Thankful Thursday

1. Last Thursday we participated (for the first time) in our town's annual "pink out." For about 3 hours various local businesses give away a variety of treats in honor of breast cancer awareness. I didn't realize that included hot foods. We had already eaten lunch. If we are living in this town next October, we can have lunch for free downtown as they were giving away soup, pulled pork sandwiches, hot dogs, etc. in addition to a myriad of baked goods, teaberry ice cream cones, peanuts, chips, etc. One dentist was giving away apples and toothbrushes. We passed on the apples for some odd reason.

2. Lately Oliver has been saying (very frequently) "Ian, you are the best brother in the whole world." What a sweetheart! I hope and pray my three kids love each other dearly their whole lives.

3. They cancelled the soccer games on Saturday. I was thankful because I didn't really want to sit in the rain in 50 degree weather to watch their games. I'm also grateful that the weather forecast is much better for this Saturday as my parents are planning to come up to see the games.

4. I wasn't able to run on Saturday like I usually do because it rained almost the entire day. As I stopped to think about it, this was the first time since I started running a few months ago that I got rained out. I am grateful! I don't usually run on Sundays, but I ran on Sunday afternoon because it was SO pretty out (60's and sunny). I set a new personal record in that I ran for 5.5 miles without stopping. My legs were very aware afterward that I had gone farther than usual, lol! As of last Friday I was down a total of 15 pounds.

5. On Saturday I listed more things on FB yardsale pages, and if everyone actually buys the things they said they would buy, we will be getting another $209. We paid off the minivan last month one year early (even though it had 0% interest), and now my goal is to pay off the loans from my retirement accounts that we used (in part) to buy this house. My goal is that in a few months the only debt we will have is the mortgage. We're trying to build the equity in the house in preparation for moving in 2016.

6. Yesterday we went to the Children's Museum to participate in one of their "homeschool hangout" events. It was our first time, but it won't be our last! Yesterday's theme for the science crafts and experiments was germs.

7. Ian has really been into doing puzzles lately. Oliver also does a couple several days a week during our schoolwork time, although sometimes he has a tea party instead (see pics in yesterday's post).

8. Nadia has really picked up the pace lately with reading several chapter books a week. Her favorites right now are the Cul De Sac Kids books, Boxcar Children books, and American Girl books (she's reading the Addy books now and says she'll read the Samantha series next).

9. The weather has been really pretty the last few days which has made me runs more enjoyable and also meant more time at playgrounds.

10. I am feeling much better. Last Wednesday choir rehearsal was very painful due to my sore throat. Unfortunately Oliver now has my cold. So far the other three have escaped the bug.

11. Although I haven't been using it as much lately, I am still VERY thankful for my camera and lenses. If I had to pick my five most favorite personal possessions (meaning things not people), the contents of my camera bag would absolutely be in that list, and of course there are three reasons why I love taking pictures and their names are Nadia, Ian, and Oliver. :)