Thankful Thursday

1. For the gorgeous weather we've had lately! I should have checked the forecast before getting the kids dressed today. We'll be changing into warmer clothes for soccer practice this evening because the temps are about 30 degrees cooler today compared to yesterday.

2. For Paul's upcoming interviews in New York (19th and 25th).

3. Application #48 will be going to a school in North Carolina. The pace of ads being posted has slowed down dramatically, but I am thankful that it hasn't totally come to a stop. I think about 1/3 of those are still "active".

4. It's been years since I had a pedicure, but I did take the time to paint my toenails yesterday, and pretty toenails put a smile on my face. I should take the time to paint my fingernails now and then, but I'll wait on that right now in light of all the yard work I've been doing lately.

5. Oliver slept through the night the past two nights (almost 10 hours straight)! Now we just need to get him to be able to stay up later at night. He used to go to bed between 8:00-8:30pm, but the last two days his second nap was less than an hour long and so he fell asleep for the night between 7:30-7:45pm. However I'll take starting my day at 5:15am over 3 or 4am any day of the week. If I can keep him up until 8pm tonight, I'm hoping he won't get up until 6am tomorrow. My conspiracy theory held true though as Nadia got me up at 3am.

6. I found an affordable local photographer! Three FB friends (who go to my church) gave me suggestions. I contacted all three. One would have cost us a LOT more than we're used to spending, another was very similar in price to what we've paid and actually is a better deal than Picture Me because the packages I was looking at include a CD containing all the images (so I can use them for photo books, Christmas cards, etc.), and the third was in the middle as far as the pricing went. I contacted the most affordable one and am working on setting up an appointment with her for early August. At that session I'm hoping to get a nice family photo (all 5 of us), a nice picture of the three kids together, and some pictures of Oliver for his 1 year photo shoot. I'm trying not to feel guilty about the fact that he will have gone 9 months in between professional photo shoots. Paul says I shouldn't feel badly because I take lots of pictures of him. :)

7. Two weeks ago I filed our federal taxes (we're getting a nice refund - not as big as last year's, but probably the second biggest we've ever gotten). Last week I did our state taxes, and this week I did our local taxes. It feels good to have that task off of the "to do" list, and the refund will be greatly appreciated!

8. Paul submitted his dissertation last Thursday, and he got an email today stating it was accepted. There is nothing more he has to do at PSU! His degree will officially be complete as of May 5. He's not participating in the commencement (he didn't for his BS or MS either). The last time he wore a cap and gown was in 1988.  Oliver is wearing his PSU pants today in honor of his Daddy!