30/40

10.  My friends
9.  Sports to coach
8.  Sports to play
7.  watching my kiddos enjoy sports.
6.  any book by John Grisham
5.  any book by C.S. Lewis (which reminds me to find those science fiction books he wrote... anyone help with those?? )
4.  any book by Clive Cussler (Dirk Pitt series)
3.  the change of seasons in Indiana
2.  Christmas traditions (especially cookies)
1.  My brother and family moving back to Indy next summer.

40 cntd

10.  the colts
9. the cubs (even when they are frustrating)
8. the Irish
7.  music by Chris Tomlin
6.  music by Bebo Norman
5.  basketball
4.  my brother
3.  my sisters
2.  my in-laws (I am not joking either... :)
1.  Halloween candy

half-way there.

jb

40

In honor of my 40th bday yesterday I am going list 40 things of which I am thankful.

10 per day ummm for 4 days.....I believe that will get me to 40.....:)

Hope your Autumn is going nicely....We have been extremely busy ( I know, shocking) yet God has continued to grace us abundantly.

1. Family.  Wonderful wife, healthy kids.
2. Health. 
3.  Our chuch.
4.  Our small-group.
5.  My mens group.
6.  My siblings.
7.  My Mom.
8.  My 1998 honda civic. :)
9.  My XM radio.
10.  Kelsey, our chocolate lab.  (although she is naughty!)


In no particular order by the way.... in case  you were wondering.

jb

10 weeks until Christmas!

I always start my shopping early.  This year is no different, I have a lot bought already.  I still have a lot to do though. 

Our kids each receive 3 gifts from us on Christmas Day.  This is to symbolize the 3 gifts Jesus received, but also to set a limit.  We don't set dollar amount limits.  Some years one will get a big gift and other years another will get one.  Honestly, some of their favorite gifts aren't ones that cost the most. 

A craft box filled with crafting supplies was a big hit for Ann one year and Andrew asked for it the next year.
Amy always likes a big box of books.
Aaron can be hard to buy for.  There are only so many jerseys he can wear! 
Annie asked for a chapstick of her own one year.

We do stockings too.  We put little gifts and candy, gum, (chapstick) etc. in them.  They each get a new pair of pajamas on christmas eve, with slippers sometimes too.

Not having cable or being able to watch TV during the week, helps too.  No commercials definitely helps the "I wants"

I love Christmas and I love buying gifts.  Joe seldom buys too many, but he always knows what they are getting.  Family Christmas's are a different story.  I give him the low down on the way to the gathering.

Our goal is to make Christmas about Christ and not about the gifts.  The World makes it hard, but we fight it all the way.
I will share some of our favorite traditions in the coming weeks.

Monday Menus

Monday- Amy's Day
Chicken strips
Mac and cheese
applesauce

Tuesday
Ham steaks
green beans
mashed potatoes

Wednesday
Chicken and wild rice soup
bread
salad

Thursday through sunday
In St. Louis visiting the Reeds for Fall break.
Happy 20th Birthday Tori!

I think I'm going crazy....

This past week:

I forgot Annie's snack for her soccer game( no one wants rice krispie treats at 8am anyway right?)

I burned Andrews homework.  Yes, you heard it right.  I put Andrews homework in the the tree stump we now call a bonfire.  Fun email to teacher, who has to think I am a lunatic.  She says it was a first in her teaching career. I thought it was a an old one.

I was a no call no show for Ann's eye appt. we have been waiting for to try and explain her nightly headaches.

I wore blue today for blue friday.  We have the bye this week.

I did not know of Boss's day until the night before and had to run to the grocery store to buy him M&M's (premium mint ones, of course, he deserves only the best) and a card.

I thought I had missed a fund raiser pick up due to working late and went to the school the next day to apologize.  The pick up is next month. 
I think the office staff thinks I may have Alzheimers, I'm beginning to wonder myself!