1.  We're learning about insects and spiders this week, but maybe I should have checked out weather books and found weather activities instead.  Our part of the state (especially where my in-laws live) got hammered by torrential rains, and a lot of people had significant damage to their homes.  My in-laws had to take up most of their flooring and will have to redo the lower sections of walls soon.  Here are our frontyard and backyard after just a few hours of rain . I can't imagine what it would have looked like had we gotten what they got :/ 2. Ella is doing a really good job of telling me when she needs to go to the bathroom and of keeping her undies dry. We're very pleased :)

A few years ago, I did a series of posts during November detailing many people/things/ideas I was grateful for. I was pregnant with Jack at the time, and I shared the news of that pregnancy at the end of the month. It was a special, crazy, scary time. If have much to be thankful for, so I thought I would do a "take two" of sorts.  Day 1 Today, this first day of November, I'm thankful that the amount of rain we've received these last few days has been refreshing and not overwhelming as in many many places in the state. I'm grateful that my loved ones in the areas that have received much rain are safe and sound.  Thank you, God, for pouring out your blessings as the rain has poured out here. I don't deserve them, but I accept them with a grateful heart.   What are you thankful for today? Share with me each day, if you will. 

**updated with link below--3:45pm** ***updated with pictures of the kids :)--5:00pm*** 1.  I had forgotten just how NOISY a sleeping newborn is.  It's crazy listening to the amount and types of noises that come out of that little body as she rests (especially when I'm trying to sleep at night, too!). When she's awake? Not a peep, haha! 2.  The rain today! I don't know how much we've had so far, but it's rained all night and all morning steadily (and sometimes downright hard). Lots of lightning and thunder have joined the rain, which makes for a pretty drowsy day. A lot of roads are flooded/closed, and many people tried to drive through the water only to find that they couldn't. I'm very thankful The Husband had to leave as early as he did for work this morning, or he might have gotten stranded, too.  3.  Our garage is on a slab (the house is on piers), and unfortunately it's allowed a lot of water to pool in there. And, w...