Halloween

October 31, 2021

Day 1,831

     The kids carved a pumpkin on their own for the first time today. We bobbed for apples in the driveway. We went trick or treating. We watched Hocus Pocus. We had a delicious dinner. It was a very good day! 

Another boy.

October 30, 2021

Day 1,830

Thankful for: 

A day called Saturday. 

Time to lay in bed and rest. 

Prayer. 

Dinner at my parent's house. 

Rao's pasta sauce with ground turkey and salad. 

Cupcakes. 

Finding out that Cheyenne and Shane are having another boy! 

Driving home late at night and listening to music while my children sleep. I like driving down familiar dark roads. 

Tomorrow is Halloween. 

Matt came home today.

October 29, 2021

Day 1,829

Thankful for: 

A day called Friday. 

Matt came home today after being gone for a week. 

Time to relax in bed and talk with my love. 

Two whole days off from school. 

Sleep and quiet.

October 28, 2021

Day 1,828

     I'm thankful for the end of this long day. I'm thankful for quiet. I'm thankful for sweaters and pajama pants and blankets. I'm thankful for time each day to close my eyes and sleep for many hours. I'm thankful that the weekend is very near. 

Walks at twilight.

October 27, 2021

Day 1,827

Thankful for: 

The beautiful fall sky today. The morning was gorgeous. The evening was just as gorgeous. Fall and winter light is the best light. 

Hawks.

Higbee. 

Walks at twilight. 

Adelyn and Tobin playing soccer in the backyard. 

Turkey hotdogs for dinner. 

Big salads all ready for lunch tomorrow for me and Adelyn. 

Tomorrow is Thursday and the next day is Friday. 

Time to do girly things like wax my legs. 

Tea. 

Seinfeld. 

Chats with Matt. 

Chats with Adelyn. 

Chats with Tobin. 

Chats with Patty. 

Chats with Heidi. 

Sweet students. 

Reading in bed with Addy and Tobin.

October 26, 2021

Day 1,826

Thankful for: 

A tidy classroom after a very messy day. 

Lesson plans completed for next week already. 

Quiet nights at home. 

A big salad for lunch tomorrow for Adelyn and myself. 

Lime and olive oil dressing. I'm obsessed with lime recently. 

Hugs and cuddles with my kids. 

We finished reading On the Banks of Plum Creek tonight. We're all very excited to start on the next book in the series: By the Shores of Silver Lake. I love reading in bed with Addy and Tobin. It's the very best part of my day. 

Turkey hot dogs. They're very, very tasty!

Playing with Higbee after school. 

Seinfeld. 

Texts from Matt. 

Texts from my friend, Heidi. 

Tomorrow, I get to wear jeans to school. 

A picnic planned for my students tomorrow. 

Rain and gentle thunder.

October 25, 2021

Day 1,825

Thankful for: 

The end of this long, long day. 

Rain and gentle thunder. 

Cold air in the forecast. 

Talking with Matt. 

Roasted vegetables. 

Peanuts and hot tea. 

Time to sleep. 

Sleeping kids. 

Scared Higbee. His ears go way back and he shrinks himself down very low. He doesn't like thunder. 

Seinfeld. 

Home is a person named Matt.

October 24, 2021

Day 1,824

     I had to meet Matt at McDonald's tonight. It was a halfway point from where we both were. It was dark. It was busy. There were lots of cars coming and going. We stood outside and hugged and kissed under the lights of the glowing, golden arches. With Matt, romance happens wherever we are. It doesn't matter if we're home, if we're alone or with people, if we're in the Outer Banks or a castle in Italy, or in a busy parking lot at McDonald's. When we're together, we're home and there's lots of love. Home is a person named Matt. 

     Thankful for Matt. He's the love of my life. 

Home. Love.

October 23, 2021

Day 1,823

Our sofas are worn. 

There is stuff everywhere. 

There are closets and rooms that need organizing. 

There is always dog hair everywhere even after I vacuum. 

Even our beds are a bit hairy. 

We leave too many cups and mugs sitting around upstairs. 

It will never be perfect. 

It will always be perfect.

Thankful for my home.

Thankful for people that I love deeply to share it with. 

Thankful for people who love me deeply. 

Humbled that God would choose to bless me with gifts that I don't deserve. 

I'm not leaving home until Monday morning.

October 22, 2021

Day 1,822

Thankful for: 

A day called Friday. 

Making delicious pasta for my family for dinner. 

More victories on the scale. 

The feeling of being home for the next few days. 

Time to clean tomorrow. 

Time to be home. 

Time to sleep. 

Days to have no schedule. 

I'm not leaving home until Monday morning. 

Simple list for a Thursday.

October 21, 2021

Day 1,821

Here are the things I'm thankful for: 

Tomorrow is Friday. 

Roasted vegetables. 

Peanut butter. 

My husband and my children. 

Higbee. 

Our beautiful home in the woods. 

Walks down the driveway. 

Things to be thankful for. 

The scale.

October 20, 2021

Day 1,820

Thankful for: 

The sound of Matt cleaning the kitchen when I came home. 

Matt's smile and his face. Seeing his face makes me happy. 

Higbee being very happy to see me today. 

Kind people at Higbee's vet. I've been blessed with people who love and understand Higbee. 

Seeing something I haven't seen on the scale in a very long time this morning. Dieting sucks while you're doing it, but seeing numbers drop makes it worth it. 

My new haircut. 

Laying in bed and reading to my babies. It's my favorite part of the day. 

Laying in bed and talking to Adelyn. She's easy to talk to. 

Looking at Adelyn's blue eyes, and Tobin's green eyes, and Matt's green eyes, and Higbee's brown eyes. I'm obsessed with my family's eyes. 

Text messages from Heidi. 

Lunch with Heidi. 

A phone call with Patty. 

Vitamins and lime water. 

Roasted vegetables. 

Green olives. 

Drinking tea in bed. It's my favorite. 

Time for sleeping all night. I'm glad we have many, many hours to sleep. 

Little list for Tuesday.

October 19, 2021

Day 1,819

Thankful for: 

Tobin is feeling well today and has had no fever since last night. 

Tobin got to hang out all day at home with Matt and Higbee. 

It's cold out in the morning, and I love it. 

Roasted vegetables for lunch. 

Turkey hot dogs. They're amazing. 

Nothing planned for this upcoming weekend.

Sweet students. 

I got a haircut today, and my mom came with me to hang out. 

Talking with Karen and Luis for a bit. 

A list for this Monday.

October 18, 2021

Day 1,818

Thankful for: 

Tobin getting to stay home and rest. 

Roasted vegetables for lunch tomorrow. 

Time with Matt this evening. 

New jeans. 

A fun day planned for tomorrow at school. 

Time to sleep and rest. 

Texts with Matt. 

Time to talk with Adelyn. 

My sunny window and windowsill at work. 

Plants growing in the window. 

I'm getting a haircut tomorrow. 

Patty works where I work. It's wonderful. 

Texts from my friend, Heidi. 

Lunch with Heidi every day. 

My students. They're all very sweet children. 

Tobin's birthday celebration.

Ocotber 17, 2021

Day 1,817

Thankful for: 

A good Sunday. 

Family. 

Good breakfast. 

Laughter. 

Pizza parties. 

Big salads. 

Lemon cake. 

Ice cream. 

Video games. 

Creme puffs. 

Higbee. 

My babies. 

Medicine for when there is an illness. 

Laughter. 

My husband. 

Knowing that Tobin will be safe at home tomorrow with Matt. 

Time to sleep. 

A good birthday celebration for Tobin. 

The feel of an early morning.

October 16, 2021

Day 1,816

Thankful for: 

The feel of an early morning. 

Family. 

Texts from Matt. A phone call with Matt. He's the best husband. 

Heidi. She's an amazing friend. 

Patty. She's an amazing sister. 

Adelyn, Tobin, Casey, Sophia, and Odette. I'm so thankful to know them. 

A fun day planned for tomorrow. 

Special treats for tomorrow. 

Adelyn helped me decorate tonight. 

Lemon bundt cake for tomorrow; Tobin is slowly becoming Matt. 

Clean bathrooms. 

Tobin's 9th Birthday.

October 15, 2021

Day 1,815

Thankful for Tobin. Thankful for family. Thankful for a joy-filled day. 

Last night as an eight year old.

October 14, 2021

Day 1,814

     Tobin has been waiting for tomorrow for a long time now. He's been counting down the days until October 15th since the middle of September. I don't think he's ever been more excited for a birthday than he has been for this birthday. I told him when I kissed him goodnight that tonight was the last night that I would ever see him as an eight year old. 

     Thankful for Tobin. Thankful for his love. Thankful for his face. His smile. The color of this eyes. The way he loves to run. Thankful for how big his heart is. He loves his family. He loves animals. He loves to play. He just loves life. I don't think I know a cooler kid than Tobin. 

     

Eat, sleep, beach, repeat.

October 13, 2021

Day 1,813

Thankful for: 

My husband who loves me so very much. He is always helping, always thinking of me, always hugging, always kissing. I don't deserve his fierce and intense love. 

My sister, Steph, who graciously gave me a dress she purchased to be cut up into scraps so that my dress will fit well. I'm thankful for her love. I'm thankful for a little time to sit and talk with her. 

Patty. She and I like to stay on the phone together and just be together when we have to be physically apart. Patty does the dishes, she helps her kids with homework, I go shopping, she goes shopping...we just stay on the phone together. "It's so much more friendly with two." -A.A. Milne 

My children being happy to see me when I come home. 

Seinfeld. It just makes me laugh and smile after a long day. 

Tomorrow is Thursday.

Tobin's 9th birthday is on Friday. 

Time to sleep all night. 

Thinking ahead to a special anniversary trip planned in November with Matt. Eat, sleep, beach, repeat. Eat, sleep, beach, repeat. It will be wonderful. 

A quiet night at home.

October 12, 2021

Day 1,812

I am thankful for my friend, Heidi. She gave me a gift card to Old Navy. I'm excited to go shopping.

I am thankful for roasted vegetables for lunch tomorrow. 

I am thankful for my children. They helped me tidy up the main level of our house tonight and it really helped me. 

I am thankful for Matt. He likes to check on me when he's working by texting me throughout the day. 

Seinfeld. 

A walk with Higbee and Adelyn and Tobin. 

Tomorrow is Wednesday. We're halfway through this week already. 

A quiet night at home. 

A hair appointment planned for next week. I can't wait to get my hair done. 

Cool weather. 

A little Monday list.

October 11, 2021

Day 1,811

Thankful for: 

A good teacher work day. 

Time to get work done. 

A dreary day. 

Plants growing in my window sill at school. 

Coming home to the best husband and kids and dog ever. 

Ezekial bread with peanut butter for dinner. 

Good Sunday.

October 10, 2021

Day 1,810

Thankful for: 

A rainy day. 

A cloudy day. 

Time to work on things I needed to get done. 

Matt. I love the way he loves me. The other day he told me that I was his favorite color. 

A lazy day for my kids. 

I baked cookies today for my family. 

Matt took a lot of time to fix my computer and my phone today. 

A long walk with Matt and Higbee. 

Seinfeld. 

Tea and blister peanuts and tiny little pickles. 

A teacher work day tomorrow. I need time to work on some things, so I'm thankful for the time. 

Matt cleaned the kitchen for me. 

Kale with potatoes and bacon.

October 9, 2021

Day 1,809

Thankful for: 

A good Saturday. 

Time with family this morning. 

My grandmother gave me a bunch of little treasures. 

Driving with Patty and Odette. 

Seinfeld. 

A cloudy day. 

Kale with potatoes and bacon for dinner. 

Frozen grapes for dessert. 

Coming home to my husband. I love how much Matt loves me. When I'm with Matt, I'm home and it feels good. 

Time to work on things for school. 

A drizzly day. A cloudy day. A dreary day. I love them. 

A fun day planned for tomorrow. 

Laughing with Patty. 

Making plans for fun things with Matt and our family. 

Time to myself.

October 8, 2021

Day 1,808

Thankful for: 

A very good day at school. 

A long, long reading block. I love long reading blocks at school. 

Time to myself after school. 

Dinner at Panera. 

Time to shop at Trader Joe's. 

Time to shop at Old Navy. 

Time to talk to Matt on the phone. I spent a good chuck of my alone time talking to Matt on the phone. He's my best friend, and I wished he was with me during my alone time. 

Snuggling with Matt on the couch when I came home. 

Going to bed because I was very tired. 

New pants and a new shirt. 

Seinfeld. 

My bed. Matt and I have the best bed. I would love to spend all day long in bed one day this winter. 

Being able to bring little treats home for my family. 

Plans to drive to my grandmother's house with Patty tomorrow. I'm excited to be able to drive in a car with her. 

Tiny little list.

October 7, 2021

Day 1,807

Thankful for: 

The end of a long day. 

Tomorrow is Friday. 

I get to spend some time alone tomorrow night shopping. 

I get to go to Trader Joe's tomorrow. 

I get to go to Old Navy tomorrow. 

It was dreary today. I love dreary days. 

Rainy, cloudy, cool. And pico.

October 6, 2021

Day 1,806

Here are the good things about today: 

It was rainy. 

It was cloudy. 

It was cool outside. 

I walked with Matt and Higbee. 

Large mugs of tea. 

Pico de gallo. 

Lunches all made for tomorrow. 

Matt's kisses, hugs, and snuggles. 

Matt told me that I'm his favorite. 

Reading in bed with Tobin. 

Medicine so that Adelyn will feel better. 

Seinfeld. 

Quiet music. 

Being a bit caught up at work. 

Short paragraph

October 5, 2021

Day 1,805

Thankful for a good day. Thankful for time to be home with my kids alone. Thankful for time to read with my babies. Thankful for time to sleep. Thankful for texts with Matt. Thankful for my children. 

Six things on the fourth of October

October 4, 2021

Day 1,804

Thankful for: 

The feeling of coming home to the love of my life after a hard day. 

Many hugs and cuddles and kisses from Matt. 

Reading in bed with Adelyn and Tobin. 

Matt taking care of all the dishes because my stomach was hurting. 

Grocery shopping. I love going grocery shopping. 

Being able to buy anything I want at the grocery store and not having to look at the prices. 

The best honey.

October 3, 2021

Day 1,803

Thankful for: 

A day called Sunday. 

A day to relax and not do much of anything at all. 

Cuddling on the couch with my babies. 

Making food for my babies. 

Hot tea with the best honey. 

Texts with Matt. It's an amazing feeling to be in love with the love of your life. 

Seinfeld. 

Apples. I've eaten three of them today. 

Rain in the forecast tomorrow. 

A fresh, new Monday tomorrow. 

Pilgrim's Progress. 

Apple picking for Armando's birthday.

October 2, 2021

Day 1,802

     We went apple picking today to celebrate Armando's birthday. It was beautiful. It was fun. It was an adventure. There was good food. There was chocolate cake. There were horses. There were apples. There was a store with jars of honey and jams. There were caramel apples and kettle corn. There were happy children and happy adults. It was a good day. 

     Thankful for Armando. Thankful to call him my brother. Thankful for a good day with family.