So this isn't a thankful post...just wanted to jot this cute thing down before I forgot!
My sister, Nicole, is fostering this cute baby boy named Taedin. He is super cute and in talking to the kids about him we made mention of the fact that he was half black/half white. I stated it that way because I wasn't sure if his mom was white and dad was black or visa versa. Anyway, Chloe and I were going to babysit him this morning while Nicole went to PT. So before Taedin came Chloe said, "Even if Taedin isn't cute we are going to like him anyway, right?" I was thinking, "Where is this coming from?" But I was glad that she was thinking about the fact that she would like him regardless of what he looked like. So Taedin gets to our house and Chloe falls in love with him and is playing really cute with him. Pretty soon I saw her pull up his shirt to look at his back. I was a little confused and then she said, "Mom, you said he was half black and half white but really he is just brown all over!" Apparently Chloe was thinking quite literally but had decided she would love him regardless of if he was "half black and half white." Next time I will need to be more specific with her! Too funny!

I am so not good at posting every day. It seems like there is always something that pulls me in another direction. Oh well....I am trying!
I am grateful for jobs today. It seems that so many people we know have been laid off or had their income reduced. Although my numbers are down this year I am grateful that I have enough students this year to continue to make money each month. I am grateful for Trent's job and can't be grateful enough that he works for such a large company who can withstand the recession. I am grateful for the knowledge I have that if we pay our tithing we will be blessed. I know that times can still be hard and we still might have financial struggles but I am grateful that we can be assured that we will be taken care of.
I am grateful for each of my children. I am grateful for Annabelle's expanded vocabulary. It seems like every day she is saying more and more. I am grateful that because she can verbalize what she wants a little more she is happier and not quite so grouchy.
I am grateful for my "helper" Chloe. She is such a great helper to me at school. Some might call it bossy...but she is great about taking charge and helping out. I am grateful that she is there to help me in the morning.
I am grateful for life and MY trials. I am grateful for a patient and loving Father in Heaven who knows what I need and how to help me achieve what he has in store for me.

I knew it couldn't last long...alas I have failed my task of posting something grateful everyday in the first week! Oh well...I am back today.
Today I am grateful for my wonderful parents of my great school kids. We had parent teacher conferences today and I loved talking to each of them. I seriously have the best support in them. I am grateful for the chance I get to know them and their sweet children. I have enjoyed many wonderful friendships that have started with parents of students in my class.
I am grateful for Coleman. He is such a sweet and loving kid. He is always thinking of others and is so kind. Earlier this week I was kinda stressing about what needed to get done this week. Coleman just said, "Mom, do you need me to massage your back?" and proceeded to give me a great back massage/back scratch. What 9 year old boy does that for his mom? Mine does!
I am grateful for warm weather....and sad that it is coming to an end! But with that said, I am grateful for snuggly blankets and hot chocolate that will help us through the day tomorrow!

Two days in a row!! Look at me!!!! I am grateful today that I remembered/had the time to post again today! I am grateful for sleeping babies (which is why I get to post in the middle of the day!!) I am grateful for my dad. We did not always see eye to eye while I was growing up...In fact I really didn't like him much to be honest. He was always so uptight and grouchy....I just didn't like being around him. That all changed when he retired. My dad is now the "mom" I always wanted. We have weekly lunch dates and today was our weekly lunch date. I love when I pulled up next to my dad's car both Chloe and Annabelle started shrieking for their "papa." I am grateful that they love him so much. I am grateful that our relationship has changed and grown into what it is today. I am grateful for his help in my life. Whether it is to come rescue me from a car that wont start to bringing me something when I am sick....I am forever grateful for our relationship. I love you "Papa!" Actually....we all do!!

Call me a slacker....I know. I am a terrible blogger. I didn't even get pictures of my kids on Halloween to post. In my defense, Jayden is of the age that dressing up was not such a big deal. Chloe looked through all of our old Halloween costumes and decided to be the same poodle she was last year. Last year Chloe and Annabelle had matching poodle outfits and Chloe wanted them to be matching again this year. I figured Annabelle didn't care...so what the heck!! I guess I could just post some from last year for them.....Ha ha. Coleman actually had a pretty cool costume this year. Unfortunately for him the Monday before Halloween he came down with the flu. He was out all week...even missed his school Halloween party I planned! We thought he was better for trick or treating. He started to go with some neighborhood friends and started coughing so hard he threw up. After half a block he came home, winded and complaining he couldn't breathe. We gave him a few puffs of Trent's inhaler and took him to the doctor to find out he had pnuemonia....Needless to say not a very productive Halloween!
To get ready for the upcoming Thanksgiving/Christmas season I thought I would try to post a few things I am grateful for each day. (Try is the key word there!!!)
Today.....I am grateful for my family. I am grateful that each day Annabelle learns new things and new words. These past few weeks she puts anything to her ear and pretends its a phone. Cds, cars, even a tootbrush have been used. She is ever the jabermouth now and we love watching her grow. I am grateful for a patient family who puts up with my mood swings and nagging. I am far from perfect in any way shape or form but my family puts up with my weaknesses and helps me grow each day. I love them all for that!
I could go on and on about my family but maybe I will take one family member a day...Don't want to use all my thankfulness in one day!!