Ashes, Ashes, we all Fall Down!

First of all, let me say.....I'm sorry it has been so long! I really have no excuse except for the usual. We have been sick a lot here lately, Audrey has been keeping horrible hours leaving mommy with a less creative mind, and then throw in Christmas shopping/decorating/parties in the mix.

We have an economical wood burning stove in our house. It heats our whole house really good as long as it is not negative numbers outside, with even more negative wind chills, and a howling wind. I love it and the smell it gives our house, not to mention the money in our pocketbook. Normally we keep the ashes outside to cool off but on one particular night the good ol Nebraska wind was whipping around our house. We left the ashes inside so it did not dust the neighborhood. The following night we forgot to take the ashes out. Audrey was playing "downstairs" as she calls it, it is more like a sunken sun room. We did not think anything about it, she always plays down there. Brent and I were sitting on the couch and we heard the loud abrupt of laughter. We smiled at each other, listening to the sweet sound of our child's laugh. Pretty soon alarms starting going off in our head though because with Audrey, if you hear ridiculous amounts of laughter, it usually mean she is up to NO good. We went to the french doors and peered in. Our once dark hardwood floors were now a grayish color as was our daughter and our dog. That's right, Audrey had gotten into the ashes and spread them all over the room, her hair, all over her clothes, and last but not least all over her puppy. It took over an hour to clean everything and everyone up. Oh the adventures of parenting. What could we do but just laugh!

Her is a picture of Audrey helping me clean. Notice the color of her hair.

Thankful

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I picked out a 22 lb turkey. I also made a new pie this year, I made a banana cheesecake pie. I know not very traditional, we actually did not even have a pumpkin pie this year. Ohh well we are making our own family traditions. After we were all stuffed times 2. I took Audrey over to my sister Tami's house and she spent the night with her cousins. She usually plays with all boys so I'm sure she enjoyed playing with some little girls who are also very girly. A huge thanks to my sister, her family and her mom for watching Audrey so that I could go out for Black Friday with my mom and my mother-in-law (MIL). I know lots of people hate Black Friday but in Lincoln, NE I have always had a very pleasurable experience. People for the most part are very courteous and there is no trampling of people. I love it but only 1 time a year that is enough for me! I forgot to take any pictures of that day though. I hope my MIL did.

I'm stealing this from my friend Ashley's blog who stole the idea from someone else....

I came up with a list of 50 things that I am thankful for in my life......here goes in no particular order........

1) God's Grace. I don't know where I would be if I did not have him in my life. He loves me unconditionally after all my faults and sins.
2) My Husband. He gets me (that in itself is a miracle), loves me (despite myself) and he works so hard for our family. He puts us 1st.
3) Audrey. Even on my bad days she can put a smile on my face. She is a precious child.
4) My house. It's not my dream house but I love it just the same.
5) Food. I'm thankful that we have food so I can prepare a wonderful meal for my family and that our pantry is stocked.
6) My mom. She is one strong lady. We have helped each other through some tough times and our bond is stronger because of it.
7) My husbands job. I know he goes through a lot of BS but I'm thankful he has it in this economy.
8) Health Insurance. I simply do not know what we would do without it.
9) Armed Forces, their families, and any other job that requires you to put your life on the line.
10) The family I gained when I said "I do." They always make me feel special and loved.
11) Marriage. I'm so happy that I'm a part of something so wonderful. We are setting a wonderful example for Audrey. I still remember the day I said "I do" 6 years ago.
12) Being a mother. I could never explain a mother's love. I just know it is the most powerful emotion that I have ever felt.
13) My car. I simply love it and I am so spoiled now.
14) Friends. I love my friends who don't judge me and love me for me. You all mean more to me than you will ever know.
15) My childhood. For those of you who know what I've been through, I know what is going through your head. Hey, it has made me who I am today and for that I am thankful.
16) My child has an AWESOME father. Mine wasn't and I literally tear up when I see them doing something together like swinging or their "golfing dates."
17) Music. I love it and in many ways it is my therapy.
18) Church. I'm thankful that I get to choose which one I get to go to and it is not forced.
19) Small town living, close to the "city". I'm thankful that we live in a very small town but the mall is only 15 miles away.
20) Maximus our dog. He has more personality than 3 dogs put together.
21) Hercules our cat. He is my cuddle bug and loves Audrey dearly.
22) Hard work. I am thankful that my parents taught me the value of hard work.
23) My brother. I love the bond that we will share forever. We have always been close.
24) My wedding rings. They are beautiful and symbolize the amazing bond my husband and I have.
25) Facebook. Yes, Facebook. It helps me keep in contact and see pictures of family and friends I do not get to see often.
26) Cell phones. This was a life saver when Brent was overseas and mine has pretty much been a limb ever since.
27) Internet. Also my saving grace when Brent was overseas.
28) My Grandma. She is the sweetest person I know and I would not be where I am today without her.
29) My Step-Dad. This is new to me but he is showing me what it is like to have a Dad I can count on, who loves me unconditionally, and who helps me without strings attached!
30) My dysfunctional family. We have our own dynamic with each other.
31) Financial Provisions. Things have been tight at times but God always provides at the moment we least expect it.
32) My camera. I love capturing life's many blessings.
33)Healthy Pregnancy. I have a friend who does not and she is looking at another preemie. I'm very thankful that for the most part, I've had a very healthy pregnancy.
34) Having all 5 of my senses. My Grandma is going deaf and it just makes me realize how thankful I am that I have all 5.
35) Electricity. We have been without it for extended periods of time over the past year. Each time I am so grateful to get it back.
36) Shower/Bath/Hot water/Indoor Plumbing. I was just thinking the other day in the old days how they used to have to heat the water and then everyone used the same water. Yuck!
37) Clothes. I am happy that we have clothes on our back and that we can afford them.
38)My daughter's huge heart! She loves animals and cares when someone is crying.
39) Sleep
40) DVR
41) Fall/Spring. These are my favorite times of the year. Not that snow and summer do not have wonderful things to offer as well, I just prefer being comfortable outside.
42) That I live int he USA.
43) That I learn from my mistakes. Some people never do and that is a shame.
44) My laptop.
45) My wash machine and dryer. I am OCD about my laundry and I could not do it without the help of them.
46) I'm thankful that I enjoy being with my family and that I love spending time with my daughter. Some people/children are not so fortunate.
47) I am thankful that I get to see my child learn/discover new things. It is truly amazing to see her little face light up when she does some thing all by herself or discovers something new.
48) Air Conditioning/Heat. I'm afraid I would be a very crabby person without it.
49) I am thankful that I am a homebody and that I married one as well. We love our home cooked family meals together.
50) Last but not least. I am glad that I have not changed myself so I would fit in. I've seen lots of my friends do that over the years. My grade school friends dropped me like yesterdays news but I did not change myself to conform to what they thought was cool. Instead of turning my back on who I am, I turned my back on them. However hard, I'm glad that I did it! I am a much stronger person today because of that experience! I love my life!

I know Thanksgiving has come and gone but there is still so much to be Thankful for!