Thankful Thursday

Is it redundant to be doing another thankful post about my husband?  Well too bad!  Nicholas pretty much totally rocks.  He is so willing to work hard for our family.  He recently took on a second job so that I can quit mine and be a full time mom (!!!!).  It brings tears to my eyes and a bit of guilt.  But it mostly brings an overwhelming sense of pride for Nicholas!  He is such a good and fearless leader of our family!  He has taken the responsibility in stride and with a smile on his face.  He is an amazing example to our children.  How could I be so lucky?

So on this Thankful Thursday and every day of my life I am thankful for that big hunk o'man of mine!  

Thankful Thursday

This is Nicco.  And that picture pretty much sums up exactly what he is like.  He is so rad!!  He has more energy than any one I know.  He is in constant motion.  Nicco is so kind and friendly to everyone he comes in contact with.  Plus he is freaking hilarious!  I love seeing his sense of humor develop.  He is not little kid funny either- he is like real people funny!  He is a hard worker.  He started school this year and he has rocked it!  I am proud to be his mom.  I love my boy!  I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to be his momma.  I don't know what I did to deserve to be the mother of such an amazing human being but I say thanks everyday that he chose me!   

Thankful Thursday

That is Lola.  I am grateful for that little girl.  Lola kicks ass!  For real that girl is a firecracker.  She is stubborn and a little crazy.  And hilarious and tender hearted.  She has had to over-come some very difficult things in her short life.  Well really just one.  Lola was born without fingers or a full thumb on her left hand.  She does have little stubby fingers and most of her thumb luckily!  She has amniotic band syndrome.  Which essentially means that a piece of the amnion wrapped around her fingers and they just never developed in the womb.  It is also what causes cleft palates.  Unfortunately she has already had to deal with kids being mean.  She is three!  It breaks my heart.  Fortunately all that happened was some missing fingers.  Other people have not been so lucky.  

I think that is why she was blessed with a her crazy personality!  This experience has made her more compassionate and kind.  She accepts people with no question.  She doesn't take no for an answer!  Lola is completely fearless.  She is smart and can figure out a way to make things work.  She uses her left hand to her advantage as opposed to a disadvantage- which is what most people see it as.  I am so glad I get to call her daughter!    

Thankful Thursday

Can you see those happy colors up on the mountain there?!  It is happenin' people!  I am happy that it is fall!  I am grateful for the weather change.  I am not a hot weather sort of person.  The season changes really make me wonder at the world.  And wonder at an awesome God who created it for us and with us in mind!  We are supposed to have beauty in our lives!  I can't deny it when I see those oranges and reds and golden yellows. 

OH and the smells of fall!  The damp leaf smell and fires burning.  Ginger and clove.  Oh yes I love the smells of this time of year.  Plus I love pumpkin- like a lot.  The color, smell and taste of pumpkin.  This is the only time of year I eat pumpkin flavored things.  It makes it more special for me. 

Fall is motivating for me too.  I am not sure why that is but I feel crazy motivated to do a million and one things!  So many projects- so little time!  My creativity gland swells 12x during this crisp season.  I feel unstoppable!  I wish I could bottle up this feeling and make it last all year. 

Well I am off to burn the autumn candle at both ends.  I don't mind as long as it smells like spiced apples!

    

Thankful Thursday

image via

My name is Anne Marie and I am a diet coke addict...  this is where you all say 'hello Anne marie'.  I don't want anyone telling me the negatives about my beverage choice.  I have done my research.  I am aware that it is pretty much pickling me from the inside out as we speak.  I know it is super super bad for me but I am grateful for Diet Coke.  I love it.  I love the burn in my throat when I get that first ice cold sip.  And the little fizzies tickling my nose.  OH yeah!  It helps me get through some days.  Sad but so so true.  Could I sound anymore like a junky?  I know it is killing me and all that noise but I love it?!  I could say that I can quit anytime I want but I just don't want to.  That would be the cherry on the junky sundae.  Any ways........  

Did you know that there is a diet coke website?  For addicts like me?  I actually didn't know until today.  But I am not surprised!  I am not the only one who loves it obviously!  I am an addict and loving every minute of it!  Anyone else out there?  Please say yes!

So today and this week and forever I am grateful for diet coke.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday has come around again!  I have a little bit of a silly one this week.  

I am crazy in love with being a mom.  My kids are the best things- next to my husband- in my life.  They are amazing little people!  But sometimes I don't want to be laid on and have boogers rubbed down my clothes.  Or be tugged on.  Or be looked at for that matter!  Enter in crayons and markers.  They are at times my saving grace.  Oh coloring and the distraction!  It may only get me 15 minutes but sometimes that is all I need.  Time to sit and enjoy a tasty beverage and not have to be mom.  Then I am back at it and so excited to see their drawings.  Cause they are so freaking good at coloring!

Oh and did you know that crayola (dot) com has all kinds of coloring pages that you can print up for free?  I was like wuh?! when I found out.  Yeah I am slow on the uptake sometimes....

Thankful Thursday

This Thursday I am grateful for music.  My dad was always singing while we were growing up.  He helped foster my love for Paul Simon.  And the Blues Brothers!  My mom showed me how lovely classical music can be.  I used to fall asleep listening to Mozart every night in high school.  Plus we loved us some musicals around the house.  To top it all off I married a musically inclined man!  Nicholas always has music on.  Always!  He has introduced me to countless bands and genres.

  I love how a song can capture exactly how you feel.  Or help change how you feel.  Have you ever had music speak to your soul?  Yeah me too.  My ears delight at some music.  I will hear a song and wish it could go on for ever and ever.  I am guilty of listening to an album until everyone around me hates it.  I also love that some music almost forces you off your feet.  There are times where I can't help but bust a groove.  Nicholas and I have had many a side of the road dance parties in our day!    

I am not a discriminator of music.  I enjoy most of it!  These are just a couple songs that stood out right at this moment.  What kind of music do you like?  

Thankful Thursdays with Mustache Mama

Heidi from over at Mustache Mama is doing a Thankful Thursday link up.  YAY!  I am going to start linking up today and then never ever stop.  I need a weekly (daily) reminder to think of the things that I am grateful for.  I am pretty self absorbed.  End statement.  I think it will be good for me to sit and contemplate what I am thankful for in my life. 

I am going to get one of my obvious ones done this first week.  I am so grateful for this guy:

He is the mac to my cheese.  The pickle to my peanut butter.  Some of you may be thinking that I should have chosen a better picture of my Nicholas but really that is his personality.  He is a little off and perfectly in tune with me.  We met many moons ago and from then on he has been a part of my heart.  He was one of those kids in high school who really knew who he was.  That didn't sit well with most of the a-holes at our school.  I loved it though!  To this day he is the same way.  We had a lot of life experiencing and growing to go through before we were ready to actually give us a try.  I am glad we finally did!  He amazes me everyday with his love and compassion.  He is completely selfless.  Pretty much my exact opposite in those respects!  Don't get me wrong- he is no saint but he tries everyday to be better.  Plus he is funny.  How can you go wrong?