November

November has come and gone.  It was a month of thankfulness.  I’m thankful every single day for the life I have and don’t go a minute not knowing that I’m blessed beyond measure.  November is just the month that we choose to be thankful for the big things down to the tiniest little things.  It’s a month that we write it on painted turkey feathers or homemade leaves for our thankful tree.  It’s a month that we purposefully LOOK for things and have a hard time picking just one to write down.  It’s a month I look forward to every single year and having my kids to share it with just makes it more special.  

It wasn’t really a busy month, but somehow I only managed to take 12 pictures.  Tye’s still harvesting and hopefully they can finish in the next couple weeks.  I’ve gone to bed many, many nights without Tye and we eaten many, many meals without him too.  It’s been hard and we’ve been sad, but we are thankful it’s just for a short time.  I know some work hours like this all year long.  Some don’t get to see, eat or go to bed with their families.  So we can be down in the dumps for a few days, but I refuse to let us stay there.  We are so thankful for the cotton and this season.

Sydney loves to drive and is getting better every time.

Ryan is an incredible kid.  He’s 9 years old and has been working nearly every single day in the field with Tye and Brent.  He’s helping run a module builder, tarping and marking modules.  He’s making a hand and showing incredible work ethic.  Not only has he worked hard in the field, but he’s worked hard at home doing his chores AND worked hard doing his school work before he leaves for the field.  The best part is that he’s kept a great, respectful attitude through it all.  Tye and I knew he could do a good job, but he’s far exceeded our expectations.  We are proud of him.

Our elf, Nonnie made his appearance right after Thanksgiving.  The kids get so much joy finding this little guy every morning.  Myles even made a flute out of an empty aluminum foil roll and played for Nonnie.  Music to my ears!

Ayden is an incredible girl.  She has been working just like her brother.  I tell her all the time that she is so cool!  The ultimate farm girl with brains, beauty and drive.  She will do anything her brother does and doesn’t mind at all to get a little (a LOT) dusty.  She drives, marks modules, runs the module builder and helps all the men and Ryan tarp.  She is growing up and it’s so beautiful to watch.

Leave it to Myles to make us all laugh!  Rusty is always willing to help.  I didn’t get a picture of it but today Myles put a mustache on Rusty.  Rusty wore it around for a good bit of time too.  We were all laughing so hard!

I have so enjoyed my time with just Myles and Sydney this stripping season.  I haven’t ever spent this much time with just the two of them for this long.  Being number 3 and 4 in a family means you don’t get a lot of alone time.  These two have become best friends and love to just play together.  They play and play all day long except for when they are doing their school work.  

Ayden reads to Sydney and Ryan reads to Myles every single night.  They all four can read but this is something they started when the younger two couldn’t.  They have just continued this tradition and it’s so heart warming to walk down the hall at night hearing them.  It’s now developed into chapter books so the big kids will read a few chapters each night to the littles.  Since Ayden and Ryan have been gone and Myles and Sydney go to bed without them Myles has stepped up to be the best big brother.  He’s been reading to Sydney.  I might have teared up listening to their conversation and how truly sweet Myles was about it.  I have wonderful children.

Everyday Myles likes to ask them “You workin’ hard or hardly workin’.”

Hahaha

We had the best Thanksgiving day.  Wonderful lunch and supper spent with both sides of our families.  We are so thankful for that.

I got to take this kid to the dermatologist this month.  It was a great opportunity to go on a lunch date with him.  He’s growing up and a true joy to be around.

More drivin’ for Sydney.

It was slightly wet one evening so we got to be home altogether.  Family movie night and hot chocolate to celebrate!

The simplicity of our life is something that I’ve always wanted.  We are busy sometimes, but it’s a busy that we purposefully pick.  There is no where else I’d rather be than at home, in the calm, peaceful atmosphere that we’ve been given and done a lot to create ourselves.  I’ve got the best, most attentive, sweet, funny husband that works SO hard for our family.  I’ve got four wonderful, loving, respectful kids that literally make my world go round.  We’ve got family and friends that love, support and encourage us.  We’ve got our God that cares and loves and will never leave us.  What more could a person ask for?  NO, our world, our life isn’t perfect, but when it’s not it gives us the chance to practice grace and mercy, love and forgiveness.  ALL of this to say, I’m just thankful.