This Year I'm Thankful For...

Although Thanksgiving is 3 days past, now is the first time that I have sat down with more than a second to spare.

Lately I have been overwhelmed by working 10-13 hrs a day while still not feeling like I am accomplishing enough. Mason who seems to get into everything, Jackson who requires constant attention, and feeling like even when they're being difficult, that I never get to spend enough time with them. Our house and the level of perfection that I never seem to attain. Time with Matt and how I never feel like there's enough of it. Friends and how I lately I haven't been able to be the friend I want to be.

When I started to pity myself and my minor frustrations, it was impossible to not think of all of the things that I am SO grateful for.

-Matt and absolutely everything about him (There are so many reasons that I could make a list of just the reason's that I am thankful for him)
-Two healthy, happy, adorable boys
-My salvation
-Amazing Parents
-My siblings and their spouses
-Wonderful In-laws
-Grandparents (Matt and I still have 5 between the two of us)
-My job (and a boss and peers at work who are wonderful)
-Our cozy perfect home (whenever it's clean I tell Matt how much I LOVE it)
-The opportunity we have to give
-2 reliable vehicles (and 1 with automatic start!)
-Our stocked pantry and freezers
-My bed that is SO comfortable
-Pictures (especially all of the ones that Brian has been taking of the boys)
-Time off (My 2+ weeks a year, which bumps to 3+ in May!)
-Great friends (even when I feel like I can't be a great friend back)
-My DVR (pathetic, but I love being able to catch up or get behind on tv shows knowing that they are all saved there).
-The mountains that I wake up to every morning
-and SO MUCH MORE

Photos

A few weeks ago we had some outdoor photos taken. Here are a few of our faves:

 

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving we got to spend it with our good friends the Fereirra's the Noteboom's, and my sister and Brian. Jackson loved playing with the kitchen set with Gabe and Levi. Mason just enjoyed scooting around discovering new things. We enjoyed good food, looking at the Friday ads, and just being with good friends.

Videos of Jackson Dancing

Recently...

A few recent videos- Jumping & Crawling.

Matt's Photo Book for Work

At UPS Matt has a coworker named "Brownie" who always asks to see pictures of our family and of the boys. Because I love pictures, and wanted him to be able to share them all, I made him a photobook to keep at his desk!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Mason's 7 Month

Even though Mason was supposed to have a 6 month appointment, it turned into a 7 month appointment, but here were his stats:

He weighed 19lbs 10.5 oz. which is in the 75th percentile, he is 28.5 inches tall which is in the 90th percentile, and his head is 18 inches around which is also in the 90th percentile.

He had to get 5 immunizations, but did outstanding.

Mason still has 2 teeth, he LOVES to eat baby food, he army crawls all around the house using his arms, he doesn't do ANYTHING without his pacifier, he loves to be snuggled by his brother, he loves to play with anyones sweatshirt strings, he still takes 3 naps a day and sleeps through the night, he is ALMOST too big for his infant carseat so he will be moving up to the big one any day.

My passion for Shutterfly...and picture cards!

For anyone on my birthday/anniversary/holiday card list, you know that I make ALL of my cards on Shutterfly. I absolutely LOVE their prices, quality, and simplicity. In order to get my next set of cards for free, I was asked to write a quick review about their cards.



We made both Jackson and Mason’s Birth Announcements on Shutterfly using some of these designs: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birth-announcements. I loved that I could use as few or as many pictures as I wanted.

 

We made generic family “Thank You’s” using our family picture and one of these designs: http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery. These have been great for numerous occasions.

We also are definitely going to use Shutterfly to make our 2010 Christmas picture using one of these designs: http://www.shutterfly.com. Now I just need to decide which design to use because I love them All!

For those of you with a blog, if you would like to get 50 free photo cards as well, follow this link! http://bit.ly/sfly2010

A Very Happy Halloween!