30 Days of Thanks...Day 24-30

24- Family Stories!  I just love sitting around a table drinking coffee and listening about stories of our family throughout the years.

25-Football!  Our family just LOVES football season.  Looking forward to watching Bama play LSU in the National Championship.  Roll Tide!

26-When Layla said to me today, " I go to Disney World", I got to say "Yes, tomorrow!".

27-Disney World!! It really is a magical place.

28- Layla.  You are truly the light of my life.  I thank God everyday that he allows me the privilege to me your mother.

29-My husband- Our marriage has not been perfect, but IN HIM it has been made perfect.  I love you more everyday.  I couldn't imagine life without you.   I'm so thankful that you choose me everyday to be your partner in life.  We make a darn good team.

30-Jesus Christ.  You are my everything.  This year you have been my healer, my restorer, my freedom, my love, my joy, and my friend.  Life without you is empty and I am thankful that before I chose you, you chose me.

30 Days of Thanks...Day 23

Unfortunately, when I got to TN I felt that I had a bladder infection.  I really was being cheap because if I went to the dr in TN it is out of network with our insurance.  Thankfully, I used to work with a dr who is practically like family now and he was only a phone call away to get the drugs I needed.

30 Days of Thanks...Day 22

As we hit the road for the holiday travel, I am reminded of how thankful I am for my car.  I am thankful that it is dependable, big, has a dvd player for these long trips, and doesn't burn a lot of gas:).

30 Days of Thanks...Day 21

My child loves to dance and to be honest, I love to dance with her.  I love that she doesn't care what she looks like, she just likes to move.  Today, I am thankful that for at least one hour a week, all we do together is dance:).

30 Days of Thanks...Day 20

Today, I am thankful for our church.  Being apart of a church body is so important for many reasons and I am so happy that God had one in Atlanta just for us!

30 Days of Thanks...Day 19

Today I am thankful that we have more than enough.  Although Lucas runs his own business and I am a stay at home mom, when its come to the area of finances we are very blessed.  YES, we are tight month to month but I am so thankful that God uses our finances to bless other people when we allow him to be our Provider.

My heart is heavy for one of my moms in my church group.  We have been praying and praying for her daughter Haven, who has recently been diagnosed with some brain issues that are affecting her development.  Tonight, the family is having an art sale (both parents are artists) to raise money to cover some of the medical expenses.  I was able to contribute some food to this open house and also purchase art in order to be a blessing to this family.  I am thankful that God gives us a heart that gives with joy and without any reserve because ultimately everything we have is His anyway.  Please join me in praying for the Carson family as well.  Pray first for the complete healing of their baby Haven and that God would give them more than enough financially so that all their bills can be paid.

30 Days of Thanks...Day 18

Today I am thankful for music.  I can't imagine life without it!  I love how listening to a single song brings back a flood of emotions about a certain time, place, or feeling.  I am also thankful when our Father "inhabits the praises of his people".  I love how we use music to bless our Heavenly Father and then he in return blesses us with his presence in our lives.  Such a simple thing, but so very intimate and powerful!

30 Days of Thanks...Day 17

Today we celebrate birthday of my father n law, Ron Kairdolf. I now have known him for 11 years. (Wow!) He is definitely one of the greatest men I know. I have watched him go through many good times, some bad times, and a couple really bad times. No matter what, he has always shown extremely Godly character. I won't say he is perfect because nobody is. Other than being an LSU fan he is pretty darn close:)

The reason I am most thankful for this man is the character that he has instilled in his son. He taught him to be a hard worker and to always finish what he starts. The reason Lucas is able to run his own business today is because of the work ethic that his father taught him. Lucas also inherrited a stubborn quality which he has turned into a positive attribute, most of the time. :) Most importantly what Lucas got from his daddy is the foundation of his faith in Jesus Christ and as the leader of our household, this is the quality I value more than any other.

So here's to you Papa! We love you and hope we are half the examples to our children that you have been to us!

Surprise Party for Katie Harrison!

A few of us hosted a surprise baby sprinkle for our friend Katie.  Here are some pics:

Before the guests arrived

The surprise face!  She thought Natalie was baby sitting Henry.  That is why she had the bag and cup:)

Then the tears started...Obviously, Josh knew all along:)

Still trying to figure everything out

Henry with Katie's mom and dad

"Big" Brother

Henry touching his baby sister

One of the many beautiful things she got for this special girl!

A handmade blanket and hat from her momma

Our last trip to TN

These first 2 videos are Layla with our dog, Lilly who lives in TN.

Reese helping Layla up the biggest slide at Gavin's 4th birthday party

She looks a little scared!  She laughed at the bottom but didn't ask to go up again:)

Playing with Granddaddy!

All the kiddos at the party

The 3 cousins: Layla (2), Reese (8), Gavin (4)

Refusing to smile

Natalie's TN baby shower

Cousins at the shower

More beautiful cousins!

Chris's mom and grandmother

Grammy bought Reese and Layla matching outfits

The pregnant girl MUST eat!

All the hostesses...plus me and the kids

At the end of the party, Layla crashed out with granddady while watching True Grit

30 Days of Thanks...Day 16

I am thankful for beautiful, healthy babies!

Today, one of my very best friends gave birth to a beautiful 8lbs 1oz baby boy.  Welcome to the world sweet Roland.  What a miracle your life is! Congrats Jake and Amanda.  The best days of your life begin right now.  May God give you the wisdom and strength as your enter parenthood.  And may you also experience the love of your heavenly Father in a new way because of the love that you have for your own son, Roland.  We love all THREE of you!

30 Days of Thanks...Day 15

Porch weather in mid-November!  Enough said.

30 Days of Thanks...Day 14

Today, i am thankful for our YMCA membership.
Layla has been very clingy since she has gotten over being sick.  I was at her beckoning call for about 4 days and she thinks that I still should be.  I am trying to get her back into our routine of life which included a trip to the YMCA after her dance class this morning.  It only makes sense to me...An hour for Layla to exercise and an hour for momma to exercise:).  She fought me on going into the childcare at the Y, but once I was out of sight I saw that she stopped crying when I peeked in on her.  This meant an hour and half for me!  Obviously, I choose to be a stay at home mom and I would not trade it for the world,  but on a day like today, it was wonderful to have this time to myself.  I watched the Cosby show while I did my cardio and then took my time lifting weights.  After about an hour and half, I went back to pick up Layla. She was  happy and I was happy.  Perhaps, we both needed the time apart.

30 Days of Thanks... Day 13

Today I am thankful for Sunday afternoon naps!
We have had a long past fees days with Layla being sick. She has been waking up extra early because with all the drainage she can't breath, so the days have been long. Today, was the first day since Wednesday that she woke up fever free. After a morning at church, and then lunch, it was time for a nap! Lucas went over to my brother n law's to help him work on his scout, so that meant a quiet house for me.:) I grabbed the blanket and curled up on the bed. Layla slept for almost 3.5 hours and so did I! I guess we both needed it. Thank you Layla and thank you Sunday afternoon.

30 Days of Thanks... Day 12

Little Girls!

Not only do I love having a daughter but I just love girl time. Today, we surprised one of my friends Katie with a "sprinkle" for her baby girl that is due in about 4 weeks. This is her second child but first girl, so she HAD to have some girly things. We had so much fun talking about girl things and oohing and ahing over all the pink, frilly clothes! Only a group of girls can sit in a room and get excited about tiny dresses!

I pray that Layla is as blessed as I am in the girlfriend department as she gets older. Everyone needs a friend to do all the "girly things" with:).

Congrats Katie, Josh, and Henry! We can't wait to meet your baby girl!

Pics to come as soon as I get them loaded:)

30 Days of Thanks 2011... Day 11!

I think that it is only appropriate that Veterans Day happens to fall during my 30 Days of Thanks every year.  Today, I am thankful for all the people who are or have sacrificed in someway for our GREAT country.  We are so blessed to be born in the United States and although our economy is suffering we are still the wealthiest country in the world.

I remember today specifically, my grandfather and my cousin.  My grandfather was one of the highest ranking officers in the Air Force during World War II.  His time there has very much shaped the man he is today.  I love to listen to him tell stories about the things we only read about in history books.  While we give thanks for him, I think it is equally important to mention my grandma who made different, yet equally as important sacrifices for our country while my granddad was in the service.

My cousin is also in the Air Force and just got to come home from his 5 years in Germany.  It is also neat to hear his stories and see pictures of his experience.  Thankfully, his is home safe and sound.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all the men and women and their families.  You are brave and make us proud!

30 Days of Thanks...Day 10

Today, I am thankful for hugs and cuddles.
Layla has had an awful fight cutting her molars.  Since Wednesday, she has run a fever and not had much to eat.  I checked her mouth and I can feel three teeth cutting or almost cutting the surface.  Poor Baby! We missed our mom's group at church to just stay home and snuggle on the couch.  Although it was a very chill day, I just loved it.  When you have a 2 year old there is not much sitting still and snuggling going on, but today Layla got up to potty and that was about it.  Even if I got up, she wanted me back.  Sitting next to her wasn't even enough, she had to be ON me in some way.
Sometimes Most times, being a mom is definitely not glamorous but I wouldn't trade our day on the couch, in my pjs, snuggled with my favorite girl for anything in the world...Except for her to feel better:).

30 Days of Thanks... Day 9

Today I am thankful for the sisterhood of motherhood:)
I have a few different groups of mom friends and each of them just make me so happy. Being a mom is the most rewarding yet challenging thing I have ever done. It is such a joy to share with other women who are in the same stage of life. I always leave our times together encouraged and refreshed, with the attitude that today, I am being the best mother that I can be.

30 Days of Thanks... Day 8

Today, I am thankful for 2 things:
1. My "job". You can't quite call it a job because I only "work" 12 hours a month but I love teaching spin. I am getting paid to exercise 3 days a week. I also love coaching people through an hour of their day by encouraging them to push their bodies to it's limits. I am honored that they trust me in leading them in something as important as their physical fitness. I am also thankful for the opportunity to build relationships with a people group of Atlanta that I wouldn't probably meet otherwise.

And #2: My first nephew Gavin as he turns 4 today! Happy Birthday little man. It has been so fun to watch you and Layla over the past 2 years as you have developed such a sweet friendship! Love you!

30 Days of Thanks... Day 7

Today I am thankful for the fall season. I made the drive from TN back home today and it was beautiful! All the leaves were changing and I passed through so many places that I just wanted to stop and take pictures. And I must also mention the beautiful weather that we have been having, almost 70 degrees in November... I'll take it!

30 Days of Thanks... Day 6

Grandparents!! Layla is so blessed with two sets of grandparents that just adore her. Lucas and I are blessed as well because of them. They are always there to support us and love on our daughter as they pass on their wisdom to her.

I still have one biological grandparent living. I am so thankful for him and the history of our family that he shares. I love to hear stories of how our family began and how it has evolved over the years.

So grandparents and great grandparents... Thank You!

30 Days of Thanks... Day 5

Today I am thankful for cousins! Obviously, since I have cousins who are like a brother and sister to me, cousins have been a huge part of my life.

Today we drove to TN, and all the way there Layla talked about the 3 cousins she would get to see: Reese, Gavin, and Abram. They all play so well together! Their love and excitement for each other is evident, even at such a young age. It gives me such joy to watch. I am also thankful that Layla will have a girl cousin here in Atlanta in just a few weeks!!

30 Days of Thanks... Day 4

Today, I am thankful for a simple life. I still look forward to my husband walking in th door everyday. A Friday night doesn't get much better than ordering in and catchIng up on the DVR. We may be old but life is good:)

30 Days of Thanks... Day 3

It all started like a normal Thursday. Layla was acting a little extra lazy this morning, but not anything too extreme. As I got her out of the car at church, I was carrying her as she layed her head down on my shoulder. Next thing I know, she was throwing up down my back. Poor thing, I then put her down in the parking lot and let her finish. She never cried and when I asked her if he was ok, she replied with her sweet little "yea". I then decided we couldn't stay for mom's group so we left. On the way home, I stopped by a gas station to run in and get some crackers, Sprite, and Gatorade. We were in there for maybe 2 minutes and somehow she managed to throw up in there as well. I had to take her to the nasty public restroom to let her finish.

After that, we cuddled on the couch for the next 2.5 hours and then at nap time I put her down and she slept for almost 3 hours. She woke up feeling pretty warm so at this point I finally decided to treat her with some Tylenol. An hour later she was a DIFFeReNT child. Then of course, I felt guilty for not giving her the Tylenol sooner. Maybe this is another episode of teething throw up like we have had before???

That leads me to what I'm thankful for today. The ability to be with my child whenever she is ill and not have to make any phone calls or pull any strings to make it happen. It is not that easy for every mom and I definitely don't take it for granted!

30 Days of Thanks..Day 2

I went back and forth about 3 or 4 things to write about tonight.  Isn't it great to be overflowing with things to be thankful for??   Today I an going to have to say that I am thankful for my neighbors.  They just make me happy.  The great thing about living in such a big, diverse city is that the neighborhoods really bond together.  Unfortunately, crime has  partially contributed to the reason that neighbors are so close but thankfully that is changing.  I am thankful that we can walk down our street and Layla can see a person of every color, and ethnicity and greet them all with her sweet hello and friendly wave.  I am also thankful that I can walk a couple of doors down and have a quick chat after dinner with a friend whom I trust and know that we will be friends for a very long time.  Lastly, I am thankful that in a city where we don't have many "blood relatives"  God has provided the exact friendships that we need so that we feel right at home:).

I think I still listed like 5 things.  Oh well, I tried:)

30 Days of Thanks 2011... Day 1!

Continuing my tradition from last year, here goes day one of the 30 Days of thanks!

The ability to video record at pretty much anytime. I walked in the door from spin tonight and Layla and Lucas were watching old videos from when she was tiny. It immediately brought tears to my eyes to think how fast time has gone by, but I am so thankful that we were able capture some precious moments.:). Maybe one day I can sit and watch them without looking through tear filled eyes.