thankful that my home is now healthy. Little eyes are crystal clear and beautiful again of nothing other than blue or green. Noses have gone without tissues for days.

thankful to be on my way to being free from a mild caffeine addiction!

counting down the days to a Christmas Holiday break with a husband/daddy home for a LONG time!

looking back on this year and counting yet again, numerous blessings.

continuing to catch the vision for home schooling. I am simply in love with it and more so a Helper suited better for the task than I, yet gives me everything I need to do this thing and do it well.

thankful for surrounding friends and homes who have caught a vision for something more.

thankful for our church, my pastor, and a place to call home in the body of Christ.

not dusting or vacuuming or scrubbing the shower (or fridge at this point!) as often as I should. But I'm thankful to have caught this 'seasons' thing and that we're all going to be OK!

hoping and praying for snow. Lots of it!

pregnant with number 5! and thankful to have caught (though am realizing I'll forever have to hold tight to) this simple truth of 'children are a blessing' and at all times.

(thanks to Gabe's new work schedule) going to bed EARLY. So early, I'd rather not say, we already lost enough 'cool creds' with some younger college kids after I spilled those beans!

turning 28 next month. That is young yet I know, but it's still older than I've even been.

happy when I go out with just Gabe. I am even happier home just doing life and loving Jesus together, and then going to bed early!

thankful for Jesus. The remedy, always the remedy! Not this. Not that. Not more of that. Not less of that. Just Jesus. This Christmas season seems heightened exactly for it and I'm freshly thankful to be on the winning side of the end battle. Not in this life but absolutely in the life to come. Jesus, for He shall save his people from their sins, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:31. Sin shouldn't ever surprise. That is why He came. I am so thankful for this Saviour.

My header still awaits the updated family picture I can't seem to 'add' to my edited and personalized theme on Xanga. My last three tickers say "Happy Birthday Sophia!" "Happy Birthday Liam!" and "Congratulations on your NEW baby!" with not the faintest new 'count down' in mind.

Was it really a whole year ago I had that baby at home? Am I seriously now pregnant with baby #5 and starting a whole second trimester?! Where did that first one even go?

My keyboard was down (aka dead) when baby B's birthday rolled around. The online keypad Gabe hooked me up with in the mean time was patience trying indeed. I put off Boaz's special recognition post until I was able to quickly tip-tap away.

Yes, he is one now. Yes, he is the apple of all of our eyes. He's been walking for MONTHS now. Fast walking border lining on out of control running is now more his speed. He is spunky with a bad attitude, yet at times just as quick to please and obey. I love this baby! He loves me, his siblings, and his 'Da!' like none other. In fact, if you are not one of us do not even try to win his affections. He is loyal to the fam to say the least!

He enjoys eating ladybugs and carrying around Lego and Polly Pocket pieces in his mouth. He climbs the stairs any chance he can get. It's worth the discipline every single time!

First years have some of the longest days, yet they go down in record to somehow pass the fastest. The amount of 'change' that takes place in year #1 never ceases to amaze me!

I'm so thankful for those changes physically, emotionally, spiritually and to our whole family. We have all been blessed by this precious and special little someone we call 'Love-Chunk.'

"So, Mom? Is his real name Chunk or Boaz?"