Thankful Thursday

1. No one was injured during the ice skating lesson last Thursday, and Ian didn't cry at all!

2. Ian also didn't cry at the start of gym class last Friday, which was a first. They enjoyed their 90 minute class on volleyball. I thoroughly enjoy the chance to chat with other homeschooling moms during the class. What a treat!

3. Paul was offered a one year extension on his contract! In 2013 we didn't find out until July where he would be teaching in August. In 2014 we found out in early May, and this time around we found out in January. Hopefully these three years of experience will lead to a permanent job that will start in 2016. I am also praying that I will find a part-time job and/or that Paul will be given a research stipend to help make ends meet financially.

4. The kids had fun playing in the snow on Saturday. It snowed again on Monday and they played in the snow the past three days. I didn't let Oliver go out the last two days because of his cold, but he really wanted to go out with them!

5. We have had at least one child in diapers for 6 years (plus seven months), but that is no longer true as Oliver is now sleeping in his underwear! Way to go, Oliver! I am also thrilled that *so far* I haven't had to wash his sheets from an accident. I am sure that will happen at some point, but he's doing very well so far. I am planning on donating our unused diapers to the church on Sunday.

6. As usual we have been enjoying books and videos from the library. Hug Machine was a picture book we really enjoyed recently, and Nadia and I read Carolina's Courage together, which was a great chapter book. The kids enjoyed watching a DVD about Helen Keller.

7. I had bought a voucher for a large canvas (20x16) from Picaboo for 75% off a couple of months ago, and I finally got around to redeeming it. It arrived in the mail on Monday. I love it! I think over time I will switch from pictures in frames to canvases, if I can find good deals.

8. We had dinner at Friendly's last night because Ian finally earned his fifth sticker on Monday. He had to go a whole day without fussing, whining, or crying to earn one sticker. We all enjoyed our dinner, and we used a gift card Yvonne gave us at Christmas, which made for a very inexpensive night out for us. We hadn't been out to eat for a few weeks. I've even been making homemade pizza; so this made our night out even more special.

9. Oliver has been waking up at least once during the night (sometimes more than that). For example, he woke up at 4am yesterday morning. I take him to the bathroom (in case that's the reason he woke up), and then I take him back to bed. I was VERY grateful that yesterday he then slept until 7am, much later than he's been sleeping lately. I fell back asleep after Paul left (around 5:30) and was able to sleep until Ian came in our room at 6:50. I am hoping that Oliver will start sleeping through the night again in the near future.

10. Oliver started to come down with a cold on Tuesday. I felt panicked and called the pulmonologist and another nurse. Yesterday I felt much calmer because although his cough was worse, it seems to me he *just* has a cold not RSV. I am still praying for his health, but I am feeling less nervous about another hospitalization. I needed to give him a treatment at 4:30 this morning because he was coughing so badly.