So much to be thankful for

I asked the kids the other day what they were thankful for. Madelyn took it to be a homework assignment and got to work making her own list and one for everyone else in the family.

Do you know what I'm thankful for as I face a day of door busters, house cleaning, Christmas decorations and family visits?
Having my blog entry prepared by my sweet Madelyn.

Madelyn is thankful for:
1. My family because I love them and I always want to spend time with them.
2. Going to school because I love to learn new things.
3. The holidays because they are a lot of fun.
4. God because we would not live without him.
5. Our home so we do not have to live in the woods like the Boxcar Children.
6. Animals because I love animals.
7. The world because we would never live without the Earth.
8. Babies because we all started as one.

Chloe is thankful for:
1. My family
2. Mother Earth
3. Dresses

Catherine is thankful for:
1. My family
2. Toys
3. Our house

Seth is thankful for:
1. Thanksgiving Parade
2. Beeps!
3. Mommy

Sam is thankful for:
1. Duckies
2. Rabbits
3. Daddy

Harrison is thankful for:
1. My family
2. Sleep
3. Warm arms to hold me

We hope everyone had a bountiful Thanksgiving! We certainly enjoyed spending a quiet day with our little blessings!

My First Six Weeks

Mom tells me she can't type with just one hand. Since I'm in her other hand, I thought I'd help out and do the typing for her. Those E-trade babies have nothing on me.

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Harrison Theodore or 'baby' or 'sweet boy'. I answer to all three. I was born six weeks and two days ago.

Here I am, fresh out of my nine month spa treatment and still a little cheesy.
I entertained Mom and Dad with cute noises and funny faces while we were in the hospital.Ready to go! But where are we going exactly?
We were headed home to meet my sisters and brothers. Sam couldn't wait to hold me for the first time and look at Seth's grin. They never hold me for long but they always end with a hug and kiss.
Madelyn loves being my big sister. I hear she's had lots of practice!
Here's my family. Big, huh? There's always someone with open arms for me.
Me and Dad chillin'. We're football buddies already.
That's me at 12 days. Alert and ready to learn!
Check me out! The hat says it all, I think.
Mommy spends a lot of time looking at me. I bet I can beat her in a staring contest.
A preview of things to come. Cute, huh?
Mommy loves to take pictures of me sleeping.
Two-and-a-half-weeks old and rockin' the pumpkin costume. It was such a candy magnet!
Here I am at a month. I still love my sleep, especially on my tummy. Don't worry, Mommy is always right next to me when I'm like this.
Here I am with my brothers. They've been super sweet to me so far except that time Sam dropped the toy on my face. I think he cried harder than me though.
My cord took forever to fall off. I was five weeks old before I got my first real bath. I did NOT like it!
Well, maybe I liked it a little. Okay, it was great! It's one of my favorite times of the day now.
Gotta go! I'm tired and I think I need a diaper change.

A final shout-out to my birthday girls

When you were born, you made us a family of five.

Then you became one of five.

Now you are 5!

My dear girls, this year you've really come into your own. You started the year still a little unstable and unsure from all of our moves the previous two years. You would often ask, "Where are we?" or "Is this Utah or Texas?" Our home here was unfamiliar.

You started preschool during your fourth year. This helped to ground you and gave you the opportunity to find your own friendships and ultimately, yourself. You started the year together. You always sat together. You took comfort in each other. The teacher was concerned that you were being exclusive. But as the year progressed you each ventured out on your own. You learned; you excelled; you found your own path.

Catherine, you have proven to be such a sweet girl. You are caring and eagerly lend a hand when asked. You love routine and coloring with your sisters. You couldn't wait to be a big sister again.

Chloe, you continue to excel. From talking, to learning your letters, to counting, you are a little perfectionist. You do everything over and over until you get it! You emulate your big sister which she loves and I find very sweet.

Five is looking like another amazing year. You have already learned to tie your shoes and you are starting to read. Chloe even lost a tooth. I look forward to continuing to learn with and from you. I love being your mom!

Where did October go?

It seems time is slipping through my fingers these days. I have good intentions and a mighty long list of things to do. Each day my multitasking and prioritization skills are put to the test in new ways. I'm proud to say that I've put our family first. Sorry blog, thank you notes, birth announcements, email, bathrooms, etc.

And so, before I totally lose track of things, I thought I'd offer a teaser of events that have kept me away for the last month. My intention is to elaborate on each event but that could take another month. For now, enjoy!

Event #1: Catherine & Chloe turned 5!
Event #2: We welcomed Baby Harrison into our family. This is the last shot of me pregnant. I was 38.5 weeks.
Harrison was born on October 12.
We were released from the hospital exactly 24 hours later and came home to a wonderful celebration for our littlest guy.
Event #3: Chloe lost her first tooth.
Event #4: I had a birthday! Bad picture, good birthday.
Event #5: We had a snowstorm. It was short-lived but the kids (and Daddy) had fun.
Event #6: Halloween! Trick-or-treat!
Event #7: Family outings
Until I can scrape together another half-hour...