FOURTEEN

Good Evening!  I hope that you're all having a good week.  Today I am thankful for living in the moment.  This is something I've been trying to be much more conscious of.  Too often we are focused on what has happened or what will happen and we forget to see what's happening right now.  I'm certainly guilty of it.  You get so focused on the did happen's and the what if's that you miss the life you're living today.  One of the reasons I decided to start my year long journey of being thankful was because I had become too consumed with things that were beyond my control  As a result of that I was missing all of the wonderful things that were already happening.   One that stands out in my mind was at my 6 week follow-up after Addie was born.  I had this beautiful baby girl and I asked the doctor if I would always have a hard time getting pregnant because I was worried about going through all of the fertility struggles again.  That's sad to me and that is simply no way to live life. 

Albert Einstein said it very well, “Life is a preparation for the future; and the best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none.”  We can't change what has happened, we can only learn from it and move on and worrying about something that hasn't even happened wastes precious moments.  So, taking Mr. Einstein's advice, I am focusing on the here and now; my loving husband, our beautiful blessing, Addie, and the happiness I feel today.  Today I feel so blessed and happy and I'm enjoying every moment of it.

I'll leave you with a few more quotes that sum up the importance of living in the now. 

XO

“What day is it?"
It's today," squeaked Piglet.
My favorite day," said Pooh.”
― A.A. Milne

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.”
― Henry David Thoreau

“I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it.”
― Groucho Marx, The Essential Groucho: Writings For By And About Groucho Marx

“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.”
― Benjamin Franklin

“We spend precious hours fearing the inevitable. It would be wise to use that time adoring our families, cherishing our friends and living our lives.”
― Maya Angelou

THIRTEEN

Happy Monday Everyone!  I hope it wasn't too painful. :)  Ours was pretty dreary and rainy, which leads me to what I'm thankful for today.  There isn't any deep meaning in this, I'm thankful for CAFFEINE!!!!  If it wasn't for coffee I don't think I would make it through my day, especially rainy/chilly Mondays.  It's funny because B.A. (that's Before Addie) I hated coffee.  I couldn't stand the taste and could never understand why anyone drank it, then I had a baby.  I'm pretty sure I made it all of two weeks after bringing Addie home before, out of pure exhaustion, I stole some of Matt's coffee.  I've never looked back.  Granted, I still don't like the taste of coffee; I generally mask it with lots of cream and sugar, but without it I'm pretty sure I wouldn't last an hour. 

On the rare mornings, when I some how run out of time before I can have my morning cup of coffee, I'm lucky I make it to work.  By the time I get there I'm running into walls, my eyes are drooping shut and I am willing to injure for a cup of coffee.  Thank goodness the rest of my office are caffeine junkies too so there is always a ready supply waiting.  Days like today make my morning coffee especially necessary.  So, thank you to the coffee gods for getting me through the Monday slump.

Good Night! :-)   

TWELVE

It's Sunday evening after a beautiful weekend.  I hope that you all enjoyed yours.  Today I am thankful for friends.  Matt and I have been blessed with wonderful people in our lives and the memories we have shared with them are priceless.  My closest friend and I have helped each other through tough times, we have shared laughter, highs and lows and the birth of our children.  There isn't one day that goes by that I don't realize how lucky I am to have the friends that I do.  Remember, it's not the number of friends that you have, just the quality of the friends that you do have.

Sorry for the short post everyone, but after an eventful weekend I'm a bit behind on the sleep thing.  Enjoy the rest of your evening! 

XO

ELEVEN

Hello!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Saturday.  Matt, Addie and I ran some errands and visited with the Drowns. It's always nice to visit with them and they always make us feel so welcome.  Addie was quite fond of them as well. :-) 

Today I am thankful for Addie's unrelenting joy.  As we were in a store, so I could look for a dress for an event, Addie was running all around screeching and laughing as she saw all of the clothes and trinkets.  Watching her excitedly smile and wave to strangers I can't help but smile.  The littlest things, like finding a polka dot umbrella, make her so happy and excited.  What makes it so much more wonderful is how she can't wait to show us what amazing things she has discovered or seen.  Children truly are a blessing from God because they are our reminders that there is beauty and joy in everything, you just have to be willing to see it.  As I watched her dance to the theme song to Scooby-Doo and then run to Luke to give him a hug I realized just how blind I was to this fact until I had her.  So remember to always see the joy in every situation, just because it isn't obvious doesn't mean it isn't there.


My <3

Sleep tight!

My Silly Girl



My Joy

TEN

Happy Friday Everyone!  Today I am thankful for the weekend.  There is nothing like making it to the end of the work week and knowing that you're free for a couple of days.  Ok, so usually what the weekend means for us is grocery shopping, running errands and going to whatever event or get together might be happening but we're free. lol  Even with all of that going on the weekend also means extra family time; no rushing to get dinner on the table and Addie ready for bed.  It means the possibility of a leisurely day at home with Matt and Addie; cleaning up, playing outside, just enjoying being a family.  Most of our weekends tend to be a bit of a flurry, but every once in a while we get to have one of those wonderfully free weekends where we just get to be with each other. 

Sometimes I am truly amazed at how much our lives have changed.  The weekends used to mean going out with friends, going to a movie, and staying up late.  Now the weekends mean family, catching up, and usually running around, but I wouldn't change it for anything.  I love our "free" weekends. :-)

Happy Weekend Everyone! 

NINE

Good Evening All!  I hope you've all been having a nice week. :-)  As I'm curled on the couch with a calming cup of tea I'm reflecting on the day and what I'm thankful for.  Today I'm thankful for a job that allowed me to enjoy the beautiful weather and hang out with one of my friends whom I don't see nearly enough.  Though my friend and I were working we had the chance to catch up on what has been going on in our lives while we were doing so.  So many people aren't lucky enough to even have a job so I am truly grateful for mine.  Just like everyone, I have my days when I am less than thrilled to be at work, but the big picture is that I've made some good friends during my time at my place of employment and for the most part it's fairly painless. ;-)  So, on the days when I feel like I have to drag myself into work I just try to remember how lucky I am to have a job that allows me to support my family and all of the wonderful people who have come into my life.

Until tomorrow! xo 

EIGHT

Hello Hello!  Today I am thankful for surprise visits from my mother-in-law and Addie during my workday.  Right before my lunch I get a call from my mother-in-law.  She had left me a message saying her and Addie were at the local grocery store.  I was so excited that I was going to get a chance to see my little munchkin in the middle of the day.  When Addie spotted me walking down the grocery aisle her face lit up and she started waving her hands excitedly.  Seeing her smiling face made my whole day.  As I walked around the grocery store, chatting with my mother-in-law, Addie hugged my neck with vigor.  By far the best lunch break I've had in quite a long time.  My little girl brings me so much joy and it never ceases to amaze me just how much I love her.

Until tomorrow. :)

SEVEN

Good Evening!  Today, as I spoke with a friend I realized how blessed I am to have the extended family I have; that includes my in-laws and my siblings in-laws.  I am so thankful for what a wonderful family I gained when I met Matt.  They took me in and love me unconditionally.  I have a mother-in-law who is always there to listen, a father-in-law who is always willing to help me and a sister-in-law who is a true friend.  Not only did Matt's parent's and sister embrace me but so did his aunts, uncles grandparents, and cousins.  I have never felt like an outsider around them; it's as if I've always been a part of the family. 

As if that wasn't wonderful enough, I am not only close with my two other sister-in-laws but I can truly say that I feel welcome with their families as well.  When Matt and I make a trip to Iowa we have often spent a day visiting with my sister-in-law, Megan's parents and brothers.  It's always a blast seeing them and hanging out.  And I am always so excited to see Megan again. 

My sister-in-law, Jessi's gma drove my school bus for a couple of years growing up and her mother was one of my teachers.  Jessi is always telling me how they ask about me and how I'm doing.  Though Jessi and I haven't had a lot of chances to hang out since her and my little brother got married, the times that we have were always fun and full of interesting chats. 

Then there's my brother-in-law.  I lived with my sister and brother-in-law for a time, right after I graduated.  It gave me a wonderful opportunity to not only bond with my sister but to get to know my brother-in-law, Steed.  He often teased me about my eating habits and I often teased him about thinking he was so funny. ;-) 

All of that in itself makes me feel incredibly lucky but something that I truly cherish is how my family and Matt's family mesh so well.  A few Christmas' ago Matt's parents and sister joined my parents, Matt, Megan and Hunter for Christmas.  For a week we were all one big happy family.  We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas together and I can safely say that it is one of my most cherished and memorable Christmas' yet. 

I count myself lucky every day for the extended family God has granted me.  I could not imagine life without them.

Sweet Dreams Everyone! XO

SIX

Happy Monday and Earth Day!  I hope it was a pleasant one for all.  In honor of Earth Day, today I am thankful for this Earth we live on.  I have been blessed with both living and visiting some beautiful places and it's in this beauty that I have truly learned to appreciate just what our beautiful world can offer us.  Growing up on the Mississippi I have witnessed power, grace and serenity.  Some of my best memories have been sitting on the bluffs of my hometown just watching the river amble by.  I have also witnessed the great power the river holds by seeing what happens when the Winter snow melts and the Spring rains begin.  We can build dams and try to divert the waters but in the end, the river is going to go where the river wants to go. 

Then there are the beautiful Catskills, which I have been blessed to call home for the past 7 years.  I have seen more creatures; bears, deer, coyote, fox, porccupine, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, etc in my time spent here then I think I've witnessed anywhere.  Admittedly I have enjoyed my close encounters with some of these creatures much more than others but the array of creatures that inhabit this Earth never ceases to amaze me.  It's easy to get caught up in the hussle and bustle of civilization but to truly stop and appreciate what our Earth has provided for us; beautiful art that could never be replicated by any man, amazing creatures who help control things we aren't even aware of, food to sustain us and the list goes on. 

So on this Earth Day and every day, try to stop for just a moment and truly appreciate the beauty that is around us and the important part you and everyone plays in ensuring that our Earth remains safe.

Good night all, sleep tight.

FIVE

I hope that everyone had a good weekend. :-)  In honor of the "Lazy Sunday" today I am thankful for QUIET.  Addie did not sleep very well last night, as is generally the pattern, so my brain is a bit drained after a long week and sleepless nights.  So, as Addie is FINALLY taking a descent nap I'm enjoying  the ever elusive quiet.  As I quickly discovered as a new mommy these rare moments of quiet are usually first met with a dilemma;  do I finally clean the house, catch up on some laundry, eat my lunch that I made 3 hours ago?  Or do I sit and drink a much needed cup of coffee, better yet, do I sit and read an adult book, take a shower, nap myself or do I just sit and enjoy the silence.  OR, might it be possible to squeeze in a little bit of all of that?  Ha!  I've gotten pretty good at multi-tasking but I have yet to make that miracle happen.  Finally it's, please oh please let her sleep long enough for me to get at least one of those done.  But occasionally a wonderful thing happens, I lay Addie down for a nap and I'm able to just sit and enjoy the silence.  In those moments I remember what it feels like to have down time and I can feel my brain resetting.  I have come to cherish these rare moments.  I love Addie and I love being a mommy more than anything but sometimes it's nice to just have a moment of quiet.

As I finish this post Addie has already woken and is "helping" me type this, but it was nice while it lasted.  Maybe I'll go to the grocery store by myself this week, that'll be a treat. ;-)

Happy Sunday!

My lifeline :-)

FOUR

Good Morning!  I hope that everyone is doing good on this early Saturday morning.  My Saturday started out very nicely.  I received a text from my best friend telling me something I already knew but love that others recognize.  Today I am thankful for what a wonderful man and father Matt is.

Matt left early this morning to go work with his friend, who is married to my best friend.  I received a text from her this morning saying, "You know what I like about your husband?  He always helps me with my kids when he sees I'm trying to do something."  One of the things I love the most about Matt is his kind heart.  He is always willing to lend a hand, whether it's to our friends and family or a random stranger.  And he has a way with children that makes me melt every time.  We can't go anywhere around here without having at least one of the students he has taught yelling with excitement when they see him.  It's comical to hear, "It's Mr. Cook!" and having kids of all ages running up to him just to say hi and tell him about their day or what they're doing. 

I knew from the beginning that Matt was going to be an amazing father and not only because he's a big kid himself. ;-)  He's kind, patient, loving and playful. It's easy to complain about what your spouse did that annoyed you that day but it's so important to remember all of the wonderful things that they do.  I couldn't be luckier to have Matt as my partner and the father of my child and I love that others love and appreciate him just as much as I do.  And when other's tell me the sweet or kind thing he did for them or that they witnessed him doing my heart swells with pride because he's mine. 

I love you handsome, oodles and oodles and monsters and more! ;-)

I Missed One Already! :-O

Well at 4 am this morning I woke up with a start because I realized I had forgotten to post Friday's, "What I'm Thankful For"!  I guess I was just anxious for my date with my bed. :)  So, here is my day three, "What I'm Thankful For".  Better late than never. ;-)

THREE: Today I'm thankful for kindness.  Given recent events and the constant bombardment of all the bad that is in the world I thought it was important to remember that though there is a lot of bad out there kindness still exists.  The link below highlights photos of random acts of kindness.  With the exception of one that is a bit comical, these photos do a good job of highlighting how kindness wins out over the bad.  It's easy to always focus on the negative but in the darkness remember the random stranger who holds the door open for you when your hands are full, or the young person who helps an elderly lady pump her gas because she isn't sure how to get the pump to work, or the guy who peaks his head in your office with a big smile and a "have a great day!".  True kindness, the kind that needs no thank you or recognition is out there every day.  So, when you're feeling overwhelmed by all the bad remember the kindness, or even better, perform a random act of kindness yourself.  Having faith in the good in the world makes it that much easier to make it through the bad.  Even more important is making sure our children know what true kindness is, and not only that they recognize it but that they give it as well. 

XO

 http://now.msn.com/photos-to-reaffirm-your-faith-in-humanity

TWO

Today I am thankful for Addie hugs.  As much as I whine that I don't even have time to get in the door before Addie is all over me there really is nothing better than her hugs.  When she squeals and grabs my neck and squeezes with all her might it just makes my day.  All is right in the world in that moment; when she is so excited to see me that she can't stop hugging me, or when she pauses to caress my face and sweetly hug my neck and even when she is giving me a drive-by hug because she's on a mission to toss her toys around the house. 

Lately I find myself just thinking about getting a hug from her and I'm grinning from ear to ear. Whether it was the good-bye hug I got before leaving for work or the hello hug I'm about to get when I walk in the door after a workday, it amazes me how the littlest thing can instantly change my entire mood and demeanor.  My Addie hugs remind me to appreciate the little things in life, because those are what really matter.

Until tomorrow, goodnight all. :)

365 Days of Thanks

Hello All!  I've finally returned.  My return was prompted by my ever increasing tendency to see the glass as "half empty" rather than "half full".  I decided this needed to change.  As a result of this decision I have resolved to spend the next year reminding myself of what I have to be thankful for.  So, every day for the next year I will write about it on here.  By doing so it is my hope that it will keep me accountable and therefore not lose sight of my goal, which is to always remember what I do have, no matter what comes along.  Too often we allow ourselves to be brought down by the bad and lose sight of all of the wonderful things we still have.  On that note, here begins my 365 days of Thanks. 

ONE.  Today I am thankful for the sunshine and warmth.  As the days of Winter come to an end they are finally replaced with the gleeful music of the birds, the sprouting buds of Spring flowers, the melting away of the snow and the blissful first days of the shining sun. 
As I drove home from work today with my car windows down, taking in the sweet smell that only those first couple weeks of Spring can produce, and basking in the warmth of the sun I felt renewed. I could feel the blah of Winter melting off and a renewed sense of energy and purpose was returning.  It truly is amazing to watch the transformation that takes place around us as Winter takes it's slumber and Spring begins to wake everything again.  It reminds me that no matter how endless all the blah or bad seems, underneath all of that is the warmth and sunshine.

Goodnight All

XO