Selfie Sundays

Not everything that can be counted counts, not everything that counts can be counted. ~ Albert Einstein

I am thankful for my grandmother. Driving to Charles City for the day was highlighted by wonderful fellowship at church, the most beautiful swan on the Cedar River and wonderful, thoughtful conversation with my grandmother.

Grandma's first selfie!

Christopher is thankful for Thelma's Ice Cream Sandwiches. Specifically Peanut Butter Banana!

Harrison is thankful for James. I am excited that he is coming for Thanksgiving and that we get to play together.

Bennett is thankful for Sunday Night Football. Bears vs. Packers means a little later bedtime!


Thankfulness 2013

Lazy Saturday

Gratitude is an overflow of the pleasure filling your soul. ~ Raheel Farooq

I am thankful for the first Saturday in 3 months where we have no practices or games. I got to set up and play with my apple tv!

Christopher is thankful that mowing season is officially over.

Harrison is thankful for his friends.

Bennett is thankful for his time outside with his friends.

Thankfulness 2013

TGIF

You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am thankful for friendships. They are precious and special. I am blessed.

Christopher is thankful for Happy Joe's Pizza.

Harrison is thankful for the Shockey's. They are fun to be with.

Bennett is thankful for me. (Sounds selfish but something maybe we all should be thankful for...)

Rocco is thankful for bouncy beds. Rocco jumped/bounced on the bed today while I tried to change the sheets all the while Emma laughed uncontrollably whilst Rocco bounced on the bed also laughing uncontrollably!

Emma is thankful for the theme song to Mickey Mouse Club House. 'Hot Dog Hot Dog Hot Diggity Dog' I cried from laughing so hard at watching her sing/say "HOT DOG!!" today!

Rocky is thankful for nigh-nigh. Before both of his naps today I said night-night to him and he repeated it back to me: "nigh-nigh. nigh-nigh. nigh-nigh."

Thankfulness 2013

November 6

Never let the things you want make you forget the things that you have. ~ Unknown

I am thankful for Bennett. My baby boy is 7 1/2 years old and still gives hugs and kisses like a toddler. They are sincere, whole-hearted, and loving. And every time I tell him that I love him he says "I love you more." And he thinks he means it.  But the thing is, he just can't possibly be right. I love him more. <3 p="">
Christopher is thankful for great driving by Beth.

Harrison is thankful for that he gets to read books to Emma. "I love the way she says the book title names and then sits in my lap."

Bennett is thankful for Legos. They are fun to play with and I love my Lego house.

Rocco is thankful for Cars 2. At least 5 times today I was told "DON'T eat the pistachio ice cream! It has TURNED. TURNED. TURNED."

Emma is thankful for Harrison. "Har-son read MOUSE book?" And then she sits herself down in his lap and it's the cutest thing ever as her reads to her. Then "Har-son read bun-NE booook?" and she again sits herself down in his lap. "Har-son read momMEE bear book?" They read those books all 2 times after school today.

Rocky is thankful for dust in the sun light. He sat an swatted at dust for 10 minutes and laughed as he moved the air and saw the dust in the sunlight!

Thankfulness 2013

November 5

The boys have friends their age that live behind us in the apartments on Kingman. Nico and Natalia. They are wonderful. But today, as with most days, I have to practically beg Harrison and Bennett to stay home. And all to no avail. They choose to play outside in nature with their playmates, building pretend camp fires, playing four square, challenging each other into made up games of tag/hide-n-seek. Why can't they play with me? Lol. I love our neighbors and I adore the relationship that my boys have with them. And of course it is awesome that they are outside, wearing each other out and laughing and having fun. And it has also gotten all the kids in trouble a couple of times and taught them all important lessons. All good things. But today on this early-out, I'm yearning for January snow in's and board games on the living room floor. (With full awareness of February boredom and cabin fever and the yearning to shove them out the door!)

It is not happy people who are thankful; it is thankful people who are happy. ~ Unknown

Today I am thankful for zulily. My new slippers are here!!  :)

Christopher ~ I am thankful that my parents and aunt and uncle made it safely to Hawaii.

Harrison ~ I am thankful for my education because some people in the world are not as lucky as me to get one so easily.

Bennett ~ I am thankful for my bed. (I asked Bennett as he was getting into bed tonight. He was tired and a bit cranky and didn't want to be thankful for anything. After some suggestions and some prodding he came up with bed. I thought this to be kind of a good one as he does love his bed. It is positioned under Harrison's bed and he feels like he is in his own little cave!)

Emma ~ I am thankful for the music player toy that Beth has. I press the button, giggle and then laugh at the fun songs!

Rocky ~ I am thankful for my daddy. He came and got me early so we can go home and snuggle.

Thankfulness 2013

Election Day 2014

I voted because it matters. Our state matters. Our country matters. My opinion matters.

I'd rather... make history than write it. ~ Susan B. Anthony

Beth - I am thankful for our President, Barack Obama.  Much of our country has turned on him. Gas prices are under $3, unemployment is under 6% and our nation is working on making better choices on clean energy than we ever have in the past. And those are just a few of the great things happening. Celebrate success and repeat it, don't turn your back on him because some political pundit says that it is toxic right now to agree with him.

Christopher - I am thankful I remembered to bring the kettle cooked apples for snacking on today!

Harrison - I am thankful for indoor soccer. I like my new team mates and I am excited for the season to begin.

Bennett - I am thankful that Grandma and Grandpa are flying to Hawaii on vacation.

Emma - I am thankful for bananas. YUMMY!

Rocky - I am thankful for my two new top teeth. My mouth hurts but now I can bite!!

Thankfulness 2013

Novemeber 3

It's a dreary Monday here in Des Moines. The sun made a couple of appearances, but mostly the rain has been itching to begin. Sounds like an evening for the couch, a warm blanket and a gory book (A Feast for Crows!). Maybe a nice game of Phase 10 with the boys... :)

Happiness equals reality minus expectations. ~ Tom Magliozzi (Car Talk co-host)

Beth - I am thankful for recipes. I could spend infinite amounts of time looking through recipes and pictures of food.

Christopher - I am thankful to be invited to have Thanksgiving dinner with the Shockey's.

Harrison - I am thankful for my family and love.

Bennett - I am thankful for school. I like my friends.

Rocco - I am thankful for my cars. They are my favorite. I like car lines.

Emma - I am thankful for Donald Duck.  I love to hold Donald Duck and then repeat Donald Duck.  Donald Duck.  Donald Duck.  And then I laugh.

Rocky - I am thankful for the O-ball.  I LOVE to throw it around and chase it!

November 2

More soccer was on the schedule for today.  Harrison and his team played in this tournament last year and got creamed in all 3 games. It is amazing what a year will do. This years record was 2 wins, 1 tie, 1 loss (in the championship game...) and a shoot-out victory. I am very proud of all of those boys. A great 2nd place finish in a tough tournament. They work hard, but most importantly they all have so much fun.  There is always laughter and joy on their faces. Last night was kind of hard on me as the goalie for the team that we played the shoot-out against let the field crying. Some of the same things happened today as some of our boys left the field crying. They wanted to win so bad. In the end, these are just a bunch of little kids out there. I hate the pressure they find themselves under. Sports is supposed to be fun! I just hope Harrison & Bennett can continue to enjoy playing.  The minute I sense otherwise, they are done!

Nothing is yours permanently and you better enjoy it while it's happening. ~ Joan Rivers

Beth - I am thankful for eos lip balm. It is one of the best things ever.

Christopher - I am thankful for the warm up in weather.  Beautiful day out!!

Harrison - I am thankful for my violin and that I got my violin homework done.

Bennett - I am thankful for my house. It is cool.

Thankfulness 2013

Thankfulness 2014

It's thankfulness season again.  One of my favorite times of year. While looking back through last years posts I realized that I didn't finish the whole month.  I don't know why because I love capturing this snapshot of our lives. I try to be thankful for something everyday (I am blessed with so much) so it was a bit of a shock to see that I didn't finish out November 2013. Regardless, November 1, 2014 has been a long day for all of us with Harrison having 3 games and a SHOOT OUT (Harrison's shot was on the money and his other 3 teammates came through as well!) in a tournament in Adel and Bennett spending the afternoon with his best buddy, Caden and following that up with a soccer celebration at Godfathers. Thankfully daylight savings time is over tonight and we get to fall back and get an extra hour of sleep!

No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. ~ Robin Williams

Beth - I am thankful for warm boots.  Sitting out in the cold for 8+ hours watching soccer wore this mama out!

Christopher - I am thankful I got to watch 2 out Harrison's 3 games today.

Harrison - I am thankful for my team.  We are moving on to the championship tomorrow!

Bennett - I am thankful for my soccer medal!

Thankfulness 2013

#100happydays

I decided to do a happiness challenge.  I am going to post a picture to Instagram every day for 100 days.  The picture will be something that makes me truly happy.  I believe in happiness.  I believe in smiles.  71% of the people that start the challenge don't finish!  Holy cow.    #100happydays  My friend, Kari started 3 days ago and I started today.  Here's to us, happy, lucky girls.

My Instagram