Thankful Thursday

You guys.  I have so, SO much to be thankful for.

I'm thankful for my husband.  When I was getting super worried and anxious after our house was struck by lightning, he calmly made the phone call to the fire department. He's a rock.

I'm thankful for how quickly the fire department showed up and how quickly they found the hot spot in Kylee's room.

I'm thankful for my village of friends and family.  The messages poured in- everyone offering to help in any way they could. 

I'm thankful for everyone we have worked with.  From electricians, to insurance adjustors, to cleaners- we have truly been blessed with the best.

I'm thankful no one was injured and besides Kylee's ceiling, nothing really was damaged.  We didn't lose anything with any sentimental value. 

I'm thankful for how well the kids are handling everything.  Our world has been turned upside down in the last 36 hours and everyone is hanging in there and stepping up in a big way.

I'm thankful we called the fire department when we did.  We have had so many professionals tell us that had we waited another hour, we could have very likely lost everything.  You see, there really was no fire- when the lightning struck our house, nothing happened immediately besides the oven was strangely beeping.  Kent walked all around the house and checked everything and all looked normal.  It wasn't until a couple hours later I noticed a smell and asked Kent to look in the attic.  When he did the smell was overwhelming and that's what prompted the call. The firefighters found the spot in Kylee's room and quickly busted open her ceiling- that's when the smoke alarm finally went off.  They put out the smoldering boards in no time.

I'm really thankful we weren't out of town when it happened.  When we were out of town last weekend we didn't have anyone come in and check on the house while we were away.  If this had happened last weekend we surely would have come home to our house with much worse damage.

I'm thankful for all of my mom's help the last couple days. She's helped entertain the kids, she's brought over lunch and even helped me clean.  She's the best and I know there are many other people out there who would do the same for me! Feeling really lucky.  We've had a lot of people tell us we should have gone out and bought a lottery ticket yesterday! 

A big thank you to everyone who has helped us get through the last couple days!

Weekend Wrap-Up

What a weekend.  I'm wiped, you guys! 

Kael and I baked some orange soda cupcakes last week.  He is just the best baking buddy.  He can do so much of it on his own and he's so happy while we're in the kitchen!

Kase had his last tee ball game.  We had such a fun season.  Our neighbor and Kent did a great job coaching and we had such an awesome group of boys on the team. And I enjoyed getting to know their parents during the games! I think we're all a little sad his games are over!

Kase couldn't have been more excited about the medals. He wore it all night and into the next day.

Thursday morning we loaded up early and headed to Minneapolis for the Edward Jones Summer Regionals! We drove through heavy rain on the way there.  I was thankful the kids are such good riders. We got into town in time for lunch.  Kase enjoyed his Mickey pancake!

We waited for awhile to get checked into the hotel while the Financial Advisors were in meetings. The kids were more patient than I was, for sure.  It was a cool hotel and the kids loved riding the escalators.  Then we had a welcome meeting while the kids went to the Kids Club (babysitting provided by Edward Jones) and they LOVED it.  They had the best time decorating masks and swords and had so much fun with their caregivers.

Later that night we all went to a welcome dinner.  The kids loved the spray tattoos they got after dinner! There was also a basketball contest that Kent and I participated in and there was also a fun photo booth. 

Kylee made a quick friend and they enjoyed spending a lot of time together over the weekend! 

Friday morning I had a meeting with some of the other spouses and we decorated bird houses to be auctioned off and the money would be donated to charity.  We were pretty proud of our barn bird house! I had such a fun team to work with.

We had a great view from our hotel room!

We were so thankful to have an adjoining room to my parents- we did have a funny thing happen when the comforter got ripped! There were feathers everwhere!

Later Friday afternoon we had a group bowling outing.  It was great!

Then we stopped for ice cream and took in a lovely view of the river.

Friday night we ate as a big group at Hell's Kitchen.  These big kids have totally taken Kase under their wing. They even approached me to ask if Kase could sit with them! Kase just idolizes these boys and they are so, so kind to him.  A true testament to the awesome families we've met through Edward Jones.  I hope when my kids get older they remember how well they were treated by the older kids and they can do the same for other families! It was a fun night out! And there were even cupcakes at the end- Kael was thrilled!

Saturday we walked to a fun restaurant nearby and had fun playing the piano along the way. 

Only Grandpa Terry would get away with ordering two giant cinnamon rolls as an appetizer! 

Kael's ear started bothering him and Kase was looking really tired so we went back to the hotel for a little while to relax, then headed to the Mall of America! We let the kids each pick one ride and also we stopped at the Lego Store for Kase.

Kylee picked the zipline, of course! Kael did the Log Chute with Grandma.

Saturday night was the big awards banquet! We knew the kids were in good hands at Kids Club- we got all dressed up for a night out!  I was so proud of Kent and loved seeing him being recognized for all his hard work! The other financial advisors are truly the only ones out there who really know what all Kent has been through in the last year and a half getting this business started so Kent really enjoyed having the evening to talk with them.  He also got a couple of really cool awards which made the night extra special. 

We loved being able to spend the weekend with my parents.  It's so cool getting to be a part of all these events with them and I heard from so many people how they think the world of my parents.  I've known for a long time how awesome they are- it's fun to hear about it from someone else! 

While we were away, we found out that Cindy and Keith had been moving their fridge downstairs at the house and Cindy fell down the stairs.  She went to the hospital and even had to stay over night. She fractured her wrist and I know we are all so very thankful that it wasn't worse than that! She finds out tomorrow when surgery will be so we are all thinking of her as I know she is still in a ton of pain.

We stopped by to visit Cindy today, then spent the rest of the day catching back up- laundry, groceries, etc.  Needless to say, everyone is exhausted tonight- a weekend filled with late nights, interrupted sleep and lots of junk food was tons of fun, but we're ready to get back on track tomorrow! 

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for free Tropical Smoothie last week! 

I'm thankful for a break from the heat.  We have spent so much time at the pool lately and it's nice to feel like we can be outside and do something else! The cool air last Sunday morning was dreamy.

I'm thankful for the hugs and high fives from Kael as we closed down Adventureland over the weekend.  There's something so cool about going on all the rides while they are lit up!

I'm thankful, once again, for our library reading program.  Actually, I'm thankful for all of our library programs! Kase loves Lego Club, Kael loves Teen Bingo, we all love the library movies.

I'm thankful the kids have been sleeping in a little bit this summer! I do love the quiet time in the morning.

I'm thankful that I haven't had a reason to wear makeup in nearly a month.

I'm thankful to be such good friends with the head volleyball coach.  She had told Kylee that she could do the camp that was a grade above what she technically is in, and Kylee wanted to give it a shot.  She also wanted to do the camp for her own age group.  So Kylee ended up doing double volleyball camp last week and my friend assured me she did a great job and could totally hang with the older girls!

I'm thankful for these sweet pictures of Kent and the kids on Father's Day.

I'm thankful for neighborhood buddies.

I'm thankful for how very much Kael loves Berkley.

I'm thankful for a really fun night at Big Creek earlier this week celebrating my dad!

I'm thankful for these three musketeers.

And thankful for beach walks and beautiful sunsets.

I'm just really thankful to be part of this crew.

I'm thankful for preschool camp this week. It's been really fun being back at church.  It's been great having Kylee be a helper, too! Kase seems to be enjoying camp and I love that my nephew is there this year!

I'm thankful for a really fun Little League season.  When we first got the schedule it seemed loooong but Kase has enjoyed every game.  Our last game was last night and I don't think he was ready for the season to be over! 

I'm thankful for family nights watching America's Got Talent.  Kase watches the show with a ninja wrap on his head, a super hero mask, a medal around his neck and a shark tooth in his hand. Hilarious.

I'm thankful for a quick weekend getaway coming up! We have the Edward Jones Summer Regionals and I know everyone is looking forward it!