Tylenol

With Christmas just around the corner, the excitement in our house is growing.  With the growing excitement comes growing noise.  No longer does Lizzie crawl into bed with me if she awakens early.  Now she jumps on the bed shouting, "I found Jack, " our elf on the shelf.

I am thankful for Tylenol to help counter balance the new level of noise and excitement we are experiencing!

My Co-Workers

I am extremely thankful for my co-workers.  They are an amazing group of women.  They have shown compassion for me when going through the initial MS diagnosis.  They provided food for our family when I was so sick prior to the diagnosis.  They are all an amazingly kind and compassionate group.

 I am not alone in those who they have helped.  I have seen the staff wrap around and care for families on our staff who have experienced death, illness, family issues and beyond.  Their willingness to go the extra mile for people is evident daily.

And. while I truly appreciate what they have done for me (I can't even begin to put my thanks into words), I am even more amazed when I see them in action everyday.

They wrap around the students in our building and care for them.  Whether it be feeding a student who is hungry, giving a sad child a hug, teaching a class of 23, or even disciplining a child, it is all done with love and professionalism.  They see children as an entire child and understand that they have to nurture and teach them as whole children.

I am thankful to be a part of this loving and compassionate staff.

Pizza!

It is not the actual pizza for which I am thankful.  It is the fact that we are able to go out to eat.  While we take it for granted, it is a luxury.   I was reminded of that fact this week and was humbled.  There may be a time in our lives when we are not able to enjoy this luxury. I am thankful, that at this point in our lives, we are able to go out to get pizza.  

Christmas Ornaments

I am thankful for Christmas ornaments.  We have a BUNCH of ornaments.  As we pull them out of the boxes, someone has a comment about each of them - "Hey, that is the one that we got in Virginia!  Cool, I made this in kindergarten?  Where did this ugly one come from?" On and on.  

As I unwrap the ornaments, I usually have a few happy tears roll down my cheek.  I am an emotional romantic.  I am also an emotional hoarder.  I keep things because of the feelings and experiences associated with the items.  That is why we have so many ornaments.

The one that hung on my Great Grandma's tree - the ugly ugly red feathered bird?  Makes me smile.  The wooden bird that hung on my Grandma's tree?  Makes me smile and remember Christmas at their house.  The mailbox we bought and had personalized on our honeymoon?  I almost flipped out when I couldn't find it this year.  Luckily, Zach found the box was in and a tear trickled out.  The Barbie ornaments?  Lizzie's from over the years.  Star Wars?  Reminds me of Jacob.  The cars?  Brian and Zach.  The hand painted china ornaments?  Memories of when my grandmother had her sight and could still paint so intricately.  The foam frames with school pictures in them?  Memories of years past and reminders of how old the kids are getting.  Blue's Clues?  I remember watching that show over and over and over.  The list goes on and on.

Thankful for the ornaments that hang on our tree and the memories that come with them.

Brian's mom makes ornaments for us every year.  Not only do we have these, we also have the ones Brian made as a child.

The ornament we bought on our anniversary.  Our anniversary date is on the other side.

One of the porcelain ornaments my grandma hand-painted

One of our many Hallmark ornaments.

Another treasure from my grandma.

Illinois Athletics

I know, just two days ago I was thankful for Indiana Athletics.  Some will argue that I can not be thankful for both Illinois and Indiana athletics.  Well, I am.  I am thankful for Illinois athletics because Jacob likes the Illini.  I enjoy watching his eyes light up and the excitement in his voice when he talks about the Illini.

I am also thankful for Illinois athletics because Brian's store sells Illini sportswear.  Bad Illini teams = poor sales.  Good Illini teams = better sales.  

So, I am thankful for the joy that Illinois Athletics brings my son and the money it indirectly 

provides for us to live.

Jacob cuddled in his Illinois blanket

A house divided

Jacob even represents the Illini while in Hoosier Country!

IU Basketball

I am thankful for Indiana Basketball.  That may sound shallow, but it is the truth.  Watching IU basketball is a family event at our house.  Even Jacob, the Illini fan, will watch it with us.  Indiana basketball is entertaining to watch while allowing for some family time.  Basketball and popcorn anyone?

Snow!

Today, I am thankful for snow.  It may only be spitting snow and it probably won't stick, but I am so excited.  I love snow. 

I love to play in the snow.  I love to watch the excitement on my children's faces when they get to play in the snow.  I love the look of wonderment in the eyes of our students when it begins snowing.   I love to watch the dog try to eat the flakes as they fall.  

I love it all!!

A few pictures from last year:

Jacob on his snowboard and excited to go!

After a fun day of sledding

 Look at that excitement in her eyes!

A surprise snow shower last Christmas.  Zach taught his little cousins how to make snowballs.