Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful...

- that I don't get nauseous changing dirty diapers (ahem, Justin). WHOA BUDDY there have been a lot of them this week.

- for summer fun. Things are about to pick up speed around here!  Buckle your seatbelts.

- for competent customer service workers. They are difficult to find but appreciated nonetheless.

- that I have 100% faith in leaving my child for a few days. I know he will be loved and well taken care of. And spoiled. And taught things that mama doesn't let him do.

- that by the time this posts, I will be on a plane to NYC with my sisters!!!!!

10 things

1. Candles are tricky. I have spilled hot wax several times in the last few weeks.

2. I can't believe I missed meeting IGE again! Drat. She was at the downtown Farmers' Market (double drat) giving out a free cookbook (triple drat!). http://iowagirleats.com/

3. Keep my Grandma in your prayers, y'all. She's down again and, quite simply, we like it when she's up.

4. I hope we fit in in our new neighborhood. I'm super jelly of the relationships people have with their neighbs and, quite frankly, Rob and I could use some friends.

5. I'm Dutch cheap frugal and proud of it. I'd like to brag that we've saved an incredible amount of money on the following items: lawn trimmer, bed frame, ladder, washer/drier, living room furniture, bed, and baby gate. Rob and I have scoured 4th of July sales, used Facebook swap pages, gone to garage sales, and generally wheeled and dealed. It feels good.

6. Rob and I have spent an incredible amount of money lately. It doesn't feel good.

7. Huston no longer enjoys going on hour-long walks. He throws every toy I give him and somehow wiggles until he turns himself all the way around. I wonder what he could do in a straight jacket! Wait, that's not what I meant. Please don't call DHS.

8. It's much hotter in KC. I've hardly broken a sweat this summer. Maybe I should work out? Nah.

9. I'm scared to own my own home. When I do things like spill candle wax or let Huston bash the walls, I don't feel bad since we're moving so soon. I guess after 4+ years of apartment dwelling I'm going to have to become more...responsible. gasp!

10. USA! USA! USA! #worldcup #obsessed Yes, Huston does get scared when we yell. Not as scared as get gets from his pop-up frisbee, though! That thing is downright terrifying.

Whoops

Hey, remember that thing if said about Huston napping like a champ? Ha. HA-HA. I take it back. 

Thankful Thursday

Hello, friends! What are you thankful for today? Here's what's on my mind:

- SUMMER. My boys were the first two people in the pool when it (finally) opened for the season this week. Even though the water was freezing, Huston loved it! 

- Getting a head start on my master's. While the classes are exhausting and frustrating, I'm beginning to knock them out one at a time. 

- Mary. I can even begin to explain how blessed I am to have a second mother rather than the dreaded monster-in-law. She spent a couple days with us and watched Huston while I was in class this week. In addition to entertaining my teething child, she even did some laundry, emptied the dishwasher, and delighted us with her presence. It makes me sad that not everyone shares my excitement about having their in-laws come visit.

Good thing he likes to read because he had no choice in the matter! He has a dad who loves to read and a teacher for a mom and grandma. 

- Cousins. Huston absolutely loves spending time with his cousins and they sure love him! I'm glad he got to spend some QT with them last week while we celebrated Father's Day at Big Creek. The littles don't stand still long enough to have their picture taken apparently. Glad got this one of Huston about to "get" Kase:

On our weekly Wednesday morning walk (which has only happened once)

Seriously, these kids LOVE him! 

-HUGS. Huston has been extra snuggly and I can't get enough. He gives smooches like they're goin' out of style and even gave daddy this squeeze in the pool. Could you just?!

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful...

- for some fun "play dates" recently.

- that Rob is home over lunch and we can enjoy some quality family time.

- for nap time.

- that the WORLD CUP is starting tonight!!!!!! And that we don't have a neighbor with a vuvuzela this year. Hopefully. Wait, we might be those neighbors this time. 

- for this lidda face:

- that we get to celebrate Father's Day (x3!) and JoAnn's birthday this weekend. Woohoo!

- for a coworker who is taking the same class I am on Monday and Tuesday. It will make it much more bearable! She also teaches Spanish III, is pregnant, and will be our neighbor very soon - we have plenty to talk about. Let's hope that masters stuff doesn't interrupt our conversations.

- that I have lost track of the day of the week. Summer is my jam.

Weekend wrap-up

"MORE PICTURES!" they screamed. Well, you got it, friends!

First of all, let's take a moment to mourn the passing of this baby's ... babyness. He's officially 11 months old and officially a toddler. He no longer shops at Babies-R-Us, wears footie pajamas, or wakes in the middle of the night. (Have I mentioned that enough? It's still a big deal around here.)

Speaking of being 11 months old, this weekend we did some birthday shopping between naps. This pic above was by far his favorite stop! 

I also tried to channel my inner Aalbers and do a little garage sale-ing. Huston was a trooper and I ended up with a trimmer, bed frame, and this beauty which was packaged when I was 3 years old in 1990:

Oh, and I only paid $2 instead of the $4 it was marked at. I'm such a shark. 

I also started my first class for my masters this weekend but I would've rather been on the floor with this peanut. Before playing with his toys he likes to take every. single. one. out of the basket. You would think we'd get smarter and put fewer toys in, right? Nope. 

Aaaand, we spent a little time on the boat where Huston insisted on driving, much to Grandpa's delight. How is it these two always seem to match?

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful...

- for Kael's amazing attitude, his strong parents, and medical professionals who are doing what they can to get this little guy better!

- that Huston was not a monster with only one (1 hour) nap yesterday.

- we got to FaceTime with JoAnn. She never fails to impress! She has shingles, new carpet, a new stove, and retirement on the horizon but she's a champ as always.

- Rob and Huston helped me pick out his first birthday supplies. Turns out, the only reason the boys were there was to make sure I didn't spend too much. Whatever.

- for lists. I've been making millions! It's in my blood.

- for lots and lots of long walks, which have even included some wildlife. A snapping turtle and some HUGE dogs count, right? #mycitykid

- that the family moving out of our new house hasn't noticed that I've gone by every.single.day. It's at the end of a cul-de-sac. So obvious.

- for an unnecessary slumber party. I feel terrible for those who were hammered by hail in Nebraska but thankful it didn't come our way. Especially since we just got rid of our garages the day before! But we parked inside anyway.

- for Rob. Always.