Little Odette Kicks.

January 31, 2017
Day 142

The sky was blue today.

There were puffy clouds in the sky, and they were pinkish and yellowish at the same time.

Tomorrow is Wednesday at school. I love Wednesdays because it's nothing but books and reading and more books and more reading until recess.

The moon looked pretty tonight.

My cherry tree looks lovely when it's bare.

I'm reading, The Magician's Nephew to my students right now. It makes me happy because it's one of my favorite books of all time. My favorite sentence in the book is this:
"Oh, Adam's sons, how cleverly you defend yourself against all that might do you good." C.S. Lewis wrote beautiful words. He's one of my favorites.

I saw Odette kicking my sister's belly today. I cannot wait to meet her. I feel like my sister is going to have to ask for her baby back quite often when I'm around. I won't want to put Odette down.

It is time for bed.

Thankful. 

Lattes are meant to be made with whole milk. Fact.

January 30, 2017
Day 141

Today was a nice day at work, and it was a half-day at that.

It was so nice and wonderfully cold today.

The sunset was glorious and full and colorful and puffy. I wished I could swim in all those colors.

I really love taking care of Greenie for Patty and AJ while they move. It is so warm and cozy to have a dog in my house. But two dogs in my house? It is warmer and cozier.

There was snow on the ground this morning.

There was snow and ice to scrape off the windows this morning. I couldn't find my scraper, so I used Tobin's Captain America shield. It reminded me of all those crazy mornings when my mom would take Patty and me to school. We would be waiting by the car while she shimmied out the door and down the steps with a mug of fresh, hot coffee in her hand. She never had a travel mug; maybe they didn't exist then. She would scrape the ice off of the car with the case to a cassette tape, but she would always be sure to take out the album cover first. We had scrapers, but they always broke. Surprisingly, cassette tape covers never did.

Adelyn tells me when she needs some love from me.

Tobin gives the best hugs.

Sophia got a sweet haircut today.

Casey is growing up so fast I can't even stand it. He'll be seven in February.

Shane and Casey share a birthday. That fact always makes me happy.

There are olives in my salad for lunch tomorrow.

Patty and I got a latte together before work today. I love working in the same place as my sister. When I'm with her, I feel at home. We like to get these lattes: decaf, grande, 1 pump hazelnut, whole milk, lattes. Can I just say this: If you are getting a latte for yourself and at some point you hear yourself utter the words "skinny," or "sugar-free," you're doing it wrong. Just...don't. Stop. Lattes are meant to be made with whole milk. Fact.

I work with the best people. I love where I work.

Tomorrow begins a fresh, new week.

The sound of dogs sleeping feels like a mug of hot tea with honey for my ears.

I love the way the trees look in the winter time.

My mom and dad are amazing. Sometimes, I feel very sad that they live more than ten minutes away from me.

Knowing that my brother is in love with an amazing woman makes me feel happy. They are sweet together.

I love tucking my babies in with their stuffed animals at night. They sleep together every night, and it makes me feel happy thinking that they would rather sleep cuddled together than in their own bedrooms.

Thankful. 

"Chez Ricky."

January 29, 2017
Day 140

For birthday parties.

For Emily, Shane's girlfriend. She's lovely and amazing.

For Tobin's haircut. He always looks so slick with a fresh, new haircut.

For Greenie's sweet ways. He likes to walk himself home after I take him out every day. He looks up at me as if to say, "can I do my cool trick now?" I always oblige. He takes the leash in his mouth and runs all the way home. It is the sweetest little trick. Also, he likes to make nests on the floor with dirty laundry. It makes me smile.

For cake and ice cream.

For the smell of birthday candles. They have a smell all of their own.

For talks with my husband. Matt loves me even though I'm crazy sometimes. He calls it "passionate." I like his definition of me better than mine.

For snow in the forecast. The first thing I think about when snow is coming is, "do we have all the ingredients to make hot chocolate?"

For the cards that Adelyn made for everyone tonight. She's wonderful and amazing.

For so much laughter.

For walks and talks with my sister.

For a show the kids put on for us adults tonight.

For the most delicious dinner ever. My dad is the best chef. We like to call his imaginary restaurant, "Chez Ricky."

For sweet snuggles with Higbee. He gets really cuddly when he's tired.

Thankful. 

Uncle Jason.

January 28, 2017
Day 139

For Jason. My kids call him Uncle Jason and it makes me smile.

For Seinfeld.

For Saturdays spent with the best of friends.

For a pleasant Saturday.

For vinegar and olive oil. For pizza.

For my husband.

For my babies.

For music.

For cold air.

For birthdays to celebrate tomorrow.

For laughter.

For Tobin's dance fighting. He likes to dance/fight to rock music.

For Higbee and Greenie and every other sweet dog I've ever loved.

For a whole night to sleep.

Thankful.

Cold Air Blowing.

January 27, 2017
Day 138

For a half day at school today.

For a good talk with Matt.

For resolutions.

For hugs from my husband.

For hugs and kisses from my kids.

For dogs to cuddle with.

For dessert in bed.

For two whole days off ahead of me. One can accomplish much in two days. I plan to accomplish these things: sitting on the couch and drinking coffee; cuddling with my babies; cooking and eating good food; cuddling with dogs; spending time with my family.

For the cold air blowing again. I can't really stand those warmish January days. It feels so wrong.

For books to read.

Thankful. 

Haicuts in the bathroom.

January 26, 2017
Day 137

For cold air.

For laughter.

For the wind.

For haircuts in the bathroom.

For long talks with my sister.

For grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner.

For time to be quiet and still and watch The Office. 

For two dogs to love. For two dogs that are happy when I come home.

For so many things to be thankful for, that I couldnt even  list them all.

Meetings.

January 25, 2017
Day 136

For a meeting at Uncle Julio's. Meetings should always be conducted over a big bowl of chips and salsa and a couple of margaritas.

For a meeting directly after that at Starbucks. Meetings can also be discussed over large cups of coffee.

For meetings with friends. Friends are the best people to have meetings with.

For baby shower plans. For Patty's wee one growing day by day in her belly.

For my sweet precious children. All four of them. Soon to be five of them. I count Patty's children as my children, too.

For sleeping dogs. Sleeping dogs make me feel at home and peaceful.

For a bright, blue sky today.

For brilliant sunlight.

For the chance to play outside in January. Even though I'm slightly bitter that we haven't had one snowstorm yet.

For a cup of coffee brought to me this morning by my sister. Coffee delivery is the best delivery.

For teachers who love my children.

For short hair.

For Thursday. One day closer to Friday. I can't wait for this weekend.

For texts from my mom.

For Emily. Shane's girlfriend. It's her birthday today. I didn't get to talk to her, but I'm so glad she was born.

For this; one of the best parts of my day. The time when I get to sit and be thankful.

Thankful.