Sundays make my soul smile.

September 30, 2018
Day 732

     This day was so good. The sky was a lovely shade of blue. The clouds were puffy. And every so often, there was a breeze that would pass through with a hint of coolness in it. The hint is the hope that I'm holding onto. I am aching for cold air.

     We cleaned the whole house from top to bottom this morning. It's always a good feeling to have a clean house. Then we went to Patty's to celebrate AJ's birthday. We had delicious food, and we had the best time playing with his gift: a classic Nintendo! We are already planning a championship over Christmas break complete with a trophy!

     Thankful. So thankful for family. Thankful for so many people to call my own. Thankful for people who love me no matter what. Thankful for Sundays. They make my soul smile.

Lovely day with all my babes.

September 29, 2018
Day 731

     This day was fun and wonderful. I spent it with my husband and our babies. We took them to Kings Dominion as a surprise. They were so excited when we pulled up in the parking lot. Their eyes were so large and happy and full of smiles. We had a nice, relaxing day. Except when we tried to walk through the dinosaur forest. Adelyn's imagination ran away with her. She watched one too many Jurassic Park movies. But thankfully, I was able to get her attention, and we walked through in confidence. It was a grand day. Filled with snacks, and rides, and smiles. We had homemade pizza and ice cream at home for dinner while we watched a movie.

     So thankful for this lovely day with all my babes.

The feeling of driving home.

September 28, 2018
Day 730

     This night was lovely. I came home, put on sweatpants, and relaxed in my beautiful home. The leaves were falling in the breeze. The forest looked lovely. Driving home is one of my greatest joys.

     Thankful for the feeling of driving home.

My words are wearing slippers, and that's okay.

September 27, 2018
Day 729

     Oh, I am longing so for fall. I am waiting for the moment when I step out of my house, and feel the welcome and gentle caress of cold air on my skin. Breathing cold air makes me feel alive. It makes me feel robust and full of life and jolly. It reminds me that Tobin's birthday is on it's way. And Thanksgiving. And Christmas. I have been waiting for many months, and the waiting will soon be over.

     Tonight, I am thankful for this space. This safe space in which to write the things that I am thankful for. This place in which to record the daily happenings of my life. For most of my life, I have always wanted to write and publish a book. And lately, that want has shifted. I'm not sure I want to anymore. Here's why: if I write and publish a book, I might become famous. Or at least my name will be known. If my name becomes known to people, and they read my words, and they don't like them, they will judge me. They will form opinions about who I am. And what I write. And what I think. And they will ask me questions to which they will want immediate answers and then form opinions about those answers. Nothing will be just for me anymore. It will be for them.

     I'm feeling tonight like maybe I want to keep my words close and cozy and at home with me. I'm not sure if or when that feeling might shift again, but writing words just for me has always been why I write.

     Tonight, I am thankful that I can write just for me. Tonight, I am thankful that I can wrap my words up in a big sweater and some blankets and put some socks on them and keep them warm and safe and cozy and home. I'll be waiting for a shift. If it happens, okay. If it doesn't happen, okay. Whatever happens, I'll be okay. But in the meantime, my words are wearing fluffy slippers and hanging at home with me. And that's okay.

Wednesday's List

September 26, 2018
Day 728

Thankful for:

1. Rain.

2. Glasses.

3. Tea and toast for dinner.

4. Time to lay in bed and sleep.

5. My husband.

6. My babies.

7. My family.

8. Higbee.

9. Chicken and potatoes.

10. Soup.

11. Thursdays at school.

12. Phone calls with my mom and dad.

13. New days at school.

14. Higbee shares an apple with me every night in bed. He's a good bed time partner.

15. Books.

16. Things to be thankful for.

17. Apples with peanut butter.

New mercies.

September 25, 2018
Day 727

     Thankful for parsley, red onion, tomato, and roasted sweet potatoes. Thankful for apples with almond butter. Thankful for hot tea with honey. Thankful for my babies. And my dog. And my husband. Thankful for my family. And my home. And good food to eat. Thankful for another new day tomorrow. Thankful for new mercies every morning.

Really big spiders.

September 24, 2018
Day 726

     So thankful for the end of this Monday. It was a long Monday, but I'm thankful for it. Thankful that I am in bed before 9. It's truly a miracle. Thankful for pancakes for dinner. Pancakes always make me feel like I'm in a log cabin, cooking in an iron skillet, on the wide open prairie. Thankful for really big spiders. Thankful that I know how to catch them and let them go.

Nap on the couch.

September 23, 2018
Day 725

Thankful for a good Sunday. Thankful for a nap on the couch. Thankful for good food. For time with family. Thankful for rain. Thankful for books. Thankful for a new day tomorrow. Thankful for time to read. And sleep. And cuddle.

Another day at home with my loves.

September 22, 2018
Day 724

     Thankful for a good Saturday. Thankful for yard work getting accomplished. Thankful for the sound of my children laughing and playing. Thankful for things to be thankful for. Thankful for our beautiful home. Thankful for my family. For dinner with my dad, mom, and grandma. Thankful for another day at home with my loves.

Friday Night Firepit Night.

September 21, 2018
Day 723

Thankful for Friday night firepit nights at Patty and AJ's. Thankful for hot dogs and marshmallows. Thankful for the feeling of a Friday morning and a Friday afternoon and a Friday evening. Thankful for sticky hands and faces. It was a good day.

Still and quiet.

September 20, 2018
Day 722

Thankful for the end of a very long day. Thankful for a delicious dinner from Wegmans. Thankful for vegetable egg rolls. Thankful for pesto and olives and rice with curry and tumeric. Thankful for time to lay in bed and be still and quiet.

A good Wednesday.

September 19, 2018
Day 721

Thankful for a good day at school. Thankful for days to read all morning. Thankful for my amazing home to come home to. Thankful for time to sleep.

And.

September 18, 2018
Day 720

     Thankful for all of the many things God has given me that I don't deserve. His gifts to me overwhelm me. I'm blown away by His love. Thankful for this home. And my whole family. And my dog. And warm, dry clothes. And good food to eat. And an amazing place to work. And students to love. And trees. And the forest. And foxes and spiders and deer and rabbits. And dew on the grass every morning. And things such as hugs and kisses. And love.

     God is good. So, so good to me. Thankful.

Rainy Walks

September 17, 2018
Day 719

     Thankful for rainy evenings at home in my dream house with my amazing family. Thankful for fall leaves on our driveway. Thankful for walks with my husband after dinner. Thankful for nights when I'm in bed by 9. Thankful for apples with almond butter and big mugs of tea with honey. Thankful for a furry animal baby sleeping in my bed with me. Thankful for fall coming soon. Thankful for chats with my sister and my husband. Thankful for time to sleep all night. Thankful for distant rumbles of thunder while out walking Higbee.

The reason why.

September 16, 2018

Day 718

     Sometimes I wonder why I bother with this activity. But I'm reminded why I do it when I see the blue of Addy's eyes. When I see the curves of her cheeks. When I see the green of Tobin's eyes. And the shape of his nose and lips. When he puts his hand in mine. When I look around at what God has given me. When I take deep breaths. When I feel so overwhelmed that it will all spill out over the edge. 

     That's when I remember why I write. I write because I must record forever, because words are forever, the reasons I have for being thankful. 

People who love me.

September 15, 2018
Day 717

     I spent this day with family. We celebrated my grandpa's birthday. We had delicious food, and delicious cake. Family and food is the best combination.

Thankful for people who love me.

Friday.

September 14, 2018
Day 716

So thankful for Friday. Thankful for time with family. Thankful for days at home with my family.

8 things on a Thursday.

September 13, 2018
Day 715

Thankful for:

1. Delicious dinner

2. A great back to school night

3. Tomorrow is Friday. I could not be more happy about that.

4. Higbee cuddles when I came home.

5. Snuggles with my babies before bedtime.

6. Did I mention Friday? I literally cannot wait until Friday at 4. That's when my weekend starts. And I'm going to relax this weekend.

7. Texts from my husband.

8. My sister and brother in law for watching Adelyn and Tobin while I was at back to school night.

Sleep time is the best time.

September 12, 2018
Day 714

     Thankful for my bed. Thankful for time to sleep all night. Thankful for the weekend coming soon.

     I never used to love sleep so much before I had kids.

Time with Patty.

September 11, 2018
Day 713

Thankful for time with Patty. Thankful for so much laughter. Thankful a sandwiche for dinner. Thankful for drives down roads we've never been down. Thankful for nights away.

Rainy Days.

September 10, 2018
Day 712

Thankful for:

-rainy days.

-sweaters.

-leftover chocolate cake.

-long phone calls with family.

-tomorrow is a new day.

-soup for dinner.

-sweatpants and socks.

-a clean house.

-rain in the forecast. When rain is in the forecast, there is nothing to do but sit around and watch movies and cuddle and read.

-my friend, Lorrie, who helped me with Adelyn today.

-bed time.

-friends at work.

-texts from my husband.

40 years.

September 9, 2018
Day 711

     Thankful for my parents. Thankful for this day. Fourty years ago today, my parents were married. They are example of great love, sacrifice, and dedication. I am so thankful for them.

Preview.

September 8, 2018
Day 710

Thankful for the glorious, cool, rainy day. It was lovely. And it gave me hope that very soon, the weather will turn for good and I'll be able to take deep breaths of cold, cold air.

I cannot wait, but I was so thankful for today's preview.

Friday, Friyay!

September 7, 2018
Day 709

     This day was long and busy and hectic. But there was good in it.

     Here was the good:

1. I had cheese and bread and good things to eat for dinner. It was good for my soul to come home and eat delicious things.

2. I brought up two separate mugs of liquid goodness to drink before bed: coffee with cream, and minty tea.

3. My babies were very sweet tonight.

4. It's the weekend and I am so happy about it.

5. My parent's 40 wedding anniversary weekend is this weekend.

6. I don't have to set my alarm for 6 tomorrow morning.

7. It's going to get cold soon. The cold is coming, and I cannot wait.

8. I'm trying a new church on Sunday.

9. I'm in my bed doing school work. I think a bed is a wonderfully productive place to work.

Weekend parties.

September 6, 2018
Day 708

     Thankful for Friday coming up. Thankful for Higbee. Thankful for my bed. Thankful for the ladies at work. Thankful for my students. Thankful for weekend parties to look forward to. Thankful for deer. Thankful for the end of a long day.

Thankful for Night.

September 5, 2018
Day 707

I am thankful for sleep. I am thankful for bedtime. I am thankful for tea and honey. I am thankful that I can give my kids to God and not worry about them because God's got them.

Thankful for night.

There is good and I am thankful for it.

September 4, 2018
Day 706

     This day was long. I am exhausted. We could complain. (And I did to my sister.)


     But there is more than just a long day. There is the little sweet face of Tobin with his sea green eyes looking up at me. There is Adelyn who tries to help me and be a big girl way too soon. There are students to call my own for a whole year. There is my dog to cuddle. And my husband to text love notes to. There is my whole family. There is our home.

     This is good. And I am thankful for it.

God must really love me.

September 3, 2018
Day 705

     I do not deserve this lovely life. I spent this day at our dream house in the forest. My husband and I are just as in love this day as we were when we were 17. Actually, no. We're more in love. My children are beautiful, amazing beings. Their eyes are the color of the sky and the ocean. My dog followed me everywhere I went today. My family is healthy and happy. I have the best job. My husband has the best job. This life is it. This is my dream life, and I am living it.

     God must really love me.

     I am so so so thankful. Thankful doesn't even begin to cover it.

Lovely Sunday.

September 2, 2018
Day 704

Tonight, I am thankful for:

1. Smudgy windows.

2. Sweaty kids.

3. Delicious food.

4. Family.

5. America's Got Talent.

6. My home.

7. The electric green glow of the leaves at sunset in the forest.

8. The forest. It's only equal is the beach. Give me the forest or give me the beach.

9. Homemade ice cream.

Six things.

September 1, 2018
Day 703

Thankful for:

1. A full fridge and pantry.

2. A super fun day with my kids.

3. Movies.

4. Rain.

5. A big spider spinning a web outside on our deck.

6. I have two more days off.