Every November, people on Facebook and Twitter post what they are thankful for daily. Although I love the thought that goes into these posts, and the fact that it reminds the writer of how wonderful their life truly is, I find it a bit.....ah.......redundant. So, I have decided that, to get the same reflection and reminders, I will do this on my blog instead of making people read what I am thankful for each and every day. Instead, each day of the month, I'll take a quick second to add to this post, then I will post the whole list, just once. I hope I remember!
Day 1: I am thankful for my amazingly sweet, smart, adorable, hilarious, baby boys. They have created my most cherished of memories, make each day, the best of my life (so far), and make my future something to strive and look to with great excitement. I have always been driven, but they give me even more motivation to be and do everything I can to make my life, and theirs, as wonderful as possible. I love them more than anything!
Day 2: I am thankful for the wonderful friends we have gained throughout the years. Everyone says, "It's better to have a few great friends, than many." As I have gotten older, I have realized that it is actually better to have many people to lean on and share memories with. Since my boys entered my life, I have gained many amazing friends, who love and support me and my family. Without them, I would lose my mind!
Day 3: I am grateful for my ability to be home with my boys, as well as continue to nurture my passion for educating young minds. I love that I have never felt like I have to choose between the two, letting my lifelong dreams go when my boys entered my life, or feel as though I was leaving my children to be parented by others. I get the best of both worlds, and for that I will always be thankful.
Day 4: My husband. He has, not only, been my best friend for 13 years, my husband for 7, and the father of my two babies, but he has always done an amazing job of supporting me. He bends over backwards to help me reach my goals, he runs himself ragged trying to make the most of our situation, squeezing every drop out of his and my paychecks to help us reach our goals. And even though, as we get older, our views on some topics no longer are in line with one another, we still know how to see eye-to-eye when it comes to our kids, our goals, and our future. I love you Loaf of Bread Head!
Day 5: Today, I am VERY thankful for my career, and the amazing people that I teach alongside. Sometimes it's hard to be thankful for the extra work and stress that comes with my job, but today, I was reminded (as I am periodically), that what I do everyday is worth the time, stress, and effort. One of the best parts of my career path, is the little reminders that pop up now and then. I was in serious need of one, and I got it!
Day 6: My mom. I can call her for any reason, at any time, day or night. She has always supported me and my boys. I love you Mom!
Day 7: On the same note, my Dad. He has taught me to be responsible, money-smart, forgiving, driven, and happy with what I have, when I have it. I love you Dad!
Day 8: Second chances. Everyone deserves them, if they put the effort into earning them. I'm so appreciative that I have received them, and that I am in a position to give them.
Day 9: Lazy days. Our family tends to have a very busy schedule. Most of the time, we love it. We fill our days with love, friends, family, memories, and experiences. However, today is one of those rare days, where we get to sleep in, snuggle on the couch, enjoy our morning cup of joe, watch a movie as a family, and play together. It sure is nice, once and in awhile.
Day 10: I am thankful that we are able to fill our home with things passed down from the family that we love and have lost. Our living room is now home to a chair from my Grandma Darlene and Grandpa Bill (with another to be upholstered in our garage) and a table from Joe's Great Grandma, in our dinning room sits a table from Joe's Grandma Ida, and in our garage are several items from Joe's Grandpa Ted that bring back wonderful childhood memories. We are so lucky to have these wonderful items to remember them by.
Day 11: On Veteran's Day, I'm thankful for veterans. Specifically, my Grandpa Vince and Joe's Grandpa Ted (both of our boys received their middle names from these wonderful men). They fought for our country in WWII, on either end of the battle. My Grandpa in Normandy and other European countries, Joe's Grandpa in Japan. Both came home, but were never the same. Their families saw first hand, how war can affect someone, even if they are not killed in battle. Today, I am thankful for men and women who fight for our country, and come home, never to be the same. These are heroes that tend to be overlooked, because people believe that they did not give the "ultimate sacrifice". To these people I say, of course they did!
Day 12: I'm thankful for Assessment days. They give me a chance to catch up on all the little things that get forgotten while teaching 99 kiddos. On the other hand, I loath the day after assessment days......grading 99 assessments. Arg!
Day 13: Preschool Art Projects. Every week or two, Liam brings home a stack of adorable, educational art projects that he creates while at school. I love to see what it is he does all day, and I love seeing/hearing his excitement, as he shows me his creations and explains what each squiggly line and every paint blotch represents. Not to mention, the feet and feet of blank wall space that these projects will fill.
Day 14: I'm thankful for wine. That is all.
Day 15: Apologies. Without them, hurt feelings would last forever, and wonderful relationships would crash and burn.
Day 16: Having ten amazing months (so far) with our little Teddy Bear. Time is going so fast, and right now, I'm thankful that he isn't a year old yet. I can still call him my baby, and have it be true. Happy 10 month B-day baby boy!
Day 17: I know that I have already said that I'm thankful for my hubby, but I'll be more specific. Today I'm thankful that he not only deals with my horrible moods, but does everything in his power to make my day better. Ex. He helped me do the dishes, laundry, and give the boys their baths, then poured me a big glass of wine, and is now working on a yummy dessert. I'm so stinkin' lucky!
Day 18: Tissues. When there are two fountains of snot running around your house, tissues are not a luxury, they are a necessity.....and I'm thankful I have a stockpile.
Day 19: Coffee creamer. After nights like last night, wake ups like the one I had this morning, and a stack of assessments to grade, the deliciousness that is white chocolate peppermint, is the only thing that gets me going.
Day 20: Our comfortable (yet temporary) home. I know that we are extremely lucky to live in a nice home, in a nice neighborhood, where safety is not a concern, and our neighbors are friendly. On that note, we are missing our old neighbors from Lynnly way. I think a visit may be in order!
Day 21: "Adult Time". After a super long, very stressful day, I'm very thankful for the hour or two (or three), that Joe and I get to ourselves at night. Although I should spend some of this time sleeping, on days like today, staying up way past my usual bedtime, is far more relaxing.
Day 22: 10 day weekends! That's right folks! I get all of Thanksgiving week off. I can't wait to spend every morning, relaxing and enjoying my adorable little guys.
Day 23: Good listening days. Liam was A-MAZ-ING today! We had playdates, went to a Christmas bazaar, and went to a restaurant for dinner (which are usual crabby-pants triggers), and he was awesome! He even took a nap......alone......on the couch!
Day 24: Catch-up Sundays. Laundry, dishes, grocery shopping, picking up, couponing, naps, vacuuming, sweeping.......None used to warrant getting excited about (and really, they still don't), but when you have neglected these chores for a whole week, it feels mighty good to get them done!
Day 25: Watching my oldest boy and his daddy, play catch with his new football (a gift from self-proclaimed "Papa Mark"-one of Joe's co-workers). One of the most heartwarming things I have ever seen!
Day 26: 4 am nursing sessions. I NEVER thought I would say that, but at this point, less than two months from Nolan's first birthday, I have realized that they won't be happening soon. I'm so lucky that I have been able to nurse two beautiful boys, and I appreciate that I had that time to bound with them, now more than ever. It has it's moments of frustration (using my lunch to pump), uncomfortable moments (Mastitis), and times where you wish that you weren't "just the food source", but overall, I wouldn't give it up for anything! I will miss it when it's gone, so today I'm thankful that Nolan dragged me out of bed at 4:45.
Day 27: History lessons with Grandpa. My Grandpa Dale loves genealogy, and has worked very hard to find out all he can about his family's background. Every time we visit, he tries to share more information with me, but having two small boys in tow, tends to make it difficult to sit and listen, read, explore the articles/pictures/family trees, that he has collected. Today, I was able to sit and do these things for quite a while. I was able to hear stories about Grandpa's hometown, his schooling, friends, and family. It was so wonderful to hear about his life, and my background.
Day 28: Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for several things today. Seeing family that live both near and far, turkey, my dad dating an awesome cook, silly smiles from my boys, Grandma's deviled eggs, being woke up to "Happy Turkey Day Mom and Dad!", bonding with Lissy over $3 movie bins, my warm bed, and by default (because I the one I purchased was not yummy), Dutch Bros. coffee. A random bunch of stuff, I know, but all thanks-worthy today.
Day 29: The smell of Christmas trees, beautiful lights, holiday music, festive drinks, my boys' smiley faces as we decorate for the best time of the year, yet another, of Nolan's "firsts", and family love.
Day 30: On this last day of Thanks, I'm thankful for the life I live. My family, friends, career, pets, blessings, and trials. Everything I have been through has brought me to this exact place in my life, and I couldn't ask for anything more. I love my life, and the people in it!
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| Happy Thanksgiving! |
