A Final Thank You

I'm thankful for the lessons from my grandpa,
That I carry with me each day.
I'm thankful for the things he said,
And all he didn't say.

You lived your life how you left it,
With dignity and grace.
And when I look around me,
You've left more than just a trace.

You taught us how to love,
More than you'd ever show.
And for the rest of my life you'll be with me,
More than you could ever know.

Day of Thanks--No. Twenty-Five.... The Grand Finale

Lauren: "I'm just thankful for Miss Lisa."

Abigail: "I'm thankful for playing this game." She is referring to The Game of Things we were playing at the neighbors'.

Brooke: "I'm thankful for Grandma's phone call this morning.  For the family who is with us in our hearts.  And for the family of friends next door; what a great Thanksgiving.... Thanks for inviting us to share it with you!

Day of Thanks--No. Twenty-Four

Abigail: "I am thankful that Lauren and me are friends."

Lauren: "I'm thankful for these pajamies." She's sporting her new ballerina bye-tootsies.

Brooke: "I'm thankful for today. We went nowhere. We stayed tucked in our jammies.  I finished making my Christmas cards. Geoff was home for supper and we ate as a family.  Life is good.

Day of Thanks--No. Twenty-Three

Lauren: "Well, I'm thankful for my mom and dad. No, wait, the cookies."  At least we know where we rate. Hahaha.

Abigail: "Thankful that I miss my daddy.  I missed him and I wanted to give him a special treat.  Guess who is the best guy, who is my favorite that we live with.  Daddy."

Brooke: "I'm thankful another successful trip to the commissary is complete. My fellow patrons weren't bad tonight, but still my patience was thin. The silver lining: going to the commissary at night means a friendlier staff, and less misguided elderly shoppers.  I'm terrible, I know."

Day of Thanks--No. Twenty-Two

Lauren: "For the Kemps Frosty Trees.  And for the ice cream."

Abigail: "Guess what.  I'm thankful for Lauren.  Lauren kissing me at school."  Yes, she is talking about her sister.  Miss Duling told her to close her eyes and think about it.  What Miss Duling doesn't come up with!

Brooke: "I'm thankful I didn't have to go to the commissary.  I'm not thankful that I have to go tomorrow."

Day of Thanks--No. Twenty-One

Abigail: "What am I thankful for tonight?  That I got to play with Ethan, Kayla, my sissy, and Alex."

Lauren: "Well, I'm thankful for, let me think.  Goin' to Ethan's house."

Brooke: "I'm thankful for getting all of my laundry done and my car detailed.  Now no one will wonder if I went mudding or if a tornado exploded inside my car!  I'm also grateful the girls were invited to their friends' house to play.  A win, win for everyone!"

Day of Thanks--No. Twenty

Abigail: "I'm thankful for you being Santa Claus."  What!  Who's putting ideas in her head?! 

Lauren: "I'm thankful for going to Magic Castle."  Guess who didn't go to Magic Castle today.... Is this her clever way at dropping hints??? 

Brooke: "I'm thankful for getting progress made on my Christmas cards, and enjoying good company and good food in the process.  Thanks, Becky!"

Day of Thanks--No. Nineteen

Abigail: "I'm thankful for that I got to see my friends.  'Cause I missed them.  I missed all of 'em."

Lauren: "Nothing.  Nothing. Watching Scooby.  I'm done being nasty, I'm just being mean.  And I'm not mean right now."  She is.

Brooke: "I'm thankful for our neighbor who took care of Lizzie while we were away.  Thanks, Vince for leaving a light on for us!"

In addition, you could add that I'm thankful my child isn't the only one dressed inappropriately for picture day at school.  Thanks Crazy Outfit Girl!

Day of Thanks--No. Eighteen

We're all thankful we made it back to Ohio safe, and in time to go to work and school tomorrow.

We're also thankful for such a perfect visit home.  No one wants to go home for a funeral, but I couldn't have asked for anything more for my grandpa.  Thanks to all who had a hand in making it so special.

Day of Thanks--No. Seventeen

Brooke: "I'm thankful for Minnesota good-byes."

Abigail: "I'm thankful for Max." Just to paint the picture, she is sitting on her Papa's lap in his chair, still in her pretty red dress, eating her sandwich and Cheetos.

Lauren: "I'm thankful for playing with Jack." Tiny is currently kneeling at the couch, completely naked, working on Sudoku.

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Grandpa's funeral was perfect.  A beautiful tribute to a man who could never be replaced.  We salute you, Grandpa.  You're a hero to many and loved by all whose lives you've touched.  Heaven is a better place because you're there.

Day of Thanks--No. Sixteen

Abigail: "You know what I'm thankful for?  I'm thankful for you, Mom.  So write that down."

Lauren didn't get her post in before passing out from exhaustion, so I'll give something I'm thankful for her for.... I'm thankful for Lauren's unique personality.  She's never been shy about being herself.  She's the only little girl I know who makes a fort at a funeral home.

Brooke: "I'm thankful for such a beautiful reviewal for my grandpa.  He's a man who has touched many people.  And Grandpa, I get your signs; I'm thankful God has a new angel at the top of that ladder."

Day of Thanks--No. Fifteen

Lauren was ready to post hers before the sun was up.  I guess just having the laptop out started her thankful little mind spinning.

Lauren: "What I'm thankful for today.... Ummm, I'm thankful for Grandma and Papa."

Abigail: "You." Thank you, Abby!

Brooke: "I'm thankful for a great morning and afternoon with my family.  Being at the funeral home to help with Grandpa's arrangements brought out great stories and quality family time.  Lunch today, much needed time together.  Grandpa, thank you for the little signs you throw out there.  I see them.  And we know you're here.  Thanks!"

Day of Thanks--No. Fourteen

Abigail: "You." This time she means her Papa.

Lauren: "Nothing." With her face buried, what she really means to say is that she's thankful for seeing her boyfriend, Nick.

Brooke: "I'm thankful we made it back to Minnesota safely and without incident!"

Day of Thanks--No. Thirteen

Brooke: "I'm thankful I finally got my house cleaned at a reasonable pace today, got the laundry done, and Geoff got the girls out to the park to play. Productive day!"

Abigail: "Nothing.  I didn't do anything exciting today."  Note Geoff, don't bother taking Abby to the boring ol' park anymore.

Lauren: "Scooby-Doo movie."

Day of Thanks--No. Twelve

Abigail: "Myself." Smile.

Lauren: "I'm thankful for that Woody movie theater thing."  Once again, she doesn't own this.  But she spied it today at Barnes and Noble; let's just say she's less than thrilled that she has to wait so long for Christmas.... everyone in Barnes and Noble this afternoon can attest to that.

Brooke: "I'm thankful for Abby's new choice in friends.  Her new bus buddy's name is Ethan.  He lives a hop, skip and a jump from our front door and he is a nice boy.  He has already invited her over for her first playdate; a big deal, since Ethan is extra shy.  I'm grateful she's choosing quality friends."

Day of Thanks--No. Eleven

Lauren: "I'm thankful for a rocket. And I'm thankful for the red car." Once again, this child is thankful for something she does not yet have.

Abigail: "Like homes and foods and pets."

Brooke: "I'm thankful for the veterans.  I'm thankful for an outstanding conference with Abby's teacher.  And I'm thankful for the great teachers my girls have.  Who could ask for anything more?!"

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A special thank you to my grandpa.  You're the only one I've got.  Thank you for your service in the Air Force.  Thank you for bringing your family back to Minnesota, raising your children, and seeing your grandchildren through such instrumental years.  Thank you for all of the hard work and love you put into the cabin; it is such a central part of who we are, what we love, and what we love about each other.  Thank you, Grandpa, for being you!

{Grandpa and Grandma Bendorf with My Dad
in Washington}

Day of Thanks--No. Ten

Lauren: "I'm thankful for school because I love it."

Abigail: "Going on a walk by ourselves."  And she and I held hands the whole time.  Abby, you're the best!

Brooke: "I'm thankful for Geoff, and the way he takes it upon himself to get the girls through their nightly routine when I'm occupied with other chores.  I'm also thankful for feeling better, a little better; well enough to stop at our local custard stand with Lauren for an after school treat today.  Thanks, Lauren for being my girl!"

Day of Thanks--No. Nine

Lauren: "I'm thankful for ummm, a Buzz."  Still, thankful for something she doesn't have.  "I'm having that for Christmas.  And that red car," she instructed her dad.  She's still not giving up on that red car she saw at the BX months ago!

Abigail: "I wish you would feel better."  If you could see her, you would wish she would look better; what a mess!

Brooke: "I'm thankful for Lauren's spontaneous desire to wear dresses.  Yesterday, while she matched, she looked oddly like a cross-dresser.  Today, she looks like an adorable little preschooler.  I'm also thankful Abby made it through the day without barfing at school.  Now, if we can just get over the colds that have knocked Geoff and I out.  Getting it out of the way for the holidays, that's what I'm telling myself."

Day of Thanks--No. Eight

Abigail: "You." Awe. Thanks, Abby.

Lauren: "I'm thankful for a Buzz Lighyear."  Yes, she is thankful for something she doesn't even have.

Brooke: "I'm thankful for a fun night at Bunco, but sad I couldn't be home for Abby who apparently vomited all over her bed.  Seriously, enough of the barf! When is this going to stop? For all of our sakes!"

Day of Thanks--No. Seven

Once again, leave it to me to neglect doing this post until after the girls have gone to bed.  So once again I will instead write something I am thankful for about each of them.

Brooke: First of all, I'm thankful I rocked it today and got my stuff done.  All of it.  Okay, most.  But I'm wondering, when am I going to be able to sit around and enjoy a lazy Sunday?  At this rate, maybe when I'm 80.  Ughhh.

Abigail.... I'm thankful for her will to learn.  She can entertain herself for hours playing school.  She writes, colors, draws, reads, and sings.  When she isn't fighting with her sister, she's like a long skinny jewel.  I wish I could squeeze her tight and never let her grow.

Lauren.... Tonight she walked into the bathroom singing Pants on the Ground, and dropped her pants.  Where did this kid come from?  I'm thankful for her individuality.  If I didn't have anything else to do, I'd probably spend my time kissing her and tickling her. She's such a little cuddle bug!