Day 6 Thankful

Today I am thankful for my little lady Laney.  We were so blessed and surprised to find out we were expecting Laney.   She was such a great baby and has grown up to be a great little gal.  I had been very close to children, especially my nieces and nephew.  I had babysat so many kids that I couldn't wait to be a mom.  I never felt like the first time parent thing because I had nannied for 2 babies.  Delaney Ann arrived as the biggest baby in our family at a whole 7 pounds 7 ounces!

She adores her little dog, Zoe.

She has always been my little miss.

Such a happy girl.....always.  I am so thankful for a first child who is so laid back and easy going.  She never got into things as a baby, wouldn't do something without asking first.  She has the family anxiety that has been passed on to her but she is always so proud of herself when she overcomes that and tries something new.

The day Jeff and I went to Omaha for our infertility treatment when we got pregnant with the twins Laney stayed in Grand Island with her Meme and Papa.  They took her to the store to buy a doll.  Laney insisted on getting a boy and girl twin doll set because mom was having boy and girl twins.  By golly that gives me some shivers when I think about it.  After 4 failed infertility treatments we were not sure she would get to be a sibling.  She loved being around kids and we really really wanted her to be a big sister.   I am so thankful that happened because she has always (well 99% of the time) been so good to them.  At first she really just wanted her sister but Connor grew on her too.  Boy does she love being the big sister.

She is my girl.  She loves her cuddle time with mom.  So, yep, today I have so very thankful for Miss Delaney Ann Chmelka!! 

This picture was taken on one of the first times we left the twins and took Laney on a mommy/daddy date.  We went to a Husker baseball game.  I love this silly girl.  What was even sweeter is she kept saying she wished Connor and Claire were here because she missed them.  What a goofy girl!

November 5

I don't have any digital pictures to upload.  I could scan in some old pictures.  Today I am thankful for the girl who turned 20 today, Jillian, her mom and brother.  I nannied for Jillian (and her brother, Josh) when she was a little baby turning 1.  She was such as spunky little thing who refused to crawl and would roll all over the house.  I have not seen her in years but love to keep up with her on Facebook.  We went to Disney World in 2000 and had lots of fun in Florida.  I will find an old picture to upload tonight!  Here is a picture from her facebook.  She is all grown up!

In my time with Myra, Josh and Jillian I learned a lot.  I have never traveled far from my sheltered little small town USA of Auburn.  I moved to Kansas City to live with a family who had a house MUCH larger than I knew to a town MUCH larger than my tiny 3,400 size town in with a Jewish family.  I learned a lot about the world and even though we haven't had much contact except through facebook I am thankful for the experiences I had with this family!

Day 4

November 4 thankful....  I am thankful for my sister, Jennifer.  Growing up we were far enough apart in age that she thought I was the worst thing ever.  I always looked up to her.  She is a fantastic mom and amazing doctor.  

She was so helpful with the birth of the twins and was in the operating room when they were born.

She is always there when I need her and always my biggest advocate.  She helps out everyday picking Laney up.  She also made me an aunt and nanny to her oldest.  

So, even though I spent my first 18 years thinking she absolutely detested me I am thankful to have grown up with a great sister!

Day 3

Day 3

I am thankful for this guy.  We have been together 9 years.  Our 8 year wedding anniversary will be here soon.  Thank goodness he is very laid back.  He puts up with me so you know he is a great guy.

He adores his kids and lets them (almost) do anything they want.  He has learned that cookies at 3am might not be the best parenting choice!

Man oh man was having twins more difficult than we could have imagined.  He is so great with them.

He coaches any and every sport he can.  Laney loves having him coach her in softball.

Finally a rare picture of us! 

November 30 days of being Thankful!

Most people are doing their 30 days of thankfulness on facebook.  I decided to do that here...

Day 1

I am thankful for this girl, my niece Abbey.  She gets day 1 because she turned 14 November 1st.   I had a bit of a shock today when I realized she is 14.  She could have a school permit if she lived outside of town!!  OMG!  I nannied for Abbey when she was born and my sister and brother in law were still in medical school.  She is the first born grandchild and has grown into such a sassy girly girl.  I love this picture because she was so excited about my wedding.  She insisted on helping my with all the planning and had many ideas on how it should go.  I absolutely adored her from the moment she was born.  Today I am thankful for Abbey!

(and since it is November 2 I better do Day 2...)

Day 2

I am thankful for my mom and dad.  I am so lucky to have grown up with them as my parents.  Not only were they awesome parents growing up they are fabulous grandparents.  

My mom was great teacher who taught me so much about this profession and always understands my frustrations and joys.  She also taught me about discipline and common sense.  My sister and I talk about how it is so unlikely to come from a difficult family situation as she did and yet do so well and different from her own raising.  She is the only one of her 6 siblings to have a Master's Degree.  She is a great example of you can be who you want no matter what hand of cards you have been given.

My dad is stubborn, onrey and has always appreciated my social-ness!  (Is that even a word?)  He was always the one I went to when I wanted yes for the answer, he taught me to golf and always told us girls could do anything boys could do.  Maybe that is why I ended up on the boys golf team?   I'm so glad he finally decided to retire and we get to see him more.  

They are adored by their grandkids.  They moved from our childhood home to a GI to help when the twins were born.  They have made such sacrifices for my kids and I'm forever grateful!  

Halloween take 1!

Laney had Trick or Trunk at her school on Sunday afternoon.  So, I thought I'd try to get some pictures before we went.  Well, that was all going well expect the fact my camera did not have a memory card in it.  So, I had to run home and get one.  By then the kids were not excited about taking pictures any longer!  Oh, well.  Maybe I'll get one on Halloween!

Here is my Doc McStuffins along with Lambie, Chilly, Hallie and Stuffy!  Good thing Laney already had all the characters from the show along with the stethascope and doctor bag!

Time for your checkup!

Claire LOVES her Rapunzel costume.  I really really wanted her to be Hallie from Doc McStuffins.  I found the cutest purple hippo costume and was going to make a little apron to go with it.  She told me she would make a really cute Rapunzel.  This kid knows what she wants.  She also LOVES the wig.

My pirate "walking the plank".  He thinks being a pirate is the best thing ever!  He shouts out pirate sayings and swings his sword!

The pirate and Rapuzel are the best or friends!

All three cuties!

Rapunzel's braid.  She loves that thing!

Walking up to trick or trunk.  Thankfully Gogo could come with us because Jeff had basketball practice.

Atley and Laney at trick or trunk.

I loved watching the twins with their big eyes watching everyone.  They could have just stopped and stared at everyone.  

One of the stations was roasting marshmallows.  The girls thought that was fun.  Connor went to wait in line to ride horses.

If you ask Connor his favorite part this is it!  Watch out Lori and Will he might find his way to your house to ride horses.  This kid LOVES horses more than being a pirate!  Being a pirate on a horse was even better!

My mom got creative an sewed the name on Laney's jacket.  Thanks to her doctor aunt for that suggestion!  It made the outfit!

Fall pictures!

Instead of paying lots of $$ for a photographer to take pictures of our family and then not print them or only like a couple I decided to just do the best I could with pictures this fall.  First, I did Laney's school shoot and then I attempted the twins.  Then I set the tripod up and took a few family shots.  I wish I had a better editing program to make them pop but for free they will do!

My sweet sweet Claire bear.  She is all girl.  I think when her turn to play sports comes we may have to stick a tutu somewhere on her uniforms!

When I went to put Connor's jeans on for this I realized they were 3 inches too short but too bad!  I didn't have any other jeans for him!

These 2 are the best of friends.  This is so them.  Claire smiling and Connor doing something onrey!  They have been such a blessing.  They are so much work and I often get frustrated.  It is hard having 2 the same age.  Golly, though, how much fun they are and how they adore each other.

Claire has learned the elbow on the hip pose from her sister!

Connor showing his muscles!

Why should he look at me when there is dirt to be played in.  He is all boy.  I should have had some basketballs, footballs, baseballs or any ball.  This kid love sports.  Right now he like to say, "Hut, hut, HIKE" then throw the ball to you and tackle you.  

Claire and Connor dancing!

They get along more often then they fight!

Here is take 3!  All the kids with Daddy in my test shot!

We were all trying Laney's hand on the hip pose!

I like the set up of this one and I actually think it is quite cute that Connor is playing in the dirt instead of looking up.  He clearly has better things to do.  That is my Conman!

Laney wanted one of just her!  She is getting this picture taking thing down!

Connor photobomb!  He did have his hand on his hip too but I wasn't quick enough!

Well, besides some Halloween pictures my attempt at a Christmas card picture is done!  I will make one of these work!!