Party of Five: I am Thankful

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. While I do my best to teach Maddox (and Paxton, but he just looks at me and smiles, I'm pretty sure he has no idea what I am saying, but he sure likes to watch me talk..and if I'm being honest, I like to watch him watch ME talk...his grin and beautiful blue eyes make it impossible to not smile back at him....oh anyways, back to what I was saying....) I try to teach the boys what it means to be thankful and to always be appreciative of all the things around us. We have so much to be thankful for.
Today I am thankful for a healthy family. Thankful for a wonderful husband who works hard at everything he does. He is loving, kind, funny, and a wonderful daddy. I am thankful that God brought us together to balance each other out. I am thankful for the two most adorable boys who hold my heart in the palm of their growing hands. I am thankful that Maddox has my big brown eyes. I am thankful that Paxton has his daddy's stunning blue eyes. I am thankful Paxton is sleeping through the night (most of the time). I am thankful for how wonderfully planned God has our lives and how his timing is always perfect. I am thankful for our families, near and far. I am thankful that my mom lives so close to me and that we have grown to be great friends as I learn to be a mother. I am thankful that my parents are happy. I am thankful that I have amazing in-laws who have always treated me as one of their own. I am thankful to be a Kalivoda. I am thankful that the boys have 3 amazing sets of grandparents who love and spoil them on a daily basis. I am thankful that all the grandparents put so much time, energy and effort in loving on our boys. I am thankful for my brother, sis-in-law and sweet little Mollie. I am thankful that they live a few blocks away. I am thankful that my boys have such a sweet cousin to grow up with. I am thankful that Maddox and Mollie play well and are now carrying on conversations with each other. I am thankful for my sister, Carol and the growing friendship we have. I am thankful for her super funny personality and how sarcastic she can be. I am thankful for my sis-in-law Kim and her soon to be husband Austin. I am thankful for her sweet spirit, and the love she has for Madd and Pax. I am thankful for my bro-in-law Brandon and my new sis-in-law Ashley. I am thankful for the opportunity to watch Brandon and Brad's bond as brothers grow as I imagine the bond that will form between Maddox and little P. I am thankful for my dear sweet friend Sarah who has changed my life forever. I am thankful that the Lord brought her in my life almost 5 years ago and the sisterhood that has formed between us. I am also thankful for my dear friend Anna, although she lives all the way in California, she never stops encouraging me and making me laugh. I am thankful for my sweet friend Trish and her ability to always make me laugh and the impact she had on my life right when I graduated high school, started college and working in the real world. She was there when I started dating Brad, when I got engaged, got married, changed jobs, changed jobs again, found out I was pregnant (and she was pregnant too) and talked me through the crazy changes that we occurring to both of us as we become mothers just one month apart from each other.
Goodness, while I type all of this out I realize I could go on and on. We have so much to be thankful for and so many people who bless our lives on a daily basis.
Thank you Lord for your perfect plan, timing and your guidance. Thank you for amazing families and friends who have forever changed our lives.

Aunt Kim and Maddox on his 2nd Birthday