27- Medical devices

Daniel just got a medical ID bracelet, and I am thankful they make these, that there is a way in an emergency and I am not there they can see he has a medical condition and pull out the ID information.

26- my sewing skills

I am thankful I can sew. Not only can I sew I can read a pattern. I am thankful I get to Make Emma cute clothes, my kids blankets, and anything else I want.

25-"Uncle" Dan

I am thankful Beau has a friend, that is basically family, down here. Having Dan here has been such a blessing. My kids call him Uncle, and it's nice to know I have someone I can call in an emergency that will come give blessings or drive Beau three hours to pick up a new car cause I'm too sick, or babysit, the list is endless. I don't think it is a coincidence that we ended up in Austin within a month of each other, by total chance. There definitely was a bigger plan there. The kids love him and he is good at eating leftovers so I let him come over when ever he wants.

This is the kids telling spooky stories with him, one night before bed. Emma ended up doing such a good job she scared herself and woke him up in the middle of the night. haha.

24- Beaus Car

I am thankful for Beaus new car. It's fun to drive and it is nice to be a two car family and have 2 reliable cars.It also saves us gas money. plus Daniels walker fits in the trunk so we can take it when we run errands as a family, if we want to.

Oh and we can't forget Beau looks good driving it.

Black Friday

So for the first time in four years I did not go Black Friday shopping, I stayed home a slept. The only place I went was to CVS to get butterfly band aids and liquid band aid. Because Nathan smacked Emma in the head with the neighbors car door. He wasn't supposed to be playing in the car. Poor girl, however she didn't need stitches and is healing up nicely.

It looks alot better now, this picture was right after.

Tika LOVES Emma, she wanted to love on her. I swear dogs can just sense when you need them.

22- Thanksgiving

This should be a thankful post, But instead it's about Thanksgiving dinner. For thanksgiving we went over to a friends house just right around the corner, she is my best friend here in Round Rock. I was really lucky to have found someone so fast who lived right down the street, who has kids similar ages as mine and who has similar interests as me. We split Dinner duties, I did the turkey and stuffing, she did the rest. I was awesome, and we all had a good time. I did miss family, but it's nice to know we have friends, and than in a few short weeks we can go home and see family.

21- The Park

I am thankful we have a clean safe park right across from our house. I am also thankful it was empty today except for a few friends. It was a nice 80* today so we had a picnic and played for 2 hours. So fun for the kids.

20-Being an Aunt

I am thankful I get to be an Aunt! I have 2 new nieces this morning! Ashlyn was born at 6:24 and Jordyn was born at 6:29 this morning! Congrats Tess Kelly, you are an awesome mom and I am so excited for you guys! I am excited to visit Emily and see her new baby. I love all my nieces and nephews.

19 My In Laws

I have been blessed with wonderful In Laws, they treat me like a daughter and love me just as much if not more than their son. I am thankful they raised my awesome husband, and I am thankful my kids get them as grandparents. I know that if anything were to happen to Beau I would still be welcomed into their home and not just because I have the grand kids but because they love me.

18 Sunday Naps

Is there anything better than a Sunday nap? Especially one when you wake up and the house isn't in pieces and no one wakes up up in the middle to tattle on their sibling. I don't think there is. I am thankful I have one day a week that I don't have to do anything except go to church and go home. It's great to have time for a nap.

17 Kai

I am thankful that 9 years ago I convinced my husband to drive 45 min. when we lived in Alaska to adopt a black lab mix puppy. I am also glad he talked me out of the girl one I wanted. I am thankful he made us keep him every time we moved. He has become a fourth child, he has been around longer than 2 of my kids. I am also really glad Kai stopped eating all my stuff, it made it easier to love him! I am thankful that he was so good with Daniel it made it harder to get rid of him. They have this special bond, it is so neat to watch. Kai watches over us when Beau is away, he sleeps in between the kids rooms and mine. I will be sad when he is gone, but he has been an awesome dog.

16- Make Up

Ok so some of you might think this post superficial. However, I love make up, I love the way I feel when I wear it. How it can transform your face and enhance what you already have going for you. I love playing with colors and it gives me a way to be creative on days when I can't do anything else artsy. So yes I love make up and I am thankful to have it!

15- Mary Kay

I am thankful for the Mary Kay opportunity. I love Mary Kay, the women I work with are amazing, everyone uplifts each other and cheers each other on. Even though I don't have enough time to do it full time, I do love doing it part time and knowing whenever I choose I can decide to go full time. It is a great feeling to know if I need money I just have to hold a party, make another person better than when I found her and improve how she feels about herself.

The company its self is so generous and always giving back, to the community and to the consultants. I am so glad a year and a half ago Tammy Brown, had enough faith in me to offer me the chance to be part of her team. I love it and I am a better person because of it.

She drives a Pink Cadillac and I will too!

14- My parents

I am thankful I had a mom who was always there when I got home from school, who came to all my basketball games and who made our house a shelter from the rest of the world. My dad who worked hard for our family and sacrificed for his kids. Who taught me how to drive in his dodge pick up, and always made me feel special. My parents raised me with a deep faith in God and I am thankful I get to pass my faith onto my children. They are awesome grandparents and I wish we all lived closer so we could see them more often, but I know we will eventually!

13- Siblings

13- Siblings- Growing up there were 10 of us, I was number 4 so there was always someone to play with, fight with, and talk to. Now that I have my own kids I am glad that they are close in age because they can play together and as they get older support one another.

12- Can I say good friends again?

12- Can I say good friends again? Thank you Mia Johansen, You are a lifesaver today. Nate and Emma are both home sick, Nate is recovering and Emma is spiking a fever as I type. And Mia is picking Daniel up this afternoon, because she is amazing like that. And if I can't say friends twice I will say I am thankful for Books, I plan on snuggling my sick kids and reading to them today.

11- Veterans

11- I am thankful for all veterans! My husband served in the Air Force, My father in Law in the Army, and I have too many friends who either served or husbands served in the military. So thank you to everyone I know that has, for your sacrifice!

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10 I am thankful for modern medicine. Nate has been sick with a fever.

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9- I am thankful for my friends. I have found some great girls here in Texas. And whether they know it or not, they keep me sane!

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8- I am thankful for my pantry full of food. That my children go to bed with full tummies.

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7- today I am thankful that I have the opportunity to get my teaching degree. It will allow us more health insurance and money to be able to afford the care Daniel will require in the future. I am sad I won't be able to be a SAHM, but I am glad I will have a job that I can be home when my kids are home.

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6- I am thankful I live in such a great country and pray it will remain great! I am also thankful I get to vote today!(late on the blog I know.)

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5- Today I am thankful for my Husband. We eloped at the old age of 18, I'm sure people thought we wouldn't make it but I knew I wanted to be with him forever after dating him for just a few months. He has put up with me for 11 years and I am so happy he still loves me!

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4- I am thankful for my hubbys job and the lifestyle it provides.

Perspective

This is just a personal rant. For a long time now I have had these thought floating in my head and I need them out, so here it goes. I follow an Autism blogger. She has a daughter who is just a year younger than Daniel, she is a very popular blogger, and has even met with the President. Now before I start I don't mean to offend, and I don't want to minimize anyone's situation, we are all fighting our own battles but sometimes I feel like I was handed a larger one. She blogs about all the things her girl struggles with and all the new achievements. I love reading it and can almost always relate to what she is going through. However lately I feel as though I always find myself thinking if he only had Autism it wouldn't be so hard, or if it was only FA, but he has both and together it is hard. Why does my boy have to struggle both physically and mentally? In a way Autism has sheltered him from the stares and comments of others so he has been oblivious about what others think of him. However he could talk to them and make friends easier if he wasn't Autistic. I keep thinking, this blogger needs to quit whinnying that her kid is Autistic, because at least that's all she is. Mine struggles with everything, physically, emotionally, and academically. I'm not trying to whine and I don't mean to complain I just feel like sometimes Daniel was given more than he should have to endure, I know he will come out stronger and an amazing person but it's hard to watch. And because the worst thing wrong is not autism, it's a life shortening disease, it makes it hard to read her blog. As his mother I want to protect him, to take away his pain, to understand how he feels, to change his condition, to relieve the heart aches, and to ease his worried mind, but I can't and it hurts. I am getting just a small glimpse of what our Heavenly Father must have felt watching his son suffer, and watching us struggle through life. He wants to bless us, he wants to help us, but sometimes he must let us struggle and hurt so we can become stronger, better, and painfully grow into what he wants us to be.

Number 3

3. Daniels best friend. Because my boy hasn't had a best friend since he started school. I am so thankful for the kindness he is shown by that boy. Because of him other boys accept Daniel and help him, and they all enjoy just hanging out and talking about comics, or watching cartoons.

Number two

Today I am thankful for my religion. It is what makes me who I am today and gives me strength.

Number One

I am Thankful for my Family. Both my kids and husband and my extended Family. I am blessed with a large family, since there are 10 kids in my family and 9 in Beau's family. I am thankful for every single one of them.