Thankful Thoughts #11

Thankful Thoughts #11

At Megan and Ryan's Wedding - West Des Moines, Iowa - October 28, 2011

 

I'm sure we have more recent pictures and this wasn't exactly the one I was looking for, but it was one of our "dressed up" occasions last year!  Today, I'm thankful for Kenny and our marriage.  Today, marks 7 years of marriage for us.  We've celebrated by enjoying a relaxed, normal day with Charlie.  Nothing fancy or special, just peaceful. 

Sometimes I can't believe it's only been 7 years. 

Family Photos - September 2011

We like to joke that Kenny took care of the "in sickness" part of our wedding vows early in our marriage and I tell him that he's going to get it when we are old and it's my turn!  Our 7 years has gone by so fast and we've been through so much, we are happy we got to make today a peaceful day, enjoying church, brunch, some errands and a relaxing quiet afternoon.  I made a great italian soup for dinner and we are enjoying watching old movies with Charlie now.  Tomorrow, we both have the day off and it's nice to have some down time together. 

And since we got married on Veteran's Day...we are so thankful for the Veteran's of this country.  We have several in our family and we took some time during dinner tonight to discuss what that means with Charlie. 

Thankful Thought #10

Charlie with Lauren, Ryan and Megan - Summer 2012

Kenny and I are both so thankful for our wonderful cousins.  This was the first picture I found from earlier this year, so it's just one set of cousins we are thankful for...but we love all of them.  On day 10 this month, we celebrated Megan and Ryan's new baby girl with a great baby shower.  They are going to be wonderful parents and we are thrilled to have a new baby in the family.  Charlie is a bit disappointed it's not a boy, but he really is a sweet kid with babies, boy or girl!  Cousin Lauren is a great big cousin for Charlie and he thinks she is the best!

Thankful Thought #9

 

 

I'm thankful for the wonderful city of Chicago that we live so close too.  Over the years, I have learned so much more about Chicago and love to spend the day exploring down there (although it's usually between doctor appointments).   Kenny doesn't love the crowds so much, but I find the whole experience going down there fun, enjoying things we can't get in the burbs.

 

 

View from Ted's office on West Ohio looking east towards the lake.

View of the sunset set looking westbound down Erie. 
 

I'm especially thankful for all of the medical technology there is in Chicago.  Without such top ranking hospitals at such a close distance to us, our lives would be far different from what they are today and Chicago will always have a special place in my heart.

Thankful Thought #8

Thankful Thought #8

Charlie - August 2012 at Brookfield Zoo

 

I'm thankful for that little Charlie boy...who really isn't so little anymore.  He's 43 1/2" tall as of the end of October (that would be a 2" growth since the end of June!).  That also means he's closing in on my height, so picking him up is more and more out of the question for me and he's ONLY 4! 

As frustrating as a 4 year old can be and as much as Kenny and I shoot each other looks like "when is he going to bed tonight?!", I just can't get enough of him.  A few nights ago, I told him I got a bad paper cut at work and it really hurt.  He was immediately concerned and told me after dinner he would get me a batman bandaid, but if we openned it and it was joker, I couldn't have it and he would give me another one.  Bandaids are still like gold to him, so that was a true gift from him.  The next night, he wanted to inspect my bandaid, make sure it was in place and he asked how my boo-boo was.  He's so caring and has a sweet heart. 

He says the best things now too!  Once he knows we think it's funny, he just keeps at it.  Some favorites of late are:

"Girls are complicated" (thanks John Carlin!)
"Seriously?!"
"Really??!"
After each meal, he hops up from the table and says "See how much I've grown.  I'm getting so big!"

All of these are said with a bit of an Elmer Fudd voice.  He can say the Pledge, which we love and it's so sweet.  He's a good kid, despite how frustrating he can be sometimes.  His teachers tell us they don't have problems with him often and I guess if he is going to be good, that's the place we want him to be good!

Charlie - Summer 2012

Thankful Thought #7

Today I'm thankful for technology.  Technology that allows me to:

** share my thankful thoughts
** research prices on items with ease, to find the best deal, to save the most money for my family
** listen to music at work, to keep me active during a gray, dreary day (when I'd rather be relaxing at home)
** to have instant communication with family and friends
** to look at pictures of my favorite little boy
** to start making my Christmas cards

Thankful Thoughts #6

Thankful Thoughts #6

I'm thankful for our country today, as most people are on a big Election Day, as today is.  It's a wonderful thing that we have the right to vote...don't get me wrong, but I might be more thankful that Election Day means the end of the political calls, mail and what seems to be neverending political postings on Facebook.  I firmly believe that political views should be kept to yourself and don't need to be shared with the masses...or your family....or friends.  I agree to disagree with people and agree with others, and I don't need to have a conversation about it. 

With that said, I hope that all go to vote and then keep your voting to yourself.  Even Kenny and I don't talk about who we are voting for...other than the very local elections. 

Thankful Thought #5

Thankful Thought #5

I'm sitting upstairs, peacefully, after dinner, taking a few moments to catch up on things and I'm thankful for the sweet noises I hear downstairs of my Charlie and his Daddy playing trains and being silly.  There were days, several years ago, that we wondered how life would be and if there would be normal-ness....and there is.  Charlie has his Daddy and he thinks he makes the world go round and round.  We don't take these things lightly, in fact, we make a point of having these quiet moments, in the evening or for a few hours on a weekend, where we don't have anywhere to be except with each other.  Sometimes that together time isn't always perfect, but we work on it, trying to have those moments, in this busy life.  Charlie is growing up so fast and we don't want to miss a moment of it.  You never know when you might not have the chance to have those moments...so make the most of them when you can!

Enjoying some tractors - September 2012