Thirty Thankful Days

Let's wrap the month by appreciating both PNC Bank and Redeemer Lutheran School and the employment they provide our families. Both Jonathan and I are blessed with work that we enjoy and supportive co-workers.  We've been through unemployment and underemployment so are well aware that this is no small thing.

And speaking of work--we're done for the week.  We're pretty thankful for the weekend too!

Thirty Thankful Days

We're in danger of falling way behind here!  So, in the interest of catching up, here's a quick list of some little things we're been thankful for lately.  In no particular order--Stash Double Bergamont Earl Gray Tea, Amazon Prime, text-messaging, Karianne's chicken enchilada recipe, and Magic Erasers.  Those things can make a mommy or daddy's day.

Thirty Thankful Days

"I'm thankful for pencils so that we can write"--Brinnly, while wearing a size 10 dress-up dress from her cousin Lauren, while helping her sister color dresses for a fashion show for their new stuffed puppies. That's our life around here.

Thirty Thankful Days

Today we're all thankful for reading in all forms.  We love our read-aloud time to the girls, family audiobooks, grown-up books, our Kindles  (one of our best purchases ever!), and listening to the girls begin to sound words our independently.  My monthly book club has introduced me to new authors and has been a staple in my mommy-out-of-the-house time.  The girls have their favorites to listen to with each grandma.  Certain daughters of ours would probably choose a screen as her favorite entertainment time, hands-down, but hopefully we are encouraging life-long habits of reading at least as a close second.

Thirty Thankful Days

Days like yesterday are perfect examples that we have the most loving, thoughtful, generous families--on both sides of the family treee.  Once again, my parents opened up their house to host everyone and because the grandpa of the family is still recovering from surgery, my sweet in-laws provided the entire meal.  It was a lovely day by all accounts.

(And Jonathan would like to make it known that he is thankful for our Honda Odyssey.  Love that thing!)

(And now...off to some Black Friday shopping!  Even more thankfulness!)

Thirty Thankful Days

Today we are thankful for houseguests.  We actually have friends on their way right now to spend the night enroute to their Thanksgiving festivities. There is nothing like the rush of "redding up" the house, as Pittsburghers say.  Kids tucked into bed at night for "sleepovers", grown-ups actually enjoying uninterrupted conversation, and yummy company breakfasts.  Good stuff! We have lived in so many different places but have always been blessed to have friends and family come visit us.  It's one of our the things that makes each house a "home" to us.

Thirty Thankful Days

"I'm thankful that God gave me my baby dolls"--Brinnly

Thirty Thankful Days (Weekend Update)

This weekend we are thankful for our church's annual pre-Thanksgiving dinner.  It is a wonderful tradition to share such a meal together, especially as many of our international students and friends join us for the first time then. This year we topped off the night with our friend Jesse on his guitar leading us in song.  That was in place of our monthly Family Bible Study night, another tradition we gleaned from our season at Our Savior, Grand Rapids.

We are also thankful for beautiful running weather on Sundays and science kits that can be ordered off of Amazon.  Not to mention that Thanksgiving is almost here!

Zookeeper of the week!

 Need to know anything about peacocks?  Then Amalia Ward is the girl to ask!

Safari Prep

First Clue

Picture Op

Up the hill

Swinging on vines

It is important to look in all directions

True scientists hunt until late at night (with bare legs, I guess)

Top of the hill, with safari bag

Found--one peacock feather!  (Yes, she hid it herself for she and her sisters to find later, but that's besides the point).

 

 

Thirty Thankful Days

"I'm thankful for seafood".--Amalia  (From yesterday)

I am thankful for the dinners we share with each other.  Often it is just six of us, other times we have our extended family visiting, and other times our table is a place we share with guests.  Most likely there is noise and a good deal of mess.  There is often a lot of prep work and clean up.  But it is a reminder of how God richly provides us with our daily bread.  It is our time to come together, practice manners, and share together.  We often do "Roses & Thorns" or learn more about everyone's day at work or school.  We all enjoy tasting new foods together or remembering family favorites. Someday our children will have houses and tables of their own and until then I hope we can be grateful for the silly, noisy, sloppy meals we have together now.

Thirty Thankful Days

"I am thankful for all of my grandmas and my grandpa"--Carrigan

Thirty Thankful Days

"I am thankful today for our house and food"--Brinnly

Thirty Thankful Days

Today we all are thankful for the sacrifice of our veterans--past and current.  We are incredibly blessed to live in a peaceful country, to elect our leaders, practice our religion, and pursue happiness. May God continue to bless America.

Thirty Thankful Days (Weekend Catch-up)

Saturday:  We are thankful for a community of generous, thoughtful neighbors.  Last night we were able to enjoy a date night out thanks to the sweet couple next door who tucked out girls into bed and held down the fort while we took in an indie film.  Today we played outside with several families--in impromptu playdate due to the beautiful weather.  Those things happen in intentional communities.

Sunday:  It wouldn't be a Sunday without reflecting on our gratitude for the faithful preaching and teaching of our church.  May God continue to bless our pastors and teachers who so lovingly serve in their vocations.

Thirty Thankful Days

From yesterday...I am thankful for girls who love science.  Pictures to follow!

Thirty Thankful Days

Delaney would like to report that she is very thankful to have her first tooth appear!  We had a feeling something was up with her when she sobbed at bedtime last night.  She woke up happy as a clam this morning and is enjoying everyone fussing over her. 

Thirty Thankful Days

So, we missed actually getting a post up yesterday but we are ALL thankful for a successful surgery for my dad, Gregg.  All signs are good that his recovery will go well.  Thanks be to God!

Thirty Thankful Days

My turn!  Regardless of the outcome, I am enormously thankful for the right to vote.  Praise God for the freedom to elect our officials in a peaceful process.

Thirty Thankful Days

"I'm thankful for Delaney and Opal and Peyton.  All of the babies"--Carrigan.

Trick or Treat!

Happy Halloween from Glinda, Daddy Warbucks, Dorothy, The Cowardly Lion, Coach, and USA Gymnast Gabby Douglas!

Thirty Thankful Days

"I'm thankful for my Halloween costume."--Brinnly

Thirty Thankful Days

"I am thankful that Jesus died on the cross to wash away our sins."--Amalia

Thirty Thankful Days

"I'm thankful for Daddy...and Jesus...and Delaney"--Carrigan.

(Good picks--those are all on the top of my list too)

Thirty Thankful Days

November is here!  We are trying a new form of thankfulness here at the Wards.  I am going to attempt (we'll see how this goes!) to document one thing each day this month that someone in this family is thankful for.  We'll try the Kid-of-the-Day rotation to hear the girls' perspective but Jonathan and I will chime in too.  We will try our best to make sure Laney is represented too.  So here goes:

"I am thankful for my Mommy, Daddy, and my family.  Oh, and God".--Brinnly.

(Couldn't have said it better myself!)