Thankful.

September 30, 2017
Day 365

Today is the last day of September.
Today also marks one year of bogging daily.
It is AJ's birthday.
It was a great day.
It was a great 365 days.

Red leaves and Friday nights.

September 29, 2017
Day 364

It's Friday.

We have plans to cuddle in bed and watch movie and eat popcorn.

I don't have to set my alarm tonight.

I don't have to prep lunches for tomorrow.

Tomorrow is AJ's birthday. We're all going bowling! I'm excited!

The leaves were crunching under my feet while I walked Higbee tonight.

The sunset was colorful and lovely.

I'm starting to see red leaves, and it makes me so happy and relieved. I need to feel cool air on my skin.

Looking forward to a weekend with all my great loves.

Thankful. 

Piece of heaven.

September 28, 2017
Day 363

     Thankful for a glorious sunset. Pink sunsets might just be a little piece of heaven. Thankful for time to lay in bed and be thankful. Thankful for an amazing Thursday night with my mom and our friend. Thankful that tomorrow is Friday. Thankful for family.

     Thankful. 

Team.

September 27, 2017
Day 362

     My favorite part of this day was between coming home from school and before bedtime. We laughed. We danced. We slow danced at first. Then we fast danced. We came up with team names for our family. Tobin is: Fennec Fox. Fennec for short. He looks just like a Fennec Fox. Plus he's super clever and playful and cute and cuddly. Adelyn is: Wild One. Well, she's a horse named, Wild One. Sometimes a horse is gentle and tame, and sometimes they're wild with their manes tossing about in the breeze while they run away fast. I am: Otter Mama. I like to hold my babies close, and if I could, I would definitely keep my favorite stone in my stomach pouch. Matt is: Cookie Bear. He's cuddly and sweet like a honey bear, but he likes cookies more than honey.

     Days like these with my family makes me happy to be alive.

     Thankful. 

God gives good things anyways.

September 26, 2017
Day 361

     Today was good and lovely. The breeze was pleasant at recess. The leaves were falling, and the little cotton puffs were drifting through the air like snow falls. There were butterflies outside my window today. While I was watching the butterflies, a groundhog came up to my window and started nibbling on some clover. He was fat and sleek and a lovely shade of brown. He reminded me of fall. When I came home, my kids ran up to me and gave me many hugs and kisses. Higbee was happy to see me. And Matt hugged me and kissed me and told me he had missed me. Adelyn and I are reading By the Banks of Plum Creek together and after I read a chapter tonight, she begged me to read the next chapter, too. I love that my kids love to read. I love to kiss my babies goodnight. They both close their eyes and they smile a sweet, sleepy smile when I tell them how much I love them. I got the most amazing little love note from a student today. It totally made my day. I went for a walk after I put the kids to bed and it was a good walk because there were many leaves to crunch under my feet. I love the sound of crunching leaves. I am thankful that God gave me such a splendid day. I think sometimes thankfulness is the act of realizing you deserve absolutely nothing good in this life, but God gives you good things anyways.

     Thankful. 

Cooling Trend

September 25, 2017
Day 360

     Thankful for a night to go to bed early. Thankful for a quiet night at home. Except for that 20 minute portion where Adelyn yelled at me because I tried to help her with her cursive. Love my strong willed girl. Thankful that my mom prays for me and my family. Thankful for a cooling trend in the weather this week. My skin is aching for cold air. Thankful for leftovers. Thankful for Adelyn and Tobin. They are bright lights in my life, and I will be forever thankful for them and their smiles and their love. Thankful for quiet moments during my day to go blast music and grade papers. Thankful for warm blankets.

     Thankful. 

Less movement.

September 24, 2017
Day 359

     Today was lovely. It was hot outside so we just stayed cozy inside. Tobin and I went shopping in the morning, and he got a haircut. He looks so slick and cool. He's always been a cool guy. I boiled a chicken and made a soup for Adelyn; she wasn't feeling well. There was lots of good food cooking today. We were quiet today. But it was good to be quiet and still for a bit. The world needs less movement and more still and quiet. Thankful for my darling husband and our sweet children. Thankful for our lovely life together. Thankful for a fresh, new week. I love fresh new things. It was a long and relaxing weekend. And for that I am very thankful.

Vint Hill Festival.

September 23, 2017
Day 358

     Today was wonderful. We went to the Vint Hill Festival, and it was awesome. The kids had a blast. The sky was blue, it was cool in the shade, and we ate the most delicious ice cream ever. We cleaned the house for a showing, but then we got to relax in our freshly cleaned home. Matt's mom, and his sister and Mario came over. We had a scrumptious dinner, and we sat on the deck and talked for a while. It was a very good day.

     Thankful. 

Thankful for:

September 22, 2017
Day 357

Thankful for:

Friday nights.

Pizza.

Wine.

Good friends.

Wedding talk.

Italy trip planning.

Plans to drink copious amounts of wine every night in Italy.

A good day in school.

A pleasant evening to sit on the deck.

No alarms set on my phone.

A weekend to look forward to with my sweet family.

God paints the sky for me.

September 21, 2017
Day 356

     Sometimes I think God paints the sky pink and blue and orange and red just for me. Tonight's sunset was a beauty. It made me feel thankful.

     My husband is sweet and wonderful. He makes every day lovely and rosey colored.

     Tomorrow is Friday. We have friends coming for dinner tomorrow, Matt's family coming for dinner on Saturday, and my family coming for dinner on Sunday. It will be a full and good weekend.

     Higbee waits up for me when I go out at night.

     I got good news today. Good news brings joy to my heart.

     I can't wait to read with my babies this weekend.

     I rearranged my classroom and I love it.

     Thankful. 

Something sweet.

September 20, 2017
Day 355

Thankful for:

Big, soft blankets.

Visits from my sister and Odette during my lunch break.

Tomorrow is Thursday. I like Thursdays.

Family grocery shopping trips after school.

Texts from Matt. There's always a sweet something waiting on my phone from him.

Adelyn was the only student in her class to make it to outstanding today on her clip chart. I'm so proud of my girl.

I'm excited for the weekend. I love not setting my alarm.

Thankful. 

Herbes de Provence.

September 19, 2017
Day 354

     This afternoon, I took my students out for a second recess because we had some extra time at the end of the day. This was what I saw and felt: the warmth of the sun on my back, hundreds of wildflowers growing wild all around me, trees blowing in a cool breeze, clouds floating by, yellow leaves falling, and the sound of my sweet students playing. I couldn't help but be completely overcome with gratitude.

     It is my great honor and joy to put my kids to bed every night. I love to bathe them, and dress them in comfy pajamas, and kiss them goodnight after we say prayers. I love their sweet and quiet smiles when I tell them how much I love them. Tobin still asks me to sing to him before bed. So I do. And he smiles. And my heart feels full and thankful and like it could never be sad again.

     I make a big pot of soup every Sunday so that Adelyn can have chicken noodle soup every day for lunch. This weekend, I tried putting herbes de provence in with my pot of homemade stock. She told me today that it was the most delicious soup she's ever had. Then tonight at dinner, as I handed her her dinner plate, she commented, "This looks like a lovely meal!" I love that she loves my cooking.

     Thankful. 

   

   

Fall sunsets.

September 18, 2017
Day 353

     Here are the best parts of today:

     Higbee and I went out for a quiet evening walk, and we stopped on my favorite hill to watch the clouds turn from pink to dark blue. Sunsets make me feel full of gratitude. There is something so miraculous about the clouds and the many colors of a fall sunset.

     The leaves were crunching under my feet while I walked Higbee tonight.

     I cuddled with Adelyn after we read On the Banks of Plum Creek, and we fell asleep together. It was sweet and warm and cozy.

     Tobin wanted me to sing to him before bed tonight.

     Matt hugged me and told me he loved me today after school.

     I got to talk to my mom on the phone.

     I taught science class outside today, and we found a huge spider.

     The playground at school is surrounded by tons of wild flowers

     So many people prayed for me today. I'm thankful for friends and family who prayer.

     Today was a great day. And I'm thankful that I had it to enjoy.

     Thankful. 

Sunday's good things.

September 17, 2017
Day 352

     Thankful for time spent with my babies this morning. Thankful for shopping trips to Trader Joe's. Thankful for visits with family. Thankful for laughter. Thankful for my mom and dad. Thankful that my mom will pray for me whenever I ask her to. Thankful that my dad likes to make everyone laugh. Thankful for Patty. Thankful for pretty gardens. Thankful for chicken soup. Thankful for quiet. Thankful for time to sleep. Thankful that when I'm scared, I can run to God and find peace. Thankful for a new week coming up.

     Thankful.

List

September 16, 2017
Day 351

     Today was long but good. It was Haymarket Day! I have fallen asleep more times than I can count trying to write tonight. So I will end by saying I am thankful for: the day, time with my family, and time with more family at the end of the day.

     Thankful.

A good Friday.

September 15, 2017
Day 350

     Thankful for a good Friday. It was long, but it was good. Thankful for time spent with family. Thankful for delicious food, a fun game of Clue, and lots of laughter. Thankful for my beautiful babies. Thankful for time to sleep.

Wildflowers.

September 14, 2017
Day 349

     I picked wildflowers today. They were yellow and beautiful. There's something special about wildflowers.

     It drizzled on the way home tonight. I love drizzle. It feels cozy.

     I have the sweetest children.

     I have the sweetest students.

     Tomorrow is Friday and I get to decorate a float for a parade tomorrow.

     I'm very ready for the weekend.

     I love when I open the Bible and there's a verse I feel was written just for me. God is good to me.

     I'm in bed, and I can't wait to sleep.

     Thankful. 

The best parts of this Wednesday.

September 13, 2017
Day 348

     Today, Matt came up to me in the kitchen and looked at me for a long time while he held me in his arms. Then he told me, "You're so pretty." And then he kissed me. It's a sweet life with my love and our babies.

     It rained this morning. I love waking up to the sound of rain on the windows and the roof.

     Adelyn and I are reading On the Banks of Plum Creek together at night. We read two or three chapters a night. Tonight, we read a chapter called, "Ox on the roof." When I read the title of the chapter she said, "Oh, good...Ox on the roof...I love this chapter." I love that she loves to read with me.

     I came to bed early tonight so I could finish a movie I started last night. I love watching movies in bed at night.

     Tomorrow is Thursday. And the day after that is Friday. I'm excited for this weekend.

     I love kissing my children goodnight. It's one of the brightest spots of my day. I also love waking them up in the morning. Ever since they were babies, I've loved to wake them up in the morning, and put them to bed at night. It's just that I'm so proud to have children to take care of. Waking them and kissing them goodnight is a good way to begin and end each day.

     I take the bigs and the littles to school every morning. That's Casey, Adelyn, Tobin, and Sophia. We have a good time listening to music and praying for our day together. I'm proud to call them all my family.

     I'm looking forward to spending time with family this weekend.

     Tobin's new nickname is Fennec. We watch nature shows all the time now because Tobin is obsessed with animals. We watched one show about desserts. And living in one of the desserts was the Fennec Fox. I think Tobin looks just like a Fennec Fox. Matt and Patty think so, too.

     Thankful. 

Time and what matters most.

September 12, 2017
Day 347

      Sometimes I feel like I am always hurrying. Like every minute. I am always aware of deadlines, timelines, and to-do lists. It's exhausting to always be rushing. Even times when I don't have to be rushing, I do anyways. Tonight while we were having dinner, I didn't look at the clock. We just ate. We enjoyed. We laughed. And we were okay. Even though I didn't watch the time.

     Sometimes I see time as the enemy. Never stopping. Never slowing down for even a second. You can almost hear time passing. It becomes menacing when you realize that it's ticking away and once a single second has passed, it can never BE again.

     But I shouldn't think that way. We are here but just for a short time. We should make our seconds and minutes and hours matter. We should spend them doing things that make us smile. We shouldn't rush because time does that all on its own. So tonight, I am thankful for seconds and minutes and hours. Thankful for time. Thankful for my sunshiney girl and my fennec fox boy. They matter most. And because they matter most, time doesn't seem like the enemy anymore. It seems a kind friend who has lent me precious moments I really didn't deserve in the first place.

I get this feeling...

September 11, 2017
Day 346

     Sometimes I get this sort of bubbling over feeling. I get the feeling that all that I have and love are gifts far too wonderful than I deserve. I got that feeling tonight when I read to Adelyn. I was holding her hand and I stopped reading to really look at the hand I was holding. It was perfect and beautiful and best of all, it was mine to hold and to love. I got it again when I went in to check on Tobin. He was awake. He said he was waiting for me, and he asked me to sing him a song. I sang "Silent Night" because it's his favorite lullaby. As he closed his eyes, I whispered, "Goodnight, little Fennec Fox." He replied with, "Goodnight Fennec Mama."
 
     Adelyn and Tobin are the most amazing beings. And they're mine to love and to hold. And that knowledge makes me bubble over.

     Thankful. 

Anniversary celebration.

September 10, 2017
Day 345

     My parents celebrated 39 years of marriage on Saturday. They are my heroes. They are an example of love, dedication, and devotion. They are two of my favorite people in the world. I love their sweet hearts. They are always thinking of others. Case in point: my dad spent 18 hours fixing Matt's vehicle yesterday. On my parent's real anniversary date. And they had dinner plans. That's exactly who my parents are. Completely giving and unselfish. Entirely good and wonderful and loving and kind. They are two of the greatest gifts, and I will forever be thankful to my God for picking them out for me.

     We celebrated them tonight with a lovely dinner and an ice cream cake. We listened to stories of the time when they were dating. I saw quite a few sparkles in their eyes as they told their stories of love from the past.

     I am beyond thankful for my parents. They are amazing and I am blessed to call them: family. Thankful for their 39 years of love.

     Thankful. 

Happy, thankful, full of joy.

September 9, 2017
Day 344

Here are the things that made me happy and thankful and full of joy today:

Green eyes and blue eyes that sparkle when the sunlight hits them.

Time spent with my mom.

Today was my parent's 39th wedding anniversary.

The brilliant blue of the sky today.

The crisp cool of the air.

Butterflies.

Wide open spaces of sky and earth.

I made a big pot of homemade chicken soup for Adelyn's lunches this week. I did it last week and she loved it. Every day she has soup, crackers, and fruit for lunch.

My dad has spent this entire day working on Matt's vehicle. And they are still working as I write this at 12:47 am.

Patty came over and we had dessert and soup and watched Outlander. 

The way Tobin and Adelyn hug me and kiss me makes me feel full and satisfied and complete. My arms would be empty and lonely without them.

I love my home and the way it smells and the way our family has grown and become what it is today between these walls. These walls are special. Sometimes the thought of leaving them makes me feel ill.

Tomorrow is Sunday. Another beautiful day to spend with all my loves.

Red leaves are starting to appear.

Thankful. 

Time for sleep.

September 8, 2017
Day 343

     It's Friday. I'm going to relax, cuddle, sleep, make food, laugh, play and have fun with my babies this weekend. I'm exhausted so I am thankful for time to sleep. Thankful for a good week at school. Thankful for time spent family.

Wonderful Beings.

September 7, 2017
Day 342

     Children are so loving. They are like lovable puppies. Even when someone wrongs them, they so easily forgive and move on. And when they move on, they give even more love and hugs and smiles to the person that wronged them. I pray that lasts forever with my kids. I pray they never stop forgiving so easily.

     Today was crazy busy and stressful. We had a showing this morning, so I had to get the house ready to show before I left for school. I had to drop Higbee off at Patty's in the morning. I had school, then Adelyn had ballet, then I had to pick up Tobin and Higbee from Patty's house, make dinner, make lunches, oversee homework, bathe the kids, put them to bed, and do some work for school. All the while, Higbee was ringing the bell over and over to go out. The kids were running around and making loud noises. I lost my patience during dinner at the 45 minute mark of Adelyn and Tobin not eating their food.

     I apologized and asked them to forgive me. And they immediately forgave me and gave me hugs and kisses. They are wonderful beings.

     Thankful for my babies. Thankful for my students. Thankful for a good Thursday.

Lovely and rainy and cozy.

September 6, 2017
Day 341

     Today was lovely and rainy and cozy. My children were sweet and cuddly. Higbee was lazy. Matt was feeling under the weather, and while I'm not thankful for that, it does make me happy to see my husband relaxing in bed. If anyone in my house spends time relaxing in bed, it makes me feel peaceful. I got to see my friend at school today. Thankful for an impromptu date with my mom. We met at a teacher's store, and we went to Wegman's afterwards. I love hanging out with my mom. Tomorrow is Thursday, and the next day is Friday. I'm excited for the weekend. Today was good.

     Thankful. 

The future generation.

September 5, 2017
Day 340

     I have this discussion with every single class I teach: When you come upon a homeless person, what do you do? Every year, I'm surprised by their responses. Almost every single student says this at first: "Give the person some food or some money." But it is always followed by this: "But my mom and dad say that we shouldn't give money because they might just use it to buy beer," or "But my mom and dad say we won't give money because they can just go get a job instead of begging for money."

     I'm always struck by the fact that the child's answer is: give. And the adult's answer is: don't give. We have long discussions in the classroom about giving or not giving. Here's what I tell them year after year:

     It isn't your job to make sure people spend the money you give the right way. It isn't your job to tell them to get a job. We have a responsibility to give to others who are less fortunate than ourselves. (And because I work at a private, Christian school, and because I am a Christian, I also tell them this): It says in the Bible that if a person asks for your shirt, give him your coat as well. People won't remember your face. They won't remember how much money you gave them. Or what kind of food you gave them. They won't remember what you said. But they will remember your kindness. And that small, kind act of giving to someone who is in great need could make all the difference in their life. Jesus calls us to give to the needy. To be kind and generous. That's it. No where does it say in the Bible to give only if you think the person will spend the money wisely. No. It just says to give.

     I'm so very thankful to spend my days discussing important things with the future generation. I'm thankful that a child's answer to all of life's questions usually comes back to one thing: love. Love others. They are the first ones to say: Give. They are the first ones to offer hugs and love and support and encouragement. I'm honored to teach them. Thankful for my own children who bring me more joy than I ever could have hoped for. Their faces make me happy to be alive. They give me a reason to get out of bed and to try to make each day better than the next.

     Thankful. 

A day to be thankful for.

September 4, 2017
Day 339

     Today was lovely. The weather was warm, but breezy. The sun was bright. The sky was blue. Adelyn and I went grocery shopping in the morning. I love to shop with my girl. The four of us played hide and seek. I love to hear my children laugh. We went to a playground and played with Casey and Phia. Odette joined us too. She just smiled the whole time. We saw my parents for a few minutes, and my dad had little gifts for the kids. I love my parents. We had dinner with Matt's mom. We had bbq and it was delicious. Afterwards, Matt's mom treated us to ice cream. It was such a pretty night to go have ice cream. I love Matt's mom. She is such a kind soul. It was a great day. A pleasant day. A day to be thankful for.

     Thankful. 

A Sunday well spent.

September 3, 2017
Day 338

     Today was wonderful. We went to my parent's house and spent the day outside with the trees. I love the trees at my parent's house. I went shopping with my dad. And when we came home, I went shopping with my mom because my dad and I forgot the ice cream. We had the most delicious meal. Turkey breast, rice, broccoli, and the freshest and most delicious melon. We had strawberry shortcake with vanilla ice cream for dessert. It was a really fun day. The kids and Higbee really enjoyed running around outside all day. I love to watch my kids get dirty from playing outside.

     Thankful for my parent's house. Thankful that my family loves to spend time together. Thankful for a dinner that tasted just like my childhood. Thankful for big trees. Thankful for the best parents. Thankful for my family. Thankful for a Sunday well spent with the people I love. It was a good, blessed day.

The most lovely Saturday.

September 2, 2017
Day 337

     Thankful for the most lovely Saturday. Thankful for the sound of rain on the windows. Thankful for a large pot of homemade chicken soup. Thankful for lunch at Panera. Thankful for Sue, Matt's mom. She went with us today to a little ballet shop and purchased Adelyn's ballet shoes and tights for her. She also got her a sweet little ballet bag. Thankful for a clean home. For Higbee cuddling in bed with me right now. Thankful for two more days off with my loves.

     Thankful. 

Short.

September 1, 2017dé
Day 336

     Thankful for Friday. Thankful for time to sleep. Thankful for three days off. Thankful that thankful lists can be short.

     Thankful.