Giving Thanks

For Family Home Evening this week we did a lesson about what we are grateful for. When we first asked Laurel what she was thankful for she looked at us like we were crazy. Then we asked her who/what she loves and she was able to tell us the things that she loves. The more I thought about it the more I have come to understand how love and Thanksgiving are so intertwined. I thought I would take a page from Laurel's book and post about the things I am grateful for and about my love for each.

1. I am so grateful for my home. We moved in when I was pregnant with Laurel and I had many plans and projects of which we have done zip, but I still love it and I can see the potential. I love the high ceilings and the hardwood floors which are so easy to keep clean after carpet. I love the long front porch with my Cracker Barrel rocking chairs I had to get and the swing Matt built. I love our screened in back porch where I can keep Laurel contained. I love that we have four bathrooms, which I'm sure will come in handy one day! Do I love the color paint on the walls? No, but I can live with it for now. We will get to those projects one day...maybe when Laurel is a teenager! I also love how much land we have. I'm so thankful everyday that we have a huge yard for Laurel to play in, woods to explore, a creek to throw rocks in, and of course our long driveway where Laurel can run without fear of cars.

2. I'm grateful for a hard working husband who leaves for work everyday while Laurel and I are still sleeping. I love what a great father Matt is to Laurel and I know the less I try to control the better he is...I'm still working on it! It is so great to see how excited she gets when he gets home and I love how she asks about him doing the day. She will say, "Daddy, work?" and I'll say, "yes, Daddy is at work" and lately she's started answering, "awwww, man!" I love you Matt!

3. Going along with #2, I'm so happy I am able to be a stay-at-home mom. Do I love it everyday? No, but I'm so happy I have the CHOICE to stay at home and I have that choice because my husband is such a hard worker and a great saver. I'm so grateful that he has given me this chance to be there for my baby everyday.

4. I'm so grateful for my Father in Heaven and the MANY blessings that he has given me. I know that our faith will help Laurel to grow up to be a worthy and honorable daughter of God. There is nothing sweeter than seeing her bow her little head and say, "dear Heavenly Father...I love you, thank you, amen!" or when we point to a picture of the Savior and she yells, "Jesus!"

5. I am so grateful for my Dad. We have always been really close and now that I have my own child we are even closer. He is such a good Papa to Laurel and I love how excited she gets every time she sees him or calls him. He is always giving of his time and money and there could not be a more spoiled grandbaby than Laurel. I love you Dad!

6. Finally I am grateful for my sweet baby girl! I never could have imagined the love I would feel for this little person. She is amazing. Everyday is a new adventure. She has such a zest for life and lives every second to the fullest. Life is never dull with Laurel around! I try to enjoy every moment right now and I look forward to seeing her grow and experience life as she gets older.

I love you Laurel!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know I did!

Happy Halloween!

We dressed Laurel as Pebbles for Halloween this year. Her hair looks just like Pebbles naturally so it was an easy choice for us. My mother in law made the costume and I was really happy with how it turned out. I don't think Laurel really even noticed what she was wearing, but she did notice the bone in her hair. She kept saying, "bone? doggie food!" and probably thought we were nuts for putting a "doggie bone" in her hair.

Here is Laurel and Hank at the Church Halloween Party. They are pretty good friends since they see each other every week in nursery. As you can tell Laurel was checking out Hank's costume in this picture.

Hugging! I had so many cute pictures of them hugging, sweet babies!

Laurel playing one of the games.

Her favorite part of the night, jumping on the trampoline! The big boys were on this all night, but sat down so Laurel could jump for a few minutes. I thought that was so sweet!

Laurel checking out Arrie's costume.

Best family picture we could get...

Laurel trick or treating with Daddy while I handed out candy. She would not say trick or treat, but did say thank you to everyone who game her candy!

Running to show me her loot!

We went trick or treating with our good friends the Englands and a big group of church friends. Here are all the kids (minus a few) ready to head out treating or treating.

The first house we went to and the only time Laurel said trick or treat.

On the way home from trick or treating...Laurel's had a little too much candy? Haha!