Days 9, 10 and 11

Silence as far as posting my gratitude for the day, but that was because I was at my favorite place on earth and only checked my email once the entire weekend and did not get on the internet at all.  On this crisp Sunday afternoon, I am thankful for Grey Rocks Ranch, my version of heaven on earth.  I love that I can go there and completely unwind from everything that is going on around me and escape into God's beautiful creation.  I love that Ward played outside the entire day yesterday with a friend who lives down there and did not once ask to play the Wii or watch TV (even if they did scare us half to death when they went "hunting" and did not return for 3 hours and we had to go find them as it was getting dark - they were safe and happy but it was scary for a little bit - lesson learned). I love seeing Ann Park bonding with my mom over puzzles, Jinga and about a thousand hands of "Go Fish."  And I love watching Sam light up as soon as he sees the barn and the horses.  What a fabulous weekend.

Day 8

Today I am thankful for my precious sister Kit, on today, her 34th birthday!!  Kit and I are only about 19 months apart in age and I don't ever remember not having a sister.  I am so thankful for the amazing example she sets on a daily basis for me.  I am constantly amazed by her kind heart and her willingness to put others before herself.  She is truly a Godly woman and one that I love dearly.  Happy birthday sweet Kit!!!

Day 7

I am thankful for some quiet time each night with Ted.  We make a big effort to get the kids into bed early (no later than 7:35 on a school night!) and then we can spend a little time together just the two of us.  Sometimes we may watch TV, or Ted might even do some work, but it is nice just being in the same room and not having to do anything for anyone else and just being together.

Day 6

Like most people on election day, I am thankful for this amazing country that we live in.  I am especially thankful to the men and women who risk their lives every day to protect its freedoms - and to the families who are left at home without a father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter - including my cousin-in-law Greg (and Ward's hero!).  It is truly amazing that after all the votes are cast and counted, we will peacefully transition into a new government (with the same President or a new one), and we do not have to worry one bit about blood being shed or any kind of violence.  Most countries are not so lucky.

I do think that politics have gone way too far and that way too much money is spent on it.  I wish that the money (hundreds of millions of dollars - literally) could go to better use - like feeding the hungry, helping the poor, education, or even toward reducing our huge deficit.  But alas, that will never happen.

Oh and I am thankful that I won't be seeing any more political ads on television or getting any more phone calls from candidates or pollsters.  I am also thankful that all the hateful back-and-forth regarding candidates will end on Facebook and everywhere else.  Of course all of that is because of an incredible right we have called free speech that so many take for granted.   In so many other countries people fear jail or even death for a right that is so much a part of Americans.

Day 5

Today I am thankful for new life.  I am taking dinner to one of my favorite people in the world tonight who has a newborn baby girl.  I have yet to meet this precious one and I can't wait to hold her in my arms and marvel at the miracle of new life.

Day 4

Today I am thankful for another hour of sleep (well, kinda thanks to Sam) and to the light drizzle watering our new sod.  I am also thankful for a day with my precious family.  Today we are headed out to Moss Rock Festival after Mass.  It is a great festival with tons of artists and other vendors, but most importantly, there are a ton of FREE crafts for the kids and rock climbing to boot!

Sundays are my favorite day of the week!

Day 3

Today I am thankful for healthy competition.  I had such a fun time last night watching Ward play his last soccer game of the season and seeing how much he improved over the season.  Then this morning I  watched Ann Park's team end the season with a 6-0 victory and she had 2 goals.  They even played 5-on-5 with a keeper (usually they play 4-on-4 with a keeper) and she had the best time.

And then tonight is the Alabama v. LSU game.  Of course, that kind of competition might not always bring out the best in people, but I love the way it makes my heart race . . . as long as we are winning!!!

RTR!

Day 2

Today I am thankful for sunshine. You know when you go outside on a cold morning but when you find a spot in the sun, you feel your entire body warming up? I love the feeling of the cold air around me but the sun warming my skin.  The sun makes everything a little bit better in my book!

Have a great day!

30 Days of Gratitude

A friend of mine posted on Facebook this morning that she was going to do a post each day about what she was thankful for.  I told her that I would probably steal her idea.  I am sure that many others have done some version of this, but I am going to try to post every day in November and say something that I am thankful for - 30 days of gratitude.  I realize that I might not make it every day - especially those days that I am flying to Russia and when I first get Maggie - but I am not going to let that bother me.

So for today . . . I am thankful for Maggie's birth mother and the very difficult decision she made on December 19, 2011.

Boo!

Halloween was crazy, as usual, in the Holt household.  Our neighborhood turns into a mob scene - thanks to the band that sets up across the street and the fact that everyone knows that our neighborhood celeb, Sara Evans, will sing at some point during the night.  This year was no different.  The somewhat good part about this year, however, was that we did not have our usual party at our house where I am entertaining (and feeding) about 5 other couples as well as their kids.  That made my life a TON less stressful.

We decided against our typical party this year for a couple of reasons: (1) Halloween was in the middle of the week and (2) our yard is not complete and is a total mud pit (the main reason).  The landscaping is almost done (sod goes in tomorrow!!) so we had the landscapers fence off everything except for a pathway to the front door.  That did not stop the over 500 trick-or-treaters that we had visit the house however.  They started at 4:35, right after the parade in Crestline village and we ran out of the approximately 500 pieces of candy I had purchased at about 7:45.  And we only allowed one piece of candy per visitor.  We did have some "repeat customers" but I am sure that we had close to 500 kids (and some adults which I still find VERY strange - why do some parents also have a bag and collect candy?).

Sara Evans did not disappoint.  She is really great and the kids love her.  Her son always plays the drums for a couple of songs and she sings.  Her daughter and her friends also make up a little dance to an "of the moment" song and she sings it.  This year it was "Call Me Maybe" (of course).  It was really cute.

I did not do a very good job of documenting the night, but I did get some pictures of the kids in their costumes.  Enjoy!

An Indian spirit warrior, Batman, and a Batwitch

Batwitch and Batman

having a little fun!

Batman!!!

Batwitch!!