Thankful Thursday 6/16/11

 This is my sweet baby Finn. I am eternally and infinitely grateful for his presence in my life. He is a joy and so much fun to be around.

I'm also thankful for my MOPS group. We've been on two playdates this week with them and it's just a blessing to have a network of moms that are either going through what I am or have already been there! Although he hasn't told me yet, I know Finn loves hanging out with his MOPS friends too.

I am thankful for this year's strawberry harvest. It is delicious and makes great jam.

We finally received word from the insurance company about our flood claim. I am so grateful that they are covering everything that we need to do and then some. If we end up doing all the work ourselves, we will have a beautiful new den and some money leftover. yay!

Thankful Thursday

This week has been a whirlwind. After the flood happened, we've been busy tearing our house up, taking up rugs, moving stuff upstairs, meeting with insurance adjusters and mold/dampness specialists. Oh what fun. The good news, and what I am thankful for, is that it looks like insurance is going to foot the whole bill. We've yet to find out the final dollar amount, but since we lost 2 carpets, and the flooding caused a bunch of damage to the baseboards and the crawl space, we are hoping that it will be enough to put in a slate floor in the den and an area rug to cover it. I can't wait for the floor to be down and everything to be put back into it's place!

As a result of the mayhem, I've been spending most of my time out of the house. So I got to spend tuesday at the beach with my sister-in-law Kelly, my niece and nephew, and one of Kelly's friends and her kids. Yesterday, Finn and I got to visit the awesome Kidzclub for a MOPS playdate (what a cool place!) then go to the pool with Grandpa. Today we're going out to lunch with Grandpa and my brother Chris. So, I am thankful that circumstances have forced us out. Especially since it has been so nice out.










I am thankful for my husband, Jon. He has taken care of this whole flooding issue on TOP of working full time, training for a half-marathon, riding his bike to work, and running a business.

We just found out that our neighbors: Amy and Rory are expecting! I am so thankful that their prayers have been answered with this blessing. It couldn't have happened to better people.

Thankful Thursday 6/2/11

Our sump pump stopped working just when we had that big storm Sunday night. The storm was "cool," but we woke up to a flood - well, almost. The water was right at the level of our downstairs - one more drop, we'd be swimming in our den! I am so THANKFUL that we didn't get another inch! What a blessing! As it is, we had to rip up the carpet in our "secret room" (we use it for storage), it was really starting to smell like mildew. We might have to rip up the carpet in our den as well, but we are hoping not!

I was invited to join Kim from Dirty Diaper Laundry to go to Ithaca today. I left the house around 9am, Finn fell asleep within a few minutes & didn't wake up until we were outside of Mama Goose! I LOVE MAMA GOOSE! It's the best consignment store for babies and mamas that I've found. After that, we went to Jillian's drawers (where I found this beautiful organic cotton cover - Imse Vimse), and Yerba Mate for lunch (yum yum yum). Jon really wanted me to go to the Ithaca Bakery to pick up some goodies for him, but Finn fell asleep while I was trying to find it in the GPS & instead of tempting fate, I decided to drive home so that he'd stay sleeping! I am so thankful for the whole day - getting out of the mildewy house, getting out of the house in general, going for an adventure with my little man, spending some time with Kim & her sweet little men, and getting to go to my favorite stores & yummy Yerba mate! Also, the trip gave me confidence in driving with Finn on my own - at least on short adventures, about the length of naptime!

Aaron came over last night to help Jon rip up the carpet and move all the stuff in and out of the secret room. With his help, we were able to get it done in one night - it would have taken much longer if it were just Jon by himself! I am very thankful for the friendship we have with Aaron & Dena.

Thankful Thursday 5/19/11

Meet Kittenpants. Hi Kittenpants! Now, of course that is not her real name... but it pretty much is. Her given name is Peakoe. I have NEVER called her Peakoe. sorry Kitten. When we go to the vet and they refer to Peakoe I look at them with a blank look. She is my rambunctious kitty, kind of like a cat-dog. Everyone that meets her loves her dearly. Even self-proclaimed kitty haters. Kittenpants has reformed them. I am thankful for her & all her antics. She keeps us laughing.

I am thankful for the park in the back behind our backyard. Although it is frequently flooded, and privy to teenage pranks - it is more frequently fully functional and FUN! Kayla and I have fun climbing up and going down the slide. Finn loves the blue swing on the right. I love the big people swings because they are for tall people!

This is my front garden. beautiful - isn't it? I bought 100 bulbs the year we moved in, planted them that first fall & now look what happens every spring! truly a breath from Heaven.

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful everyday for my Husband Jon. He is a great partner for this crazy life journey, a goofball, and the most generous man I know. Did I mention that he's goofy?

I love my pup Kayla. She's a four year old german shepherd sheltie mix and a great companion. She loves fetch, food, and barking away strangers. She also loves her gay boyfriend, Mr. Jack.

My happy smily, cuddly little bunny!

Thankful Thursday

At MOPS yesterday, the MOPPET workers gave me my first ever Mother's day card "from Finn." On the front were these blue flowers for my vase (meant for the bits that Finn brings me in from the lawn; read: dandelions). I'm just thankful for MOPS in general & specifically the women who work hard to make it happen. It is such a blessing in my life.

Of course, the biggest blessing I've ever been given is my son Finn. This is him yesterday in my kitchen on his new push toy. He finds himself somewhat independently mobile with it & has found new nooks and cranny's in the kitchen for his fascination!

He is just a joy to hang out with every day & to watch him grow and change is the best!

Since it is his birthday, I have to add that I am thankful for my dad! This picture is from our recent trip to Florida with my parents. Specifically it was at the butterfly bench at the Central Florida Zoo (highly recommend for preschoolers!).

My dad has always been a rock in my life - always there for me, to lend a helping hand, to offer advice, to tell stories (of which he has more than a few lifetimes of) and most of all to Love! Finn (Finnegan James) was named after him in hopes that the two of them would share a special bond