Birthday Boys.

February 28, 2017
Day 170

Today was Shane's birthday. So thankful for my brother.

Today was Casey's birthday. So thankful for my Casey boy.

We had a celebration dinner tonight. Steak and potatoes. A meal fit for two guys who love steak and potatoes. Complete with gravy. Gravy made from a roux of flour and Kerrygold butter. It was, in a word, glorious.

There was birthday cake and ice cream and candles to blow out.

There were expressions of love and adoration for the birthday boys.

It was fun to cook with my sister. We haven't cooked together in such a long time.

It was fun to see my parents and my brother and Emily on a Tuesday night. Usually, we have to wait for Sundays.

It rained today.

It was grayish this afternoon and that made me happy.

The trees look pretty at night when it rains and the light from the streetlamps shine behind them. They look like wet spider webs or veins.

I finished reading The Magician's Nephew to my students today. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. I love when I can see and hear my students thinking.

For nighttime.

Thankful. 

Chicken Soup.

February 27, 2017
Day 169

Every night I pray that angels would stand guard over my kids. Tobin has told me twice that he had a dream that angels were flying around him. Once when he got sick this past Christmas, and then this morning.

For soup and a sandwich for dinner. Fun fact: I wish I could swim in chicken soup.

I came home to a clean kitchen. My husband is a sweet, sweet husband.

Today was a good day at school.

It was cold today. I am so happy with the cold and the cloudy and the gray.

I love bedtime. By 7:30, I'm so ready for bed.

For my students.

For haircuts in the bathroom. I've been cutting Matt's hair since we were 18.

For tomorrow.

Thankful. 

Birthday Cake

February 26, 2017
Day 168

I spent today with my favorite people.

The bare trees look lovely against the sunset.

Winter sunsets beat summer sunsets. Hands down. I'll tell you why: There are more clouds in the winter. Clouds are the key to a good sunset. The lighting is better between 4 and 6 in the winter. During the summer, the sky is just one giant haze of yellowish light between 4 and 6. The trees look better during a winter sunset. They look like they really enjoy all those colors. Winter sunsets make me happy to be alive.

My husband is laying in bed next to me.

Dogs are sleeping.

Babies are sleeping.

We got to celebrate Casey's and Shane's birthday today. It's always fun to celebrate the people you love.

Tomorrow is Monday. Mondays are fresh and new and they hold many possibilities. They signify a fresh start. A second chance. An opportunity. I love a good Monday morning.

We had birthday cake today. Birthday cake is far superior to regular cake.

Thankful. 

BLT's.

February 25, 2017
Day 167

For rain.

For a rainy afternoon that turned into a glorious sunset.

For BLT's with soup for lunch.

For our warm home.

For good news!

For Casey. For Casey's birthday.

For birthday candles.

For snoring dogs.

For a quiet evening spent with family

Today was good.

February 25, 2017
Day 166

     The past few days have been hard. I've been dealing with anxiety and fear and doubt and panic. But today? Today was good. Today was smooth sailing. Today was an ice cold drink of water on the hottest day. Today was a brisk and glorious morning with puffy white clouds and the bluest sky. Today was the first day of summer vacation at the beach. Today was lying in a hammock with a cold beer, a warm sun, and a cool breeze blowing the glowing green leaves. Today was fall leaves crunching under my feet. Today was a big bowl of ice cream.

     Today was good. And I am so thankful. I'm thankful for breath in my lungs. For step in my feet. For today and for good. Thankful that for today, the today and the good were one in the same.

Strawberry Licorice.

February 23, 2017
Day 165

Hot showers.

Delicious dinners.

Friday.

The upcoming weekend.

Strawberry licorice.

The way Tobin's lips look when he talks.

My bed.

My husband.

My sister.

My family.

The sweetest puppy eyes ever.

Odette.

Black olives.

Time to sleep.

Thankful.

Woodpecker.

February 22, 2017
Day 164

For music.

For good days at work.

For dinner made by my sister.

For the funny things the kids do.

For dogs sleeping in my room.

For the face Higbee just gave me when I looked under the bed to see what he was chewing and it was his ball.

For delicious treats from Trader Joe's.

For tulips poking through the soil.

For the woodpecker I hear every morning when I take the pups for a walk.

For the pink sky this morning.

For the pink sky tonight that faded into purple and deep purple and blue and red and orange.

For time to sleep.

Thankful.

Friendly Letters.

February 21, 2017
Day 163

For a lovely baby shower at work for Patty.

For bowls of olives and plates filled with cheese and bread.

For sweet gifts for baby Odette.

Tomorrow is Wednesday. Short weeks feel good.

For happy dogs.

For time to sleep. For a place to sleep.

For cupcakes.

For shows to watch when I want to relax.

For friendly letters in the mail from students. Friendly letters make me smile.

Thankful. 

For a very fine Monday.

February 20, 2017
Day 162

For the warm sun with a cool breeze.

For wooden rockers set out in a field.

For really big pickles.

For wide open spaces of sky and earth.

For country playgrounds.

For big rocks found in a field of old cornstalks.

For cupcake liners.

For fresh flowers.

For pretty jars filled with fresh flowers.

For a special day for Patty and Odette tomorrow.

For dirty kids. I love it when my kids play outside so long that they really need a bath because they are actually dirty.

For phone calls with people I love.

For plans to get together with people I love.

Thankful. 

Lamp Post.

February 20, 2017
Day 161

For birthday cake.

For a day spent with family.

For fresh whip with lemon juice and lemon zest in it. And for strawberries and blueberries to go with it.

For time with Patty. Time spent with my sister makes everything better.

For brunch.

For sleeping dogs.

For a Monday off.

For my grandparents.

For my parents.

For lamp posts. The kids think they are in Narnia when they see one.

For the "habitat" Adelyn and Tobin created under Tobin's bed.

For sidewalk chalk.

Thankful. 

Narnia.

February 18, 2017
Day 160

For playgrounds.

For benches on playgrounds.

For a whole day for spending time with family.

For ice cream and ice pops.

For two days left of this weekend.

For Narnia movies. The kids are obsessed with Narnia movies right now. They want to have Narnia birthday parties.

For big bowls of popcorn.

For daddy long legs spiders.

For the hope that it might turn very cold again. It might...

For date nights spent at home.

For too many things to be thankful for.

Thankful. 

Heelys.

February 17, 2017
Day 159

For Friday.

For fun days at school.

For adult size Heelys. I was pretty much famous at school today because of them!

For Saturday.

For three day weekends.

For plans to do nothing but relax and catch up with family and friends tomorrow.

For snoring dogs.

For fresh starts.

For texts from my husband.

For Patty. She's always coming over and cleaning up my kitchen for me.

For a glorious sunset filled with colors and clouds that make one gasp.

For the way Adelyn and Tobin cuddle with stuffed animals at night.

Thankful. 

I get to turn on the brights.

February 16, 2017
Day 158

I love that we live in a place where I get to turn on the brights when I'm driving down dark roads at night. There are places where the brights are never needed.

For tea with honey.

For espresso with half and half.

My husband went shopping for ingredients for dinner.

For wagging tails and big, wet, sloppy kisses when I come home.

Tomorrow will be a fun day at school.

For meetings at Starbucks to discuss baby shower plans.

For trips to Michael's to pick out things for said baby shower.

For emails from my friend, Michelle.

For text messages from my husband throughout the day.

Thankful. 

17 years.

February 15, 2017
Day 157

Matt and I celebrated 17 years together today. We had a lovely date. Dinner and a movie.

Tacos.

Sleeping dogs.

Sleeping babes.

Tomorrow is Thursday. Then it's Friday. Then it's a three day weekend.

It's time to sleep.

Thankful. 

Kindness, love, chocolate.

February 14, 2017
Day 156

Today was sweet. It was filled with kindness, love, and chocolate.

My students love me and know me well. I received the most thoughtful gifts today.

Patty bought me a latte this morning.

We had a dance party at school. Well, we have a dance party most every day. Today's was just longer.

Tobin and Adelyn made Valentine's Day cards for me and Matt.

We got strawberry licorice for Adelyn, pomegranate licorice for Tobin, gummy worms, and silly putty for their Valentine's treats. They were both very pleased.

Tomorrow is Wonderful Reading Wednesday. I get to read all morning with my kids. I get just as excited as they do about it.

I watched Casey and Phia so Patty and Armando could go out tonight. I had a very full bed at bedtime. And a very full heart watching my favorite people snoozing in my bed.

Higbee and Greenie were playing tug-of-war for about two hours tonight. It's very cute to watch.

I get to go out with Matt tomorrow. Tomorrow marks 17 years together. So proud of that.

Thankful. 

Blush

February 13, 2017
Day 155

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day.

There are special sweet treats waiting in the kitchen for two special little ones.

We're having a party at school tomorrow.

I'm thankful for friends who send me encouraging text messages when I need them.

I have the best family.

I have dogs that love me.

I got new blush. Well, replaced my blush because I ran out. But I still love a brand new blush.

It's time to sleep.

Thankful. 

My kisses and hugs are magical.

February 12, 2017
Day 154

I napped today on the couch. Naps on the couch in the afternoon are the best.

We went to my parent's house for dinner.

We spent the afternoon outside doing fun things like chopping wood and shooting a bow and arrow.

We have a safe, warm home to sleep in on this very windy night.

The whole house is asleep; husband, babies, dogs.

Tobin tells me all the time that I am, "so beautiful."

Adelyn tells me that my kisses and hugs are magical because they can make her feel better when she's sick or sad.

My parents had little Valentine's Day treats for the kids. It's always fun to get a Valentine.

Matt and I have a date planned for this Wednesday. We started dating on February 15th, and this Wednesday will mark 17 years together.

Tomorrow is Monday. I love a good, fresh Monday.

We laughed a lot today at my parent's house. Laughter is so good for the soul.

Thankful. 

Saturday mornings.

February 11, 2017
Day 153

My home is clean and organized.

Matt and Adelyn went to the Father-Daughter Dance.

I had the pleasure of helping Adelyn and Phia get ready for the dance.

It's fun to paint nails and put on make-up.

I got to sit in bed and crochet while watching a movie tonight.

Sleeping dogs make me happy.

Sleeping babies make me happy.

I love Saturday mornings with my husband.

Tobin and I went out to eat tonight. Sue, Steph, and Mario joined us.

Halo Top. New flavor in my freezer: lemon cake.

I have another whole day with my loves tomorrow.

Thankful.

Beer at the movie.

February 10, 2017
Day 152

I went to the movies with Jen and my sister tonight.

It is Friday.

It is cold outside.

I have two whole days to spend at home ahead of me.

Peanut Butter Cup Halo Top. Enough said.

They serve beer at the movies now. (Or maybe that's been going on a long time. I haven't been to the movies in forever. I'm not really a fan of going to the movies.)

The dogs always wait up for me.

Adelyn and Matt have a dance to go to tomorrow night. :)

I get to get Adelyn and Phia ready for the dance tomorrow.

I get to do something special with Tobin tomorrow while the dance is going on.

Thankful.

American Patty.

February 9, 2017
Day 151

It snowed hard today and it was so amazing and beautiful and exciting. My students and I were glued to the window watching it.

Patty made us dinner tonight.

The kids put on a show after school. There was a parade, a play, a song, and a time when we could shake their hands. Phia's name was, "Princess." Casey's name was, "Luke Skywalker." Tobin's name was, "Captain Colossus." And Adelyn's name was, "American Patty." I'm still laughing at that...American Patty?!

It is cold outside. As it should be in February.

I get to go to sleep now and sleep all night. I've been exhausted lately.

Tomorrow is Friday.

I love the people I work with.

I love my students.

I've made up my mind to clean my house from top to bottom this weekend. Organization makes my mind feel more clear.

I have a home to keep my family safe and warm.

Thankful. 

Promise of the weekend.

February 8, 2017
Day 150

It just might snow tonight.

I have new yarn to make things with.

It's going to get cold tomorrow. I feel like a dried out sponge with this dumb old heat wave. Yes, I said heat. It's not cold, so it's heat.

For time to sleep all night.

For a great day at school today.

For the promise of the weekend coming soon.

For ice water.

For friends.

For my family.

Thankful.

Halo Top.

February 7, 2017
Day 149

My kids give the best hugs.

Adelyn draws the most magnificent pictures for me.

Everyone is sleeping in my home right now. It's quiet and peaceful and still.

I went to Wegman's with my sister tonight and it was the best. How Patty can make a trip to Wegman's "the best" is beyond me. She's just that wonderful.

Matt cleaned up the kitchen twice today.

Matt and Tobin brought me coffee at work today.

Matt always greets me at the door when I get home from work. And when I come in, the first thing he does is kisses me.

Higbee and Greenie make me smile.

There are two pints of Halo Top in my freezer right now.

Tomorrow is "Wonderful Reading Wednesday" at school.

Thankful. 

Library.

February 6, 2017
Day 148

We went to Laura Ingalls Wilder Day at our local library.

I got a library card.

I love library books. They always have that fun plastic wrapper on the book jacket. It creaks whenever you open the book. It reminds me of story time in elementary school.

It is time to sleep.

Higbee's Eyes.

February 5, 2017
Day 147

Every time I put on Higbee's collar, I hold his face and kiss it, and when I do, he closes his eyes. There is something about Higbee's eyes when he's quiet and still. I get the sense that he knows much, much more than I think he does. I get the sense that underneath all of his crazy, coyote, puppy ways, he's an old, wise soul.

Adelyn and Tobin are the lights of life. If it wasn't for them, my days would be dark and boring.

My parents came over with bagels this afternoon. I'm always glad to see my parents.

We went to a superbowl party today. Matt's mom made enough food for an army. I'm always glad to see her, Steph, Mario, and Mario's parents. Also, Matt's mom makes the best deviled eggs ever.

An ice cold Heineken always hits the spot.

Tomorrow is the start of a new, fresh week. I love a good, fresh Monday morning.

I spoke with my grandma on the phone this afternoon. It's always lovely to catch up with family.

Thankful. 

"Happy Little Tree"

February 4, 2017
Day 146

I had the best day with my family.

We went out to lunch.

We picked out two new and very special toys for Adelyn and Tobin for their good report cards.

We relaxed.

We watched Bob Ross, and I fell in love. How is it possible that I've never seen such an amazing show before? "We don't make mistakes, only happy accidents." "Happy little trees." I've been missing out all these years.

The sunset was glorious. I saw so many neighbors running out to snap pictures of it.

I laughed a lot with my kids today. They're pretty funny people.

It was a very fine Saturday.

Thankful. 

Opera Voice.

February 3, 2017
Day 145

Today is Friday.

It is deliciously cold outside.

It is deliciously warm and cozy in my home right now.

Tomorrow is Saturday. I cannot wait to spend it with my favorite people.

Talking in bed with my husband makes me happy.

This will be my schedule tomorrow:
1. Coffee and breakfast in sweats, t-shirt, and big, comfy socks.
2. Cuddle on the couch with my babies, husband, and the puppies.
3. Watch some shows.
4. We're going to Toys 'R' Us to pick out two new toys for two special people who got fantastic report cards today.
5. We'll cuddle some more.
6. We'll read lots of books.
7. Early Bedtime.

It is still and quiet in my house right now.

We celebrated a student's birthday today. Whenever we celebrate a birthday, my students ask me to sing, "Happy Birthday," in my opera voice. It always makes them laugh.

Adelyn looked grown up today.

Tobin wanted me to hold him and rock him today.

I don't have to set an alarm for tomorrow.

Thankful. 

Friends who give me chocolate.

February 2, 2017
Day 144

Tomorrow is Friday.

Greenie is feeling much better. He had some teeth removed a few days ago.

Books make me so happy.

Adelyn and Tobin like to cuddle with each other and with stuffed animals at night. It is such a cozy scene.

I love spending time with my sister. Even if it's on the phone.

Salads with olives in them make my mouth water.

I have a friend at work that knows the exact right time to hand me a little chocolate. She's the best. Everyone needs a Michelle.

Tomorrow is dress down Friday. Believe it or not, it is much easier to teach all day in running shoes than it is in heels. Or even flats for that matter. Comfy shoes make such a difference.

I get to watch The Office now.

Thankful.

Peanut Butter Exists.

February 1, 2017

Day 143

The house is quiet and still.

The sky was cloudy and gray.

Patty cleaned up my kitchen and made dinner for everyone tonight.

Tomorrow is Thursday. And the day after that is Friday.

Peanut butter exists. I like to eat it off a spoon like a pop. But it has to be crunchy.

I have the sweetest students ever. I will be very sad to see them go in June.

I got a Scholastic book box in the mail today. I love getting a box full of books!

I really like the first day of a month. It feels full of possibilities.

We got a new calendar in the mail the other day. We always get the, "For the Love of Dogs," calendar. Each month features a different painting of a dog. I like counting the days, and I like seeing pictures of sweet dogs.

If something is messed up in our house, Matt fixes it right away. I love that about him.

I love kissing my kids goodnight. It is the sweetest moment of my day. And not because I'm saying goodnight to them, but because when I tuck them in, and kiss them goodnight, they slightly resemble the babies they once were, and then I don't feel so homesick for the days when they were very little.

I'm going to bed and I get to sleep all night until the morning.

Thankful.