10 to 15 Minutes

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 89

     We were waiting on our lovely roasted vegetables to be done roasting. Sweet potatoes, red potatoes, carrots, and sweet onions. All roasting away in one big pot with some olive oil. The filet mignon was prepped and ready to go in as soon as the vegetables came out. The salad had been prepared, and was just needing one final touch. Olives.

     My sister and I saw this as an opportunity. We needed olives. Also, some crusty bread to soak up all the goodness on our plates. Our babies were fed and happy. Casey and Adelyn were watching a movie. All the pieces fell into place for us to escape.

     It was only 10 minutes, maybe 15. But, they were sweet. It is so rare to escape during the day. It seems so funny, to be so excited to go to the grocery store. But we were.

     I was thankful for the short escape today, but I was happy to return home. It was fun to be alone with Patty for a few, but it is even more fun to be alone with a house full of people. For me, that's the best escape. Thankful for family.

Checking on the Kids

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 88

     Matt and I have a tradition. Every night, before bed, we check on the kids. We can't go to sleep unless we do. We both shuffle up the stairs with our giant glasses of ice water, set them down on the ledge, and peek in on our sweet babes.

     We check Adelyn first. We put her legs back in bed. They are usually dangling over the edge. We fix her blankets. Then we watch her sleep for a bit. We smile and leave. When we leave, we have to pull the door to close it. She's had many a tantrum in her room, and the door is a little warped from being kicked by her powerful two year old legs. Two year olds are strong. You never know how strong they are until they throw that first tantrum.

     Then we check on Tobin. His room is much darker than Adelyn's. She has two nightlights. He has only one. And it's pretty dim. We have to use our cell phones to see him. He is usually sleeping on his back with both hands tucked behind his head. Like he doesn't have a care in the world. And, really, he doesn't. He sleeps with his giraffe, and his moose. We watch him sleep for a bit, we smile, and then we leave. Closing his door very quietly. We've become quite good at closing doors without making any noise at all.

     As we walk to our bedroom after checking on our babies, I can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride. And joy. Thankful for our children. Thankful for the sense of pride I feel when I go to bed at night. Pride because they're mine. And they're perfect. Thankful that I have children to check on before bed.

A loyal, constant presence.

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 87

     Dogs are one of God's greatest gifts, I believe. There is just nothing that compares to the love and companionship and loyalty of a dog that loves you.

     I've known Roxy since Day 1. I caught her coming out. My parent's dogs, Duke and Dixie, are Roxy's parents. She was one of ten black labs born that day. Because Matt was present for her birth as well, we chose her to be ours.

     She has been a loyal friend. A constant source of joy and sweetness in my life. She follows me wherever I go. She has always done this. But, there are certain days when it just hits me: there's this dog, who loves me, who thinks I'm the greatest, who follows me everywhere, who sits with me when I nurse Tobin, who lays in bed with me when I rest, who sits in the kitchen with me while I cook, who sleeps in the bathroom while I shower, who cuddles in bed with me every night...and she's mine.

     Thankful for dogs. Thankful for Roxy. Thankful that she is constant and loyal. I'm thankful she's mine. I'm thankful that she stays by my side. Literally, 24/7. She sleeps with me. She gets up with me. She stays up late with me. Eating popcorn and watching Parks and Recreation. She lays at my feet every single night while I write my blog posts. I'm thankful for her love. I'm undeserving.

Watching Adelyn.

Still watching.

Still watching...

Do my little turn on the catwalk...

Check out that hurt index finger :(

Sleepy.

Still. Watching.

So happy her Dada is home. He just got home from a 36 hour shift!

Not so happy.

Just sitting up, playing with a toy. No big deal.

Fighting with my Husband.

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 86

     This doesn't seem like something to be thankful for. Fighting with my husband. But, it is. There was a time when we didn't fight. And definitely not because there wasn't anything to fight about, but because we just didn't care. We were lazy with each other. Fighting is the worst. But, not caring enough to fight...that's even worse than the worst.

     In the past, this fight, first of all, wouldn't have even been a fight. Secondly, it wouldn't have mattered if we were fighting anyways. We were too lazy to care. Too preoccupied with our own lives to care. Too concerned with being "right." Too stubborn to be the first one to say, "I'm sorry." In the past, this day would have been a regular day for me. This fight...just wouldn't have been.

     I'm thankful that Matt and I are different people now. We are a different couple now. Now, this fight seems like a dark cloud looming over my day. A constant presence. This..."something" that I can't shake. I feel sad and alone. I feel down. As if a heavy weight is hanging off my shoulders.

     And that's a good thing. This fight, and the way it has made me feel is a good thing. A positive thing. Because it means that we care. We care enough to fight. We care enough to not let things go. To hash them out. To say it all, and deal with it. Instead of leaving it to fester. Instead of leaving it, and ignoring it. Instead of being preoccupied with our own lives--because we really led separate lives way back when--we hurt when the other is hurting. We live one life, now. Ours. Not mine and his. Ours.

     Thankful for the fight. Thankful that we care enough to fight with each other. Thankful that we live our lives together, now. And not separate from one another. Thankful for love. Amazing love. Love that at one point in our lives, was missing. I'm glad we found it.

     I love you, my sweet husband.

Amazing sunset, tonight.

Tobin, waiting very impatiently for Adelyn to be done with her bath. 

Very, very impatient, here.

But, then he found his toes.

Sweet girl.

Making Eggs

Project 365 * 2 -- Day 85

     Here's the scene:

     My house.
     Five kids under the age of four.
     Seven adults.
     One dog.
     And all the fixings for making chocolate peanut butter Easter eggs.
   

     Thankful for the hectic day. Thankful for coffee with ladies. Thankful that we were able to see a good family friend that we haven't see in years. Thankful for family. Thankful for babies. Babies are the best. Their smiles and coos can lift one's spirit even on the most hectic and stressful of days. Thankful for memories made with precious loved ones.