Thankful Thoughts

I am well aware that I still have two days before Thanksgiving Day, but I'm not sure if I'll get the opportunity to post my annual thankful list that day. So, I thought I'd get a little bit of a headstart. I have so much to be thankful for in my life. God has truly blessed me the past year and I would be ungreatful if I didn't acknowledge those blessings.

1. I am thankful for my wonderful husband. Our marriage is not without disagreements, but I have to say that I still feel that I married the best person for ME. Mike and I seem to balance each other out perfectly. He is an awesome Dad, a great husband, and a good provider.

2. My awesome husband helped to create this awesome little guy who runs around keeping me busy and making me go crazy. Dylan is the hardest job I've ever had, but I love this kid so much it can't even be put into words. The thought of him turning 3 next week just makes me bawl. The time is passing way too quickly. I'm greatful for the opportunity I have to stay home with him and watch every moment of his life.

3. This blessing, well, I can't even express my gratitude without emotions getting in the way. I am SO thankful to get the opportunity to have another child. I was beyond excited to have Dylan, but my feelings for this little girl are a lot more tender. Perhaps because I had to go through so much heartache to get her. Even though I've been more sick this pregnancy, I am taking the time to enjoy it. I cannot wait until April to hold my little angel.

4. I am thankful for each and every one of my amazing friends. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful support group.

5. I am thankful for my family, near and far. I miss being able to see them on a regular basis, but I suppose that is part of growing up. We all have our own lives to live. But, I think about them every single day and pray for their well being.

6. I am thankful for Skanska and that they have seen something valuable in my husband's work. I feel very fortunate that we have not had to endure the financial hardships that have befallen many recently.

7. I am greatful for this lovely house that we live in and for all the things in it that help me to feel at home.

8. I am thankful that it is finally Fall! I am so not a fan of of the Summer months. I hate to be hot and when exposed too much, the sun gives me headaches. So, while many of you will think I'm crazy, I love this cooler, cloudy weather!

9. I am thankful for people who are willing to share their talents with me. For example, my friend Gina, who recently took some pictures of Dylan for his 3rd Birthday. I will cherish them always and she was able to perfectly capture who Dylan is at this point in his life.

10. I am thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and guides me through this life. I know I couldn't make it on my own.

Poop Tales

Dylan is one funny kid. We're doing lots of shopping and eating out this week because my mom is town doing some Christmas shopping. (I've been to her best mall in SC and it ain't pretty. No wonder she comes to Raleigh to do her shopping.) Normally, Dylan is not the best shopper, but he has been a trooper this week and has kept us laughing. Just thought I'd share a couple of his recent stories. And yes, they both deal with his rear end. He is a boy, ya know.

Story #1...I'm in Victoria's Secret shopping for a gift. As I'm busy smelling all their new lotions (seriously, check them out...yummy!), Dylan looks at me and says "Mom, I pooping. I need to hide." Me, "Well, here's a corner. You stand in the corner and I'll hide you with the stroller." So, the kid gets in the corner and tells me "Mommy, no look at me." So, I turn my head and continue to smell the lotions. Next thing I know, a sales lady is walking around the wall by Dylan. He looks at her and says in all seriousness, "I'm pooping." I'm sure my face turned a couple shades of red and then I commented to Dylan "Well, I'm glad everyone knows your business now." The sales lady started laughing and said she has two kids of her own, so she knows all about that stuff.

Story #2...We had just finished up a very tasty lunch at P.F. Chang's with my Mom and Aunt. Aunt was leading the way out, weaving through the tables filled with patrons. My Mom was next in line and Dylan was holding her hand. I was bringing up the rear. Dylan turns to me and shouts "Mommy, you farted." I said, "No. No I didn't." Because, honestly...I didn't! But, Dylan can't leave things alone, so he says in the same loud voice, "Well, someone farted." I started laughing so hard I couldn't see straight and then my kid said "Someone farted" about three more times as we're weaving through tables of people trying to down their lunch.

See...my kid is a comedian.

Trick or Treat 2009

I have to be honest, Halloween is probably my least favorite holiday of the year. It would not hurt my feelings one bit if the nation decided to just forego Halloween from here on out. But, watching Dylan have so much fun Trick or Treating truly put a smile on my face.

We spent the evening with our good friends, the Fox family. We met at their house for pizza and goodies and had a great time eating and socializing. After dinner, we got the kids ready and hit the road a little early. With toddlers, it is nice to get out before all the big kids come out for the night. Of course, we had to take pictures before we got going.

I had a really difficult time getting a costume for Dylan this year. I tried on several different occasions to buy him a costume. The two he had told me he wanted to be were a Bumblebee or a Pumpkin. Each time I tried to buy one of these, he would quite literally take the costume out of the shopping cart, scream 'NO' and throw it across the store. So, I gave up. Luckily I have an awesome Mother in Law who sends Halloween packages each year. This year she included a pair of skeleton pajamas from Gymboree. They were the perfect solution to Dylan's costume predicament! Plus, it ended up being 80 degrees and really humid Halloween night. So, I was glad that Dylan wasn't in some big pouffy costume, sweating to death. David, however, was not so lucky. His costume ended up getting taken off halfway through trick or treating. He sure was a cute Micky Mouse though.

A cute little story about David...we couldn't get Dylan to eat dinner that night, so he was off playing in the toy room while we all ate. When David was finished eating, we asked him if he wanted to go play with Dylan. His response was "Yes, he's my best friend." This answer was totally unprovoked and completely sweet!

David, Little David, and Renee. I love this family so much. They are my adopted family here in North Carolina. I really don't know what I'd do without them around.

Someone did not want to look at the camera. Dylan had a rough start to the evening and was pretty uncooperative for pictures. Luckily, he lightened up once he got his first candies.

It was all about racing to ring the doorbell first. It was so cute watching these two run their fastest to get to the door.

SO happy with the outcome...a pumpkin full of candy. I love his little pumpkin so much. Unfortunately it had to be retired (aka thrown away) this year. Dylan decided to smear melted chocolate all over it and I just could not get it clean.

Now next year, I might get a little more excited about Halloween. With a boy and a girl, you all know I will be all about the matching costumes...think Peter Pan and Tinkerbell or Raggedy Andy and Raggedy Ann! I'm excited just thinking about the possibilities.