30 Days of Thankfulness, days 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14

Day 10 - Today I am thankful for a fun visit with amazing friends. It has been too long and that needs to be changed. Another great visit with my sis in law, niece and nephew; a huge hug from Gabe as he ran up to me at the door and Kadie reading to me.

I had to deliver some orders in Saginaw.  It started with meeting my sister for lunch, which I always love doing and am always thankful for every little bit of time I get to spend with her.

One of my stops was to see my dear friend Nissa and her mom and brother.  We've known each other since Niss and I were in 7th grade.  I absolutely adore this family and cannot allow so much time to pass until we visit again.

I also had to stop to see my sister-in-law.  As soon as I walked in the door my Bubbie ran up to me and gave me a huge hug.  That will NEVER get old.  My Kadie-boo also let me braid her hair and then she read me a story.  I love those kids SO much...I am so thankful I get to be their aunt.

Day 11- I am thankful to the veterans, past, present and future who have fought hard and continue to fight for our freedom. I'm proud of three servicemen in my life, my cousin Barry, brother in law Bill and brother in law Dave. I am also thankful for a relaxed morning with my boys, some good snuggle time and giggles with my baby niece Roxy, and now some one on one time with Parker watching Finding Bigfoot (even though I think the guys on this show are morons, he's really into it so its cool).

It was Veterans Day.  I am always thankful to those who put their rears on the line serving to protect our rights and provide a safe country for my kids to grow up in.

The boys and I are always on the go so this morning we just took it easy.  It was so nice to just have a relaxed morning with them. 

In the afternoon we went to a birthday party where I finally was able to get some good snuggle time and giggles and smiles with my baby niece Roxana.  She's already 4 months old so I'm taking all the smiles and giggles I can possibly get and storing them in my little happy place of things that warm my heart.

The evening ended with Camden going to bed early and Parker and I getting some one on one time.  He wanted to watch this Finding Bigfoot show on TV and boy was he really into it.  I personally don't believe in Bigfoot and kind of thought these guys were morons but he loved it and I loved the time with him.  That's all I need, even if it involves a mythical creature.

Day 12 - I am thankful for Alicia. I could never be thankful enough for her always being there for me, loving me despite my faults and never judging.

We have been friends for 12 1/2 years now.  She is my one, as far as friends are concerned.  I can't ever see my life without her in it.  We always joke we will grow old and grey together, except it isn't a complete joke.  I know she is always by my side, as I am hers.  She is my soul mate of friends.

Day 13 - I am thankful for g-chats with Nikki, a comforting hug from Parker when I am stressed, Ashley's return home and making pumpkin bread with Parker.

I always love the g-chats I have with Nikki.  Sometimes they are quick but always a nice break in the day and we generally have good laughs.

After getting home from work and daycare Camden was being....well, a 2 year old little boy.  For a minute I just stood in the hallway with my head in my hands, tears threatening to fall and feeling completely exhausted and like a failure.  All of a sudden Parker's arms were around me and my sweet little boy was comforting me.  He didn't say a word, just hugged me for a minute. 

After dinner Parker and I made homemade pumpkin bread.  It turned out pretty tasty and he couldn't wait to take some in his lunch the next day for school.  I think he had fun imagining the ways his classmates would be envious over his tasty treat.  :)

My friend Ashley was also finally sent home from a long mission in New York.  I am thankful for her safe return.

Day 14 - I am thankful for Emergen-C and cold and flu medicine so I can try and kick this crud quick. I am also thankful for the very generous donations made today for St. Jude's.

Apparently someone thought I needed a cold on top of everything else right now.  This I am NOT thankful for!  However, I am thankful to the persons who invented Emergen-C and Thera-flu cold medicine so I can hopefully bounce back quick.

Donna's Warriors received some very generous donations...There are no words that can express the gratitude I feel.  I strongly believe in St. Jude's and the amazing work they do to fight pediatric cancer. 

The walk is this coming Saturday, so it's not too late to donate!  :) 

30 Days of Thankfulness, days 8 and 9

30 Days of Thankfulness, day 8 (I forgot to post yesterday) - I am thankful for my daddy. He wasn't able to be there much when we were growing up but I am SO thankful for the last 7 years and I look forward to more.

I don't really have many memories of doing things with my dad when I was growing up.  He was a heavy alcoholic.  I wasn't a daddy's girl and there were no daddy-daughter dances.  

A little more than 7 years ago my dad ended up in the hospital.  I was never told what exactly happened but all I know is it was life changing.  After roughly 2 months in the hospital, a few close calls where we thought he was going to slip away from us, he was discharged and has been sober ever since.

The last 7 years have been great as my dad and I have established a relationship.  We call each other just to chat and I know he is there if I ever need anything.  

I love having my dad.

30 Days of Thankfulness, day 9 - Not getting pulled over by a Livonia police officer on my way to work this morning and a free lunch for exceeding goals last month.

I have a problem...I run late getting to work EVERY DAY and today was no exception.  I drove past a Livonia police car traveling the opposite direction and of course hit the brakes to slow down.  As I glanced in my rear view mirror I saw he did the same.  I thought for sure he was going to whip around to come after me.  THANKFULLY he didn't and I continued on to work reminding myself I need to slow down.

Today was 'free lunch day' for exceeding goals at work.  We've been having these every month for a little more than a year now.  It is nice to be shown some sort of appreciation for the hard work.

30 Days of Thankfulness, days 6 and 7

30 Days of Thankfulness, day 6 - I am thankful the election is over, for conversations with Parker that challenge me as a mom but make me laugh, for one of my best friends Pamela, who always has the ability to make me laugh even when nothing else can and for the kind words spoken to me by my husband on my timeline.

• Ok, who isn't thankful the election is over??  I'm not a very political person to begin with but oh my word the campaign ads on TV were becoming obnoxiously ridiculous.  Now we get to hear and read for how long about the results of the election...meaning, people complaining Obama was re-elected.  He wasn't my choice either but hey, it is what it is.  I say we all just pray like crazy because Lord knows Obama and this country need it.

• Pamela - I've been friends with her for several years now.  And let me tell you, she is awesome.  Even though she lives in Florida she is always only ever a phone call away.  She has an amazing sense of humor and seriously, no matter what the situation, she ALWAYS makes me laugh.  I called her in tears the night Mark left for the east coast.  She had me laughing by the time we said good-bye.

•  Mark - Well, I'm always thankful for him.  But on day 6 he posted this to me on my facebook:

While your doing all 30 days I thankfulness, I got to thinkin, 10 reasons I love you.
1. Your smile, it literally lights up a room
2. Your stunning eyes. That pierce me to the core and comfort me
3. Your my best friend. We talk, and tell eachother everything.
4. Your my total opposite. And that's great bc we keep eachother in check
5. We are totally alike. Same interests, and hobbies
6. Your self...

less. Even working a 45 hour week, taking care of 2 demons, you still find time to raise money for a cause u are passionate about
7. Your pride. You take pride in everything u do from vacuuming, to taking care of our babies
8. Best. Mom. Ever.
9. Best. Wife. Ever.
10. Bc you love me back. I'm hard to love at times, and appreciate the fact through everything I put u through, you are still by my side, supporting me. I love you Amanda. To the moon.

*********

Day 7 - I am thankful for our daycare girl, Jen. She takes awesome care of my boys.

Let me tell you, this woman is amazing.  I've written a blog post solely about her before, but singing her praises always bears repeating.  She takes such great care of the boys and they adore her.  Particularly Camden, since Parker is usually in school.  I know when I leave the most precious things I have in her care in the mornings it is one less thing I have to worry about throughout the day.  Especially right now while Mark is gone.

30 Days of Thankfulness, days 3, 4 and 5

Catching up on my 30 Days of Thankfulness....

Day 3 - I am thankful I had the opportunity to have some quality girl time doing retail therapy with one of my best friends. 

Camden and I headed to Indiana Friday evening.  Even though the trip had been planned for about 2 months it couldn't have come at a more perfect time.  With everything that has been going on it was nice to get away even just for a couple of days.  Nikki and I did EIGHT hours of shopping on Saturday while Matt so kindly volunteered to watch Camden for me.  We laughed and had great chats all day long.  It was such a perfect distraction.

At one point in our shopping we both grabbed the same sweater off the rack to try on (at separate times).  As Nikki says... "Fabulous minds think alike!"  haha!

Day 4 - I am thankful for the sweet smile, hugs, smooches and precious giggles of my baby boy. He knows how to brighten my day.

Camden and I were home early enough on Sunday to still hang out and play.  I'm not really much for wrestling but I love tickling him.  This kid seriously has the BEST giggle, it is infectious.  And when his smile is so big it reaches his eyes, it reaches my heart.

Day 5 - I am thankful for my babies. I love their hugs and kisses, and snuggle time with bedtime stories and ice cream.

Last night was a pretty low-key night.  For the first time in what feels like a long time I was finally able to sit down and relax with my babes.  We snuggled on the couch, ate ice cream and watched a bit of TV.  During this time Parker gives me plenty of kisses and hugs and I love you's.  There's no such thing as a bad day in this world.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 2

Today I am even more thankful for God and the power of prayer. 

I know my faith in God and the power of prayer is what pulls me through the toughest of times.  I know God is watching over all of the first responders who are working hard to evacuate people who were hit so hard by Sandy, protecting them from harm.

I know God will be hard at work mending the broken hearts of so many people gathering today to say final goodbyes to a wonderful man gone far too soon from this earth.  He will always keep a watchful eye over those Pat left behind.

I am thankful for the power of prayer, as I have personally witnessed how it works.  I will always pray for Pat and his family, that they find peace, and I continue to pray for Mark and the other medics' safe return home. 

30 days of thankfulness - Day 1

The last couple of years I have been seeing people do a 30 Days of Thankfulness through the month of November.  Yesterday was November 1st and with everything that has been going on around me I thought it would be a good idea to join in on this.  I think sometimes people need to look at the things they do have, rather than what they don't have.  Myself included.

It's been a tough week.  Last week Saturday morning on my way to work the job I love I received a phone call from a friend notifying another friend of ours took his own life.  I was stunned and hurt, I just couldn't believe it.  This man was an awesome father and friend.  Always smiling and being goofy, doing whatever to make other people smile and laugh.  Still today, a week later I look at his pictures and cannot wrap my head around it.  My heart aches for him and the pain he was in and for his 2 kids he left behind.  I will pray for them every day.

Two days later Mark was deployed to the east coast to help with the hurricane rescue efforts.  He has been in New York since Tuesday evacuating hospitals and nursing homes that still have no power.  He is a hero and I am so proud of him, my sweet friend Ashley and their colleagues for doing what they are doing.

So for my first day of Thankfulness I am thankful for my close friends and sister.  I have been receiving so many sweet and supportive words from them.  I firmly believe they give me far more credit than I deserve but their kind words have been encouraging to me as I push forward taking care of the boys, the house and being strong and supportive for my husband.  The words "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming" from Dory in Finding Nemo have been running through my head all week.  Thank you for boosting me up so I can keep my head above water and keep on swimming.