up early

122. warm cookies and hot coffee (for me) at Exmore park with the girls

123. hours of happy sisters playing spies, mommy/baby, and school

124. bills are paid

125. Modern Family is hilarious

126. 70+ degrees today

127. on the way to school Grace explained how God always wins

128. God always wins!

129. still feeling effects of last night’s boxing workout (that’s a good thing)

130. plans are made for a fun and busy weekend

131. doughnuts from Onancock bakery for dessert

132. I am working hard to organize and simplify and downsize and it feels good

133. k-love in the car

134. this thankful practice is really stretching me tonight

135. Chris is such a caring person and others needs are almost always put before his

136. the bright fall leaves against the dreary grey sky this morning

137. finding deals on Christmas gifts

138. Hokie girls cuddled up next to their dad for kickoff tonight

139. bluegrass music blaring in the kitchen

140. dinner with constant interruptions for a clogging performance

141. Chris and his goofy juggling act

142. animated storyteller=Sarah Elizabeth

143. new bones for the dogs to chew on

144. a shopping trip to Food Lion that took 1 ½ hrs with the most well behaved little girls

145. a husband who unloaded all the groceries

146. Shabaka is doing better

147. Chris had a good day at work

148. only 1 more school day this week

149. Pastor Alex’s visits with the MCHF kids always makes my girls day

150. singing in the car

151. Grace is really taking off in her reading and writing, I am amazed everyday

152. Sarah Elizabeth is her own person-she is 1 of a kind

153. I laughed like crazy this morning on the way to school- funny doctor stories from my mom

154. I am so thankful that she can laugh about it

155. A life with Faith is free from the control of fear

156. pumpkin bread

157. a committed husband (to us and to keeping his word)

158. learning about God's word with others

159. sleepy girls who go to sleep easily

160. warm blankets on a cold night

161. SE climbed into bed with me this morning at 4:45, I love her sweet face and sweet sleepy sighs

162. the girls worked so hard after school cleaning

163. their bedroom

164. their closet

165. the kitchen

166. and it was all on their own- not even my idea

167. for all the little things I take for granted each day

168. I had time to read books to the girls before school

169. generous friends

170. I love hearing funny stories from MCHF

171. early morning talks with Grace she had some silly dreams

172. no coffee filters, but Chris saved the morning with the camping coffee press

173. Lilly went to work out in the marsh with Chris today=1 VERY tired puppy (and husband)

174. 2 beautiful little girls. I got some great pics of the girls today (think Christmas cards/Christmas gifts)

175. I made some huge progress with my closet cleaning and ebay

176. I finally went through the 3 garbage bags of hand-me-downs and so many of the girls needs have been met

177. Chris got a major project at work completed (a long day in the marsh)

178. Chris is learning so much about being a “boss”

179. Tacos are easy to make and they are a hit every time

180. football on TV for Chris to watch with the girls (“go white” or “oh no red has the ball!!”)

181. At the last minute my creativity created a lovely tacky Christmas vest

182. fun time out with friends tonight (plus I won some cool Pampered Chef things)

183. I can see growth in my ability to let God squash my 1st impulse reactions

184. 2 healthy little girls (something that I can easily take for granted- but should not!)

185. our needs are always met, our wants are less important

186. peace in our house

187. God is always just one word away- for everyone

188. I am so thankful for PC3- for SO MUCH

189. I am thankful God never stops teaching us

190. Both girls who climbed into bed at 7:30 this morning to snuggle and visit.

191. Sarah Elizabeth, she has the most expressive face, especially when she is very intent on making her point known

192. Grace spent some time trying to teach me how to play the "rope cutting game" on Chris' iphone and even though I was horrible she kept trying to help me get better.

193. crispy bacon and yummy coffee

194. The girls Sunday School teachers, for committing their time every week

195. celebrating Communion with OBC

196. being able to freely take communion, a free gift from Jesus

197. Chris, who without complaint let me go to Salisbury to see Breaking Dawn, shop and eat dinner with a van full of girls

198. spending time with a great group of ladies today

199. finding the “just right” gift for a few people

200. browsing in Target- what a treat


201. bathed little girls asleep in their beds

202. a car that did not leave me stranded despite obvious brake issues

203. Food Lion refunded the money they overcharged me for my turkey, they were really nice about the whole process and did not make me go home to get the turkey

204. Chris has a job that he is passionate about – even though most of the time I don’t understand his passion

205. Chris can share his frustrations with me in such a non-confrontational manner ( I need to learn this)

206. It’s time to start getting the house ready for Mom an Dad to come down for Thanksgiving

207. parenting- it’s an awesome responsibility

208. an awesome parenting partner

209. the mission of PC3 “to reach people and help them walk with God” and the impact it has on my own walk

210. PC3 devotional (see previous wall post) on marriage was awesome

211. following Deuteronomy 6:4-9 3.

212. Smooth morning routine with the girls today

213. Work was a breeze today

214. A grocery shopping date with SE

215. When SE snuggles with me I love the smell of her neck

216. Bro has a roof over her head again

217. Mom's X-ray showed no blood clot

218. T-giving prep is pretty much finished

219. when my parents come to visit the stress of getting ready is non-existent, they are so easy! We can’t wait til they get here tomorrow night!

220. little girls who are so proud of their clean room and

221. beds. All their own idea.

222. girls who love to listen to books on tape

223. ballet bun in Grace’s hair

224. sweet ballet girls playing at home

225. Grace fixed her door frame with her play tool set

226. getting a few tiny this on my to do list done makes me feel VERY productive

227. Sid the Science kid

228. A hard working husband

229. Mint chocolate chip ice cream

230. one more day of work/school

231. Montessori Children's House of Franktown, it's an awesome school!

232. Gillian because she is an awesome teacher- she truly loves what she does and we are so lucky to have had her as the girl's 1st teacher

233. Both girls are self confident and self motivated

234. Both girls love to learn

235. Both girls are growing, changing, maturing

236. Hannah b/c we are so excited for Grace to have her as her next teacher

237. Lori and Phillip for watching the girls after school so we could go to our p/t conf. and then out to dinner

238. shared fajita texanas at El Maguey- yummy

239. finally got the oil changed in the van

240. got the Subaru to the auto shop before the brakes caught on fire

241. a clean house- wish I could keep it this way

242. realizing that life is messy

243. realizing that life is messy means more than a dirty house- life is hard- but it is never without hope

244. my parents are on their way down

245. sweet news from Hawaii- Angelina had her 1st hula/ballet performance

246. the girls are more than happy- they are content

247. being able to “think on my feet” when plans for a rowdy group of 3rd grader fell through

248. making plans with Monica

249. a husband who can see the good in everyone

250. perspective on what is really important

251. swept floors

252. knowing there is more I should be thankful for- so I keep searching it out

253. Chris handled my mis-handling of the alarm clock snooze button so nicely (I accidentally turned it off at 5AM instead of hitting snooze- so he slept in until 6:45)

254. My parents got here safely

255. Snack treats from Connecticut: Drakes Coffee Cakes, Corn Toasters, and Hummel hot dogs
256.PopPop and Grace playing ball outside

257. MeMa and SE playing Little People inside

258. a beautiful thankful tree

259. my girls are thankful for God because “He is everything”

260. a trip to Wal-Mart kid free

261. a trip to Food Lion kid free

262. finally found a set of curtains I like for the living room

263. leftover spaghetti for dinner

264. Mema reading stories to the girls

265. the girls creating their own ending to the stories and

266. their own illustrations to the stories

267. inside while wind blows outside

268. a few more Christmas gifts knocked off my list

269. sharing stories about the girls ad school with my parents

270. we found all the turkey fryer tools

271. we have enough oil for frying the turkeys

272. Lilly has been on her best behavior

273. my mom was able to come down despite constant medical issues

274. the Subaru’s brakes are fixed

275. the turkeys are injected and ready for frying!

276. My brother called, we wish he was here.

277. My mom was here to enjoy the girls and celebrate with us

278. My dad has been able to relax and spend time with the girls

279. Chris took the day off today to fry turkeys (5)

280. Fried turkey is awesome!

281. Ault bacon in the green beans and mashed potatoes

282. apple pie

283. pumpkin pie

284. chocolate graham cracker pie

285. I should get off the food thankfuls, but here is one more: LEFTOVERS!

286. a beautiful fall day

287. the kitchen is clean again

288. talking with family today

289. My sis is happy and healthy with her family in Hawaii

290. the food coma after a huge meal

291. silly times with Sarah Elizabeth

292. Grace takes brushing her teeth very seriously

293. a day of prepping and cleaning in the kitchen yielded a delicious feast

294. a quiet house watching football napping on the couch, and reading magazines

295. the girls playing in the dirt with Lilly and Guinness

296. a laid back low stress Thanksgiving

297. those who provide Thanksgiving meals for others in need or without family near by

298. a new friend for Lilly- Charlie!!

299. another successful Bentley Thanksgiving- doing it since 2003 :)

300. Grace asked Chris to tell her more about something (like the solar system, how propane tanks work, the sun)


301. Ault sausage for breakfast

302. scrambled eggs with mushrooms and onions

303. a full morning of coffee drinking

304. the girls and Lilly took a walk around the farm after breakfast

305. playing outside in the great sunshine

306. the girls solving problems on their own

307. leftovers for lunch

308. mid-day apple pie

309. I had time to finish a book

310. coloring with Grace

311. Elf on tv- brings back some funny memories

312. no Black Friday craziness for me

313. cooking in the kitchen again

314. prime rib- successful 1st time attempt

315. steamed clams

316. watching Grace dig into the clams with help from Mema

317. Sarah Elizabeth couldn't get enough "meat"

318. packing for an overnight trip to Damaw's to see the Robertsons

319. braiding the girls hair is getting easier for me

320. a game of Farkle

321. a hug and sweet words from mom this morning

322. pumpkin pie

323. Chris took on dish duty tonight

324. watching and listening to my girls build memories with my parents

325. reading with Grace during quiet time- she had her book I had mine

326. Saying goodbye to my mom and dad is never fun, but I am thankful they were here and we are counting the days until they come back

327. Truly enjoying my parents, a relationship I aspire to have with my girls

328. The girls have such great relationships with all their grandparents

329. Safe and quick trip for them back to CT

330. Safe travels for us to Damaw’s house in Charles City

331. Getting to see SE run to Jamie to give him a big hug

332. Watching 5 kids ages 3-7 jump in like no time has passed

333. Safe travels for Jamie and Chris to and from Charlottesville

334. Eric was so generous to get tickets to the game for Jamie and Chris

335. VT win over UVA

336. Damaw (Linda) and Papa Peter are always so welcoming and treat us like part of the family

337. Catching up with great friends, both Chris and I

338. Grace and Josh playing a game of checkers before bed

339. A sleepy SE asked to go to bed

340. Dirty, happy kids

341. a beautiful, warm fall day for playing outside

342. Lilly fit in with the Ault pack

343. Having time with great friends, how we miss weekly meals and days at the beach!

344. Listening to the 3 oldest sit down and have “grown up” conversation, like little people

345. Hearing the states/capitals song from 3 sweet voices

346. Seeing how God is working in people I love

347. Seeing how God takes care of so much more than we can even imagine

348. Peace for decisions that 1 year ago were a step out in Faith

349. the people God has put in my life

350. happy husbands

351. Little girls tucked into sleeping bags, tired and happy

352. 2 girls hopping into a single bed with Chris this morning to cuddle and share some snuggles

353. 2 girls hopping into a single bed with me to cuddle and share some snuggles

354. 5 happy kids eating breakfast

355. Coffee

356. Coffee on the porch with Monica

357. Kids dressed and heading out to watch the hunt (horses and dogs) with Damaw

358. Sarah Elizabeth is such a hugger

359. Watching the kids hug and say goodbye I am thankful for their relationships

360. We have Damaw’s house as a meeting place

361. A family shopping trip to Trader Joe’s

362. A freezer stocked with good food

363. Grace did not throw up until we got home

364. Grace has had 100% accuracy with throwing up in the toilet or the Tupperware container

365. As I am rub Grace’s back she whispers “I love you” during a break in her throwing up

366. I can stay home to take care of Grace tomorrow

367. Turkey casserole for dinner

368. Chris emptied the car before heading out to check things in the barn

369. Chris does not shy away from responsibility; he is a man who can be counted on

370. Another beautiful day

371. One of the girls’ favorite things is to hear us tell them stories about when we were younger

372. 2 girls asleep early

373. Grace curled up in our bed, finally peaceful

374. A great Thanksgiving weekend

375. Rye bread with butter reminds me of my grandmother

376. Memories that my children will have of their grandparents

377. Childhood innocence

378. Leftover Thanksgiving pies

379. . Grace fell asleep 1:45-5:45 without throwing up again,

380. I found SE asleep in the guest room with Chris,

381. Lori helped us out, yet again, by giving SE a ride to school

382. Ramona and Beezus it was so nice to watch a sweet movie with Grace

383. SE’s smiling face when I picked her up at 1:00 from school

384. house wide naptime- I even slept

385. as I began to feel worse, Grace began to feel better

386. Chris left for his Bible study AFTER he prepped dinner and fed the dogs

387. I was able to climb into bed at 7:30

388. The girls managed to crack and peel their extra hard boiled eggs all by themselves

389. As I lay in bed halfway between awake and asleep the girls did exactly what I asked when I asked (pjs, teeth brushed)

390. I heard Grace stepping into the “older sister role” with encouraging SE to do the things she was supposed to do

391. Chris came home and took over the night time duties

392. Grace and SE for back rubs while I was in bed

393. reading time with Grace

394. applesauce to sooth sick tummies

395. a new story CD in the car

396. time to get laundry done

397. talking to Chris about the Old Testament

398. to hear stories of people who show such amazing Faith

399. I got to talk to Courtney

400. sisters- that I am the mom to them


401. . and that I have one

402. God heals- just not always in the physical sense

403. SE’s pigtails the bounce when she runs

404. peaceful faces on 2 snoozing children at naptime

405. Grace’s 2nd tooth is coming in

406. It’s hard to find 28 things to be thankful for on a day where most of the time was dealing with sick children or being sick- but I am thankful that this will not last forever

407. Chris was awesome this morning he

408. got SE dressed

409. put pigtails in her hair

410. packed her lunch

411. took her to meet Lori

412. in between #409 and #410 he went out to the barn to deal with an employee situation (multi-tasking at it's finest)

413. he also loaded the dishwasher

414. Lori took SE to school again

415. I was finally able to get out of bed at 8:30 (after I climbed in at 7:30 last night)

416. SE is still healthy

417. We started our Jesse Tree Advent Devotional tonight

418. inside on a rainy/windy day

419. hearing the girls share what they know about the Bible

420. finishing Christmas card photo editing

421. rye toast with peanut butter

422. mom read me Mairead’s paper

423. hearing my mom appreciated

424. realizing that even things that seem small can make a big difference

425. listening to SE “read” tonight

426. SE napped from 2-5

427. hearing how my thankfuls have been appreciated

428. this thankful practice has me constantly searching for things to add to my list, which allows me to keep a positive eye on life

429. gingerbread cookies with white chocolate icing

430. the girls wearing Chris’ hat and adjusting it to their size

431. missing any important electronic equipment when I spilled a glass of water

432. getting my appetite back

433. girls swimming in the bathtub

434. Lilly gives the girls kisses goodnight

435. my bed

436. Woke up rested and healthy

437. girls woke up happy, rested, and healthy

438. Grace was most helpful during breakfast prep this morning (she wanted to do it all herself)

439. I had great coverage for my groups at KES while I was out Mon and Tues

440. lollipop tree at the Quinby post office

441. Santa mailbox (memories of childhood)

442. awesome deal on a sweet Christmas gift for the girls

443. knowing the girls will be happy with ANYTHING

444. before bed Bible reading with G & SE

445. keeping the focus of Christmas on Christ

446. Chris had his first “Party Parent” rehearsal for The Nutcracker

447. Chris is also going to be Santa

448. Chris is willing to dance on stage

449. and wear “man ballet shoes” all for his little girls

450. I am married to a man who will do the previous 4 things for his little girls

451. having the energy again to clean the kitchen and fold laundry at 9:30 at night

452. this practice of being thankful

453. dogs curled up and sleeping

454. positive phone interview for a prospective farm employee

455. living off Thanksgiving leftovers=easy on the grocery budget

456. Grace told us “sin is what separated us from God”

457. resting in decisions we have made as parents

458. resting in those decisions because we made them together

459. I am thankful for my father, an amazing example of dedication and love

460. I am thankful for my father-in-law, another example of a dedicated husband

461. I am thankful for my mother, my example to follow and hope to live up to

462. I am thankful for my mother –in-law for being an example by always trying new things, even when it’s hard, and never giving up

463. I am thankful for the commitment the Bowers family has made to serve God

464. I am thankful for the friends in my life who keep me striving to be a better mom, wife, daughter, and Christian

465. I am thankful for this month of thankfuls, I am thankful I have so much to be thankful for!

images from One Thousand Gifts (FACEBOOK)