Thankful Thursday- July 25

I really enjoy participating in this linkup each week (or as often as I am able) because it really does me good take a few moments to focus on being grateful.  Even if it is a stressful week (which this week was not, thank goodness), when I take the time to be thankful, it puts everything into perspective.

This week, I am grateful for many things.  They include my children's imaginations.  In a day and age where computers and video games seem to have robbed children of all of that, I love when they still can really think and play creatively.

The kids got to have a friend over on Monday for swimming and fun and I got to spend a wonderful afternoon chatting with his mom.  Isn't it wonderful when you have a friend who is of like mind and values and who has a son the same age as yours?  :-)  :-)  I'm just sorry I didn't get any photos of the kids playing.  I was enjoying myself just as much since we have so much in common to talk about!

I am also grateful for a fun sewing camp that my daughter has attended in the afternoons that she is enjoying SO much.  The things she has made have amazed me.  So far, they include a headband, pillow, bag, zippered pouch and even a pretty skirt to match the handbag she had made a few months back.

I am also thankful for the steady and talented hands of the orthodontist in putting my son's braces on. (yes, my oldest now has braces and this mama was a nervous wreck)  There is much work ahead to do, but we are keeping our eyes on the "end game" and know that it will all be worth it.

I wrote last week about the Black Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar that we found outside.  He(or she) has since become a chrysalis and the kiddos have really been interested in learning more about this type of butterfly, as we have only raised the Painted Ladies in the past.  I was so glad that I was able to find a farm that sells Black Swallowtail caterpillars.  The kiddos, hubby and I set up a little ecosystem for them and we were happy to put the new "babies" in their home.  What a fun learning experience for us all.  And, I just saw a couple more of them on our parsley outside.  We will hopefully bring them in to join the others tomorrow.  There is plenty of room in the inn!  :-)

Linking up with ,Lisa at The Army Chap's Wife, NOBH,Miscellany Monday, Raising Homemakers and Modest Mom and Raising Mighty Arrows,, Spilled Milkshake,Crafty Spices,  Mom's Monday Mingle, Monday Mingle, and Just the Stuff Ya Know , the Fontenot Four and A Sorta Fairytale and Family Fun Friday and TGIF Linky Party