Here we go! I got on! Okay....so here's to being thankful! Yesterday I was thankful for my awesome ladies who I can always count on. This morning....I'm thankful for happy kids...I'm thankful for little girls who are singing upstairs in their room, who are reading their book this morning....even after 17 reminders! I'm thankful for these kids that make me crazy everyday!! Thank you Lord!! What are you thankful for??

Shower moved back to the original date!!!!! Big meetings for Johnel on the 22nd so I hope everyone still has the march 7th date open on their calendars. Shout out if it is NOT okay with you. 11:00 AM stands. I have 8:30 appointment with Jonathan and his new guidance counselor to register him for next year's HIGH SCHOOL classes on March 7th so I may be cutting it close.

Please let me know what services you want - mani, pedi...fills, tips etc. - We can book the party this week.

Hope all of you have completed you family fun night projects......

See you at the bus stop.

Jodi

Good!

Ok....good to see we still have some of you crazies on board...where are the others? I know where Carolyn is....driving the loud party bus around the neighborhood....I want that for my birthday!! FUNNESS!!

Whitneys shower....ok...so it seems we are on for Feb 22....Wednesday.... Party starts at 11 at the Nail Bar off Mallory....It's up to you Johnel if you want to surprise her or not...we won't say anything!

Ok...checking out...hanging with my dad this weekend...went to the Ryman Auditorium...toured that...learned a lot...chuys today....maybe adventure sic center tomorrow...them airport Monday...

Have a great weekend!!

Hello out there!!

Is anyone there? Let's get this thing going again!! We can still chat about stuff....I'm still thankful for stuff...good report for Aubrey...great talent show experience for my aubrey...off to a hopefully fun cheer camp for Josey and a daddy daughter day for the other....so....good things happening...good things to come....what do you have to say??

I still have not made my bread...or my gingerbread cookies...or the other fun sweet stuff I wanted too! I just keep running...going from here to there...why can't I slow down? All I have to do is STOP! I will...Thursday afternoon...then all day Friday...then Saturday...then for Christmas day! Then the crazy begins again...off to TX!

Cranberry Orange bread

Just letting y'all know that I'm on the hunt for a good deal on a Kitchenaid mixer! Ive been on Allrecipes.com and found a cranberry orange bread that so reminded me of when my Gollie and I used to make it at her house when I was a kid! I gotta have it! I'm going to try it....soon, and will get each of you to test it for me! Flour...sugar and eggs...oh my!!! Let the baking begin! Well....maybe!

Slowing Down

Hey friends. I hope every one of you is able to slow down...smell the gingerbread cookies....taste the hot chocolate....watch a special movie with someone you love! Yea...I sound like a cheese ball....but really...I have finally slowed down this week, no plans at all except for Thursday...no obligations this week, no practices, no classes...I did have resting...not really sick...kids home for part of the school day today, but all in all...it looks to be a good week...and I thank God for that! I plan to try out a cake ball recipe later this week, maybe try those gingerbread cookies too! Looking forward to Happy hour next week! Have a good one ladies!

I've Missed This

It's as though the days after Thanksgiving tilt into warp speed.  I blink and the little snowman at the top of our stairs says it's 18 days til Christmas.  Whoa, when did THAT happen???

I love this time of year and every year I wish there was a way to hang onto it and make it last a little longer. We're "keeping Advent" this year - the first time in Sam's memory - something we used to do when Whitney was little.  Just takes a few minutes - but we light the candles on the wreath, the kids and Randy do the readings and Sam gets to snuff the flames out with the special Christmas snuffer.  (Is that even a word?)

It seems to be working - giving us just a few minutes to pause and be still.  Watch the flames.  And listen.

Hope you girls are all hanging in there - I know we're all running in different directions and our to-do lists are bigger than our days.  I've missed the blog - been really lame about it.  Thanks Tracy for the wake-up call!

Hellllooooo out theeerrrrrrreeeeee.......

Hey girls, just wanted to make sure y'all are still visiting the blog...I do everyday, just haven't posted...sorry!

So the Holiday season is 'up..on' us! Yea!! I'm sure you all have the hustle and bustle we all do, gifts, parties, shopping....more gifts, decorating...coffee...hot chocolate...gift cards for everyone!! Anyhow, let's get together...have a coffee in the morning next week, my house....I'll make fresh banana bread...hot chocolate if you want...right after the bus....Johnel.....could you swing by one day for a few minutes before you have to get to work? Just bring the kids Carolyn and Vicki.....let's see what Johnel says and we will set a date!

Also, i wanted you all to know that my church is hosting Breakfast with Santa this Saturday...9-12.... Holy Family Catholic Church.....its soooo much fun, its $5 per family, you get a great breakfast, crafts for the kids, games with prizes...thats my department, and you get to meet Santa and Mrs. Clause!! Its a huge event! If you come, come earlier rather than too late, we give out tickets to take the pics with Santa and you dont wanna have to wait an hour. Truly fun for the kids though!!

Ok, bring on the weekend!!!

Blessed

It's quiet here.  Everyone's still sleeping.  But the kitchen?  The kitchen is already buzzing.  I haven't lit my favorite Yankee candle yet - so it still smells like coffee down here.  And fresh cut oranges, rosemary and sage that I'm ready to put into the turkeys.  The birds are washed and dried and rubbed with butter.  Almost ready for the oven.

The fridge is full of casseroles, juice boxes and pies.  One pie in particular from a very dear friend that we couldn't resist cutting last night for a pre-Thanksgiving treat.

Later today, the house will be filled with children, friends, neighbors and family.  It'll be loud and probably a bit chaotic.  At the day's end, our bellies, the sink and the dishwasher will be full.  Life is good.

I am blessed to be able to fill my home with the smells and sounds and voices of Thanksgiving.

Definitely time for that second cup of coffee.

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends.  I am thankful for each of you and the gifts of self you share.

Shopping

Today I'm thankful for a quick shopping trip...to find a shirt for an outfit for family pics...thought I already had an outfit, then put it on and realized I did not have an outfit!! I'm actually thankful for girls that listened...the trip was quick and I didn't have one problem, must have been all the threats! But it was very unexpected. And pictures went great, soooo cold, but hopefully at least one will turn out good!! Gearing up for Turkey day!! Have a good one, wherever you are!

Everything

Today was a good day...back from a visit with a dear friend, fun with the kids, a long drive back in the dark rain, but safe...and Michael got home safe from a long drive in the rain too..so today I'm thankful for safe drives! Looking forward to Aubrey's graduation tomorrow from her DCT tutoring...family pics on Wednesday...Thanksgiving dinner with great peeps on Thursday...crazy shopping on Friday...and finally....Christmas decorations this weekend!! So today I'm just thankful...for so many things!

Bus Stop

I'm so thankful for the bus stop. No, not this new bus stop, our old bus stop. It started off as just a place to kiss our kids good bye as they headed to school but developed into something so much more. Lingering conversations about what's going on in our lives, bitch sessions on things that weren't going so good in our lives, hurried mornings when a quick good bye was all we said when we rushed of to start the first activity of the day, recipe swapping, party planning, learning about each others health, just listening on those mornings when you woke up on the wrong side of the bed and allowing the conversation to ease you into a better mental place, and just bringing us together, slowly. What started out as a kiss good bye to our kids, developed into so much more. I miss our bus stop tremendously. Things just aren't the same in our new spot. But I'm thankful for what that spot on the road brought to my life in the form of you all (you included Johnel, even though you weren't physically there, you were there), and Randy. You are all very special women and I'm honored that I can call you my friends. And I'm thankful that Tracy started happy hour where we can have an old bus stop moment that lasts well into the night.

Lovin my Mama

I too have missed everyone this week. I've checked this thing daily, but some days, although I know I should've, I just couldn't post anything. I've been struggling, with my own issues, mostly hormone related I believe, I promised my mom I would call the gyno today....anyhow....I'm good right now...at this moment...and I'm thankful that I have such an awesome mom who always has my back...says the right things...loves me still...like I'm still that little girl. So I'm thankful for the wisdom of my mother, as much as she can make me crazy, I know I can call her and burst into tears and she'll help me through it. And I'm thankful for her mama too, my Gollie, I still call Gollie, daily mostly, and question her on how to cook a roast, why my body is doing this, why my husband is doing that, why are my kids acting like that...and you know....she always helps me through it, how blessed I am to be able to call both of these great women. I cherish these calls.....

Long Way Home

Alright, alright!  I'm here!  Definitely delinquent in posting - thanks for getting me back on track, Carolyn!  It's been so crazy - worked last weekend and just exhausted at the day's end.  Went to drop stuff off for an event we were doing in Brentwood - Whit was helping me.  Decided to show her the long way home, so we wouldn't have to go down Concord.  So I took her down through Nolensville to Murfreesboro Road -- one of the prettiest drives I've ever taken.  But that day, it was breathtaking. Past pretty.  The trees were absolutely perfect - gold and bright and full.  Rolling hills and steeples.  Looked like those pictures you see on the front of the 1000 piece puzzle boxes.  The next weekend, I took the same path home - and although still very pretty - most of the leaves were now gone and the trees bare.

I am thankful I took her on that drive the week before when it was so incredibly beautiful.  As busy as we've all been, it was nice to have the quiet time in the car.  Enjoying the ride with hardly any other traffic.  I'm glad we didn't take the normal route, turned left instead of going straight.  Thankful for the long way home.

Recipes

Ok, I'm going to try and get back to my blogging although I see I'm not the only one who hasn't posted recently :)

Today I'm thankful for recipes. The dishes the cards represent bring me back to certain events in my life, certain people I can know longer hold, and they create new memories for my family. I love making my Grandmas or my Moms dishes and holding that hand written index card that they also held. I like recreating the dishes that they loved and when I look at the final dish, thinking "wow, Grandma would be proud" or possibly "I wish I could call Grandma and ask her how I can make the crust flakier or if I can use margarine instead of butter".

And I like to try new recipes. Ones I rip out of magazines or get from friends. They allow me to experiment, to be creative, and to help my family try new things.

Today I'm hoping to receive a recipe from Brent's aunt. I want to add his favorite dish from his Thanksgivings in New Albany to my Mom's Thanksgiving table. I want my kids to eat it, hopefully like it, and when they get old enough to have their own Thanksgiving dinners, I hope they choose to add it to their celebrations.

Tears

Tonight I'm thankful for tears....tears of exhaustion from a little girl that was so pooped from her day of mass, play at the zoo, tent play in the living room, movie watching, book reading, flash card doing, reading to daddy and then 'mommy can I just brush my teeth in the morning I'm so tired..." I'm thankful that we are able to ....do...just do....all the things we do....Lord, help me not take my life for granted....and help me to share my gifts! Amen!

So Right

Today...and everyday...but today...I am thankful for Michael...and how hard he stresses...how hard he crunches numbers...how long he stays on the job...to make sure it's right...for his work ethic. My girls know...I have taught them, they say it every night in their prayers..."thank you for daddy working so hard." Today, my hard worker man was down, migraine. So I called in to his assistant, she knew right away, was wondering when he would go down, with the way it's been lately, how much of himself he puts into it...she knew. So I went in to get his computer....and he sat up in bed and worked...head somewhat better...but still not Michael. This is my man...quite, composed....funny on occasion, but my provider.....and I love him for that! So thank you God for bringing this random guy back into my life...so random...but so right!

Hummus and a Baby

Today I'm thankful for the chance to have lunch with Whit at the amazing Blu Fig.  The best hummus, tabouli, dolmades and falafel anywhere.  Old favorites that she and I have shared since she was little.  Not items that ever make an appearance in our home menu, since it's highly unlikely anyone else in the family would appreciate them like she and I do!

As great as the food was, the real treat was to spend some time with her.  What a remarkable young woman she's become.  I sit and listen to her and think, "Wow."  She's so smart and so passionate.  And funny.  Funny will get you through an awful lot.  Love to hear her laugh.  I guess it's a mom thing - but I love seeing her eat!

She's going to be a great mother.  And, me?  I'm gonna rock grandmotherhood!  :)  What a great day.

Great Uncle Henry

Today I'm thankful for my Great Uncle Henry and my Great Uncle Stanley that served and fought in WWII. My Uncle Henry is really an amazing man and I'm so grateful that he fought in the war and returned home safely. Uncle Henry fought in the Battle of Normandy. He refuses to talk about his time in the service, saying the memories are to hard to bring up. To this day, he still awakens with nightmares of D-Day, the things he saw and I'm sure the things he did, still haunting him. Yet he's so proud of his country. Not a day passes when he doesn't wear an American flag on his lapel, he raises and lowers the flag in front of his house daily, he makes rosaries for Catholic orphans overseas. He is a true American hero. He finds solace in his faith, he loves every person in his family, no matter how distant a relative they are or if they came into the family through marriage and he lights up a room when he enters. Today I'm thankful for Uncle Henry, Uncle Stanley, my Dad... and all the men and women who served, and are presently serving our country.

Coolest Place Ever

I love my job.

Just had my hands blessed by our chaplain!

Once a year, we do a Blessing of the Hands. May our hands be blessed and bring joy and healing to those we touch.

My cup runs over. :)

Traveling Mercy

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don't give up. 
Anne Lamott 


Today I am thankful for Anne Lamott.  The first of her books I ever read, we were reading it in a book club thing at church.  It's called Traveling Mercies.  I instantly LOVED it - and couldn't believe we were reading a book that had the "f" word in it at church!

Turns out it's been the subject of many, many book clubs.  Anyhow.  I love her.  Check out this video link if you have time.  I think you'll love her, too!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhP5GmybvPM

???

okay guys...hard day for me. The weather is glorious, my kids off to school, husband working hard in the room next door....I cannot get out of bed. Spent the entire day reading and hiding in my room.

So much to tackle but completely unmotivated and a bit sad.

What do you make of this????

Bags

So today I'm thankful for a lot of things - this absolutely picture perfect fall day, that amazing circular halo moon last night, hair dye, that there was actually copy paper in the Winstead workroom. But what I really find myself being thankful for (go figure) are plastic ziploc bags. From snack size to gallon size, and especially the ones with the zipper, I love them all. I use them a million times a day - for lunches, toy storage, and told hold any object that has more than one piece. They help me stay organized. They help my house look picked up. They go with my kids every day to school in their lunch boxes. I'm not really sure how my mom managed to take her five kids to the beach, to the park or even to church, without ziploc bags. Silly or not, I'm thankful for Ziploc bags.

Oh warm and cozy couch!!

Today ....and I'm gonna say it....I'm thankful for getting to sit on my butt...and catch up on my DVR....it may seem selfish...damn straight! I don't sit on the weekends, I don't really "sit" when the kids are here...I should more..I know...but today...I sit!! And the craft room is looking at me...staring...because it knows I need to come to it...love it...cleeeeeeaaaaan it....but no...today...I sit!!! For now anyway, gotta teach later!
Have a great day my friends!

For you guys...

Because I'm Thankful for each and every one of You.

Cry in the Car

Today I'm thankful for a good cry in the car. When there is nothing wrong, but somethings not quite right. When you are rested but you still feel tired. When you get a lot done, but the list of to-do's grow. When you just need to shed some tears to cleanse the soul, nourish the skin and allow yourself a moment to just have a good cry, take a deep breath, let it all out, even though there really isn't anything wrong.

Uniquely Autumn

I'm Thankful for fall days, just like today. When I wake up and see pristine blue skies above brightly colored trees. Though they are slowly winding down for winter, their energies falling back into gentle sleep; I am charged and renewed. This is really my time of year. Don't get me wrong: I love Christmas, the joy and love of the season, but fall and I? Well, we have a very personal thing going... I am the best of myself this time of year. I am filled with creative juices that long to come pouring out in words or lines. Everyday feels bright and perfect, even as the breezes become cooler and the days shorter. I am truly in my favorite time. Perhaps that's why... in my world... Trees have lives of their own, and Autumn is when they share the most of themselves. :) Happy Fall day my friends.

Y'all Rock

Tonight I'm thankful for you.  For this group of women and all the different life experiences, perspectives and gifts you have and so freely offer up.

Ever see Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood?  Or Steel Magnolias?  Boys on the Side?  Even Thelma and Louise?  I love stories about strong women and the bond that's unique among them.

We're all mothers, wives, sisters, daughters.  That we have in common.  Past that, our differences weave such a rich and varied tapestry.

The presence of our men on the blog felt strange.  Not because we don't love them or want their input or perspective, but because the nature of the banter and the sharing among the girls is, well, different.  It's uniquely ours.

Not that I see us driving an old Buick (or whatever that was) off a cliff a la Thelma and Louise - I do think there's something really special about this.  About all of you.

So thank you.  Thank you for your willingness to share and play on the blog.  Your openness about the joy and challenges in your own lives.  Your sharing challenges me.  And lifts me up.  And for that, I am blessed.

It's a Girl Thing

Alright.  So I sent blog author invitations to Phil and to Randy.  But having boys on the blog feels weird.  Not bad, just different than girlfriends chatting.  So I figure we have our happy hours for all of us to chat -- and the blog for girl talk. Phil, Randy, I hope you're not offended!  Course if you boys want to start your own boy blog -- we're happy to give pointers! :)

Henry the Plumber

I am thankful for Henry the plumber from Hillar Plumbing. he was at our house Saturday from around 11pm till 2am working on our 'draining issue'. Then he was back at it Sunday for another 2 1/2 hours to get us 'regular' again. (Puns intended) When it came bill time I was expecting a grand plus. Nope, $410.

If you are ever in need of plumbing service, call Hillar and ask for Henry, he is awesome!!

Surviving the Fall

Donna and Rick, my daughter and son in laws, were here today.  Donna is Randy's oldest daughter (27) who was his marrow donor for his transplant just over 3 years ago.  They have two children, Aidan and Shelby (6 and 4).  Donna and Rick got married two summers ago - and then two Novembers ago (I know -- a lot of dates and math this late at night!) - he fell from a barn while working and broke his L1 and L2 vertebrae and is paralyzed from the chest down.

This is the first time I've seen them since the transplant, so I hadn't seen Rick since his accident.

I am trying hard tonight - to find the grateful.  Donna saved Randy's life, hands down.  And for that, I'm definitely grateful - and honestly, grateful isn't a big enough word.  I watch her with him and listen to her as we share stories of kids, bedtimes, mealtimes, chores, regular stuff.  And my heart breaks for her.  For him.  I thought of YOU guys so much during their visit -- really struggling and fighting tears for most of the time they were here.

They seem very happy.  But still, my heart breaks for them.

He survived the fall.  He is able to move and do wheelies in his wheelchair and play Wii and tie fishing lures and play cards and read books and scratch his arm.  Everything else though, she does for him.  And that's an awful lot for this young, beautiful woman, mother of two.

I am thankful he survived the fall.  I am thankful she's finding the strength to walk the journey.  I am thankful they are able to raise their children in a loving and healthy home.  But still, my heart breaks.

So, y'all help me here.  Can you be thankful and sad?  Can your heart be grateful and broken?  All at the same time?

Was last night's post God's way of preparing me for what I'd feel today?

Stuff

Can I just say....wow! We are some pretty deep ladies!

How is your dad Carolyn? Can we use this blog to ask questions?

The Plumber!

Not just any plumber... our particular plumber... Henry. here last night at 11:30 when his dispatch told me it would be sometime between 12 and 4 am. Staying until 2:30am trying to help us. He left because his machine actually broke. But at least we could use a toilet again.

He was back at 11 this morning, new machine in hand, and after another two hours of work had us working MUCH better than the entire time we've lived here.

I'm thankful for professionals who do their job and do it well. Who put others ahead of themselves to help make their lives a little better. Thanks Henry. You've won a customer forever.

Finallllllly!

I too...am thankful to my most brilliant husband who showed me how to write on this blog from my iPad....

Now....today....I am thankful for these two beautiful girls, each with their own sense of .....everything!! As much as I tell you all they make me crazy...which they do....I always, always take the time to tell God thank you for all those little moments I am in with them, too many to list here and ones I'm sure you share with your own children. So for all the little moments, the sunset we catch on the way back from gym, the coziness we share when we all pile up to read Clint The Black Cat for the 60 th time, or making muffins together on a Sunday morning, walks with the big black dog, soccer in the backyard....pizza at the pizza shop...all of the things we call life that I am blessed to do with my children, because I know so many do not get these moments....so I thank God today for the little moments with my family. Have a great Sunday with yours!!

Kevin

Today I am thankful for Kevin. Most people only see him at the surface. A little aloof, a little self absorbed and cynical - not one to share what is going on in his life and how it affects him.

I remember when we were in the hospital after Jonathan was born. Doctor not sure if either one of us would make it. My parents were there of course falling a part and Kevin was a calm, quiet presence beside me. He felt with certainty that we would both be okay - My Dad could not understand how he could kiss me, calmly change his clothes and go for an hour long run when his wife and newborn son were so ill. And my father raged!

I knew where he was going. He left me in the care of my Mom and the Doctors and went to the place where he goes to think, and talk to God. He ran and ran and then came back and never left my side. Never doubting that we would both come home to him.

He is unreadable and sometimes reveals nothing through those amber colored eyes - much different from my Dad who after 17 years has yet to grasp the depth of feeling in the man I chose to marry. Who loves with his whole heart. Who is a loving and caring father. No one really knows what he is thinking...but I do. While no marriage is perfect and we have certainly had major bumps in the road, I know he was the right choice for me.

We have had some pretty tough situations to face. He is there with me. Calm when I feel like raging, supportive and loving when I have no idea where I will get the inner strength to deal with another episode from Kat or when we are apart for another business trip or worse yet when we have to pick up an move once again across the country and leave good friends behind.

He is always positive (my family calls him "fantastic Kevin") the future is always bright and to him untold opportunities and experiences lie ahead for us no matter what the newest challenge is. Perfect for someone like me who needs a positive force of nature to get out of bed some mornings and is eternally grateful for the love and support of this wonderful husband and father.

Raindrops on Roses

So, this blogging thing may be working - at least in terms of making me think daily about the things I'm grateful for - thinking about which one I want to "report" on.   I love reading what you write about.  It makes me know more about you - and for that I'm grateful.

For the past couple of days though, I've been thinking of all the things I am thankful for.  Good health, family, friends, my job, Randy's continued recovery.  No real surprises there.  

It occurred to me that it's easy to be thankful for things I like.

Grace, I think, happens when you are grateful for the things you don't like. For things that suck.  For the struggles.  For the dark days.  For the days when nothing is really awfully wrong - but nothing seems quite right.  We all know those days - get up late, hair isn't cooperating, snap at the kids, we're out of milk for coffee, traffic is terrible.  And the truth - for me anyhow - is that occasionally - some amazing things happen in those dark times.  

So today I'm thinking about the hard things.  The things I don't like.  The things that don't make me instantly think - oh yeah, I'm grateful for that!  Praying for the grace to be thankful for the things that suck.  

Damn iPad won't let me post...later maybe

Good Health

Today I'm thankful that my Dad is resting peacefully after the emergency surgery that he had this morning. He's been in the hospital off and on for the past 2 years for pain in his stomach and last night the pain just wouldn't stop, even with medication. So, this time he had no choice, the doctor made him go in for surgery, which when you are 80 is scary. Very scary. I knew when the phone rang so, so, early this morning that something was wrong and that's exactly how I answered. "Mom, what's wrong?" They removed his intestines, all 15 feet, straightened them out and sewed him up. Now he just has to heal. God is so good to us....

Mine too

Yesterday we got an email from Ashleigh's teacher. Next week of course is "Dad's Week" at school, and our day is Monday. Ashleigh told a classmate that she wanted to share Phil with her, because her daddy has passed away.

So, here's Phil, trying to find simple ways he can make this 7 year old girl, and her little brother feel loved through him, from their own daddy. (We're actually thinking about a play date and him taking allthe kids out to lunch.)

You know. I have it pretty good. He works really hard - comes home and you all know, works some more. After he finishes his camp out with Sydney down stairs - it's on to my truck's breaks, washing both cars and taking down the Halloween stuff on his self implied to-do list... on top of him feeling like he has to do something special for Ashleigh's friend.

I'm Thankful everyday for the kind of man he is. The kind who shows and lives the kind of love for his family, that his daughter wants to share him. One who is Honored to be shared.

We Love You Phil. I'm very Very thankful for You.

My Husband

Thankful really isn't a strong enough word for how I feel about my husband. He is an amazing man, friend, husband and father. We are a team. Last night we managed to get 3 kids to 4 different places all within an hour and a half. We don't have defined lines. Yes, he works in an office everyday and he gets an actual paycheck, but he knows that what I do is just as important as what he does. He knows I bust my ass just as hard as he does every day. He knows that being a stay at home Mom is not a job that is measured by a raise or a great review. He knows there are many days when I feel like I've lost myself in this chaotic life and he validates me. Sometimes I have to ask for it, sometimes I don't, but he always makes me feel like what I do IS important. When the kids are complimented by a teacher or friend, he says "they are that way because of you - you taught them to be that way". Not only does he love me, but he loves being a Dad, and he's good at it. He never hesitates to throw a football or play a game, even when he got up at 4 to be at work early just so he could get home in tme for dinner. He spends his days off sitting in the Winstead cafeteria for 3 hours and doesn't complain about it. He is NOT perfect and we have our moments, but plain and simple he is a good man, he has a good soul and he is a great partner. And he is one of the things I am really, really, really thankful for everyday.

Oral surgeons

Yesterday was fun.....I got up early , dropped Kat off at Tracy's so she could take her to school and then Kevin drove me to the oral surgeon. I was a little nervous - after all it has been many moons since I had a tooth extracted let alone my wisdom teeth.

So I am thankful for this oral surgeon. Whom hopefully will end the pain in my teeth and jaw that I have experienced for quite a while. I got to sleep all day without interuption - except for the kisses and hugs from my kids and hubby. Cream of wheat and pain killers that was enough for me.

transfered comments

since both Tracy and I commented on Johnel's origina; post I thought I would repost them for the record:

Jodi said...

okay - sInce it is the second day of November, I will share two things I am grateful for.

#1 I am grateful for my family - for without them my life would surely be empty and unfulfilled. Even with all the craziness and ups and downs, their love keeps me going and certainly makes life worth living.

#2 I am grateful for all of you, my bus stop bloggers. We have forged a special bond and support system. Your friendship means more than you can ever imagine. It is good to know that we are there to lend a hand, listen and be there for one another in good times and in not such good times.

November 2, 2011 4:51 PM

P

Today I'm Thankful for...

Words on paper.

I don't say things like this often, because to put it frankly, I'm honored that you all show some interest in the fact that I'm working hard writing these books. Really honored. And I'd hate for you to think that I'm anything but happy doing it. Because I cannot even imagine a day without my world, my characters and my stories.

But I've been struggling lately. Writing the first story out was like cruising uncharted water. I'd written 2 full books before (and countless short stories and poems), but none of those had what I believe this world has. The magic to 'make it'. To one day be a true honest to God published novel. I couldn't wait to start revising and polishing it. I couldn't wait to share it with my friends, to find a critique group and rework it to perfection.

I'm on the seventh or eighth round of this now... I've lost count. Each have done significant improvements. On not only the manuscript, but also on me. I'm becoming a better writer through this trial and error.

But lately, it's been very tough to motivate myself. To go back into pages, paragraphs, sentences and words to tighten and expose the statue beneath the granite slab. Over and over and over. To read every. single. word. over and over. In just one paragraph. For like 5 hours. This is what it takes. And it's hard.

Then one of my critique partners told us she and her son would be moving. Literally today. Her son is severely allergic to the pollens of LIFE and can't breathe here. They're in Destan now. She bought us all journals as goodbye gifts/one year anniversary of starting our group... she's not leaving us... no, her whole family lives here, so she intends on being here for every single meeting. And I love her for that, because she means a TON to me.

I decided today, that this journal would be just that for me. Something personal, where I could write down the feelings I struggle to share. Because mostly, no one can understand, other than someone doing the exact same thing, how sometimes hope has trouble getting through the uncertainty.

I wrote in the journal this morning. I let it all out. I prayed through my words, and somewhere... right about the middle, I realized I loved them.

I love words on paper. I love being able to express emotion through them. For others. For you. I love seeing you laugh at a joke I've written. I love seeing tears when you recognize something you love that I've created has suddenly changed.

I love words on paper.

And I'm thankful that I remembered that today. My brain is still full of the twists and turns. I'm still struggling to answer plot questions, to tighten back on myself and leave what's most crucial. To keep my spirits high and write my story to the best of my ability. For me first.

Sorry this is so long... but, like I said... I love words on paper. ;)

Pictures

Today I'm thankful for pictures. Brent's Mom asked me to get a few baby pictures of Jason for her, so I spent some time looking through old pictures. It was fun to show Jason the picture of them pulling him out of my belly and seeing on his face that he might kind of even get it. Or showing him the one of Abbey or Andrew holding him for the first time. Or even the one of him at only about 3 weeks old laying on Nicholas's stomach on the floor, sleeping. And Jason just smiled and said "Aaawww, I'm so cute" Yes, he was so cute and I enjoyed spending a few moments looking back on the way our world was 4 years ago.

Up there --- in the right hand corner!

I think up there - in the right - is a link that says New Post --- click there to post your entries -- you can use the comment tab too at the bottom of other posts -- and we can still all see them, but not as instantly visible as a post!

Picture borrowed from Kindness Girl blog (linked over there on the right hand column----------->

Smoking in the dark

I'm thankful for the rare and elusive quiet mornings - that teeny window of time when there's no one up but the dogs and me.  Coffee, quiet smokes on the deck when everything is still dark.  Feels like I'm stealing a piece of peace!  Time to reflect and sort through my mental to-do list.  And enjoy the feeling of the coming rain.

Ok, so Ive never done this blogging stuff before, so Ill try to post it next time and not comment...so itll all show up I guess...Im thankful for a new modem too!!

Invitation to Blog!

Saw Tracy's post this morning on Facebook - about doing the 30 Day Thankfulness Challenge - and was inspired!  I - like the rest of you - spend my days treading the water that is the stuff of my life.  Kids, laundry, grocery lists, husband, work, bills, schedules, to-do lists.

This morning - getting ready for work - and running late (again) - started to grumble because my bathroom is a mess.  Littered with Polly Pockets, naked Barbies, hair scrunchies.  And I remembered something Carolyn told me once.  We were talking about the photos in real estate listings - and I said, "What would it be like to have a huge, vase of gorgeous flowers on your bathroom vanity -- like in the photos -- instead of dolls and hairbrushes?"  She said -- without a beat -- "It'd be so sad."

So - this morning, I'm thankful for the mess in my bathroom.  For the toys and the towels and the hair stuff.  For every door left open and towel on the floor.  Because it means my house is alive.  It's full of girls and all their stuff.  Somehow - without specifically meaning to - we've created a home.  And I'm grateful for Carolyn's wise words.

I want to hear the stuff you guys think about - the things you're thankful for.  By sharing our stories - by hearing yours - I think it'll help me have a more grateful heart, too!

J.

30 Days of Thankfulness Project

So here's the challenge.  

See how your life might change by spending 30 days in November 

giving thanks for the things in your lives. 

 Every single day.