30 Days of Thanks:

Day 23: Today we are thankful for L&N Lawn Care. Being a business owner is both a joy and a challenge....but the flexibility of both time and money have been a HUGE asset to our family. It's hard to watch Luke work himself to the point of utter exhaustion in the summer months, but this year his income allowed me maternity leave to be with our new daughter, it covered all of our debt payments for the ranch, and it allowed us to once again stow just enough money away so that Luke can focus on the ranch during the winter months rather than having to get a job. It's a tough job, but it continues to be our strongest vein of livelihood and we are thankful for both the ability to run the business as well as all of our customers that make our business a success. Today with give thanks for lawn mowing!

Day 22: Today we are thankful for 3 out of 4 of the CPA exam tests! This exam is my Everest. Today I got word that I am only one exam away from completing the requirements for licensure as a certified public accountant. I give thanks for everyone who has supported me in this process, and pray that the 4th exam will soon be completed as well. Today we for give thanks for my pass notice!

Day 21: Today we are thankful for my Grandma. My grandmother is 93 years old and has been a big part of my life from the very beginning. When my brother and I were little she would travel to Wyoming to spend a week with us so that Mom and Dad could spend a week without us! She would bake everyone's favorite cookies while she was here, she would play games with us until the wee hours of the morning, and she has pretty much been there for every important life event possible. She was even here to greet Jayme when she entered into the world. For her 90th birthday she still had enough spunk and energy that the entire Muth family took her to Vegas to celebrate! She's an incredible mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and I am so thankful that we have had her in our life for so many years! Today we give thanks for my Grandma.

Me & Grams Swinging



Four Generations



Day 18, 19, and 20: Today we are thankful for our 'Indiana Family', Beau, Christy, and Corbin. Luke isn't close to a significant number of people in his family, however, when he's with his cousin Beau...time stands still and the two a near inseparable. Each visit goes much to quickly, and at the end of each one the countdown and planning for the next visit begins. Beau's wife Christy and I have become very close as a result of the boy's relationship and I am so pleased to be able to call her my family and my friend. Soon, Jayme will be old enough to play with Corbin and our time together will be even more valuable. Somehow our relationship with them is strong despite the 22 hour drive that separates us, and we don't know what we would do if we didn't have them as such a huge part of our lives. Today we give thanks for the Indiana Fidlers.

Day 17: We are thankful for my sister-in-law Megan. I think every sister worries what sort of girl their little brother might pick to spend the rest of their life with. Big sisters actually get to see their little brother's insecurities, from when they are 2 years old and climbing into your bed because they are scared of the dark, to when they are in college trying to pass that one class they need to graduate, to when they purchase that ring for their special girl and pray and pray she will say yes...
Being able to see my little brother's insecurities makes me want to protect him and keep them in a little bubble so that nobody can hurt him and so that he'll never have to experience any heartache. So needless to say, I think I had pretty high standards for the kind of girl I thought my brother should end up with. And then...Megan came along and blew all of it out of the water! Megan is one of the most incredible women I have ever met. If I could have hand picked a girl for Jacob...I honestly don't know if I could have found as perfect as a match for him as Megan. I look at Jacob and Megan together, and they just fit, like it was always meant to be. I cannot express the gratitude I have for Megan and all that she has brought to my brother's life, and to mine for getting to have her as part of my family. Today we give thanks for Megan.

Day 14, 15, and 16: We are thankful for Luke's siblings Brent, Jared, and Karla. Luke's three siblings from his Dad's first marriage don't live very close to us, nor do we get to see them very often. However, family is family regardless of where they live or how well you know them, and their presence in our lives make up a part of who we are. Our adult life, and our marriage has unfortunately not involved this part of Luke's family significantly because of the distance...but Luke has endless stories from childhood of hunting, fishing, tubing, snowmobiles, and trips to the Indiana farm that all involve his siblings. Luke's childhood helped shape him into the man that I married, and I love his family for that. Today we give thanks for Luke's brothers and sister.

Day 12 and 13: We are thankful for Luke's sister Jennifer and our nephew Alex. Jen has been an incredible support system in our lives...for Luke growing up, as well as for both of us now in our adulthood. When I first got to know Jen, and see her relationship with Luke, I thought to myself "wow, she's like the perfect balance of mother, sister, and friend for him." She watched over him a lot growing up, especially when he was in college. Helping him manage his money while in college, and helping him keep things organized to be in school and graduate. She really did a lot of things for him, that he probably didn't always give her credit for. Just over 6 years ago, she brought Alex into our lives, who, while totally full of too much energy for us most days, is a tenderhearted wild and sweet little boy that we have thoroughly enjoying watching grow up. Today we give thanks for their presence in our life and our family.

Day 11: Veterans Day...we are thankful to all who have served our country! What an amazing and selfless gift a person can give so that we may live our everyday lives in freedom. We live in a fabulous country and we wouldn't be able to call it home without the sacrifices made by all of those who have served, or are currently serving in our name. Today we give thanks for all our veterans!