Happy Thanksgiving!

I think I mentioned in an earlier post that Thanksgiving has become just as special or more so to me than Christmas. I guess you get to the point where the giving of thanks becomes more important than the giving or receiving of material gifts. I have so much for which to be thankful! I try to express my gratitude to God, and quickly become overwhelmed with the enormous task of listing my blessings.
So, here I sit on Thanksgiving Day, enjoying God's gifts. My boys are out helping Papa rake leaves, even as the snow is pouring down like one of those little globes you can shake. Kaitlynn is having a blast playing with cousin Livvy, Megan is baking something yummy, Eric is sitting around somewhere with his laptop (love the wireless, Dad, you've turned us all into bums!), mom is reading through her Taste of Home packet while holding a beautiful Allison, and Greg and I are heading out to CVS to grab some 77 cent Coke 2 liters. I am mourning my inability to go to the Thanksgiving sales in the morning, although I am still contemplating heading to Value City when it opens at midnight tonight! My mom generously offered to haul me around in grandma's wheelchair...if I get desperate enough, it might work! It's not that I feel so terrible, but these spots have to heal before I can to a whole lot of footwork.
Anyway, I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday. Whether with family or spending a quiet day at home, remember to give thanks to the One who is the Giver of all gifts.
p.s. I am missing my sister, Valerie, who is in Grand Cayman. Since Thanksgiving is an American holiday, she is teaching class and fulfilling other obligations there today. Miss ya, girl, and can't wait for December!

Allison's 1st checkup - 1 week old today!

Allison and I both had dr. appts. today, and since I can't drive for another 10 days, my mom picked us up for the big outing. I might mention that I awoke 4 children, fed and clothed them, and only was about five minutes late getting the boys to school! This is an accomplishment for my week old incision, let me tell you! Although I have been feeling well, the dr. said I have two openings in the incision (go figure - I guess I was feeling too well). I'm now trying to take it a little easier - definitely don't need infection.
Allison has a wonderful dr., Tilly Sampson, and she passed the wellness check with flying colors. She is back up to 6 lbs. 11 oz., and is still 20 in. After a trip to WalMart and lunch at The Meeting Place (mmmmm), I am exhausted and ready to lay around. Allison slept the whole time, and Kaitlynn entertained Mama and I with her non-stop antics. And yes, she received many compliments on the hot pink sparkle shoes - Thanks Valerie!

Baby Allison

Happy 8th Birthday Ryan!

I can't believe my oldest is halfway to 16! He had a wonderful birthday, although it was busy. We had pizza at Mama and Papa Nichols' and he was showered with too many gifts. He later told our neighbor, "I got spoiled!" He was thankful for all the "blessings" he received...including a digital camera from Uncle Adam and Aunt Valerie, Top Gun for Gameboy, a really cool John Deere truck, trailer, and endloader set, $22, a sharp looking shirt, tie, and pair of dress pants, new controller for computer games, a Focus on the Family adventure DVD, case for his camera, beef jerky...
Aunt Valerie and Uncle Adam sent the kids a box while they were in Florida for ACE convention. They were able to open it today in front of the webcam, and they enjoyed it immensely. I believe that box said 11 lbs. and at least 5 lbs. had to be individual boxes of NERDS! Thanks, guys. You can tell by the pics that Kaitlynn was having fun with the nerds. :)

1st Day at Home