I'm thankful for...

First, just a little belated Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! 

At this time I've been reflecting on things I'm thankful for. These are in no particular order, just my thoughts as they came. 

I'm thankful for...

A savior who loves me even though I don't deserve it

A husband who comes home every night

Two precious girls who light up my days

A healthy baby growing in my womb

Being able to listen to Mackenzie read books

Emma staying dry for four days and starting to wear big girl panties

Good meals, lots of laughs and time with family this past week

Sharing warm apple pie with Mackenzie and Emma

An upcoming getaway with just my hubby

The beginning of Advent and a time of reflection

Our family and friends across the country

Reading books, the Bible and praying before bed with the girls

Only paying $1.87 for gas this week

Work that Josh and I both enjoy and fits with our family

Living on a ranch and raising our children around agriculture

Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving and counted your blessings-both big and small!

Game time

Mackenzie and Josh watching the game. 

Emma can say football, touchdown, cow, Uncle Joe, Papa (Grandpa) and Mama (Grandma). Josh has been working with her on these words lately.

This week

Just a few silly photos of Emma to share. This is how the story goes. Well, you know she loves wearing her Tigger costume, so she was in it yet again. She and Josh were in the playroom closet looking for a hat for him to wear. She kept pointing to a hat and he offered them to her. She said, "No, you." Then, she'd point again. Finally he figured out she wanted to wear his Boise State hat. She came running out of the room showing off her hat and being silly. 

In other news, MJ brought a Dick and Jane book home from preschool that she's been reading. She's doing very well. 

We had a little scare with baby as I had to do the 3-hour glucose test since my levels were elevated on Tuesday. Fortunately, everything came back normal. Each of our babies has given us a little scare, but they have all been delivered healthy and my pregnancies have been quite easy so we're thankful for that. I had to be at the hospital at 8 a.m. for the test so Josh was in charge of the girls. I did get them up and do their hair because it was preschool pictures that day, but he handled the rest. I have to give him kudos as he has been really helpful with the girls and the house lately. That's always appreciated.

Josh said Emma followed MJ around preschool and did everything bib sister did. The photographer's assistant filled out a card and gave it to each of the girls. MJ stood with her hand behind her back. Emma did the same. MJ gave hers Josh to hold so she could go to something. Emma did the same thing. I can only imagine. I'm anxious to see the photos as Emma didn't want to sit with her sister for their together pic, but she did do okay by herself. That girl is definitely independent, but we wouldn't want her any other way! 

Empty bowls

Last night, MJ, Stephanie and I went to Boise to a paint-your-own pottery studio. We made soup bowls to donate to the Idaho Foodbank's Empty Bowls campaign. At the end of the month, area chefs fill the bowls with homemade soup and people in the community come buy them and the money goes to the food bank. Steph and I did it a couple years ago and we thought we'd make it our fall tradition. I felt Mackenzie was old enough to join us and she had such a great time. It's always fun to get the creative juices flowing. We definitely want to go back and paint more pieces. MJ already picked out a horse she wants to do. 

Emma, Josh and Jared hung out and watched football in Nampa. 

Comments anyone?

Hey, just thought I'd put another plea out for comments. I am curious to see who is reading our updates. Thanks!

A little update

Just a few ramblings from our family. Haven't taken any photos lately, so none to post, but thought I'd let you know what we've been up to. MJ has started to learn to read; it's really neat to see her learn something new. Not only is she reading to her teachers at school, but she has asked to read us books at home. She loves preschool, ballet, gymnastics and library (she gets to go through the preschool). She's my little mother hen and helps me out around the house a lot. She tries to help with Emma too and I know she'll be great help with the new baby. 

Emma is still a little pistol with a beautiful smile and tons of personality. She's asserting her independence and trying to do more things on her own. Potty training is going well. Slow, but we're getting there. I'm not big on pressure so I'm okay with it. She loves picking out her own clothes and trying to put them on. She loves babies and playing kitchen, with or without big sis.

Her speech therapist was put on bedrest and had an early baby (everyone is doing well though, thankfully), so she had a few weeks off before we started with a temporary gal. Last week was her first session with her. She did really well, saying many more new sounds and words. She talks all the time, but still hasn't mastered all of the beginning sounds so it's still a lot of babble. She's full of mischief and sweetness all at the same time. We'll probably move her to a big bed soon to give her time to adjust before the baby arrives. She says she's ready to have a big bed like sister, so we'll see.

Can't wait to see what this next little one is like. My next doctor's appointment is next week. I'll be 28 weeks. Everything has been great so far. Even with my third one, I am still amazed at the miracle of life. I enjoy feeling the kicks and movements; it's simply incredible to think there is another life growing inside of me. 

It seems the month is already flying by already. We're looking forward to a relaxing holiday season. I'm trying to keep things low-key and keep the true meaning of the season our focus. I've had much more downtime from work and have felt I've had more time for all the little things that normally annoy me when my schedule is tight. Things like laundry, dishes and fixing dinner have been enjoyable because I am more relaxed. I have to keep telling myself that this life is so short and so precious so we need to enjoy all the moments we have. Hope you all are getting some time to enjoy this fall too.

Our Halloween

Last Friday, the girls and I headed to our friend's church for Trunk or Treat. Since we really don't have neighbors, we've trick or treated like this the last few years. It's always fun. We see our friends and the kids get some candy, but don't get overloaded. MJ passed out our candy while Emma walked around to each car, then Mackenzie took her turn. Afterwards we headed to Fruitland to meet Josh and his family for the first football playoff game. They also had a few tables handing out candy and the girls walked in a costume parade across the field and track at half-time. The game was a total blowout (We won!), but it was still fun. Luckily, it turned out to be a beautiful night so that was nice. 

Scary faces

This is what I got when I said make a scary "boo" face! 

More pumpkin decorating

Decorating pumpkins

Okay, so I said I'd post pictures of us "carving" pumpkins, but admittedly, I am not much into making that kind of mess. Plus, the time just got away from me. Luckily, MJ settled for decorating her pumpkin with a black magic marker and trying to make it really scary. And of course, Emma had to decorate her pumpkin as well. Hers was too small to carve anyway. The girls still had fun and I got to get some great shots of them. 

Tigger

As you can see Emma was Tigger for Halloween. The first time we put this costume on she ran around the house all crazy and jumping around everywhere. She asked to wear it again yesterday morning and today too. I have a feeling she'll be dressing up in it a lot!