Thankful Tuesday

1. The fall 2015 soccer season is over for our kids, and they both showed improvement. Ian showed remarkable improvement over the course of 2015. During much of the spring season he was actually running away from the ball. He did score his first goal in May, and that helped change his attitude toward soccer. He was a different boy this fall, and I think he scored seven goals for his team (plus a few for the other side along the way). Nadia scored her first goal since she was on a U8 team. I'm thankful Paul was able to help with coaching both teams since he probably won't be able to do that ever again. It was also an unexpected blessing that they gave him a $25 gift card to a restaurant.

2. The kids enjoyed the Vulture Views program at RB Winter State Park on Friday morning, the Halloween party at the library, and the trunk or treat at our church on Friday evening.

3. I met some people to sell things on Friday and Saturday, and on Friday evening I was meeting someone to sell our audio only baby monitor that I

haven't used in years (since we got the video monitor). Many people want me to come down on my price, but this time I asked for $10 and was given $15. He said to go buy the kids some candy. That was very kind and unexpected from a stranger! Altogether I have brought in $1,200 (well a little more than that but I am subtracting what I have spent on postage, eBay fees, and Paypal fees).

4. The kids enjoyed the Runaway Bunny and Goodnight Moon show at Bucknell on Saturday afternoon, trunk or treat, and trick or treating in our town on Saturday night. We have a very wide assortment of candy in our pantry right now! The kids have been enjoying trying out some kinds of candy that they had never had before plus eating some of the ones they know they love. All five of us love peanut butter cups, for example.

5. The weather turned warmer on Sunday, and I really enjoyed my run that afternoon. I wish the schedule would permit me to run more this week when it's in the low 70's, but I am thankful for the times when I am able to go for a run. I usually go between 3-6 miles each time depending on how much time I have. I did take advantage of the warmer weather by walking with the kids to the playground on Monday afternoon. It's not usually in the 70's in November in Pennsylvania. It's fine with me if the weather stays like this all month!

6. Today Nadia and I went on a field trip to Fort Hunter. Grandma and Pop Pop graciously came up to take care of Ian and Oliver as the program on Native Americans was geared for those in second through sixth grade. They also let me borrow their car for our trip.

7. I received my first ever free shipping code for Shutterfly yesterday! I got it from Kellogg's. I have received a free shipping code for one particular item before (ex. from Pampers) or have spent $39 and therefore qualified for free shipping, but this was my first "use on your whole order" free shipping code. I plan to put it to very good use either this month or next month! Others in the FB group have received free shipping codes over the past year, but they were mostly from Destination Maternity, and I didn't feel right about signing up with them because I am not pregnant and do not think I will ever be pregnant again as we aren't doing ivf again at our ages. Shutterfly has recently changed how they calculate discounts. They used to take the % (ex. 40%) off first and then a dollar off second (ex. $20 off) but now they do it the other way around which means you pay more. This makes me all the more grateful for a free shipping code!

8. Paul was in a car accident last night on the way home from gymnastics. I am thankful that prior to this we had gone 12 years without a car accident and that he and Nadia were not injured. He collided with a dead buck lying on the road. Having only one vehicle to use for the time being makes me all the more grateful that usually we have two cars. I'm hoping it won't take TOO long for his car to be fixed. Our plans will be changed (some field trips cancelled, etc.) until we are back to being a two vehicle family. I also *think* that since we haven't had any claims for more than 10 years that Progressive won't raise our premium over this claim. Hopefully it will "just" cost us the $500 deductible.

9. I am thankful for the freedom to vote that we have in this country. Paul and I voted on the way home this afternoon after Nadia and I picked him up from work. We should have done more research on the candidates prior to voting. We will be more prepared for the next election!

10. Nadia liked the Chilean recipe I made last week - milcaos (potato pancakes). I have never used so much oil in cooking anything in my life, but it was nice to have her request seconds on one of our international recipes. This week I am going to make Argentine butter cookies with dulce de leche in between two cookies. This is our last week on South America.

11. While we were at the trunk or treat on Saturday afternoon, a woman from that church said to me I still pray for Ian when I am praying through the alphabet. She had told me years ago that when she is having trouble sleeping she starts praying through the alphabet (thinking of different people to pray for each letter), and she said to me that Ian is still her "I" when she gets to that letter. It really touched me to think that a woman I rarely see these days is still praying for my son. I think it's a neat strategy to use and should give it a whirl myself during those times I can't sleep (like when Paul's snoring is keeping me awake).