Day 13 of Thanks! My Camera

 The thing I am most thankful for today is my camera!  I have always had a love for photography, and truly enjoy capturing memories that will last a lifetime.   I am so thankful for a husband who keeps me provided with a good camera, and for a computer that keeps my pictures safe until I get around to putting them onto a CD for safe keeping.  I have some fun pictures, sad pictures, happy pictures, and really silly pictures and I would not trade any of them for the world.

Elena jumped right in the middle of the hand as I went to take a picture of the kids, but she looks cute so guess I can't complain!

We tickled Jake until he was sure he was going to pee his pants.  Then as he walked away he said gosh mom, you could have made me studder!  I started laughing and said you wont studder and he said ya remember my grandma said if you tickle Jake he will studder.  LOL

More park fun!  We love parks, and the fun we have making memories.

Ellie found this wheel at the fair and asked me to take a picture of her so it would look like she was spinning.  (did I do a good job?)

Day 12 of Thanks! Church Callings

I am thankful for my church callings.  I currently have two church callings, and I am thankful for both of them.  I am the Visiting Teaching Coordinator.  I am over 5 district supervisors.  I receive reports for the ward on Visiting Teaching, and then report it to the Relief Society President.  I have had this calling for a few years, and enjoy it very much. 

My second calling is the Bears Leader in Cub Scouts.  I had mixed emotions about this calling at first because I really knew nothing about the scouting program, and all that it entailed.  But over the past year I have learned to love scouts, love my boys, and love the potential I have seen each boy reach.  I am thankful for the opportunity to serve, and thankful for the opportunity I have to help each of these boys do their best!

I love being a Momma Bear to my Cubs!

Day 11 of Thanks! Our Home

I am thankful for my home!  I am thankful for the warmth it provides on a cold day.  I am thankful for the protection it gives us during storms, and for the safety I feel within it's walls.  Ray and I looked for a long time for the perfect home for our little family, and when we found this little home we worked hard to make it ours.  We saw the potential this home had, and could imagine the happiness that could be created inside, and I am so glad that it is ours.  There is a lot of work that still has to be done on our home, and we have a lot of plans for both the inside and the outside (if only we had a money tree and could do it all now) but our home knows we love it, and it is willing to still protect us even though it is not completely finished yet. 

I love my little home, and I love all the memories we have made here, and I can't wait to make more memories behind it's closed doors.  :)

Day 10 of Thanks! Ray

Today I am thankful for my Husband.  He is an amazing man, and I love that he loves me so unconditionally.  He works hard for our family, and tries his best not to complain.  He is the smartest person I know, and has such a thirst for knowledge.  If he could be in college the rest of his life he would gladly do it if it meant he was able to learn.  He has a Bachelors Degree in History, Chemistry, Biology (Zoology), and Clinical Science.  He is currently working hard to become a Specialist in Chemistry and Microbiology.  He is such a good dad.  Ellie and Jake look forward to spending one on one time with him when they can, and love to just snuggle with their daddy.  I am so blessed to have Ray as my Eternal Companion, and wouldn't trade him for anything.  Thanks babe for being who you are and loving me for who I am.

Day 9 of Thanks! Friends!

Today I am thankful for good friends.  Old and New you know who you are!  And most of all I am thankful for sisters who are some of my best friends, thanks for your friendships.  Love you all!!!

Day 8 of Thanks! Wii

Today I am thankful for our Wii gaming system.  Jake has been sick the last few days, and this has kept him quiet and not real restless which I think has helped him to get better a bit quicker. 

My sick little guy concentrating hard on taking first place for the umpteenth time!

He informed me today that maybe the reason I can't play this game very well is because I'm not young and cool like him and so my brain is not so fast like his.  (I was wondering what my problem is and now I know)  :)

Day 7 of Thanks! Melatonin

Today I find myself feeling a bit thankful for a little white pill called Melatonin.  I have several family members who give it to their kids to help them fall asleep easier at night and stay asleep, but for my kids I have never given them anything.  Jake has always had a hard time falling asleep at night, and is probably the lightest sleeper you will ever find.  I think a pin drop could wake him up.  So the other day while I was shopping I had a friend ask me if I had tried it yet and I told her no.  She gave me a coupon for some and said I should give it a chance.  So I purchased a bottle of kid safe Melatonin and waited for bed time.   Thirty minutes before bedtime I gave each of the kids a pill and let them watch cartoons again.  About 30 minutes later I walked into the living room to both kids sound asleep.  Now, I thought to myself this is just a coincidence and put them in bed.  But then the next night I gave them pills again and they fell asleep quicker.  Then last night I gave it to them and both kids fell asleep within 10 or so minutes of me tucking them in bed.  I think the nicest part for Jake is that it seems to be helping him stay asleep all night which is good.  He can go to bed at 8:30 and be wide awake at 3 and not go back to sleep all because a stupid neighborhood dog barked or someone honked a horn, or the train rolled through town.  Jake needs his sleep, and this is helping him get a bit more of it and for that I am very Thankful.  :)