{give thanks}

it's been awfully quiet around here lately.  i haven't been in the blogging mood but i knew i couldn't let the month of november go by so quietly.  november is often a month when people give thanks.  we see this in a variety of ways-daily on fb, blogs, at the dinner table on thanksgiving day, etc.  however, giving thanks isn't just something that we should focus on during the month of november.  we have so much to be thankful for all year long. 

john 1:16 says, "from the fullness of his grace, we have received one blessing after another."  i have this verse hanging in my living room as a constant reminder of the blessings we've been given as individuals and as a family.  that's not to say that everything that ever happens to us is wonderful and rosy. sometimes blessings aren't always welcome at the time, but later, down the road, we can see how everything falls into place and we know God had his hand in it from the start.  for that i am thankful. 

i'm also thankful for my husband. he has picked up so much of my slack around the house and with the children.  he's understanding when i'm tired and want to go to bed as soon as the kids are in bed.  he willingly gives them baths because i can't bend over the tub.  he encourages me to rest and let things go that i think need to be done (that really don't).  he has kept me from the busyness of life and assured me that we don't have to do everything that we normally do.  he is my other half and i couldn't have picked someone better to go through life with. 

of course there are my two miracles, g and k.  i love them both to pieces, even though i can come unglued with them over a spilled glass of milk or over playing that turns into fighting.  g is at such a fun age and just amazes me everyday with his questions and observations.  he is so helpful around the house (most of the time) and looks after his little sister.  kenna is a doll most of the time, and a spitfire the rest of the time.  she makes me thankful i'm only having one girl. ;)  she picks up on emotions and will comfort those who are sad.  it is the most precious thing ever.  they both keep us on our toes and we love them sooo incredibly much. 

i am so thankful that my parents live right down the road.  they are so giving and go the extra mile to help us out when needed.  they love their grandchildren so much and can't get enough of them. they are willing to watch the kids without hesitation and often will rearrange what they are doing to be able to help us out.  they have helped us get ready for the twins by making and painting a second crib and painting the baby room.

while this list could go on and on, know i'm grateful for all the relationships that i have.  God is so good! All the time!


we had a great thanksgiving at our house with my immediate family, some of my aunts, uncles, and cousins, and my grandma's from both sides.  they arrived at 12 and didn't leave until 6.  we had a great time eating, playing cards, watching football, and just being together. 

on friday after thanksgiving, john and i tried to take the kids to see frozen.  we went to the warsaw theater (not thinking about how small it is compared to linway) because we have a gift card that is four or five years old and we wanted to get rid of it.  we arrived a half hour early thinking that would be plenty of time, but we quickly learned it was sold out.  the kids were so bummed (i was too...it was going to be kenna's first movie in a theater!).  we didn't want to wait three hours until the next show so we took the kids to culver's for frozen custard and rented plans from redbox. 

sunday john and i went to our first colt's game.  john's team had won a contest sponsored by Coca-Cola so we were treated to lunch before hand at a great restaurant and they got free tickets to the game.  we had extra tickets so toby and his friend austin came with us.  i enjoyed looking around at the stadium but i wasn't into the game all that much.  it was more fun to people watch. :) i enjoyed the time away as i know it will not happen very often after the twins arrive!