Thankful{s}

{This is George; Hudson & I made him last Jan.  It was H's first time in the snow, so... first snowman.  You can ask H about George, he will tell you all about him.}

9. I am thankful for iChat.  Serious here.  More than a few times a week, I am able to get some "face to face" talking done with two of my sisters.  My kids get sung to by their aunts; and we get to share photos, new purchases and such with each other.  It is amazing, and so much fun.  Before this beautiful communication system, I didn't talk too much with Rach & Paige {I am not so much a phone person}.  But since we've had a mac, our habits of not talking have done a 180... and we talk ALL the time.  I love this.  I love to just see them; I miss them.

10. I am grateful for Modern Medicine.  To have cures to many sicknesses; which millions never had before us.  R had an ear-infection last week.  {It didn't seem to really bother her} Sunday of last {last} week she was crying all morning - WHICH is so not like her. But never pointed to her ear.  Later that night Spencer was dressing her for bed and saw that there was MAJOR puss coming out of her ear {from her tubes... it was releasing all the infection}.  It made me sick to think that is what was inside of her ear before the tubes - nasty.  My heart broke for her.  The next day we went in, got ear drops + oral medication... plus a little swine flue vaccination.  It just made me grateful.  That some pain can be soothed, that some pain won't become more sever pain because of advances in medication/medicine.  

11. Winter.  {seasons}  Every season has its "plus".  And Winter has many.  It brings on the warmth of cocoa, soups, english toffee {Christmas tradition}, sweaters, blankets... etc.  The cold makes you catch your breath when you first walk outside and suck in the air.  It creates a list of "toys" in each child's mind... for Christmas time.  It is beautiful with fresh snow, and the look of pure white.  White is calming and beautiful.  Most important, for me, is the joy of the season.  The "jingle" in most everyone's steps.  The spirit of Christmas, and the Spirit of service and the many more thoughts on Christ. The world does seem a little less chaotic and crazy... or maybe I just imagine it as such.  It is a very inspiring season.