Our Gratitude Project

I took a little break from posting. I didn't mean for it to go so long, but it was nice to stay away. To take the time to get other things done and not worry about writing every day.
Despite my lack of posting, we have continued to talk about the things we were grateful for and all of the blessings in our lives. We celebrated our month of gratitude with family during Thanksgiving and we enjoyed every minute with everyone.

I am feeling overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with the many blessings I have. With the love that my Heavenly Father shows me through the people he puts in my life.

I am grateful for my parents. For their love, support, and guidance. For the love that they show my children and the wonderful grandparents they are. I am so grateful that I am their daughter and I grew up in their home. I am the person I am because of them.
I am grateful for my 'other' parents. For how they raised their son so that he could become the man I have fallen in love with. I am grateful for their immediate love and acceptance of me. And I am so thankful for how much they love my boys.
I am grateful for my siblings (ALL 12 of them) For each of their unique personalities and the amazing things they teach me. For the giving, the kindnesses, and the support I receive from them.
I am grateful for friends. For those listening ears and thoughtful times when they know just what I need that day.
I am grateful for my sweet boys. For all that I learn and the mother I am becoming because of them. I can't imagine my life without them.

Above all- I am so thankful for my incredible husband. He loves me unconditionally and continually puts my needs before his own. I am deeply grateful to my Heavenly Father who knew just the kind of person I would need beside me in this life. I am grateful that we are sealed together for eternity and that we have that long to learn, grow, and become better together. Amd I will be forever grateful that Jeff chose me. I am grateful for the wonderful father he is becoming and how absolutely amazing he is with our boys. I love you, babe.

I am so blessed.

Our Gratitude Project

Jeff: I am grateful for a wife who works so hard to keep our home organized.

Weston: I am thankful that I got to see my grandpa and he gave me a dollar so I can pick out a toy.

Tave: is thankful for hugs from his Grandpa great. He loved seeing him one last time and wouldn't let Grandpa put him down.

Nicole: I am thankful for organization. I am not an organized person. I want to be and really really try to be. Today the boys and I went through all, yes ALL, of their toys! We got rid of a bunch and organized like mad. They were little troopers through my day-long obsession to get it done! And I must say, our hard work paid off. The closets look better and we now have a 'system' to our toys. LOVE it! (someday I will have my dream play room for the kiddos...but until then, I'll work with what I have!)

Our Gratitude Project

Jeff: I am thankful for little boys who make me feel like a better dad than I am. Tonight at bedtime I asked Weston what is favorite part of the day was. He told me "when daddy came home and played with me." Best part of my day.

Weston: "I am thankful for mommy and daddy. and my grandmas and grandpas. I love my grandmas and grandpas. (pause) They live far far far far far away. (another pause) Where do they live?"

Tave: is thankful for getting to play with his aunts and uncles today.

Nicole: I am thankful for how well my boys have been getting along. In the last two days their interactions have turned into playful wrestle matches. They have both enjoyed laughing and playing with each other more than toys. I absolutely love watching this new development!

Our Gratitude Project Day - oh who cares what day, here's what we're grateful for...

Jeff - I am grateful for a little boy who has done awesome potty-training. He is always so excited when I get home so he can run and tell me how many times he went today.

Weston- That I stayed dry in my pants all day today!

Tave- is grateful that West share's his potty-training treats.

Nicole - is SOOOOO grateful that Weston had his first EVER full day of staying dry in underwear!! He did FANTASTIC!!!

Our Gratitude Project...the whole weekend

We had a very busy and full weekend.

We have so much to be thankful for, here are just a few:

Each other.
Mine and Jeff's night away to Park City. We had fun, learned a lot about each other, and just enjoyed the time together.
Family who takes care of our kiddos and us.
How much the boys LOOOVE their grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins.
Our sweet boys. It is always so fun to come home after a night away. We all appreciate each other more.
Grandpa's visit. We had a blast over the last few days we spent with him. The boys are VERY thankful for their awesome remote control cars (from Great Grandpa)
The first snow. It is breathtaking every time.
Healthy, happy boys.
Baby showers. An evening with the ladies celebrating new life. Love it.
Bowling. My hubby showed me up, but it was a blast anyways! It's so fun to do things we don't normally do.
Weston's excitement over potty-training.
Making mistakes and learning from them. A crazy thing to be grateful for, but I really am. I love that Jeff and I have grown together and become stronger, better, and more focused on what is important.

Our Gratitude Project Day 9

Jeff: I am thankful for a son who calls me 'the greatest guy in the whole world' just for getting his stuck playdoh out of the container.

Weston: Umm, I am thankful for having a lot of fun with mommy and daddy and playing a lot. I am thankful for my shows. (hmm...does this mean we let him watch too much tv?!)

Tave: Is thankful for a mommy and daddy who dance around the room with him and tickle his tummy to make him laugh.

Nicole: I am thankful for my adorable, sweet Tave. This little man is a whole lot of energy wrapped into a teeny, tiny package. He has SO MUCH personality that comes busting out every minute of the day. He can throw big tantrums, but he loves even bigger. I love what he is teaching me and how we are growing together. I am forever thankful for this bundle of happiness that came our way!

Our Gratitude Project Day 8

Jeff: I am thankful that I am *almost* done with my master's degree...I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Weston: I am thankful for having fun playing and for treats.

Tave: Is thankful for a brother who chases him and plays with him. A brother who teaches him how to open the dvd player and who watches Go Diego Go with him every single day.

Nicole: I am thankful for Weston. For his fun-loving personality. For his fun and crazy sense of humor and how much he loves to make us laugh. I am thankful that Heavenly Father gave me such a wonderful little person to help me learn to be a mom. I am thankful for how much love he brings into my life and how much he helps me to be better. I have a ways to go...but he loves me. And for that I will always be thankful.

Our Gratitude Project Day 7

Monday's Gratitudes

Jeff: I am thankful for family and family home evenings. I am thankful for the laughs of Nicole and the boys as we wrestled and played in a huge pile of leaves.

Weston: I am thankful for playing and jumping in the leaves with daddy and mommy and Tave.

Tave: Is thankful for his blanket. I think he loves it more than us sometimes!

Nicole: I am thankful for the beautiful weather we have been getting. For family nights that turn out perfectly and for the fun of getting buried in leaves by my little boys. I am thankful that they have a daddy who loves to play. I am thankful for family.