Decorating. Cousins. Counting down the days until Christmas.

Project 365 * 4
Day 675

52 Kind Things

     It has been a very relaxing, yet somehow, at the same time, a very busy week. The only kind things that I had time to do were for my family. Mainly, helping clean up dishes after Thanksgiving. Helping to pick up all the toys that the kids dumped out the day after Thanksgiving. Matt and I were Santa's little elves tonight, and decorated the house for Christmas. We set aside a big pile of decorations for the kids to put up tomorrow after school. Decorating the house for Christmas seems about the kindest thing one can do for their family.

52 People I Love

     I always think about my cousins around the holidays. Probably because for most of my childhood, we celebrated as one big family. On both sides. I always loved getting together with my cousins. The thing I remember the most about our Christmas celebrations was the laughter. My family laughs non-stop. It is non-stop talking, laughing, and eating. So tonight, I am forever thankful for my cousins. The people I call family and friends. I'm thankful that whenever a cousin got married, the spouse became a new cousin. And whenever a cousin had kids, we gained even more cousins.

     Thankful for Phil, Megan, Enzo, Elsie, Liz, Steinar, Ryan, Olivia, Jason, Cheryl, Angie, John Henry, Eric, Paula, Douglas, Carmen, Mason, Jen, Matt, Christopher, Jake, Jen, Ryan, Ryleigh, John, Bryan, Amanda, Steven, Kat, Lauren, Michael, Ethan, Olivia, David, Britney, Aubrey, Caiden, Danielle, Kelley, Christy, Liz, Bill, Sammy, and Patrick. And would you believe it...this list isn't complete. There are cousins that I haven't even met yet. Thankful for so many amazing people in my life.



     Tonight, I'm thankful for just the very, very best Thanksgiving break. It rocked. Thankful for winter fruit like clementines and pomegranate. Thankful for walks at night to admire the Christmas lights. Thankful for Christmas movies. And Christmas cookies. And all things Christmas. There are only 15 days of school until Christmas break. I am counting down those days. I cannot wait to be off with all my loves.

A very sweet Saturday.

Project 365 * 4

Day 674

     Thankful for this very sweet Saturday. For cartoons in the morning. For a couple of hours to clean up our very messy home. Thankful for time spent with family. That is my favorite way to spend my minutes. Matt's mom, Steph, and Mario came over with tons of good food and yummy snacks. They brought a delicious pot of chili, cherry pie for dessert, and lots of other goodies. Thankful for chili on a cold day. For cherry pie. For hot chocolate with marshmallows. Thankful for the way Tobin drank his first hot chocolate from a mug. Very proper like. Thankful for playtime with my babes. Thankful for clean kids. I love the smell of their skin and hair after their bath. Thankful for girl talks. Thankful for time spent with my husband. For time spent with Sue, Steph, and Mario. Thankful for all the sweet moments on this lovely Saturday.

Wake-up call.

Project 365 * 4
Day 673

     I'm thankful for pictures drawn by Adelyn. I'm thankful for my very surprising wake-up call this morning. Tobin dumped an entire glass of water on me as I was sleeping. He was up early, so I brought him to bed to watch a show so I could sleep a bit longer. After I stopped shrieking from the shock of cold water being dumped on me as I was sleeping, I realized Tobin was just trying to be nice and give his mama a sip of water. He apologized profusely. "Oh! Sor, Mama! Sor!" I'm thankful for leftovers. For pecan pie for breakfast. It's pronounced, "pee-can." Get it right. Thankful for a day spent entirely with family. Thankful that right after this, I can crawl into bed and sleep all night. Just feeling overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness. My life is beautiful, and I feel undeserving of so many amazing blessings.

Thanksgiving.

Project 365 * 4
Day 672

     Thanksgiving. I love that word. It was an awesome day. I am so thankful to have the most incredible family and the very best of friends to call my favorites. Thankful for an incredible day. Thankful for many laughs, good food, and the greatest people.