I have been pondering the last few weeks if I can be thankful for seemingly opposite things. During this season of life, I am thankful when I can take a long hot uninterrupted shower. It is glorious! The most common reason that I typical do not take long uninterrupted showers is my kids. But I am so thankful for my kids. I would pick my kiddos over taking a long hot uninterrupted shower ever again.
All of that to say, some of the things that make the list this year may seem like opposites, but I think you can be thankful for both - long hot uninterrupted showers and short interrupted showers.
*I feel like the longer I am a mom, the more sappy I get, so bear with me - ha!*
1. God - He saved us from a life of slavery into a family of freedom
2. Ian Michael - He listens, encourages, and continues to befriend me. He is patient with my shortcomings and all my crazy parenting ideas.
2. Ian Michael - He listens, encourages, and continues to befriend me. He is patient with my shortcomings and all my crazy parenting ideas.
3. Samuel Cary - you bring a smile to my heart everyday. I love playing with you and seeing your imagination and new ideas.
4. Henry Joseph - your smile is infectious, your laugh is contagious, and your snuggles are endearing (and your appetite is astounding)
5. Our Girl - next year (Lord willing) we will know you
5.1 Baby Kicks and Squirms
5.2 the sweet way the boys already love our little lady
6. Monroe - I didn't know I could love another like my own until there was you
I am trying to crank this whole list out during naptime so I need to just start listing people / things or I will never finish
7. Brody
8. Jared and Hallie
9. Cary and Brandy
10. Dad and Mom / Papa and Gaga B
11. Daddio and Mommabomma / Papa and Gaga G
12. The rest of our family - how they encourage us with facebook posts, cards in the mail, and fun group text messages
13. Our church family - what a honor and privilege to have them love us (especially our kids) and allow Ian to lead them
14. BSF
14.1 BSF children's ministry
14.2 my BSF leader this year - she has done the whole thing over zoom - bless her
15. Chocolate bourbon pecan pie
16. Michigan Cherry Decaf coffee from Meijer
17. kid books that don't make me lose my mind after reading them 1000 times
18. toys with no batteries or lights or sound
19. long hot uninterrupted showers
19.1 short interrupted showers
20. our double stroller
21. Ryan - our minivan
22. Redneck Disney
23. large water bottles
24. the magic of going outside
24.1 having great outdoor space
25. modern appliances - washer, dryer, dishwasher, hot water heater, air conditioner, furnace, microwave, coffee maker, stove / oven, refrigerator, freezer
26. snow plows, snow plow drivers, and salt
27. dual control queen size electric blanket
28. electronic books (is that the right description?) and real books
29. age appropriate kid shows
30. when I try a new recipe and it tastes good
31. restaurants and take out
32. disposable diapers
33. the Word - how it is living and active
34. our neighbors
35. parks, nature centers, and reservoirs
36. coffee shops and bakeries
37. Costco
38. when both kids take coordinating, longer than usual naps
39. people that I can be 100% myself around
40. the ability to change
41. marriage experts, parenting toddler experts, baby sleep experts, feeding toddler experts, activities for toddler experts... people who are smarter or more experienced than me and share their knowledge
41.1 Focus on the Family
42. sunshine-y days
43. how excited the kids are when Dad comes home from work every day
44. when the kids dance
45. when the kids play well together
46. Christmas music
47. healthcare professionals, health insurance, urgent care, and hospitals
48. friends from college, Korea, and Colorado that stay in touch
49. simple things that bring my kids joy - bubbles, outdoor Christmas decorations, chocolate covered pretzels
50. when you find a good deal on something you have wanted
51. Samuel seems to like preschool
52. board games that both Ian and I like
53. how accurately they can predict the weather
54. vacation and times of rest
55. Daniel Tiger and his bajillion little jingles that resonate with my kids
56. Seeds Family Worship
57. space heaters
58. when you think one kid is going to be mean to his sibling and then he does something surprisingly sweet
59. date nights
60. going on walks
60.1 the hope of running again
61. HOPE
62. peg doll nativities and resurrection sets
63. soaps and candles that smell good
64. crockpots
65. when you get something fun in the mail
66. online grocery order and pickup
67. indoor plumbing
68. the knowledge that I am not the only one who has ever faced __________ (don't believe me? google it - it is on a parenting forum or blog post somewhere on the internet)
69. Peanut Butter M&Ms
70. instagram
71. comfy maternity clothes
72. good pictures of my kids (shoot even decent pictures of my kids ha!)
73. fun memories
73.1 good travel adventures
74. friendly dogs and patient cats
75. pretty fall foliage
76. spellcheck
77. traveling
78. when I have control of the thermostat (submitted about me by my amazing husband)
79. things that boost or strengthen our immune systems
80. when your kid wakes up too early from a nap but then goes back to sleep
81. when Ian feels good about his sermon for the week
82. Hobs and Little Bunny (our kids' stuffed animals that are basically family members)
83. our coffee mug collection
84. Chickfila
84.1 Chickfila ice
85. things that make you belly laugh (or make your kids belly laugh)
86. indestructible toys
87. electricity, natural gas, and gas for cars
88. hand me downs
89. the unchanging attributes of God
90. lists
91. when you successfully kill the fly or insect inside your house or vehicle
92. facial tissue with the lotion in it
93. when a light burns out and you have the right size replacement bulb
94. garbage trucks
95. music (submitted by Ian)
96. cheese (submitted by Ian)
97. pickles (submitted by Henry - just kidding - if he could, he would submit it)
98. the smell of a campfire
99. being done with a project
100. Grandpa Schaudt - I bet he read this list all the way to the end
