Thankful Thursday: Double Time {December 12th & 19th}

Oh Thursday.

A monumental day at our house. 

On gone-weeks, it is {typically} the day Daddy comes home {to big squeals and screams of joy}. 

I'm so looking forward to 

our happy reunion later today.

Also, on Thursdays, as is the tradition around this here bloggity blog, I document a portion of my thanks over the last week.

Unless it's last Thursday and I totally space out.

I was thankful, I just didn't type it out. 

So here it is...a double feature:

I'm Thankful For:

December 12th:

-falling snow (we live in a snowglobe/tundra)
-warm gloves
-big hugs from my Mr.
-home weeks (!!)
-simple joys of which I need reminding
-planning meetings (really. I love to plan. And meet.)
-cookie dough (oh how the holidays suck me into sweets!)
-trickling in of Christmas cards & family photos
-answered prayers
-little boot prints in the snow
-helpful friends/neighbors with snow removal
-people who naturally, humbly, sincerely care about others (inspire me)
-skype with family
-Target dollar section
-paper plates
-the glow of white lights
-spell check
-the St. Paul temple
-colors
-Christmas lights
-bedtime stories by my 3 yr old & 5 yr old
-family cuddle time
-new parent educator friends 
-the energy of being a hostess
-the joy of renewal
-holiday treat tasting
-photography
-opportunities to teach & learn (in and outside of my family)
-insurance (difference in amoxicillin--without ins: $29, with ins: $2)
-blankets fresh out of the dryer
-our nativities that remind us
-artwork by my children
-little handprints
-clean counters
-bedtime!

December 19th:

-little gifts scattered under the tree

-the fancy upgrade that a little tulle adds to any old gift

-hot glue

-traditions--new, old, yours, mine...all of them

-my media cards

-Nestlee mint chocolate chips (and the cookies they make delicious)

-crisp apples

-melting snow (30 degrees is a heat wave!)

-whomever is doing the 12 days of Christmas secret drops at our house--so generous, thoughtful, kind, and making our days so much  more exciting!

-the joy of giving

-Christmas music on Pandora

-the Swedish chef on youtube

-IKEA

-quiet time

-loud, silly time

-snow angels

-hearing Mr. H's voice on the phone

-downtime with friends

-mistletoe in my house (first time ever!)

-my cousin's return to his sweet bride (his Navy ship is back after 9 months away!)

-another cousin's baby's birth (yay Miss Sara!)

-a successful ward Christmas party (yay! it was great. yay! it is over!<--say all="" font="" in="" involved="" of="" planning="" us="" were="" who="">

-a hard working Mr. H (did you know he went to the Church at 7:30am to set up all of the tables for the party...by himself...because everyone else was coming at 9am (as they were asked) but he wanted to get it done)

-catching up with this season of Parenthood

-gift wrap

-Christmas cards (though I haven't sent any in 3 years...)

-family history

-strong women who influence and inspire me

-the sound of the snow plow

-our first Santa Lucia holiday tradition

-hugs from my children (and their easy-to-forgive nature)

-the Savior of the world

That's it for this lady o' Thursday.

How about you? Feeling the thanks?