Day 310. 14 Years.

14 years ago today, I married the man of my dreams.  :)  ICK.  I know it sounds ridiculously mushy.  But the truth is, it's the TRUTH!  I won't sicken you with the syrupy-sweet story of how this wonderful man has continued to sweep me off my feet for the last 14 years.  I'll just say that I love him.  I'm so thankful for him.  And I'm so glad that God brought us together.  There is absolutely no other person with whom I'd rather spend the rest of my life.  14 years, and COUNTING!

Day 309. My Favorite Person.

We hosted a little Christmas get-together at our house for our Sunday School class this evening.  We had a fun time!  We ate and visited and chatted and played games.  They're a fun group of folks.  I'm glad to be getting to know them better.  I took a few snapshots.  Everyone even humored me, and let me take a GROUP photo!  But I have a favorite of the evening.... a face you're pretty used to seeing by now.  I can't help it.  I love him.  :)

Day 308. Christmas Decorations

When did it become okay for the Christmas season to begin BEFORE Thanksgiving?  The Halloween decorations aren't even out of the stores, and they start stocking up on candy canes.  Craziness, I tell you.  I love the tradition of beginning Christmas the day after Thanksgiving.  I think it's a good tradition.  As for me and my house, that's how it will stay.  :)  I reserve the right to never say never, just so you know.

We were at my husband's family's the weekend of Thanksgiving, so we had to wait one extra week.  My kiddos were NOT disappointed.  They love to go sorting through all of the big, plastic tubs... pulling out ornaments and lights.  I remember the exact feeling as a child, when we would decorate our tree.  Dad would play his Conniffs and Walter Brennen Christmas records, and we kids would jump around and get all excited.  Somehow, EVERY year, that tree that once looked SO tall, would shrink just a little.  But it didn't matter.  We loved it, just the same.  :)  I often wonder what my kids' favorite Christmas memories will be... what will stand out in their minds about their childhood.

Day 307. What's Next?

I know I've told about how easily I get bored.  Ugh, I hate even saying the word.... "bored."  I don't allow my children to use it.  I tell them that being bored is a choice... and they are the only ones who can change their mindset (OR I am happy to give them something to do).  All of that being said, when I start feeling that feeling of the mundane approaching, I mix it up a little.  It can be with anything.  An example?  My Facebook profile picture.  Yep, I know I've mentioned that before, too.  ANYWAY, yes, this all has a point.

I decided I'd take a new picture.  Now, I'm posting it for all the world to see... (but I did NOT use it for my profile pic, just in case you're wondering)... WHY?  Because I don't like it.  So, why am I sharing it?  Because it's real...  We're all getting older.  We can do it gracefully, or ungracefully.... Regardless, it's reality.

And there you have it.  Laugh lines and all.  No editing or airbrushing.  That was one, bright sunshine, coming through my window.... highlighting every line on my face.  Oh well.  Life goes on!

Day 306. Change.

Can you believe it's December???  I'm having some difficulty with it, indeed.

Every week, I'm up at my kids' school, doing one thing or another.  I love to help out where I can.  Honestly, it's as much for me as it is for them.  :)  It helps me to be familiar with my kids' surroundings... helps me feel like I'm not completely lost on how their days go.  Even if I don't actually SEE them while I'm there, I enjoy being there... taking it all in.  Today, I helped KS2's teacher.  She likes to have me run copies of their worksheets and redo their bulletin boards in the hallway.  It's therapeutic for me.  She has this awesome staple remover, that just seems to make my soul happy.  :)  I don't know why, but it does.  We took down all of the Thanksgiving/Fall decorations, and changed them to Christmas/Winter.  Wow.  And it occurred to me... it's already DECEMBER!!!

Are you finished with your Christmas shopping?  Ugh.  I'm not.  The older my kids get, the harder it gets to buy for them.  Why is that?  And then there's the pressure of making certain that the REAL reason of Christmas doesn't get lost in the commercialized version.  I really do NOT like that Christmas stuff comes out in the stores the day after Halloween.  What's up with that?  At least let me enjoy Thanksgiving!  Sheesh!

Well, I won't rant any further.  I'll leave you with my little cell phone pictures of our BEFORE bulletin board:

And the after:

This would be what got taken down.  :)  ...all of our Native American smocks, scarecrows, and Thanksgiving turkeys....  Time to bring on the CHRISTMAS SEASON!

Days 303-305.

And, so as NOT to get behind on my photos... here are a few previews of my most recent session. 

I used to go to church with this sweet family.  We had a quick, little session after church on Sunday afternoon, and I have to brag on their little ones.  It was lunch time, and their little guy even still takes an afternoon nap... and they were STILL spectacular!  :)  I had a great time with them.

Thankfulness Challenge, Days 28-30.

Sunday, Day 28. 
I didn't give an "I'm thankful for" for Sunday.  I ended up deciding on.... drum roll, please...

WARMTH.  :) 

I am thankful for warmth on a chilly, fall night.  Cozy socks.  Sweat pants.  Fire in the fireplace.  Toasted marshmallows.  Flannel jammies on my boys.  Flannel sheets on my bed! (That's a fave of my hubby's.)  I just love this time of year.

Monday, Day 29.
Thankful for time with a friend... and thankful for my vet, because he takes wonderful care of my doggies.

Tuesday, Day 30.
Thankful for being sick???  Trying to get over a cold, so I stayed home when I was supposed to go on a field trip with KS1.  Ugh, I was bummed.  BUT... I was able to finish up editing a session that needed completed, so YAY!

I was also reminded how thankful I am for my kids' teachers, and the way they go above and beyond their call of duty, to reach out to the lives they touch.  WOW!  SO thankful for them!

And TODAY is the first day of December!  No, it doesn't mean I get to stop being thankful.  I'm thankful for the reminder to take joy in the small things.  There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for ("for which to be thankful," would be grammatically correct, actually).