Thankful Thursday

Thankful for:

1.  Encouragement & Support.  When you make an announcement about a major life change (example: becoming foster parents) you get a lot of responses.  I'm thankful for the encouragement.  I know it's not going to be easy, I know it could be terrible, I know that it affects my whole family BUT we're taking it one step at a time, starting some pretty intense educational training, and we know that even if something is really hard, it's usually worth it.  Imagine if you were scared to do anything because of the unknown or potential harm?  I never would've quit my job and gone to volunteer in Kenya (LIFE CHANGING).  I never would've taken our kids on the longest plane ride in the world to go to SE Asia (AMAZING...even though Gary had food poisoning and Kai got Dengue Fever). Maybe I never would have married Gary (BETTER THAN I EVER IMAGINED).

2.  Kai being able to go flying with Opi. He tends to get car sick so I was nervous but he loved it!  My mom would've loved it.

3.  Another great daycare.  I only work once a week and had an ideal daycare situation but she is headed back to work. In a few weeks I will be swapping daycare days with another momma so I think it should work well!  Both of us do not work long days so that definitely makes it more doable :)  And seriously, who wouldn't want to babysit this bundle of cuteness?!

4.  Nya's MEC rainsuit.  I got it second hand (yahoo!) and it works so well.  I love great deals and I love quality products.

5. Living close to so many great stores.  I love living 5 minutes from Costco.  I have friends that live in small communities and I know how much of a big deal it is to do a Costco run when it's 4 hours away!

6.  A foggy morning this week to explore the trails at Tynehead with Nya and Koen.  I love photos in fog and I will never, ever tire of taking photos of my monkeys.

7.  A walk through the mall with one child.  So relaxing. You don't realize how exhausting three kids are until you just have one.  We just walked hand in hand and it was lovely.  We were checking out various wooden play kitchens as they are very hard to find second hand.  PS Is it bad that I've never put money in any of these rides?   They get enough joy just sitting in them :)

8.  Being able to work out during the day again.  With just Nya for 3 days a week, I have time to work out during the day because I'm not refeering between Nya and Koen. 

9.  More moments this week when these two played nicely without fighting. PS Can you see Nya's lab coat shirt that we got at Science World? 

10.  Free preschool programs like Strong Start and Noah's Ark.

And a bonus one..

11.  Kids that eat almost everything I make.  We've been eating a bit healthier these days and they dig into the quinoa with kale, the endless broccoli and cauliflower, and the turkey meatballs with veggies instead of breadcrumbs in them.  Nya does not embrace everything as much as the boys do.  They still get their pizza on Friday nights :)

I hope you are having a good week!  I know I've said this a few times but I would really, really encourage you to think of things that you are thankful for.  Maybe even write them down.  It sets the tone for the day, and besides, it's Thanksgiving this weekend!

Love, 

Louise

PS Feel free to share some things you are thankful for in the comments! Ali, that means you :)