The Little Things

On a regular basis, lately, I've been taking mental note of the little things in life I'm grateful for. I think I should start sharing these with you. It'll be another series, I suppose...

* With 3 weeks off of school, I have 5 kids in my house that have been getting along swimmingly. There has been very little bickering and virtually no fighting. They are enjoying their time together by riding bikes (even though its freezing), painting popsicle sticks (random), and other mysterious activities in their rooms which have them eyeing each other and breaking into fits of giggles.

* My home is one in which a game of Hide-and-Seek is still considered good fun...and even Dad gets involved - though he has to be reminded of the rules!

* I have a slew of kids that are willing to patiently play a game of Candyland with a preschooler who doesn't yet get the concept of staying on the path. And when he gets bored, they play make-believe with their "guys".

* I have a 16-year-old son (Tyler), who describes red as "the antithesis of blue" in a game of Catch Phrase.

* The aforementioned son is currently struggling to light me a fire in my fireplace so I can get warm without having to do the work myself.

* Said son buries roadkill when circumstances necessitate.

* ALL of my kids are super excited about the impending arrival of their baby sister and involved in my pregnancy (as much as kids can be). They talk about her like she's already here :)

* When I have a "quick errand" to run, my older kids are always willing to watch Robben for me. Mind you, when you live 20 minutes from civilization, no errand is "quick".

* I have a 13-year-old daughter (Kurstin) who offers to make dinner when I don't feel like it. This may be motivated by a desire to eat, but I'm thankful for it, nonetheless.

* Previously noted daughter has been doing her schoolwork for the past two weeks without prompting or prodding. She has spent time in her room each day preparing for her biology class, which resumes today, and completing the homework for her writing class, which doesn't meet until next Thursday.

* Same daughter, who is known for her self-consciousness and lack of confidence, has been able to laugh at herself and not get her feelings hurt lately. Today she even had a full-on normal conversation with an adult on the telephone!! I'm sure the adult knows of what I speak!

* I have a husband who will work all day, pick up dinner on his way home, and NOT make me feel guilty when he arrives to find me still in my jammies in the same spot I was when he departed in the morning. Two disclaimers: 1. I was productive. I painted birdhouses ALL day for the baby's room. 2. I feel guilty enough without his help :)

* My 3-year-old has taken a new interest in cuddling me and gives some of Creation's best hugs.

* I have a sister-in-law on whom I can inflict my wit, expand my vocabulary, and try out new tricks with the English language... and she appreciates it!