Happy Thanksigivng After All

I have gone back and forth on whether or not to post any Happy Thanksgiving sentiment. I can't seem to write or say anything that doesn't sound cliche. Or like what I said last year.

My girlfriend Kelly wrote something in her blog that stopped me. She said that Thanksgiving is one day that is more about being thankful for what you have instead of focusing on what you don't. And she is right. And it's something I easily forget.

If I am being brutally honest with myself, I am always wanting....I don't know... I want new cupboards that will actually look clean. I want a new kitchen floor that I don't have to mop two times a day. I want new carpet that is not so covered with stains it no longer looks clean even when cleaned. I want a finished basement. I want to lose more weight faster then I am. I want my parents to come visit more then they can. I want one more day with my Grandma. I want Bob to be more romantic. I want Aid to be potty trained. I want Grant to sleep through the night.

I could go on and on and on.

So when Kelly wrote this it really hit me. Because I do have so much to be grateful for. We went to Bob's cousins' for Thanksgiving. When we got home we all snuggled into bed and Aid sighed,"I am so glad to be home." It doesn't matter that there are things I wish I could afford to fix in this house. Because we have more then a house. We have a home. A safe spot for all of us. Filled with everything a family is filled with. Arguing, compromising, working, growing, laughing, playing, and loving. Are we perfect? Nope. Not even close. But at the end of the day, this home is filled with love.

That's what I am most thankful for.

My Father's Hands

My father has strong hands. They are big and firm and have always worked hard. I have always felt like my father could do anything with those hands. He could fix anything, protect me from anything, take care of anything. (And trust me I have asked.)

My grandfather has the same hands. You can see how they have served him well. And if you listen to him tell his stories, you understand that he is incredibly proud of things he has built with those hands. He tells you about the buildings he has helped put together in some way all around town (Portland) in just about every conversation you have with him. I'm kind of impressed how often he is able to fit it in.

Grant has inherited these hands. I noticed the moment he was born. They are strong. And he uses them well. My girlfriend commented the other day that he had strong little paws. And while I laughed because we call Grant, "The Beast", I also felt my heart warm.

Because he has my grandfather and father's hands. He has no idea how lucky he is.

Well Wonders Never Cease

It has happened! I don't know if it will happen again. So I am taking the opportunity to document the momentous occasion!

We have officially used our Elmo potty (in the way it was supposed to be used) for the first time! And oddly enough we had fantastic aim. Granted there was a stream that hit me before we stopped it (!!) ran to the potty, sat down and finished!

That was a pretty stellar performance considering we have never practiced. No accident on the way there? Stopped and held it before sitting back down? Asking for a book? Asking for a treat?

I suspect that Aid has been paying very close attention to all of our conversations and lessons in this area. He just didn't want to. Where does he get this stubborn streak?? (insert appropriate joke here)

Way to go little man! I am so proud of you. You have always been like this. From the day you were born you took the world in (from my lap) deciding whether or not something was worth doing. It has always had to be on your terms. I kind of knew (despite my grumblings and pleas for advice) that you would do it when you were good and ready.

Now, please keep doing it....

DADDY

Grant's first official word is....daddy! There is no mistaking. It is not a coincidental dadada in Bob's direction. It is D-A-D-D-Y!

Really?? Ok, fine. I'm proud of you.

I'll be even prouder when you say mommy.

WWF

I have worked very hard to curb Aid's tackling/wrestling of other children. While it is fun to watch him and Bob (and now Grant) go at it, it does not transfer well to unsuspecting children on the playground. We have lots of conversations before we go anywhere about tackling and how even if someone wants to play chase...it doesn't need to end in a tackle.

This poor little boy is 5 years old. In all fairness he started the tackling game first and did seem to be truly enjoying it. He just had no idea who he was dealing with and the monster he unleashed.



But what a take down right? I was impressed and mortified all at the same time.

Date Swap

Me and Bob have been alternating Sundays with Frank and Bridgit (my brother and sister in law) for dates! If it's our turn for a date, they come over here and watch the boys for 3 hours, and vice versa. And I cannot tell you how much I have come to look forward to these Sundays. When you are in baby mode it is so easy to lose sight of the importance of couple time. It's also been a good form of birth control. While we love our nieces and would always always be there for them if they ever needed us to be...4 children is A LOT of work and we are dead by the end of those 3 hours. But it's worth every last second.

Kind of Impressed

As I was cleaning I noticed this.