A special edition of Thankful Thursday....

The "Thankful Pumpkins" on our table are full and that can only mean one thing: Thanksgiving is here!

Today, I am so thankful for….

The adorable way that Ellie’s entire face lights up when Audrey grins at her, and as she announces, “Aud-ey mile, mommy!”

Snuggle time when tucking Aaron in at night. He still loves for me to rub his back while we pray and read a Bible story together. I know this won’t last forever, so I’m cherishing these times (usually…. but sometimes…. keeping it real…. I am just too exhausted, and I rush).

The way that Isaac sings everywhere he goes…. at every moment. We often say that “life is a song” to Isaac. His teachers have even commented about how he sings through the day.

A text from Scott in the middle of the day, just to let me know that he is thinking of me. It means the world to me to know that a piece of his heart is still with me…. even when he is in the middle of a busy day.

The sweetness of Ellie’s voice as she says, “I love you, mommy.”

The precious sound of Audrey’s giggle when I tickle her under the chin.

The fact that Aaron still asks me for help when he needs a bandaid. I know that won’t last forever either.

Every time that we are in a crowded room, and Scott still looks for me.

My kiddos who still think that the “mommy tickle monster” and the “mommy kissy monster” are two of the coolest games ever.

Every time that Isaac crawls up into bed with me to snuggle. I’ve never met a kid who loves a soft, fuzzy blanket as much as this one.

Audrey’s face that completely lights up when she sees my face in the morning through the slats of her crib. I love that she nearly starts jumping when I smile at her.

Each time when Scott and I cuddle up on the couch to watch an episode of Chuck, The Sing Off, the Nightly News, or even an old episode of SNL after the kiddos are tucked in. I’m so thankful to be beside him in this journey…. and it’s pretty good to still laugh together, too.

Ellie’s cheesy smile every time we pull out a camera.

Aaron’s sweet, sweet prayers that warm my heart (and certainly the heart of God, too). I love it as he prays for people around the world to have the Word of God…. for the daddy from Burma to get a job…. for a sweet little boy in Ethiopia to get to come home to his family soon…. for his cousin’s broken leg. He is a rough and tumble boy who has such a tender heart.

The fact that Scott is one of the most forgiving guys I’ve ever met. I need his grace…. and he points me to the grace of God so, so often.

One on one dates with my kiddos. Spoonz has become a fave of my boys…. And I just love that they cherish one on one time with momma as much as I cherish the time with them. I don’t always do a great job of carving out those times with my kids, but I’m always so, so thankful when I do! I love that Isaac begs for dates with his mom!

Speaking of one on one dates with my kiddos, I LOVE DATE NIGHTS WITH MY HUBBY! He still makes me laugh…. he is still the best listener in my life, and the one that I most want to listen to as well. Don’t get me wrong, we’re completely human and he makes me stinkin’ mad sometimes…. but I’m thankful that we are always on the same team (even when we aren’t on the same page temporarily. Yep, very thankful for forgiveness in our marriage).

Truly, I have so much to be thankful for. This Thanksgiving, I am so aware of people who are buried in the midst of struggle and pain this year….. my heart is burdened for so many today. I am asking that God will allow these precious friends to find glimpses of blessing in the midst of heartache…. joy in the midst of pain. If that is you today, much love to you and many hugs.

Much love and many hugs to YOU, dear reader. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Precious, precious....

Audrey is officially 6 months old now. I think that every mommy blogger says this at some point: Where has the time gone?!! Although I am still celebrating all of her milestones.... rolling over, starting solids, etc.... honestly, I am having a hard time with how fast her first year is going.

She is such a sweetie, and we are so thankful to have her as a part of our family. Aaron, Isaac, and Ellie continue to be completely smitten.... her daddy and I are pretty smitten, too! ;)

In honor of her 6 month birthday, I'm finally posting some of her precious newborn pictures....

My friend, Abbie Louvar, has recently started a photography business and asked if she could try out some newborn pics with Audrey. I love, love, love the results! Visit her website HERE.

My friend, April Moore, took some awesome pictures of Audrey, too. You can visit her website HERE. And yes, I TOTALLY love these results, too!

My sisters and I played with this doll carriage at my grandma and grandpa's house growing up; it makes these pictures even more precious to me!

I'm so thankful that Abbie and April helped us capture a glimpse of Audrey's sweet newborn days. I'm so, so grateful for this darling little girl.

I'm learning new tricks....

We had an awesome speaker at MOPS last week. She is a professional photographer and came to talk to the mommas about how to improve their own photography skills. It was really helpful, made me thankful that we take a lot of pics at our house, and inspired me to want to take more (and improve the quality whenever possible!) I also realized that I wanted to occasionally post some larger pics on my blog, so I decided to learn how.... since blogger always limits the size. Here is a pic that I captured of Ellie a few weeks ago on a walk, and I just love her little expression.... and it's posted a little larger than normal thanks to one of my new tricks (thanks to google)!!! :) It's fun to learn some new things.

I love this kid....

Thankful Thursday....

Today, I am thankful....

1) For peaceful moments that I can enjoy with Audrey. With three older siblings, it doesn't happen often, so I treasure these moments! I love Tuesday mornings while Aaron, Isaac, and Ellie are at school when I can just sit, smile, and coo with her. Also, I treasure rocking her to sleep occasionally after a busy day.

2) That she has taken off with food and has jumped over the weight plateau she was experiencing! She is also a rolling machine now, too; so, so cute!
3) For awesome preschool teachers.... and that Isaac and Ellie are having so much fun there this year.

All ready for the "Pumpkin Festival"

4) That Scott is blessed with a great job that allows him to take sick days if needed.... and that he bounced back after a really rotten sick day on Tuesday.
5) For the contagious joy of children. Today, we saw our first snow flurries of the year in Indiana. Isaac, LITERALLY, started jumping up and down and yelling, "It's snowing! It's snowing! I can't believe that it is finally here! Is it real?!?.... Snow is my favorite time of the year!" Then, it also led to concern as he shouted "BUT MOM! We haven't practiced enough for our Christmas program yet!" and "MOM! We need to set up the Christmas tree!" He also said, "Is spring break starting?!!!" (not sure how that fits here, exactly!) I love the smiles that I get to enjoy as a momma and seeing life from their perspective!
Have a great day, everybody!

I'm a football fan!

Aaron had a great season with Upward this fall; he learned so much and had a great time!

Looking long as the quarterback

Ready to roll as a runningback

Running out for a pass as a receiver

Digging deep as a defender

It was so fun to see Aaron strive to excel and grow during this season. He had a great experience (and we would HIGHLY recommend the Upward program to anyone who asks!) I just asked Aaron tonight what he wants to be when he grows up. His response: "A pastor and a professional football player!"