I am thankful.......

that I spent this entire month being thankful.  I try to be a "glass is a half full" kind of girl.  Some days are better than others in meeting that goal.  And I know I can be a real grouch sometimes too but that's part of being human.  So, I'm signing off for the month of July.  I think I will take a few days off but check back later this week.  School is right around the corner as is football for Jay and soccer for Nick - get ready, set, because here we go. 

I am thankful......

that my mom is spending the night with us tonight. I wanted to try out a new church in Mackinaw tomorrow and she is going with me so she said she would just spend the night with us.  The boys thought it was pretty cool!

I am thankful.........

For the big leap of faith I took back in April and accepted the position with the company I'm now working for.  I'm two months into the job and every week that has gone by I've gotten more comfortable with the job and I have no regrets.  It was absolutely the right decision for me.  I do miss my co-workers.  I developed meaningful friendships with several of them.  I thought I'd miss the social aspect from working in an office but I've found I'm much more productive, working from home.  And the flexibility the job allows me is HUGE.  My presence at home is constant for the boys now.  It's a blessing and I am thankful. 

I am thankful......

for where we live.  We live about 20 miles outside of a "big city" and it has it's disadvantages (especially in the winter) but the Lord knew all along this was the best place for my family to live.  My boys love living here.  We have 2 acres of property and my boys use every square inch of it.  Mike and I found this property 7 years ago and we paid $8000 for the property and we built our house on it and I've never looked back.  We moved in when Jay was 2 and then Nick was born.  It is truly a boys heaven and for that I am so thankful.

I am thankful.......

For my two sons.........my older son is turning into a mature, kind young man who is developing such a dry sense of humor (like his dad).  I have found the four of us laughing hysterically over dinner over one of Jay's one-liners.  My younger son who isn't afraid to be in his own skin.  He gets up every morning puts on his baseball cap, his cut off jeans and no shirt and he doesn't care that he looks like the biggest redneck. 

I am thankful........

For my sister.  We have both said this is an unusual summer for both of us and we have not been able to spend much time together and we haven't been able to spend much time with each other's children either.  Last summer Kim had her pool open and she kept Jay one day a week so I saw her often.  This summer I opted that she not watch Jay because I knew she would have her hands full with two kids and she opted not to open her pool.  Plus I've been adjusting to a new job so that with everything else has prevented us from seeing each other as often as we would like.  But here I am towards the end of the summer and the boys are getting a little restless.  Kim ended up keeping Jay on Monday and she is keeping Nick tomorrow with some much needed separation for my boys and some Aunt MiMi time.  God bless you, sister!

I am thankful.......

it's sweet corn season!!!  We buy our sweet corn from a farmer who sells it in his yard on Yuton Blacktop.  For my local friends who read my blog, if you have a chance drive to Yuton Blacktop, heading west.  This farmhouse is on the right about 1 mile from the Yuton Elevators.  It is hands down the best sweet corn you've ever tasted.  I plan on buying a TON of it this year and vacuum sealing it and freezing it so we can enjoy it throughout the winter.

I am thankful........

Before I post what I'm thankful for there's a story that goes with it.  With my thankful posts this month it's been more challenging to write about the crazy things my boys have been doing but this morning they (mostly Nick) provided me with some storytelling that will translate into a thankful post.  We are getting some much needed rain in central Illinois today and for some reason my boys are bored - even though they went boating all day yesterday.  When I went to take my shower this morning Nick followed me.  I shooed him out of the bathroom and locked the door, hoping he'd go away.  Instead he stood outside the door, asking for a play by play of what I was doing.  "Are you washing your hair now, are you using soap now, are you brushing your teeth now and the most asked question of when will you be done so I can come in and keep you company?"  When I got out of the shower Nick asked from outside the door when he would be able to come in.  I replied, after I got dressed.  Then he proceeded to ask me what pieces of clothing I was putting on.  Geez!  Finally I finished dressing and let Nick come in. While I was trying to blow dry my hair he was under my feet getting my hair gel, hair spray and every other hair product I have out and was applying it to his hair.  He even went so far as to fill a cup up with water and dump it over his head - over the toliet so he could "style his hair too."  Every second I was getting more annoyed.  It was hot in the bathroom (I am so far beyond sick of this heat) and I was spending half my time tripping over my 5 year old when suddenly my 9 year old comes in the bathroom and proceeds to get right in front of the mirror (that I'm using) and brush his teeth.  Just when I'm ready to have the big one I stopped and thought of what my life will be like 10 years from now.  Nick will be 15 and Jay will be 19.  Jay could possibly be out of the house by then - something I don't even like to think about, let alone write - and Nick at age 15 will not want to be in the bathroom, keeping me company, while I do my hair.  So as annoying as they both may have been this morning I am thankful that for now they still like to have me around and "keeping me company."

I am thankful...........

For the time we spend together as a family on my in-laws boat.  The picture above is my 60 year old father in law skiing!  He makes me laugh.  He has been skiing since way before I dated Mike and I've been with Mike for 17 years. 

And big news today.  Jay got up on water skis!  Here is Grandpa John giving him his lesson before they got in the water.  As my mother in law said, "He's given that lesson a million times."  John also taught me how to ski. 

                                                                       And here's Jay!!!  Check him out!

I am thankful.....

For my health and the health of my family.  Often times I take my health for granted.  I stay focused on those 15 lbs I need to lose but this morning I really got "real" with myself.  I took a nice, long brisk walk around my neighborhood and I realized I'm so blessed to be able to get up and move my body without everything hurting or being sick.  Thank you Jesus for the body you gave me.  I promise I'll keep moving it. 

I am thankful.........

For old friends.  I had dinner with my oldest friend, Melissa, tonight.  We've been friends since we were in kindergarten.  We had such a nice time.  She lives in Texas and we try to get together when she comes home for a visit.  I love having such an "old" friendship with her because she remembers what I was like when I was 10!!!  And whenever I hear Cory Hart's song, "I Wear My Sunglasses at Night," I always think of the summers we spent together at Holiday Pool!  Ahhh, the good ole days.

I am thankful.......

That next month at this time my children will be in school all day, everyday.  I'm just saying........

I am thankful.........

For a husband who never and I mean never complains.  He gets up at 3:45 a.m. for work everyday, works a full day in the heat with no A/C then comes home and does jobs around the house and plays with the boys.  I don't know about you but if I had to start my day at 3:45 and work in this heat all day I'd be a major B**** by 3 p.m.!

I am thankful........

I'm really grasping for something thankful today.  I've had a stressful day work wise, then I took a short bike ride and got caught in the rain.  When I returned home to finish working, we lost power which makes working very challenging.  So, today I'm thankful the power was only off for a short time period - told you I was grasping today.

I am thankful.......

For Nick's love of life!  When Nick went to VBS this year, an older gentleman pulled me aside and told me how much he had enjoyed Nick that week (very sweet).  I thanked the man and said Nick has a lot of energy.  He shook his head and said, "Well, he sure does love life."

I am thankful........

For good friends!  The Ausili's came out tonight!  Yeah!  We realized we haven't gotten together - all 8 of us - since February.  That is a long time.  The Ausili's are like family to us and we love spending time with them.  Curtis and Jay are exactly 3 months apart to the day.  They both have very different personalities but always have a good time when they get together. 

And here's me with my best girlfriend, Jenny! 

And here's Nick and Faith.  Faith is 11 and I just love her.  She is such a trooper.  She comes to my house and puts up with my "locker room" behavior/household of boys!  She is always so nice to Nick. 

I am thankful.........

for carefree, summer nights.  We had one of those nights tonight.  We grilled burgers and hot dogs then my good friend, Laura, called and we joined her at the beach.  Our kids played then we rode our bikes to her house to roast more hot dogs and smores.  We had so much fun we lost track of time.  The boys and I rode our bikes home in the dark.  We loved it.  The evening ended with the boys having a "sleep over" in Nick's room. 
I remember my summers as a child quite vividly.  My sister and I hung out friends and ran from sun up until sun down.  My boys have a network of friends around our neighbor.  Jay is the oldest but he doesn't even seem to mind.  I know my boys have had a good summer day when at the end of it they have sand stuck to their behinds from playing at the beach, dirt under their nails from playing in the mud and sweaty hair from just playing hard. 

I am thankful...........

my mom was not hurt in her fender bender today.  A gentleman ran a stop light and hit her.  She is fine but her Equinox, not so much.

I am thankful.........

We got some much needed rain last night.

I am thankful...........

Mike and I both have jobs!  I know what you're thinking,what does the picture of the boys have to do with being thankful for having job?  Check out their new footwear!  Both boys have new cleats on, Jay for football season and Nick for soccer.  Both boys start their practices in August.  Both boys are also decked out in their UnderArmor shirts.  I truly am thankful that Mike and I can afford these things.  Sure, we have a budget but when the boys need new shoes or school supplies we can get them.  Speaking of jobs I'm now 7 weeks into my new job and I love it!  It was truly a good move for me.  Eliminating the 1 hour commute has been HUGE.  Overall I really enjoy the job and I love doing it from home.  I'm very disciplined but I love having the flexibility to plan my days around what needs to be done work wise and what needs to be family wise.  It's wonderful and I'm very blessed.

I am thankful.............

This is so obvious and basic but I am so thankful for my extended family which includes my mom, my sister, my niece and nephew and my Aunt Karen.  I'm so thankful my mom live so close so I can see her often and my kids can enjoy her.  I'm thankful my sister lives in town and we can enjoy raising our kids together and I can really form a relationship with Lauren and Luke.  And thankful to have an aunt who sees the humor in everything and we can still laugh over the dumbest things!  How lucky am I - pretty lucky I'd say.

On a totally separate note, Jay is at football camp tonight.  Mike went with him so tomorrow I will be thankful if they both don't have a heat stroke.

I am thankful..........

That I have air conditioning!!!  It is so hot these days!  Now with that being said, I'm sure when  I get my late June and July bill you'll hear me screaming from miles away.  I'm sure I'll notice a huge increase because now that I'm working from home I've had it on all day.  Ugh! 

I am thankful...........

Until the day I die whenever I see wild flowers I will think of my boys.  Out where we live we have them everywhere.  Almost weekly the boys will pick them for me.  I happily put them in a vase and get to enjoy them for about a week.  So today, I am thankful for the thoughtfulness of my boys and the wild flowers they pick me. 
P.S.  Jay picked this particular bunch.  I love how he picked purple and yellow!

I am thankful................

Okay here's a painfully honest blog. Lately I've been thankful when Nick falls asleep at night.  As I look at this sweet boy it's hard to believe he spends many of his days (lately) complaining & being down right disagreeable but trust me, he is something else these days.  I told my mom the other day that I was quite nervous about him going to Kindergarten because I was afraid his teacher wouldn't appreciate................and I paused.  My mom finished my sentence by saying......"a teacher won't appreciate his Nick-Ness!"  Yes, that is a perfect way to say it, Nick and his NickNess!  Oh boy!  There is no one in our household who can make you laugh more than Nick, he's so loving and he has the best expressions of anyone but there is another side of Nick that drives you crazy.  As is usually the case I know this is a phase.  I'm just hoping it passes before August 18. 

I am thankful..........

Today has been a good day but I must admit, I really had to put some thought into what I was thankful for today.  We had a light rain tonight and because of it we had a quiet evening in the house.  We were all bathed and in our jammies by 7:00.  It was really nice and relaxing.  Although as I'm writing this Jay is laying on the floor while Nick is jumping off the furniture, on top of his brother and when Jay gets tired of it, they switch positions.  Tomorrow I may be thankful for no trips to the emergency room.

I am thankful..........

For the 30 minute walk I got today and the 45 minutes I had to chat with my husband in the garage while the boys played in the yard.

I am thankful..........

Okay, Okay, I know I didn't get this post done on the 4th of July!  Time got away from me.  We started our day at 8:30 am and didn't stop until 10:30pm.  I was too tired to blog last night. So today will be for yesterday and today.  I am so thankful that I get to spend time with family and I live in this country. 

Our family shot on 4th of July.  Mike is missing so I guess it's not "everyone" but I thought it was a cute picture.

I am thankful for this picture.  Trust me,this is a rare photo op with Nick and Lauren!  Aren't they adorable?

One of my favorite pictures this summer - my boys!  I am so thankful for where we live.  We have a lake and beach that we utilize constantly in the summer.  I find the lake kind of disgusting but I love to sun myself, laying in the sand.  The boys love the lake and will spend hours playing in it which equates to free entertainment and countless hours of fun.

     I am so thankful for these three little boys and my sweet niece.  I hope and pray they grow up and remain close and remember the fun and innocence of their childhoods.

I am thankful....

For the love of Jesus Christ, my Lord & Savior!

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

Deuteronomy, Chapter 6, verse 4-6

I am thankful..........

To be married to one of the hardest working men I know who has modeled that hard work is the only way to go!  When there is a job to be done my boys are always right behind their dad, learning and helping out.  As you can see this picture is a little blurry because it is one of the hottest days of the summer!  When I went outside to take this picture the lense on my camera fogged up - just another example of how hard these guys work.  Ha.

I am thankful.....

I'm going to do something different for the month of July.  Every day this month, Yes, every day, I will blog something I'm thankful for.  Sometimes I seem to forget all the blessings in my life and I think this will be a good reminder for me!  So tonight, July 1, I am thankful for summer time nights and summer time snacks.  I love watching my boys come in from outside after a long night of playing outside.  I love to smell their freshly washed hair.  I am thankful they have played so hard that they crave fruit and Oreos (duh). 

                                                  I am always thankful for the good laughs my boys provide me with!