Thankful : November 17

Can't believe how much these two photos look like you have a mini-Chris and a mini-Ali in your house. Enjoy it all ... every day. They grow too fast.

I too am so thankful for my kids...they bring me great joy!
"Joy seems to me a step beyond happiness. Happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes when you're lucky. Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love" `Adela Rogers St. John

Ali, I am trying to find the white thin frame element that you put in your photos. I do not have photoshop. Is there any other way to download something like that.
I use Picnik online and they do not have that feature. I also have Roxy Easy Media Creator but haven't used it alot. I'm not in a situation where I can purchase photoshop. Do you know of an easy to learn free digital download system? I just really love your simple clean digital layouts. Thanks for any advice.
Alisa

A wonderful reminder on the morning after my three-month old was up three times between 12:30 and 5 a.m. I couldn't be any more thankful for her little, sleepless self!

Aaaaawwww.thanks for sharing. They are beauties. Thanks sharing your thankfulness daily. Children ARE the best thing to be thankful for. A world without children would be the hardest place to live. And like you write, especially on moments when they need you or you simply hear them, is when you feel blessed the most!
I really love your blog!

Funny...thats what I said I was thankful for yesterday too was my children (nmsanford@blogspot.com). I read the book Handle With Care and after finishing it last night, that's all I could think about was how lucky I am to have my children. It was a good read!

Thanks for sharing another bit of your *real* life with us. Definitely something to be thankful for!!!!

Isn't it great that no matter how bad your day is or how crabby you kids are that just getting a simple kiss or hug from them turns you to jelly?--kids are the ultimate bad day healers!

I am with you Ali - they bring so much joy and fulfillment to our lifes.
How blessed we are!!

and aren't they just the cutest!

wow, Simon is looking so old and so much like his Daddy! His eyes are gorgeous. And your baby girl...precious and looks just like you! :)

That last line says it all "even then, especially then..." Yes, that is when we need to be thankful for them as well. Beautiful children, Ali! Lucky to be in your family!

Such precious little ones you have, Ali!
I find myself repeating in my head "they are little and just learning" during those hectic moments. It helps to keep me calm, patient and extra loving as I speak. I've been doing A LOT of single parenting in the past few months since my husband is working out of town. It's the best and hardest work we will ever do!
Thank you for continually sharing and inspiring.
Blessings to you, Amanda

That's what it's all about :)
Super sweet little tag, too. Might have to scoop that up for the DD.

Ohmygoodness...they are such mini-versions of you and your husband! Thank you for the inspirational perspective for this fellow mama of two little ones. They grow and change far too quickly.

Wow, that sounds like my house a few years ago :) Isn't being Mom the best job in the world?!

Ah, yes....and what precious little beauties too! =)

remembering in those times how thankful you are makes you the best kind of parent one can ever hope to be.
well said Ali :-)

Wow - does she look like your mom, or what?
Mini Pati!!

So precious. I love how intentional you are about celebrating your family.

So beautifully stated...those tiny and seemingly less-significant moments are really the stuff of life, aren't they.
Your babies are beautiful - as is your daily inspiration. Thank you for sharing your talent.
;)

Oh--such sweet words!

what wonderful blessings to be thankful for!! and so true about being thankful with the good and not-so-good!! have a wonderful day ali!!!

hahaha...i was getting ready to comment and leave those exact words! UNBELIEVABLE how much they look alike.
my daughter is the same way....i always say we're twins, 30 years apart, LOL.
ali, i see a lot of your mom's features in anna's sweet little face.

I know it was said above, but can't get over how strikingly similar Simon looks to his Dad. Not that that should be a surprise...just feels as if I am looking at what Chris must have looked like as a young man. Simon really has grown and changed from a boy into a young man. Anna really is a mini you too. Must be so fun for you to witness this each day.