A Year of Gratitude: Day 244

Today I am grateful to have gotten three loads of laundry done and bread made.  Looking around the house, I am disheartened by how messy things are, how unkempt it all looks, and this morning I let the clutter and disorganization get the better of me.  Frustrated by my lack of concentration and follow through, I worked myself up to a sad state; so sad, in fact, that both kids tried to comfort me independent of one another.  (It is a humbling thing to have your own children comfort you.  I was both disappointed and embarrassed that I wasn't holding it together for them and so proud of them for being so compassionate.  Such a bittersweet moment, to be sure.)

In any case, I am glad that I was able to turn it around a bit and make a small dent in the mess.  Baby steps, right?

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 243 (a day late)

Today I am grateful my mom and sister were able to watch the kids for me while I went to the grocery store.  I can certainly take the kiddos myself, but it is so much easier without them.  Plus, our grocery store is under construction for a huge renovation and it was difficult to find things.

I know I am incredibly lucky to have them, and my in-laws, so close to help out here and there, and I hope they know how truly grateful I am for everything they do for us.

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 242

Today I am grateful that we got to spend time with Grandma Betty (GG) and (Great-) Grandpa Chuck.  They were up for a visit, and we all had a lot of fun.  I didn't take many pictures today, but this was one of my favorites.

Glad you made it home safely, Grandma and Grandpa!  We hope to see you again VERY soon!  Love you!

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 241

Today I am grateful for the lovely evening out Bryson and I had.  My in-laws watched the kiddos (Thanks again, Chris and Paula!) and we got to eat dinner at one of my favorite local restaurants, Licari's.  Then, not thrilled with the options in the theaters right now and a little short on time, we rented Silver Linings Playbook and watched that at home, some before we picked up the kids and the rest after they went to bed.   (I loved the movie, and Bryson eventually came around to liking it.)  It was a relaxing evening where I didn't have to badger anyone to eat or clean up any dishes.  Win-win!

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 240

Today I am grateful for all the men and women, and their families, who have served our country and helped keep us the free nation we are today.  I am grateful for the luxury of getting to go to a frozen yogurt shop on a warm summer's night without fear of violence or persecution of any kind; without the service of our armed forces, both past and present, such a night would likely not be possible.  I am grateful for our country, however flawed it may seem at times, and the freedoms we enjoy.

We got to go to Spoonlickers for frozen yogurt tonight (Thanks again, Mom and Dad!), and afterwards I got the kids to stand still for a minute for our annual Fourth of July picture.  (Previous years here and here and below.)

At first they were pretty distracted by some people who had just arrived to get yogurt ...

... but eventually we got them to look almost in the same direction and smile.

They are actually wearing the same shirts they wore last year because they spilled milk on this year's shirts at dinner and had to change clothes.  Mollie, though, was pretty excited about it because she really wanted to wear her "Boom!" shirt, as she so affectionately calls it.  Here they are last year ...

Have a very happy, safe Independence Day, everyone!  And happy 237th birthday, America!

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 239

Today I am grateful that I made our chili dinner in the crockpot so it would be ready by the end of the day.  We had a busy afternoon with Baylor's playgroup all the way across town and then a trip to Costco planned, so I got the chili ready earlier in the day and popped it in the crockpot to simmer for five-or-so hours.  By the time we got home, I was thoroughly exhausted as were the kids and it was nice to know that I didn't have to really do any work to get dinner ready.

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 238

Today I am grateful that I took the time to read during nap time this afternoon.  I usually fill the time up with doing dishes, general tidying up, occasionally switching the laundry, and often getting sucked into episode after episode of Parks and Rec/New Girl/Modern Family/The Office/etc.  I was so exhausted today, however, that I just sat at my desk and read.  I would have loved to have enjoyed a nice comfy seat on the couch in the living room, but that was just an invitation to sleep and I don't do well with little naps.  I love to read, I have for as long as I can remember, and since we've had kids I have found myself reading less and less, particularly for pleasure; I don't really like to count potty training books as "reading for pleasure" as potty training is a horror itself.

Anyhow, I was happy I just sat and read this afternoon and gave myself a good break.

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 237 (a day late)

Today I am grateful that the kids were able to entertain themselves while I frantically tried to make a healthy dinner for us.  Time had, not surprisingly, slipped away from me again and after I bolted to the kitchen the kids just sat there and played happily, chatting with each other and only occasionally asking me for assistance.

Dinner tends to be one of the most stressful parts of the day for me, so to have them be so happy and self-sufficient, even for a short while, was really greatly appreciated by me.

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 236

Today I am grateful for the man who drove by me in a white convertible while I was walking into Meijer this morning.  We had run out of milk, a necessity for making pancakes, and I was there to pick some up as quickly as possible.  I'll admit, I was in a pretty terrible mood as I pulled into the parking spot; I hadn't gotten enough sleep and I wasn't thrilled about being out and about so early in the morning.  Begrudgingly, I got out of the car and started to make the long walk to the door when this man in a white convertible, with the top down, drove past me with his music blaring.  I fully expected to hear some rap or rock assaulting my ears, but I didn't.  Instead, I was treated to the melodious, oddly deep voice of Rick Astley singing, "Never Gonna Give You Up".  I love that song, unusual as it seems sometimes, but it made me smile to hear such an unexpected song in that situation.

And for that unexpected smile, at a moment in which I most needed it, I am very grateful.

Have a wonderful night!

A Year of Gratitude: Day 235

Today I am grateful that I got to watch my kiddos, particularly Baylor, dance their hearts out.  Bryson got a new speaker system today and wanted to try it out, so we had a little dance party in the living room.  Baylor woke up before Mollie and had Bryson and I as his exclusive audience.  And boy, did he dance!  He was so happy, as was Mollie after she finally woke up and was ready to join him.  I love seeing them so happy.

Have a wonderful night!