The Gratitude Project comes to a close...

The time has come. I finally have some time to sit down at the computer again. It has only been 12 days but it feels like it has been a little over "forever" (as Sam would say) I am a little disappointed my gratitude journal went undone just before I reached my goal of Thanksgiving but honestly, it doesn't matter. I almost tried to back track and then decided not to.

When I set the goal to write down one thing I'm grateful for everyday, I knew it was going to be difficult. Not necessarily difficult to find something to be grateful for, because even at my worst moments, there's always something, even if it's just life itself. But difficult in the sense of actually taking the time to sit and record something EVERY day. I admit I've backtracked a few times, making up a few days after the fact, due to travel or not having access to the Internet but for the most part I've taken a moment every night to go over my day and choose one thing I am most grateful for that day. I've even made an extra effort to never write the same thing twice, even when I've really wanted to.

The process has made me feel overwhelmed and full of gratitude for simple blessings in my life. It's also pushed me towards pondering more about all the things that make those blessings possible.

All of the things I am grateful for are linked to my testimony of God and his plan for me.

Everything.

I guess I always knew this but until now, I didn't KNOW this and knowing is everything. Everything I hold most dear and am grateful for every day, God has given it to me and not only that, he's made it possible for me to keep them . I know of no greater blessing, or greater love.

So, for now, I end my gratitude journal with a full heart and a happy wave goodbye. As I look back to my original post about gratitude and the fluctuating phases I seem to go through I've learned that by focusing on my blessings, I am better able to keep my focus on life's most important parts. The rest, though sometimes important, is just the rest.

Also, now more than ever, I am certain that --Gratitude is an attitude you should share.

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Today

I am grateful for smiles, and giggles from little miss Evie. She brightens my everyday. She's been rolling for a little while now and it's getting rather exciting around here.

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Timing is everything

After just returning home last night from my own Grandmother's funeral we were dismayed to find out that Ryan's Grandfather passed away this morning. Sometimes timing is everything. It makes my heart sad to think about it but I really want to record today how much we love you Grandpa Bailey.

4 generations

Today I am grateful that timing will permit us to attend his funeral this coming weekend.

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Grateful is...

how I feel about being home after 8 hours in the car.

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I am grateful for...

beautiful memories of my grandmother and the fun of playing games late into the night.

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I am grateful for a safe drive to Sacramento.

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tonight...

...I am grateful for double-sided sticky tape.

And that people like to give fresh crab to their dentist. yum

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Modern Conveniences

Today I am grateful for a few appliances that made my day easier.

My oven.

My microwave oven.

My printer.

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Can you fall asleep?

On the sofa, with two little boys running around like crazy?

Evelyn can!

After I put Evelyn to bed, I like to sit and stare at her. I used to lay down beside her on my own bed and watch her fall asleep but I realized it might cause problems soon as she gets older. So I'm weaning myself by putting her in her own bed and then watching her fall asleep. The other night, she had the hiccups and I watched her fall asleep mid hiccup.
That was a new one.
Some nights I'll bath her, change her and lay her down for a minute while I get the boys ready for bed, only to come back to check on her in a few minutes and have her already asleep. REALLY?! It is so sweet and I am so grateful for Evelyn's amazing talents at going to sleep.

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What you do when mom is sick

Make a huge mess!

They told me this was their train.

I guess I am grateful they can entertain themselves.

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I am grateful I had today to recover from yesterday.

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I finally got what everyone else has been battling.

That's just how it works.

Mom takes care of everyone and once everyone is on the mend...she finally gets it.

You know, I'm just grateful it's the weekend and that the timing couldn't have been better. I actually got to rest. Thanks to Ryan and the weekend.

So grateful for Ryan and the weekend.

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Today...

Today I am grateful for a moment.

The one where I was sitting all curled up in our recliner enjoying a nice warm mug of oatmeal for breakfast. The kids had all already eaten and I was watching them play.

Sam yelled out, "Russell I love you, let's play hide and seek!"

Russell, without hesitation covered his eyes with his hands and began to count to. " 1, 2, 3, 4, 5678910 apple peeches pumkeenpie, not ready holler I!"

That moment was so cute and I'm grateful for it.

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Grandma Furnell

I've been struggling for a while now, trying to figure out what I want to say and write today. My grandmother passed away this morning and I can't seem to find the right words to express my thoughts about her. I spent some time looking through my photos, and with horror realized that most of the photos I have of her disappeared with the crashing of my lap top a few months ago. It didn't help my feelings of sadness when I made that realization but luckily I should be able to replace most of them . The only one I have of us together is from a wedding photo.


My Grandmother is beautiful. Her life was extraordinary in it's own way. I think I'll be able to put together my thoughts better after the funeral and write more in a while but I really wanted to write today about how grateful I am for the beautiful person she was and for the things she did that affected my life in such a positive way.

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All is quiet on the home front...

I feel a great weight of relief this evening as I realize everyone is in bed AND asleep. It's obviously been a rough couple of days(or a week) but who's counting? My head feels 3 times it's regular size today and the pressure in my sinuses is causing quite a bit of fuzziness in the brain. My apologies to anyone who may have tried to communicate with me today or lately, I hope I was at least somewhat successful.

I love quiet evenings where I can sit and think about something besides, meal times, dirty diapers, boo boo's and sticky fingers. It's a time I try to recharge my own batteries so I can continue the regular regime in the morning.

So tonight I am grateful for happily sleeping children.

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I am so grateful I can breath out of one side of my nose right now.

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Today I am grateful for...

Warm sunlight through an open window.

I wish I could curl up in it like a cat and sleep away the afternoon.

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I am grateful for a nice warm mug of oatmeal on a chilly morning.

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Cease vomiting

Right now I'm just grateful Russell isn't vomiting anymore. It was just a mild stomach bug, but I'm pretty sure cleaning up vomit is 1 of my top 10 least favorite things to do. Right up there with cleaning situations like -Poop in the bath tub, wet bed sheets and moldy leftovers gone terribly bad.(Should I admit I have left food in my fridge that long?)

I hope tomorrow I can be grateful no one else has vomited. Wishful thinking?

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Happy Birthday Rachel!

Happy Happy Birthday Rachel Dear! Happy Days will come to you all year! If I had a wish then it would be---a Happy Happy Birthday to you from me!

I love you Rachel. I am so grateful you're my sister.

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