Thankful Thursday!

The Mommy Files is where you'll find this great Thursday link-up. Join us in being thankful! It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “V.”

• Vikings! (that's my high school alma mater)
• Vacuum cleaners -- isn't it funny how when you say something isn't any good you say that "it sucks" but when you're talking about a vacuum, you can't really say that becuase if it doesn't suck, then it really sucks. Ironic, huh?
• Valentines -- While I don't get into the whole hooplah of it all, I do like a reason to celebrate my four Valentines!
• Volume -- I love my hair and my music both to have lots of volume. Sadly, however, neither does at the current point in my life.
• Volkswagons -- Why? Because a good old fashioned game of "slug bug" is fun!
• Veterans -- I shudder to think where our country would be today if it weren't for the brave elite that lead our country's battles.
• Vampires -- ha ha.. not because of the Twilight series, but for the movie Bram Stoker's Dracula. Super duper love story, with a gory little twist!
• Vacations -- not that I got one this year, but when you DO get to get them, they're awesome!
• Violets - beautiful flowers! I love purple.
• Vail -- (speaking of vacations) it's a beautiful, fun city in Colorado! God's country.
• Vegetables -- I love salad! Ask my kids and they'll probably tell you it's my favorite food!
• Vision - I couldn't begin to imagine not being able to see my beautiful children change before my eyes... and smile at me? I can't imagine a life of darkness like that.
• Voters -- why? Because I hope they really DO make a change this coming election.
• Virtues -- I find that children (or adults, alike) are completely lacking in good old-fashioned virtues these day. Sad sad sad. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
• Vets -- not the military kind, but the kind that take care of our pooches and keep them safe and well.
• Veggie Tales! Broccoli, Celery, Gotta be -- Veggie Tales! Cauliflower, sweet-n-sour, half an hour -- Veggie Tales! There's never ever ever ever ever been a show like Veggie Tales! There's never ever ever ever ever been a show like Veggie Tales! It's time for Veggie TALES!!!

Thankful Thursday!

The Mommy Files is where you'll find this great Thursday link-up. Join us in being thankful! Today's letter is "S"... I'm actually doing a make up day because I missed the "S" one... and I wanted to do it! :)

I'm thankful for:

• Sleep - face it, as the mother of an infant, you're never guaranteed anything -- especially 6-8 hours of sleep daily so when you DO get more than 4 hours at a time, you ARE thankful!
• Strawberries - my ultimate favorite summer fruit. I love making strawberry banana smoothies. I but gobs of them, clean them and freeze them myself.
• Sunshine - While I don't love the SWEAT that goes along with it or the SUNBURNS, I do love the sunshine. It makes you want to open the blinds and take in another beautiful day.
• Sons - I'm lucky enough to have not one, not two, but THREE of them. I'm beyond blessed.
• Savior - We would be nothing if it weren't for Him. How could you NOT be thankful?
• String cheese - It's such a fun, portable, protein.
• Sugar - What can I say, I have a sweet tooth! :)
• Soft blankets - I have an infant so it's always a search to find the softest plush animal for him or the soft blanket. He has three right now... a silky, soft one. Mmmm
• Stretchy pants - And, since I have said infant, I'm in great need of stretchy pants since I haven't dropped the baby weight while I've been nursing. Ugh.
• Soldiers - My heart goes out to their families. My prayers go out to them. Our country needs to take better care of them... they're our only line of defense.
• Slow cookers -I'm the crock pot queen! Give me 6-8 hours and I'll give you a delicious meal that didn't make the whole kitchen heat up with the oven. Love those slow cookers.
• Snow - I think I should have been a polar bear for as much as I love the snow. I'm very thankful for it when we do actually get it here in Texas.
• Sweet tea - Yeah, see the post about the sweet tooth? This is one of those key things that helps me keep it under control. I'm a Southerner, man. We love our sweet tea!
• Singing - Music helps me deal with anything... it can make you drive fast, it can calm you down. I'm thankful for the gift of singing and that I actually can do it well.
• Sign language - Everyone needs a "voice" to be heard and so I'm thankful for the development of ASL so that even the non hearing community has a voice. I do wish I still knew it better than I do now.
• Smiley faces - Because you can't see a big yellow smiley face and not have your spirit lifted... even just a little bit.
• Sarcasm - I would be unable to speak without it.
• Sharon - This is my mother in law. I'm beyond thankful for her.
• Sapphires - They're like diamonds... in navy blue! :) Ha!
• Steak - There's not much better than a big, juicy steak cooked on the grill. That first bite leaves you quite thankful for a delicious meal.
• Seafood (shrimp, scallops) - I think I hear Red Lobster calling my name right now. I am thankful for all fishermen have to go through just TO put seafood on our table! Have you SEEN Deadliest Catch? That's crazy man!
• Sesame Street - Who (my age) can't be thankful for the Saturday entertainment provided on Sesame Street?
• School - I'm thankful for the opportunity for my children to have some of the best schools in the state to attend. I'm thankful our children are given the opportunity to learn.
• Shel Silverstein - This was one of my first poets as a child that I was introduced to. I was instantly hooked. I loved sharing his works with my boys.
• Spaghetti - I'm thankful for this delicious, versatile meal that my whole family enjoys.
• Sour cream - ...because a baked potato is incomplete without it!
• Self-control - I'm thankful every day for those who have learned how to control theirs and the fact that I'm (generally) able to keep mine under wraps as well.
• Sadie - Our little rescue dog. She makes me smile
• Scrapbooking - I was introduced to this hobby and am hopelessly addicted. I wish, however, I was able to get in there and scrapbook MORE but as it stands right now, not so much. I'm thankful for the gift of being able TO scrap.
• Smooth legs - They just feel so darn good!
• Stuffed mushrooms - I'm noticing a common denominator here - food. Perhaps I should go eat a smackerel or two.
• Santa Claus - I'm thankful for this tradition to fill our children with the magic of Christmas. I'm not one of those parents that doesn't let her children believe because it takes the "Christ" out of Christmas, because we DEFINITELY know why we celebrate but since it lasts just a little while, it's fun while it does last.
• Science - The innovations just in the last 40-50 years are quite remarkable. I'm thankful for those in this field that do things to make our lives better and to keep researching to heal the sick.
• Swimming - Drew just learned how to this summer... and so it's now something to be QUITE thankful for.
• Sun-dried tomatoes - They're delicious in just about anything!
• Simplicity - I think that many times people make things overly complicated... be it recipes, relationships, tasks in general. I am very thankful for things when they've been pruned down and I can just appreciate the simplicity of it all.
• Sports - While I don't play them, I am thankful for them so that my boys may engage in them and grow healthy strong bodies while learning to work as a team.
• Smart people - I'm thankful for the Edison's, Franklin's and Einsteins of the world. I can't imagine I'd even know what to do with myself if I was that smart.
• Strength - I am thankful for those who exhibit strength... not only in body but more importantly in mind and spirit.
• Scooby Doo - This was actually the first movie Josh and I went to see together so I'm thankful for that special memory. Drew loves Scooby Doo now, too, so I'm thankful how the cartoon has transcended generations to give us all something silly to laugh at and enjoy.
• Seals and Sea lions - I am thankful for these beautiful sea creatures. I love them both... they're so huggable looking (I'm sure they could easily bite your face off, but they look simply adorable!)
• Saturdays - A day when we can all be together as a family...
• Skiing - I haven't been in years but so thankful when I do get to go back... especially since it's in my favorite place (Colorado). Yes, I understand that it's available elsewhere but why bother?
• Six pack abs - Not that I have them, just thankful to see them. LOL
• Strollers - Because carrying children a long time is hard on the back, arms, shoulders and patience.
• Swiffer - ...it makes cleaning dust a snap.
• Seniors - I love old people. I am thankful for their service to humanity... their families... I wish they were appreciated more.
• Shade - I live in Texas. It's HOT in the summer. Shade is DEFINITELY something to be thankful for!
• Sunflowers - They're beautiful. How can you not be thankful for a beautiful creation?
• Selflessness - It's a quality like this that makes you truly appreciate people.
• Storage - I have stuff. I need a place to put it.
• Souper Salad - This is one of my family's favorite places to eat. I huuuuuge salad bar!
• Sincerity - I don't believe people possess this quality much anymore. How sad.
• Salad - One of my absolute most favorite meals on the planet!
• Swaggar wagon - If you don't know what this is, go to You Tube and laugh. :) Nuff said.
• Shiner Bock - Simply the best beer in Texas. Very thankful when I can drink one again.
• Sunglasses - With all the sunshine, you are quite thankful for sunglasses to shield your peepers.
• Sorbet - Sometimes a frozen treat is quite a gift. Make mine strawberry, please.
• Steve Martin - One of the best regulars on Saturday Night Live and simply a divine actor.
• Shrek - I love the first one. I'm thankful for the gift the creators brought to the silver screen. It makes me (and more importantly, my kids) laugh.
• Silver - I'm thankful for shiny silver. I'm not much of a gold person, but silver. It's a beautiful thing.
• Salsa - Salsa is a fantastic accompaniment to any get together and on almost any meal. I'm thankful for the gift of being in a Tex-Mex kinda state where it's a staple just about anywhere you go!
• Scouts! - After having worked first hand with youth for a long time, I can see the benefits of Scouting to their moral development and that is DEFINITELY something to be thankful for.
• Stars - God blessed us with this abundance of night light. Thank you for the night skies.
• Snoopy -I'm even thankful to just remember the fact that I had a Snoopy doll when I was a youth. I would buy him outfits and the like. I'm thankful for the memory of a silly little old dog.
• Senses - I'm so very fortunate and thankful that all my senses are still intact and functioning well.
• Salt and seasonings - I'm thankful for the many flavorings we are able to use with our cooking to enhance their flavors.
• Sonic - They make the best diet peach tea around! Oh, and their burgers and tots are pretty good too!
• Stereo - Thankful for great stations to sing along to.
• Sleeping bags - Because sleeping on the ground would suck.
• Subway - eat fresh. Thankful for healthy options.
  
  

Thankful Thursday

It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “T.”

Happy Thursday!


I'm thankful for:

• Toddlers -- not that I have one right now but they certainly make life more interesting and fun with them around!


• Texas -- we're a proud state! We're a big state! We are Texans.... hear us roar!


• Television -- Because sometimes, it's a great babysitter when I have a "me" moment... and I get to watch Paula Deen!


• Teachers -- what better way to truly impact the future than by teaching it!


• Truck drivers -- without them, my husband wouldn't have a job


• Terriers -- like my little Lola! Boston Terrier!


• T-shirts - because right now they're the majority of my wardrobe! They're comfy, you can just throw on a baseball cap and be ready. They're comfortable. They're versatile.


• Tigger -- does he even need an explanation. He's bouncy. He's pouncy. He's fun fun fun fun fun... the most wonderful things about Tiggers is that he's the only one.


• Tact - I'm thankful that most of my family possess it...wish more did.


• Tomatoes - This is one of my favorite fruits of summer. Fresh, wonderful tomatoes.


• Travel - I love a getaway to the mountains, hiking trails and nature.


• Telephones - And while I tell everyone my cell phone is for MY convenience, NOT yours, I do appreciate being able to use it when I want to.


• Take-out - because many times we wouldn't eat a hot meal without it!


• Turtles - two varieties (1) the cute little pond dwellers, because they're so fun to look at and feed and (2) the kind that are made up of pecans, caramel and covered in chocolate. I'm a girl that does NOT crave chocolate but I do crave a good turtle!


• Tin Ceiling Tiles - I love the look of this!


• Tastebuds - man, could you IMAGINE not being able to TASTE your food? Geez, that'd suck!


• Tombstone - One of my favorite movies of all times! I love Val Kilmer saying, "I'm your huckleberry." I can quote so many lines from this movie, it's sick!


• Tea - specifically, SWEET tea. I'm a Texan. We like our tea SWEET!


• Thunderstorms - I love storms just as long as they're not tornadic.


• Technology - while I don't understand any of it, I do appreciate it and am thankful for it!


• Thanksgiving - I love getting together as a family for the sole purpose of being thankful.


• Toilets - because the alternative ... is... not pleasant


• Toy Story - I love 1, 2 and I can't WAIT to see 3! Tom Hanks is awesome as is Tim Allen!


• Tortilla chips! -We in Texas love our chips and salsa too!

So, there's mine! What are you thankful for? The Mommy Files is where you'll find this great Thursday link-up. Join us in being thankful!

Thankful Thursday

It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “R.”

Happy Thursday!

I’m thankful for relaxation, Reese’s, rain, rivers, and rock ‘n’ roll.

• Rain... although in Texas we can get some moster storms (like what hit our southeast counties this morning dropping about 8" of rain on them... yuck)
• Rainbows... because Drew finds them fascinating
• Reading...it's a gift to learn to read. It's a gift that keeps on giving and can take you to other times, other places all in the safety of your own home.
• Rangers... Our Rangers baseball team is doing fantastically so far this season!
• Rocky Mountains...they're my most favorite place to be.
• Relaxing...because moms need this
• Rolos...chocolate and caramel....mmmmmmmm
• Radio... I live for music! And... speaking of music...
• Rock music!... I love rock music!
• Recyclers...if you live and consume, you should feel responsible for using less and recycling what you can
• remote control...
  
  

Thankful Thursday

It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “P.”

Happy Thursday!

• Pictures - I have to say that I am fanatical about having photos of my children, family, stages in life. Pictures are just something I treasure.
• Prayer - This is a powerful tool in the arsenal of our lives.
• Pampers - I've always been a Pampers kind of mom... and I still am. I love me some Pampers.
• Physical Fitness - There is no excuse for laziness. You have to get up and get moving. Sitting and fondling the remote control doesn't make your heart take care of you because you're not taking care of IT! Physical fitness is what we can all do to make our lives better and help us live longer!
• Panama! - This is such a FUN song by Van Halen that just makes me want to sing along and turn the radio up LOUD!
• Pizza - normally I'd say no to this but since it's obviously a favorite in this house (I AM the sole source of estrogen, remember?) and as such, I'm completely over-ruled on saying no to this for dinner when the man folk desire it (BBQ chicken with spinach for me)
• Parades - I remember being in small towns and how the whole town would come together to support the small-town parades. They're fun. They're happy. Who wouldn't want to be part of something so fun and wonderful?
• Pike's Peak - I absolutely loved living in Colorado Springs, CO. It was such a majestical experience to see that each morning. Totally God's country!
• Pajamas - I live to be in my pajamas!
• Pasta - I love pasta! Spaghetti, rotini, fettuccine, angel hair, wagon wheel, lasagna, linguine - you name it, it's yummalicious!
• Paralegals - because that's what I was in my former life. They're hard working sub-attorneys. :)
• Potatoes - I love me a big-o baker loaded with butter, sour cream, bacon bits, cheese, chives...mmmmmmmmmm
• Pacifiers - the mute button. Nuff said!
• Pineapple - mmmmmm, fresh pineapple! Can you really taste the deliciousness of it all?
• Paper - I'm a scrapbooker. Without this vital component, it's a futile endeavor!
• Peanut butter - I will admit that when I don't have something to "go to" for lunch or breakfast or even dinner, THIS is my "go to" meal! Extra crunchy with strawberry jam please.
• Pets - I'm totally a dog person and I love my little Lola! Life just isn't complete without pets!
• Pantera - A true Texas band... major heavy rock but I love 'em!
• Perry the Platypus - I've seen one too many episodes of Phineas and Ferb. Even so, Perry is so fun and cute!
  
  I'm linked to: The Mommy Files
  
  

Thankful Thursdays!!

It's that time of the week again. Time to sit back and contemplate what we are thankful for. This week it is time for things that start with the letter "O".

• Onions - While I hated them as a cgild, no salad or burger is complete without a red onion. Why they call them red when theyre actually purple is beyond me. Must have been named by a colorblind man.
• October - I absolutely love the fall. And hey, who doesn't love to find the perfect costume to dress your kiddo in to send them begging for candy around the neighborhood?
  
• Ocean - I love the majesty and beauty of our oceans. Very sad about the whole BP oil spill in the Gulf right now. That ecosystem is fragile enough...


• Oreos - They have golden Oreo sandwich cookies now and they are the bomb!


• Orange - It was Marie Osmand's favorite color when I was a little girl so I loved it then.
  
  
  I'm linked to: The Mommy Files
  

Thankful Thursdays!

It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “K.”


Happy Thursday!

1. Kids - my world is complete because of my children.
2. Kitchen - I love my kitchen. I love its size, its storage.
3. Ketchup - It's a food group at our house. It's a necessity.
4. Kindergarten - it's such a milestone for children and moms when their kids reach.
5. Keith Urban - He's an awesome Aussie and sings some GREAT country music!
6. Kisses - I love kisses from my hubbs and kids.
7. Kung-Fu movies - When I was a kid I LOVED watching these movies. I loved, too, how the voice-overs showed their mouths moving for like 30 seconds and then the voice-over said, "Right" or something equally as unimportant.
8. The "King".... yes, I'm referring to ELVIS! Gotta find a way to sneak him onto my list. I lurves him a lot!
9. Kenny Wayne Shepard - AWESOME blues guitarist!
10. Koala bears - they're cute, fuzzy, and I just love them. They were my first favorite bear and I still have a special place for them in my "all time favorite animal list" :)
11. Keller - it's where I now reside. It's not my "ideal" location to reside (I'm not big on surburbia) but I'm still thankful for it--because it's HOME!
12. Kid Rock - he's a freakin ROCK n ROLL god! (don't get all religious on me... I don't mean it like a "God" god... just he's awesome!
13. KISS - funny stories about this band ... memories with Josh. It's hilarious... I'll share it another time.

Thankful Thursdays!

It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “J.”

Happy Thursday!

1. Jesus (my savior)
2. Joshua (my son)
3. Jalapenos (Hey, I'm Texan -- we love our jalapenos here!)
4. Jelly Bellies (they're just fun and flavorful!)
5. Jokes (because we ALL need a good laugh now and then)
6. Jammies (I could LIVE in my flannel pj's when it's chilly out)
7. Jumanji (because it's fun to say! Ha ha... seriously, it's a neat movie that I love watching over and over with the kids)
8. Jack-o-Lanterns (because that means it's FALL, my favorite time of the year!)
9. January (because that means that we've been blessed with another year together)
10. Jogging (because that's going to be the way I get back in shape after this baby comes)
11. Jailhouse Rock (because that's an AWESOME Evis song!)

What are you thankful for?

Fill It In Friday!

And...here we go!

1. Today I will be cooking, cooking and more cooking after I take the boys and two neighbors to a birthday party at a jump place for a couple of hours.
2. When faced with adversity or difficult situations, some people ask WHY and I say why not?
3. What do you think of the state of our economy, the fact that our President wants to move forward with his own agenda leaving our children's children's children to foot the bill for years to come, the fact that our country is running so ridiculously far in the red that if it were a corporation -- they'd be OUT OF BUSINESS, the fact that the unemployment rate is holding steady at TEN PERCENT but government jobs are still for hire, that people working the census are making a ridiculous amount of money... shall I continue? Seriously, we're in trouble as a country.
4. At some location not near me, apparently it's free Pastry Day til 1030 Friday!
5. People say that what we're all seeking is acceptance.
6. The image I cherish most is not a singular image, but rather a collection of moments with my family and children over the last 37 years.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to taking Drew to t-ball practice at 5:30 and then continuing with my cooking marathon (and not really "looking forward" to it so much as it's a necessity), tomorrow my plans include hoping my husband will go to IKEA to get the entertainment center shelving so we can finish the playroom out and then that evening taking both my boys to ASI Gymnastics for their Saturday night pajama party from 7-11 (hope it still happens with the winter storm blowing through) and then -- you guessed it -- cooking some more and Sunday, I want to relax but I'm sure I'll be tying up any loose ends in the kitchen such as making baking mixes, hoping to stay warm and seeing if Drew has any t-ball practice (doubt it with the weather system moving in)!

I'm linked to: Friday Fill Ins

Thankful Thursdays!

It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for.

In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, think of things you are thankful for that are green!!

Happy Thursday!

I'm thankful for the smell of freshly cut grass...
... that my 5 year old loves and craves broccoli
... for Andy's beautiful green eyes
... for Granny Smith apples because they go so deliciously with my favorite salad
... Extra gum... it's NEON green!
... Guacamole! (YUM)
... CASHOLA... well, the blessing that we have the opportunity to spend it wisely when we need to
... Limes in my water
... does the OUTSIDE of watermelons count even if the inside ISN'T green? hee hee hee
... Yummy green vegetables (Boston bibb, Romaine, and green leaf lettuces, cucumbers, celery)
... and, of course, the symbol for being "green" -- reduce, reuse, recycle

I'm linked to: The Mommy Files - Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursdays!

It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “I.”

Happy Thursday!

• Imaginations -- Drew has the MOST amazing imagination of any kid I've ever known. I hope to foster it and watch it turn into something that will work for him.
• Ice -- As a true Southerner, I love a big old glass of sweet, ICED tea!
• Internet -- Face it... I love it! :)
• Ice cream -- I'm pregnant. 'Nuff said!
• Independence -- We live in the BEST country on the planet... most people don't appreciate all that our independence REALLY means!
• Idol -- as in American Idol... it's fun to watch people reach their dreams after lots of hard work.
• Instructions -- because without it, the world would never get put together CORRECTLY!
• Italian food -- seriously, does it NEED any further explanation? I think not.
• Isolation -- because with two crazy boys, sometimes, it's nice to be alone!
• iFratellis -- Because they have the BEST PIZZA!!!! YUM!
• Icees -- my boys love frozen, cold treats when it's hot outside.
• Indiana Jones -- Why? Because it's such a great series AND because my boys ROCK at the Indiana Jones Legos game on the Wii.

What are you thankful for? I'm linked to: The Mommy Files - Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursdays!

It’s that time of week again! Time to list what you are thankful for. This week we are doing things that start with the letter “H.”

Happy Thursday!

• Health - definitely! I'm having a healthy pregnancy, have healthy children, healthy dogs, healthy family. Health is definitely something to be thankful for!
• Husband - He's the perfect balance for me... I'm thankful for his forgiveness, love and friendship.
• Home - Although it's a MAJOR (and I don't mean that lightly) love/hate relationship, I'm still thankfulfor my home! It's big and beautiful and a work in progress.
• Hobbies - I LOVE my hobbies -- organizing, scrapbooking, reading, cooking, photography. I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to take advantage of opportunities to indulge in them.
• Honey - My Earl Grey isn't the same without it! (And I don't know if Drew would eat a biscuit without it either!)
• Hospitality - I love the true "Southern hospitality" and love sharing my home, recipes and time with my friends.
• Hats - Silly thing I know but my noggin is usually donned with some type of baseball cap or hat if it's cold. I'm just a hat girl! I love 'em!
• Hawaii - Though I'm a TRUE mountain girl at heart, I loved spending time in Hawaii and thought the islands were a beautiful, tropical oasis. I look forward to going back.
• Hamburgers/Hot Dogs - I love this because of what they typically represent -- friends and family getting together for a cookout!
• Hugs - Who can live without them?
• Hammock - Although I can't find my hammock (just the stand) I am THANKFUL for the many hours logged in its comforting womb. It's peacful, serene and relaxing!

I'm linked to: The Mommy Files