being thankful

Daddy making sure there aren't any marigold petals left in her mouth.

A free hug.
We get so many hugs these days, without even asking.
She'll be in the middle of playing and stop just to hug and kiss you.
Please tell me this part never ends.

Since this is the month of November, and the month of my favorite holiday, and the month that most people actually remember to give thanks for all they've been given...I'm taking a moment to be a little mushy and thankful myself.  Everyday, but today especially, I'm so thankful for the husband I have.  He really puts Laci and I first and works his hardest to provide for us.  Not only does he take care of us financially, but he also helps out around the house, works hard to make our "wilderness" livable, and has become a handy bug killer.  Usually, I can do my own bug killing, but lately, it is so much easier to have him do the yucky stuff.  We eat dinner as a family almost every night, which is one of the things I feel is most important in a family.  I grew up sitting around the dinner table with my family every night and I want that for our children too.  I'm so thankful we are on the same page about that, and also with most of the other parenting issues we've encountered so far.  Most of all, I'm thankful for his understanding of my craziness/moodiness (whatever you want to call it), and his ability to handle the sometimes obnoxious amount of energy (and noise) my family can create in a room.  I am really lucky.  I'm pretty sure he knows all this, since I try to make it a point to tell him how much he's appreciated as often as I can without sounding like a broken record.  A few days ago, he asked how to get to this blog again, so I typed the address into his phone.  Maybe that means he reads this blog now.  Maybe he'll even read this post.  I hope he does, and I hope he's embarrassed.  He doesn't embarrass easily, but I think such a public display of mushiness in his honor might do the trick.  So, Ryan, if you're reading this, please know that I truly love and appreciate all you do for Laci and I, and now the whole world (or at least the five people who read this) know too.