Thanksgiving in February

I've been feeling pretty blessed lately.

It's weird though, because there have been some crappy days thrown our way the last month, but still. {The kids have both been sick, I can't hear out of my left ear, and barely out of my right (double ear infection, and now they're both plugged to the max!), but still.} I've been trying my best to focus on the positive. It's a lot easier some days than others, but I wanted to mention some things I'm thankful for.

My kids. Maddy is growing and learning and so amazing. She's sassy and grouchy and a pain in the neck too, but remember, I'm focusing on the positive. ;) She teaches me so much, is constantly saying things that make me laugh, and keeps Hudson happy. She is such a great big sister. She's always taking care of him, making him happy, trying to include him in her pretend games, getting him his milk... I love it. She really loves him. She wants to be with him. I know it won't always be this way, so I'm soaking up every moment. Hudson continues to amaze me with his talking. He's constantly coming up with new words and tries so hard to communicate with us. He's doing really well with talking, which is a relief to me. He's so sweet and silly and a TERROR, but I just love him. I love having non-babies. LOVE IT.

Mike. He's so sweet. He really tries so hard to make me happy and is most of the time stuck between a rock and a hard place because, well, I'm a brat. He works really hard and is just sooooo ready to be done with school (13 more weeks!) and I just love him.

FHE. (Family Home Evening.) For the first time in a long time *uhhh, since before Maddy was born, maybe?* we've been doing FHE every week. We've done it every week this year! Ha, a new record! It kinda just happened randomly the first week, and then the next week, I was like, we might as well! :) Maddy asks to do it every night, and I'm the mean mom that's like, "NO!" She gets really involved, drawing pictures and telling us a story. I really hope we can keep this up throughout the year. I really feel like it adds a lot to our family.

Progress. I've been really taking better care of myself, in general, this last month. I wouldn't say I deprive myself at all, but my love for vegetables knows no bounds. And fruit? Well, I'm trying. Less bread, less cheese and less red meat = happiness for my belly. Honestly. Still working on the soda, but I'll get there.

Weather. Since the weather has been so amazing, we've been able to get outside a lot. Walking, riding bikes, playing hide-and-seek, or me just sitting in the sun while the kids play in the dirt. It's bliss I tell ya.

Bath time. I feel like I kind of have a schedule down when Mike is gone (basically all day Tues, Wed, Thurs), and it's making things run so much smoother. It's helped to have the kids outside because when they're good and dirty, I throw them in the bath and they go CRAZY. They love taking baths together and they're so fun to watch. Maddy loves to play with her Barbies in there and she tries to get Hudson to play along.

Being there. I'm trying to be in the moment with the kids more. (HA! As I sit here blogging while Maddy's entertaining Hudson in their room.) I've had them help me with things I need done, and although I have to go back and 'fix' it later, watching Hudson with a gigantic broom is well worth the effort. I've also had a habit of playing on my phone in the car when we're going somewhere (when Mike is driving), and the other day, I realized what I was doing! Here I am, so sad that I never get to hang out with Mike, and here he is right next to me, and I'm not 'there.' This iPhone I tell ya. Addictive.

Friends. There have been some rocky times this last year, but I'm kind of trying to let it go. I'm not perfect, and I have a lot to work on, and I don't want people hanging on to all the rotten things about me.

So there it is!

What are you thankful for?