So Thankful For...Days 12-18

Looks like this is going to end up being a weekly post.  Here is my thankful list for days 12 through 18.

 

So thankful for :

 

Day 12:  Nacho Tuesdays: When I worked in the doctor office, we often did nachos on Tuesdays from Oleson's deli. Yummy and cheap. $5 gets you a huge container of either beef or chicken nachos with tons of toppings and is enough to feed 2+ people. I haven't been able to do this as often because I'm working at home and it's hard to get there with 2 kids in tow, but I did get the chance recently to have nachos with the girls at work and did a little catch up. And it was still as delicious as I remembered.

Day 13: Ballet/Tap: Every Wednesday afternoon Ella goes to a ballet/tap class at Dance Arts Academy. She loves it! I love watching her and so does Madeline. She did a Creative Movement class last winter/spring and had her first recital in May. I strongly believe that extracurricular activities are a must, but I'm not one to force it upon my kids. I want them to enjoy it. Plain and simple. I don't want it to be stressful or overwhelming. For now, Ella really enjoys the classes. She's also tried gymnastics and soccer, which she also enjoyed, but she has chosen to stick with dance class for now. I'm thankful that she has found an extracurricular activity that is affordable and that is offered at a time that I can take her.

 

Day 14: Pay Day: We get paid every other Thursday at the office. They're not huge, but I'm thankful to still be getting a paycheck. Hoping next summer works out where I can return to the office plus do work at home.

 

Day 15: Weekends: I'm thankful when Friday finally arrives, but I'm especially thankful this Friday since Jim made it home from work early and I'm still not feeling well. Fridays mean restful evenings since we typically don't have big plans for Saturday.

 

Day 16: No Plans: It's not very often that I have a day with nothing planned, but it is a nice treat when it does happen. I did nothing today. Too achy and sick. I would rather feel better for this kind of occasion, but I'll take it as they come. I'm especially thankful for my husband hanging all of the outdoor Christmas lights today solo. It's not an easy task, as the trees have grown considerably since we planted them 3 years ago. He was able to do all 6 trees.

 

Day 17: Warm November Days: Today it was unusually warm for this time of year, maybe 60 degrees. We went to early mass and after getting the kids settled at home, I was able to go outside and do the last 2 items that I absolutely wanted done: Power wash the mildew off the siding between the front porch and front windows and vacuum out/clean my car before the cold weather and snow arrives. I could no longer stand to see the house with this big green mildew section as I drive up the driveway. Such an eyesore. It especially stood out with snow on the ground. Must just be my OCD. A dirty car is also another thing I can't stand. I'll admit my vehicle isn't as clean as I used to keep it since that's nearly impossible with 2 kids, but I try to keep it as clean as possible. This time it was full of glitter off Ella's Halloween costume. I got most of it up, but there's still some stuck on the floor mats. Guess those will have to wait until I hit the car wash since the vacuum didn't pick it up, but it's out of the carpet at least. Again, OCD thing.

 

Day 18: Pre-Prepped Dinners: Today I was able to get dinner prepped before even leaving to pick Ella up from school. When we got home all I had to do is assemble and throw it in the oven. The bonus was that both girls kept themselves occupied while I assembled and put it in the oven. Can't remember the last time I made a meal without kids right under my nose. It was a nice break and now I can work on the last "100" things I need to complete before the evening is through.

 

 

 

So Thankful For...Days 1-11

Early on in the start of this 'lil 'ole blog I created a category of listography: random lists of random things. It's now November and it's the month to be thankful. I'm thankful for many things every month of the year, but November is the month for the Thanksgiving holiday, and well, you know where I'm going with this. And with that, I thought why not join many of my Facebook friends in listing what I am thankful for each day of November. I have a little catching up to do since I'm starting this late and we're already into the 11th day. So here goes...

So thankful for:

Day 1: My husband and daughters: My husband is hardworking, a great father and my best friend. My daughter were the biggest gift from God that I am forever thankful for.

Day 2: Weekends. It's the time we are all able to spend time together as a whole. With Ella V. in school and Jim at work all week, we usually only get a couple hours each night with each other, which is usually spent preparing for the next day.

Day 3: Faith: I am thankful for my faith in God and for support of my family that helped shape my faith. Since having Madeline baptized, I have only missed 2 Sundays of going to church and it's been over a year and a half. I have a lot to be thankful for only made possible by Him.

Day 4: Stuffed mozzarella bread sticks: One of only 2 hot lunches that Ella V. will eat at school. Sometimes, this mama just needs that little break from one little chore. 

Day 5: CBS: Community Bible Study. The women's bible study group that I go to every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11:30. It give both Madeline and me time to ourselves to learn the Bible. I have made many friends, met many awesome women, found a couple childhood friends and have learned so much from the Bible that I wouldn't have been able to interpret on my own. Madeline is in her own group (purple sheep) and absolutely loves her time with other toddlers her age.

Day 6: My job: Despite the decline in demand for my profession, I am still employed as a transcriptionist/editor and still get to work at home. This allows me to care for my girls and eliminates the need for daycare. Not many mamas get that opportunity. And I've been with the same doc now for almost 8 years. 

Day 7: Family: My family blood/extended has grown over the past 11-1/2+ years and continues to grow. I had a great visit at home today with my sis-in-law, Renee, and her 2 boys, Leland, and our newest family member, our nephew, Alden. Madeline and Leland had a great play date and Renee, Alden and I had a nice relaxing visit/lunch. It's not as easy to get together with family since all of us have started our own families, so I cherish every moment I get to spend with them.

Day 8: Fridays: My errand day. Thankful that I get the chance to do all of the errands with only one kid in tow. It's not that I don't love taking my kids out, but grocery shopping, banking and fueling the car is not exactly the most exciting way to spend half a day. So one less child chanting "are we done yet?!?!" just makes the daunting task less daunting.

Day 9: 40: I am thankful for being able to have made it this far...40 years. Can't believe I've already entered a new decade, but it is what it is and I'm alive. I've lost many friends before they even had the chance to make it to their 40th. It just puts everything in perspective.

Day 10: Cold Medicine: I've been achy and had a sore throat all day. I hate to take medications, but I could hardly function today. Just 1 DayQuil, some Motrin and a good nap, really helped me get the rest I needed overnight. I don't have time to be sick. I have two young girls to tend to 24/7. I can't just curl up in bed or on the couch and be sick. I need fast relief. I haven't taken any cold meds since prior to being pregnant with Madeline. I just couldn't deal without it this time around.

Day 11: Veterans: For my grandfather, father, youngest brother and sister-in-law and for all the men and women who have served and are serving our country to protect our freedoms. God bless them all.