sweet memories

Jonelle has been sick the past few days, which leads to some sleepless nights. She has parents who spoil and love her so much that we let her crawl in bed with us- (she likes daddy's side the best-which make me so happy because I get more room!) even if its 1 am like last night... We have had some cozy days at home, with some chilly weather, which has actually been very refreshing! I realized that all of the things that we are teaching Jonelle, instilling in her, and all the activities we do with her, are all the childhood memories that she is going to remember one day. Sometimes I think, "Lord, I hope she looks back on her life years from now and has sweet, fond memories of her days being a little kiddo, hangin out her mom and dad." I am so thankful because I have the absolute BEST childhood memories and I have my wonderful parents to thank for that! Some of my sweetest memories are...

• swimming in the pool with Dad in LA everyday (literally) after he would go running.
• Doing crafts, baking, and playing for hours and hours with Mom
• Christmas time- our little family celebration on the 23rd (Mom would make our favorite snacks and we would open our gifts one at a time and then all have a p.j. party by the tree)
• Going to Grandma and Grandpa's in Michigan (sledding, playing baseball, riding bikes, swimming, coloring and Grandmas special drawer that was always filled with goodies!)
• Playing house with Jeremy (he was my dog...sorry Jer...we had fun though and you were a good sport!) I think Grandpa might have been my dog once too...I remember seeing pictures of him tied to our t.v. with my jump rope... what a trooper!
• Birthday parties- this was the time of the year that we were allowed to pick out a box of sugar cereal! Oh the joy in the little things back then....
• Summer family Vacations- camping, Palm Springs, California, Canada, Florida..etc. 
• Going to McD's every Saturday morning with Dad and my brothers while mom had her doctor appointments. 
• Decorating for each holiday
• Valentine's Day treasure hunt and Easter Egg hunts
• Movie nights
• Playing basketball with Jer and Josh (beating them in Horse and 21 EVERY TIME) :) 
• Beach days with Mom 
• Drinking coke, eating chips and dip, and playing cards on the front porch on Bryn Mawr Ave.
• Having the freedom to decorate our own bedrooms
• When Josh was born- we were so excited to have a new baby brother to play with
• Saturday morning pancake breakfasts
• Spankings with the wooden spoon (the funny thing is...mom was a softy and never spanked us hard, so we would both end up in laughter, not tears!) 
• Dinner at Baker's Square  on Friday or Saturday nights

These are just a few, but the list goes on and on. It's amazing that things like this have so much meaning and that I can remember it all like it was just yesterday. Thanks mom and dad for giving us so many fun times to look back on!! And now, as grandparents, you're giving Jonelle special memories to remember as well! 

Sometimes the simplest things makes the most impact. We never had a lot of money, but we honestly never cared. I pray for that same attitude today! It's crazy the things that we can learn just from looking back on our lives. There is always a lesson to be learned huh? 

What are your favorite childhood memories?

Side note: Jonelle is now in the stage of deciding what she wants to wear and this is what she chose yesterday....

A sweater (she needed the hood to be on) with only a diaper and socks with sandals!..that's my crazy one. She she cried hysterically when we had to take it off for her bath. Teachable 2's approaching maybe?!?

I think that can be considered a sweet memory to look back on and laugh over!

Happy Saturday everyone! 21 days till Christmas, and 24 days till we go to Chicago!!