On the twelfth day of Christmas...

...I am grateful for,

The Doll Kathryn made for Kymberly

The purse/Diaper bag Kathryn made for Tansley

1. A quite day spent at home with just the girls.
2. Girls that woke up at 6:24am and when I told them to go back downstairs with an orange to eat and play for a little while...they did and didn't come bug us again until 7am.
3. Watching the thrill and joy on their faces every time they opened a present.
4. Kathryn's determinations to make presents for her sisters this year
5. Tansley's brilliant idea to make art for dad for Christmas.
6. And for all of their excitement in making the art.
   
7. A yummy breakfast of pancakes, bacon, sausage, fried eggs, mixed berries, whipcream, eggnog and orange juice.
8. A crockpot to cook supper in, so I don't have to do very much preparation.
9. The fact that all of my big projects are done with nothing on the horizon.
10. The Birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ. And for this wonderful time of the year when all hearts seemed to soften and all the world is a better place.
11. The atonement of our Savior, which makes it possible for all men, if they accept Him and give their life to Him, to return to live with Him again. 
12. My membership in His Church here on the earth and the strength, peace and guidance I gain from it.
    
13. To know that He lives. That He knows me and loves me.
    

Past Days of Christmas
1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day, 4th day, 5th day, 6th day, 7th day, 8th day, 9th day, 10th day, 11th day

On the eleventh day of Christmas...

...I am thankful for,

1. Family, in every form that it comes in. And for time spent with family.
   
2. Parents who love me and who molded me in my early years and put me on the path to becoming the woman that I am today.
3. My dad, who took me on a daddy daughter lunch date when I was probably only 9 or 10. Who knew when I needed council and would take those quiet moments to teach me life lessons, even if it took me a while to realize how valuable his council was. Who treats my husband as his own son. Who loves me.
4. My mom, who one time didn't yell at me when I accidentally broke one of her glass pans, she simply said "these things happen", I have always tried to react that way in similar situations. Who once gave me a large mirror with a note on it that told me how beautiful I was and in so many different ways...how did she know I was having a rough time? Who has always been a great example of what a mom should be. Who loves me.
5. Siblings, one sister and six brothers, who are more that just blood relative...we are best friends, all of us. There is no better thing that when we can all get together to eat, talk and mostly laugh.
6. My mother-in-law, who is an incredible example of strength and determination. A women who raised 5 boys on her own and sent them all on missions. Who raised my husband to be that man that I love, and have loved for longer that I am usually willing to admit.
7. My in-laws, in all their varieties. My siblings have all chosen spouses that I adore and who fit right in to our family. My husbands brothers and their wives are also all fabulous and we always have so much fun together.
8. My  Grandparents, both Paxman and Forsyth, who were and have always been wonderful examples of hard work and dedication both in life and to each other. And for all the memories created at their farms.  Grandpa Forsyth sings this song called "The Richest Man in the World", if you know the song it sums up everything my grandparents are.
9. My oldest daughter Kathryn. She has such a kind heart and is always concerned about making others happy. She is a fixer, and if someone is sad or upset or feeling left out, she will do all that she can to fix it.
10. My Tansley. She is a determined little girl. She is a great big sister and plays really well with her little sister. She is creative and smart and has the most beautiful smile.
11. My little munchkin, Kymberly. She makes me laugh, all of the time. She is the cutest little thing ever. She is so clever and she can say the funniest things. She loves her big sisters and wants to be everything that they are.
12. My husband, who is a wonderful father and husband. Who spoils me with wonderful surprises in to many ways to begin listing here. Who has been my best friend for much longer than we have been an "Item". Who simply loves me because I am me. And because he is exactly what I need.
    

Past Days of Christmas
1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day, 4th day, 5th day, 6th day, 7th day, 8th day, 9th day, 10th day

On the tenth day of Christmas...

...I am grateful for,

1. my husband encouraging me to go to bed at 12:30 last night...if he had not said anything I probably would not have noticed that time and stayed up until 2:24am like my sister did.
   
2. Once again being able to sleep in and once again waking up to the dishwasher unloaded....what are the chances of this continuing for awhile yet?
3. My sister organizing a fun cousins craft day at her house.
4. Spending the day out of the house with other adults...and many more kids.
5. Safe travels to and from Barnwell...even though I started to feel sleepy.
6. A warm van to travel in. I couldn't imagine having to make an hours trip in a horse and buggy on a day like today....burr.
7. The apple cider I made and canned back in September. It is perfect for cold wintery, Christmas days.
   
8. My house smelling delightful when I warm up the apple cider.
9. The fact that my two and a half year old hasn't yet figured out how to open her door, so even though she doesn't want to go to bed, she is still locked in her room until she falls asleep.
10. The fact that my computer key board really isn't dead like I thought it was this morning.
11. The fact that tomorrow is Christmas Eve, this means that all my big projects will be done and that I have no more planned or that I am committed to, and life may get back to normal...as normal as it gets.
12. The fact that on the whole, this Christmas season has been fairly simple and hardly stressful at all.
    

Past Days of Christmas
1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day, 4th day, 5th day, 6th day, 7th day, 8th day, 9th day

On the ninth day of Christmas...

I am grateful for,

1. Sleeping in again and again waking up to the dishwasher unloaded by a certain big girl.
   
2. Having fun with the girls making dad's Christmas present...I can't say to much here because he reads my blog. But we had tonnes of fun.
3. Washable paint.
4. Creative girls who like to do creative things with me.
5. Having 15 minutes of silence while the kids play out in the snow.
6. Being able to soak up some of the joy and excitement from the kids as we start to wrap the presents.
7. Kymberly not yet trying to open the presents under the tree.
8. Cats that pretty much leave the Christmas tree alone.
9. Mint chocolate. When I start to feel yucky, I eat a few midnight mints and it helps the yuckiness go away...who knew?
10. There being absolutely nothing worth watching on TV, and therefore it doesn't slow me down or distract me from the projects that I need to get done.
11. Finally having all the jamma patterns back so that I can start and soon finish the Christmas jammas.
12. The fact that tomorrow all my projects should be finished by the time I go to bed....and hopefully at a semi-reasonable time.
    

Past Days of Christmas
1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day, 4th day, 5th day, 6th day, 7th day, 8th day

On the eighth day of Christmas...

...I am grateful for,

1. My children sleeping in until almost 8am and then not getting me up until 9am.
2. Waking up to find that Kathryn had completely unloaded the dishwasher for me. She did it she said, because my leg has been achy and she didn't want me to have to do all that walking back and forth.
3. A husband that makes me feel amazing and special.
4. A husband that tells me he loves me and I know it's true because his actions say it all the time.
5. My handsome husband, just because he is who he is. How did I ever get so lucky? Seriously...how is it that he is mine, forever mine?
6. Time spent with kids making shortbread covered cherries. One of the very few things I actually baked this year...but then it wasn't an option, they are my ultimate favorite Christmas treat.
7. Blogs and websites that fuel my creative need. Like this one.
8. My girls who got so excited over the new stockings I made today. Inspired by the previous entry. Pictures will be coming when I find a place to hang them.
9. The girls playing so nicely right now...some creative pretend play about a sick rooster and a dog...and a mother who has fainted...I can't follow what is going on, but apparently they know exactly what's going on....it has now turned into a musical...they are singing their lines...
10. Chocolate. I am craving chocolate right now, and I am grateful to know that I have some in my Christmas treat stash...ooh! and the caramel kisses that my husband brought home for me the other night...perfect.
11. To have started this week off on a good note, I believe it is only getting better from here.
12. The fact that it will soon be bed time, because I have projects I need to work on that I don't want the kids to see...Santa stuff...and I am running out of time.
    

Past Days of Christmas
1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day, 4th day, 5th day, 6th day, 7th day

On the seventh day of Christmas...

...I was relaxing with my husband so I didn't make my list. So here it is this morning.
On the Seventh day of Christmas I am grateful for,

1. The chance to go to church and meet with other saints to worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
   
2. The fact that it only takes 15 minutes to drive to church.
3. An amazing ward with amazing people. We are so meant to be in this area right now.
4. Friends. Real friends that you just love to spend time with and who you can call on for help anytime.
5. The gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, for the peace that it brings to my life.
6. My testimony, that I know that I am a daughter of God, that my Savior lives, that the Book of Mormon is true, that our family is sealed together forever, that we are lead by a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson,  and that Joseph Smith was the instrument in which the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in it fullness to the earth. This I know.
   
7. The chance to teach two 12 year old for the past 6 months in Primary/Sunday school.
   
8. Great Primary teachers that put so much time into teaching my children and the other 8 primary/nursery children.
9. The chance I have to be serving in the Primary presidency. I have never served in the primary before, and it is such a wonderful experience.
10. The chance I have to watch my children grow in knowledge, both in things of the world and things of the spirit.
11. Home made chicken noodle soup and biscuits...Yummy! on of winters perfect meals.
    
12. Being able to just sit and relax with my husband.

Past Days of Christmas
1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day, 4th day, 5th day, 6th day

On the sixth day of Christmas...

...I am grateful for,

1. Pancakes. They are quick, easy and yummy, which makes them perfect for when ever I don't feel like cooking a real dinner.
2. Such good girls that let me sew most of the day with out to many problems.
3. The chance to sleep until 8:30 this morning. Any extra sleep is a welcome thing.
4. My MP3 player.
5. Good music
6. Good Christmas music that can always make a heart feel more cheery.
7. The quick simpleness of a light switch that illuminates or darkens a room in seconds.
   
8. The convenience of a fridge that keeps food cold.
9. The easiness of a stove/oven or microwave to heat food.
10. Christmas cards that come from friends and family.
11. Christmas lights, I love to such sit and read or cross stitch beside our Christmas tree all lit up.
12. The fact that this week in now over.
    

Past Days of Christmas
1st day, 2nd day, 3rd day, 4th day, 5th day