I’m thankful time to play and watch my children grow.
I’m thankful for the rain that brought the weeds that Ella loved playing with this morning.
I’m thankful for my Troy who toddles around throwing leaves.
I’m thankful for family that is always willing to watch our kiddos when we need.
I’m thankful for the opportunity to spread the gospel.
I’m thankful for my husband and the hard work he does all the time spreading God’s Word.
Last week’s menu was pretty much a bust between eating out and swapping things out for different items or eating leftovers, so that’s why a couple of the same items appear this week.
I officially completed the Couch to 5K workout program today! I’m excited for my progress, but I’m sad to say that I’m not actually running a 5K distance . . . my pace is still too slow. BUT, considering where I came from, and how out of shape I was in the beginning, I’m thankful that I can actually jog for 30 minutes straight! Now I’m going to start working on my speed a little bit so that I can actually run a 5K in 30 minutes.
With that said, I saw a quote on Pinterest recently that really got my attention.
No matter how awful I’ve felt after a workout, I’ve never regretted completing it.
What do I regret?
All those times I should (and could) have worked out that I chose to be lazy instead.
All those times that I should have gotten up early to workout, but chose to sleep in instead.
All those times that I ate food without considering the effect it was having on my body.
All those times I told myself that it really didn’t matter.
All those times I told myself that I couldn’t do it or that it was too hard.
The years that I have spent neglecting my health (eating and exercise).
BUT, I think I may have changed. I think I’m on a road to less regrets when it comes to my health. Sure, I know I’ll have ups and downs when it comes to taking care of my body. But, hopefully, I’m finally on the path where the ups greatly outnumber the downs.
Happy 17 Months Troy!
As always, these months pass by so quickly! You seem so grown up these days . . . especially with your walking (and almost running!). You have definitely become a good walker, and have fun exploring everything. One of your favorite things to do is to pull all my things out of the cabinets and drawers in the kitchen, particularly if I’m in there cooking. 
You’ve always been fairly clingy (although you will go see your friends and family you are used to being around), but this month you’ve really started crying or fussing more when someone walks out of the room (whether that is me, your dad, Ella, or even your friends).
You love throwing things, whether that be a ball, your milk cup, a book, or your food. We have been working really hard at teaching you not to throw your food, but apparently you think the reward of the fun of throwing the food is still worth the punishment.
You are starting to get pretty good at following directions that are a little more complex. For example, you can take your diaper to the trash can now. Granted, you oftentimes want to take it out immediately after putting it in there, but you can put it in!
This isn’t new this month, but you look a lot like your dad (now and when he was a baby). You are such a mini-me of him, and I love it!
You love clapping. Ella has a music box that plays songs, and one of the songs is “If you are happy and you know it.” You’ll clap anytime the song comes on. You’ll also carry the music box around and say “clap, clap.”
Signs you do: more, finished, milk, hungry, thank you, please, thirsty, sleepy, bath (that’s your new favorite sign, ha!)
Words you say: bye, ball, Bible, bottle, bite, book, blue, mama, dada, Ella, “eeses” (Reeses, our dog), “ah-ee” (Ali, our other dog), Lucy (grandparent’s dog), “anks” (thanks), “ank oo” (thank you), “ish” (fish), “inished” (finished), duck, “ootball” (football), hut (as in football), basketball, RhuRhu (grandma), Gigi (grandma), hey, hi, down, up, uh-uh, “eese” (please"), play, ready, “gup” (cup), “gra” (cracker), cat, slide, Bailey (a friend), Katy (a friend), Ashy (a friend), trash, clap. I also think you say something that sounds like “what’s that?”
Animal noises you make: chicken and I think duck
Body parts you can identify: nose, eyes, mouth
Favorite foods: banana and beans, and then I don’t know what else. You eat a ton of different stuff, but half the time something you gobbled up the day before, you won’t touch the next day. It can make it very tough figuring out what to feed you!
Favorite activities: walking (and almost running!) and exploring everything, especially following Ella or chasing a dog; reading books; watching Blue’s Clues; taking baths; playing with balls (you love to throw any kind of ball); playing outside; playing with toys, especially talking on the phone or putting things over your head; trying get any electronics or drinks you can spot.
I’m thankful for family and friends who are willing to watch my kiddos from time to time.
I’m thankful for the abundant rain our area has been blessed with recently, especially considering the drought we endured over the summer.
I’m thankful for a strong family, and a spiritually-minded husband.
I’m thankful for trips to Target with Ella.
I’m thankful for Troy’s ability to express whatever he is feeling, even if he doesn’t use words to do it.
I’m thankful for time to go jogging, and that Trent graciously watches the kids while I go, even if it means taking his lunch time to watch the kids.
