Nature's Suprises

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE surprises!! Well, let me rephrase that. I love good surprises! God provides many good surprises using nature. A couple weeks ago the boys and I were leaving Bass Pro when I noticed something in the grass nearby. There are a lot of stray dogs in the area so I slowed down, thinking that's what it was. But when we got closer, we saw that it was a cute little fawn with all its spots still on it. A few nights later I was coming home from a school volleyball game when I saw something standing off to the right of the road. I did a double take and saw the most beautiful buck I have ever seen up close. I flipped a U-turn to go back and get a picture of it but the elusive beauty was gone by the time I got back to where he had been standing. This weekend the boys and I were driving by Bass Pro again when we saw the fawn in the same place as we had previously seen it. This time it stood there long enough for me to get a few good pictures of it.
Things like this happen all the time- a raccoon or an armadillo walking by the side of the road, a gorgeous sunrise, a rainbow, a group of deer off in the brush. One of the coolest surprises I ever experienced with nature is when a bull elk happened upon me and Rob when we were in NV. It was a spike (a young elk) but it was the most majestic animal...and it came within 10 yards of where we were sitting! Nature is beautiful all on its own (except snakes, lizards and mosquitoes) but I am especially thankful for it when God uses it as a little surprise in life. Today, and every day, I am thankful for nature's surprises in life!

Hallmark

OK, I was seriously trying to decide on two different things to write about for today's blog. And, to be honest, they were both equally unconventional things to be thankful for. But, since I am watching a Hallmark movie at this very minute, it won out on my "What I am Thankful For Today" toss up.
I am adamant about not celebrating one holiday before the other one is over. It is a giant pet peeve of mine to start celebrating Christmas before you enjoy your Thanksgiving feast! My only exception? Christmas Hallmark movies! The only reason it's my exception is because there are SOOOO many of them and I couldn't possibly watch every one of them between Thanksgiving and Christmas. So, I indulge and watch at least one a week in November and December. Yes, they are cheesy and predictable but I am a hopeless romantic so it's my 2 hour escape from reality. Sometimes Rob will even join me in watching one, which makes me even more thankful for Hallmark movies! So, for the next couple months I will enjoy my cheesy romance movies and be thankful for the brief escape from reality every week!

Adventures

Being a parent of boys is not for the faint at heart. Every week brings a new adventure. Some are easy, crafty, my kind of fun. Others are educational. Some are destructive. And, as they get older, I am sure some will be gruesome. But, never the less, they are all interesting. This week's adventure includes yet another turtle. I have learned more about turtles in the past 10 months than I ever knew. A few months back we had a turtle (Sniper Jr) that we let out for awhile. Well, while she was out, she dug a hole and we believe she laid eggs there. We have been monitoring the area ever since, hoping to find one of her babies. Yesterday when I let our dog out, lo and behold, there was a baby turtle in our pool. We grabbed it, put it in a box and named it.....drum roll please....Sniper III. (When we find a name we like we stick with it!) Now, you may have learned by now, that we don't have the best track record with turtles. Who knows if we'll have this one a week, a month or a year? I do know E already lost it yesterday and, thankfully, one of Rob's friends who had stopped by to visit, found it for us. One thing is for sure- no matter how long Sniper III stays with us, it will be an adventure. And today I am thankful for all of our adventures (so far!).

Family Movie Nights

A couple months ago, when life started really getting busy, P asked if we could have a family movie night. He chose the movie, we popped popcorn and hung out together as a family. Just relaxing. This tradition kind of stuck. When we're in town, and don't have something on the calendar, we sit down together as a family and watch a movie. We take turns choosing the movie, for better or worse. I have come to love these nights for two reasons. Reason #1 is because, after a long week, there is no other place I'd rather be. Reason #2 is whether this tradition lasts a couple months or a couple years, I know at some point the boys won't want to hang out with us on a Friday night. So, tonight, I am thankful for our movie nights. I am thankful for our time as a family, unplugged from our phones and cuddling and making memories.

Teamwork

Today I am thankful for teamwork. I honestly do not know how people survive without a tribe. First and foremost, I have my family. Then I have my church family, my co-workers, my friends. People that come together to help when need be. For the past couple weeks, Rob and I have been a team when it's come to the boys' health (We are a team in so many ways these days but this is one that comes to mind because we've been dealing with a lot of sickness lately.). We have been tagteaming dr appts, all nighters with sick kiddos, taking time off work. And then there are our friends who have helped pick P up from school and have coordinated rides for him before school. One of our church family has recently had a double knee replacement and I am working with a team to bring her food while she's recovering at home. Teams are good. They are essential, especially if you have kids.
It's good to be a part of a team. I NEED teamwork! It is something I take for granted at times, but something I really appreciate. Teamwork makes things possible, less of a headache. So today, and every day, I am thankful for my tribes that contribute to our lives.

A Fly-By Month

Yesterday, I gleefully flipped the calendar from October to November. As I did, P said, "Is it November already? October flew by!" Indeed it did. I love being busy, doing fun things, but we have gotten so busy that I cherish the little down time we get once in awhile. Between school spirit days, football games, church, photo shoots, sleepovers, school events, and Halloween festivities we have had obligations almost every day. Today I am home with E because he is sick. I feel so bad for him being sick but it's nice to be able to take a break from the rat race of life. We are just "being" today. Something he needs and something I appreciate.
So, to give you a small glimpse of our busy life I thought I would share some overdue pictures. Enjoy!

Thanksgiving

A few years I diligently blogged every day of November things I was thankful for. But the past two years I have slacked on this. It's not that I'm not thankful. It's just that life has gotten in the way. So, I am going to try my best to blog every day in November to, not only let you know things I am thankful for, but to be more aware of all the blessings that surround us on a day to day basis.
Now, it goes without saying that I am thankful for my family, my friends, my walk with God, the big things in life. But I am also thankful for the smaller, more unconventional, things as well.
Today I am thankful for modern medicine. I have no problem using essential oils, rice bags, honey, etc for ailments. However, there's something to be said for antibiotics and Tylenol. We have had a houseful of ailments lately, between the two boys. P had some stomach issues that required probiotics and other things to aid his digestive system. Then he had the most random bug bite on his head that has him on antibiotics. E is currently dealing with a fever virus, in which he needs Advil and Tylenol. So, today, on the 1st day of November I am thankful for the conveniences of modern medicines. I can't image life without them!