Thursday, November 25, 2010

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

I am so Thankful...

1. Whoo-hooo... the upcoming holiday seasons. Thankful for the blessings we are given.

2. I am thankful to have a job I enjoy - most of the time...

3. I am very thankful for good health, family and friends.

4. I am thankful for the occasional day off work.

5. I am thankful for social networking- and the ability to reconnect with friends from years past. It's so much fun to stay in touch.

6. I'm thankful we are able to spend so many fun nights with our family.

7. I am thankful for a peaceful, relaxing day inside while it's raining and cold outside AND the extra sleep.

8. I am thankful to see our children growing into such fun, responsible adults. You all make me so proud.

9. I am thankful the wire pins have been removed from my foot, and I am on the mend. - two shoes can't be far behind!

10. I am very thankful for my husband who is patient with me even when I frustrate myself!

11. God bless the men and women who have served our country and protect our freedom daily. I am so thankful for our Veterans.

12. I am thankful to have spent my sister's birthday with her in Chicago this month.

13. I was able to see my nephew Joe play on his traveling volleyball team, and watch my talented nieces play piano at their recital. Thank you for sharing it all with me.

14. I am so thankful we are able to help our children in an economy of uncertainties. I'm grateful they don't take advantage of our willingness to help.

15. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to spend a long weekend this month with my parents, my sister, my brother-in-law and spend time with all of my nieces and nephews.

16. I am thankful for the special moments we are fortunate enough to spend with our youngest grandson.

17. I am thankful for our newly discovered Keurig apple cider cups - yum!

18. I am so thankful to have the ability to speak Spanish and translate for women who need assistance when getting their very important mammograms.

19. I am thankful Krieg and Karissa made it home safe and sound from U of I.

20. I am thankful to say the leaves are officially raked and bagged for the season - and thankful I had the stamina to get the job done - in the snow, in rain gear, with my booted foot and iPod!

21. I am grateful for our comfortable home and the ability to make improvements so we may share with our family and friends.

22. I am grateful for our very unique family tree. Each branch is separate yet connected. I'm thankful to have so many who care about our well-being.

23. Though many miles separate me from my family, I am so thankful for my parent's good health, my brother's ability to be there when I need, my sister's willingness to listen and share and all of their unending love and support.

24. I will be so excited and grateful to know Erin and Chris have arrived safely for our Holiday together.

25. I am thankful for family and friends gathering together to share our blessings. Happy Thanksgiving!

26. I'm thankful for discovering the "Black Friday" shopping last year with my kids and hope to continue the tradition this year. It was so much fun creating our plan of attack and executing it without a single glitch.

27. I am thankful to have two strong, tall sons who understand putting up Christmas decorations every year after Thanksgiving is a tradition - in Mom's mind at least.

28. Though our time together is short I am thankful for every moment we get to spend with our daughter Erin. She's a beautiful young women and truly special in our heart.

29. I am thankful to have the opportunity to share Thanksgiving with our children Erin, Matthew, Britnee & Krieg; and two 'special someones' Chris and Karissa, our grandson Taten, as well as dear friends Mike, Linda and Randy. We are so blessed!

30. I am thankful for the days that have passed and the days to come - for the holidays we gather with family and friends - for the special memories we have yet to create.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Veteran's Day...

Our family of veterans. Dad (Mike), sons (Michael Rihn & Matthew Robert), grandson Alexander, grandfather (Tom), and mom (Deb), as well as Krieg's godfather (Andy Otano).

Our daughter Erin put together this collage of family members who have served our country proudly. She wasn't able to locate a picture of our son-in-law Danny in uniform, who was in the National Guard but he too should be included. Mike's son Michael Rihn is married to Sharon, who is presently active duty.

We would be remiss if we forgot to mention our close family friends Mike & Linda Palomino and Flip turner as well as Erin's Godfather Lew Flitcraft. There are so many friends and family with whom we've been stationed, shared highs and lows and still remain in touch.

Thank you all for the sacrifices you've made so we may live a free life today.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Pizza and a Movie




Last weekend we enjoyed participating in one of Tate's favorite projects. He loves to make pizza. Gramma cheated a bit - bought ready-made pizza crust but had homemade sauce and all sort of fresh cut toppings. When he was done - he proudly showed off his own "happy face" pizza creation with a big "Ta-Da"!
Later, he donned his Dad's work boots and showed us what a hard worker he could be "just like Daddy".

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

With my Eyes Wide Open...


I've had this boot on my foot for WAY too long... It started in August but at least then I could still take it off to drive myself around. When the pins were inserted in October I was given a special "driving boot". Honestly it is so uncomfortable to wear it and the risk involved in putting pressure on the gas pedal allowed me to accept my husband's offer to drive me back and forth to work.

On several of these trips, we've had the pleasure of Taten's company. My work hours vary as does the location so the route changes. Along the way Taten shares what he sees. Railroad tracks, 'Hot balloons', dump trucks, fast cars, blue houses, pretty trees, big mountains... it's a steady commentary.

I never cease to be amazed with what he catches which we see every day - and take for granted. Everyone should stop and watch the world go by from a 3 year old's prospective. Thank you Tate for reminding me to be less jaded and enjoy my life more.