Ten Things Tuesday

Missed me?

What better way to update you on what's been going on the past 6 months AND kick off Thanksgivings than a Ten Things Tuesday!!

1. I am thankful to have had the best summer I've had with the kids in years. And by best I mean least stressful & drama filled. Mommy had energy to do things with them & we enjoyed the downtime too.

2. Son#1 is enjoying middle school/7th grade better this year. And we're so thankful for all of our teachers. What a blessing from God. We try never to take any of them for granted---past OR present.
Son#2 is big man on campus in his class and really maturing with his progress. The "baby", who's in pre-K is not teh shy kid anymore. He is vivacious and the life of the party now.

3. With this new school year, my schedule has changed as well. That afternoon pre-K class has killed my time alone. I have one leaving at 7am, one at 8:30am, then son#3 at 12:45ish.
But then they start coming home at 3pm &4pm. That means mommy only gets 2 hrs alone. That seems like a lot until you have to workout, shower, catch up on housework, fold some laundry or all the other things we do that don't include sitting on the couch eating bon bons. But I'm thankful for those 2 hrs alone like you wouldn't believe!

4. After VBS in July son#1 & son#3 have been going to church with me on Sunday mornings. We've waited almost 5 years for this. And I'm SO pleased with how much they love it. And how well son#1 has adjusted to the changes. #3 is loving class & sings his songs all the time. He's even memorized memory verses. They beg me daily to go. And I'm pleased we've added in Wednesday night too. Hubbo & son#2 are still at home holding down the fort, but with baby steps I think we'll all be back eventually. It's a good feeling & I'm so thankful to several friends for making it possible.

5. Halloween went SO well this year. I'm so thankful it's the best we've ever had. We did the church carnival and son#1 just chased some kid dressed like a ninja, while son#3 enjoyed all the games & discovered he loves chocolate. Son#2 had fun pacing around enjoying the acquostics in the gym & the playground. Then #1 and #3 went Trick-or-Treating with Daddy while son#2 and I handed out candy at the door.
We did a Darth Vader pumpkin and a local pumpkin patch. The kids really had a good time & that means we had a good time.

6. Well, son#2 started having some facial swelling recently and turns out he had an infection with a baby tooth and a permanent one that was erupting through his gums. OUCHIE WA-WA! Poor kiddo. We did some serious antibiotics and then thankfully we got into the dental surgery in 2 weeks. A long two weeks but the list was so long, we were thankful it wasn't any longer. Son#2 is much happier. And trust me, you WANT son#2 to be happy.
At 5'2 and 160lbs now, it's like making The Hulk mad.

7. I am taking over our book club in January. I'm so thankful for all those ladies, that I I'm pleased to undertake it.
I have big shoes to fill, but hopefully Obi-Wan...er, I mean Marilyn has taught me well.

8. I've been a knitting fool lately. And I'm thankful to have a hobby that allows me to get out some angst, stress, boredom & nervous energy. Plus, it keeps my hands too busy to eat. Most of the time.

9. My Christmas shopping is almost done. I'm through with mom, son#3 & Hubbo. I'm sure I'll pick up some more stocking stuffers but in general I'd say I'm 90% done. It's been easy to just see something, think that'd be good for Christmas & just get it. That's a good feeling. And you know what's even better? Knowing where they're all hidden and knowing it's not in a trash bag in the garage. heh

10. I'm very pleased that this year for Thanksgiving, it was my idea to stay home. Just our family of five to enjoy the time off & together--no stress. No traveling 1 hr to hurry around keeping kids in check/fed. And then driving 1 hr back. And then taking the rest of the weekend to rest up. Usually the holiday traveling is for the kids or family--not what's easiest on us. Hubbo really takes the brunt of the stress too because he gets to hold onto son#2. Always exhausting. So this Thanksgiving I'm planning on being extremely thankful for the time to focus on my family & enjoy just them.