This November I Am Thankful For. . .

Marie is in the top row, on the far left next to coach Jen

. . .parents and coaches pulling together to make a co-ed U11 team for our kiddos so everyone could play soccer competitively this fall (our town is small and getting enough girls/boys to make a "regular" team was not possible this season)

. . .a daughter that not only loves to play soccer, but gets up early in the morning (in the freezing cold, I might add) to go cheer her brother's team on.

. . .and I'm thankful for this soccer player and all the time and dedication he's put into his sport this season (I don't think I realized he is a head taller than his teammates!). . .playing. . .

Three of my favorites. . .Coach Tom, Coach Thomas, and player Frederick, third-from-left in the first row

. . .as well as coaching with his dad.  I'm thankful for a husband that takes the time to be with his sons, doing what they love to do.

I am thankful for this girl. . .

. . .so glad that she was in my Kitchen 102 class at co-op this fall semester. . .

Annie Oakley museum - Marie, Nana, & Margaret - in October

. . .and thankful for Grandparents (all of them!!!) that invest in her and her sibling's lives.

Grandma and Marie on her birthday at her party

Grandpa Foster playing tennis with all the kids last week

 I am thankful for a son that nurtures others. . .

Frederick trying to show a player's younger sibling how to complete a word puzzle at a soccer game

. . .and cuddles with his mom to keep her warm :)

I love this 8-yr-old. . .my youngest. . .appropriately named after both of his grandfathers. . .the one who says he "kinda" wants to know if I'm the tooth fairy but "don't tell me because I'm not sure I want to know".

I couldn't be more thankful for this girl. . .the one who loves to climb trees and wear jeans and sweats and play with the boys and talk my ear off and loves God so much she's constantly searching for answers and Truth in her Bible

And then there's this girl. . .the 9-yr-old that I turn to for fashion and style advice :)  I would post a picture of her in her pirate costume this last week if I could get the pic off my phone. . .she can make a costume two sizes too small for her look good -- ha!  

 She's my cartwheel-turning, free-will-testing, blond-hair-brown-haired beauty.  I am thankful that she's my daughter and that she keeps me on my toes. . .life could be b.o.r.i.n.g. without her. . .and who likes boredom?

Thomas after running his 5.9 mile leg in the Haunted Half 10/22/11.  He ran it in 52 minutes.

 And I'm thankful for our oldest. . .our first. . .the one so much is expected of because he is the oldest yet he does things all the time to remind us that he's "only" 12 (and I can "only" say that for 3 more days -- wow!).

He's getting so tall. . .

Or is my dad getting short?

 I just love this picture. . .I took it a couple weeks ago. . .they are not too old yet to dress alike (on purpose!) in footie pajamas :)

 I am thankful for this picture with my brother. . .when we were both in OH at the same time for about 24 hours last month. . .

And I am forever thankful for this man. . .this person I met when I was 17. . .who has been around, been supportive, loved me for 22 years now. . .the man who is the best husband for me, the best father for our children, and a strong man of God.

I'm thankful for the 2+ hours I was given to write this post. . .just a day to go to church, take a nap, forget about the dishes.  I can do all this because of the five fabulous people I live with and share my life with.  I am thankful for our Lord God's guidance in our lives and His true and everlasting love.

Love,

Jenni