Today is Thanksgiving.  I have so much to be thankful for: where do I start?
It is also a day to reflect on those that have hardships and trouble. Everyone deserves Gods blessings and sometimes it can be difficult to see through the pain, sorrow, worry, or just plain bad luck that can affect all of us at some point. We have to do our best to appreciate even the smallest victories and simplest joys.  And we have to reach out:  pick up the phone to check on a friend, visit a lonely neighbor, share your personal stories.  Any demonstration of genuine kindness can really go a long way to help someone. 
We have some friends that have gone through huge trials.  Yet they somehow manage to see the gifts and blessings in their lives every day.  They continue to hope, pray, and laugh through it all.  It keeps them humble, and they show strength and faith in everything they do.  
Last night we got some bad news about our gym that could put us out of business in a very short time.  We are so sad that all our hard work could be erased so quickly and easily.  But we aren't going down without a fight.  And if we do have to shut our doors, then we have been so fortunate to have had this last year of an incredible adventure.  Brad, Cassie, and Ryan have worked so hard to make a success of our place.  And the memories, loyal customers, and new friends have made it a really special time in our lives.  

So here is my list for today:

I am grateful that we have more blessings than hardships
I am grateful that our Thanksgiving is going to be one with a full house
I am grateful to my husband for everything he does to keep CFE on it's feet
I am grateful that my girls seem happy and healthy
I am grateful to the Blass family for welcoming Jessica this week
I am grateful to Kelly, Beth, and Lynn for making me laugh harder than I have in a very long time
I am grateful to Trevor and his lovely grandmother for helping me out in a pinch
I am grateful for Zach and our new pool system
I am grateful for Dee, her recipes, and long distance help
I am grateful for my life that I get to live every day.  I have family and friends that love me.  I have a warm, beautiful house.  I have daughters that are becoming remarkable young women. I have a husband that works hard every day to take care of his family.  I have too much, and I am grateful.  

My prayer for today:

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for food and remember the hungry
We thank you for health and remember the sick
We thank you for freedom and remember the enslaved
May these remembrances stir us to service, that your gifts 
to us be used for others.
Amen

I am grateful for a perfect day to work in the yard

I am grateful for hot chili on a cold night

Got to spend the weekend with Em.  Both of the girls seem so grown up when I visit them.  When they are home, it's nice to have them just act like kids around the house.  They are moving too fast for this old lady. I know they are both strong, capable, young women, but I secretly love it when they "need" me.  Mom is what I do best.

Anyway... had a great time with Em.  Got to meet the boyfriend.  Nice, but will reserve further comment until we get to know him better.  Sorry, Trevor, you have to pass the Dork family test - game night!!  We will see how it goes over Thanksgiving break.

I am grateful for safe travels for me and Brad.

I am grateful that Em seems so happy.

I am grateful that I don't have to sleep alone tonight.

It has been a long, lonely week around the house. Brad is out of town, and with both girls gone, it is SO darn quiet!  I start feeling a little sorry for myself and the dog is really tired of our one-way conversations.  He looks at me like I've lost my mind, patiently waits while I ramble on, then quietly hides in another room - hoping I don't find him and start up again.
But in many ways it has also been a really great week.  I have spent time catching up with friends, working on some projects around the house, and I get to eat carbs. 

I am grateful to my friends for hanging with me this week.
I am grateful for a clean closet.
I am grateful the dog has not packed up and left.

I am grateful to Karol for an evening out - good food, good company!

I am grateful for my new hobby - hopefully will turn in to some $$$$

I am grateful for my right to vote - so awesome.

I am grateful that there were no lines at the poll!!

I am grateful for Theresa's company and a successful first day of creativity.

I am grateful for a busy, productive day

I am grateful for a really good nights sleep - those damn hot flashes can keep you up all night

I am grateful for a day spent with Emily

Too many days have passed without a post.  Shame on me.  

I am grateful that I get to see my daughters two weekends in a row.

I am grateful that Jess got the big brass ring!  Siggie Sing Song will never be the same!  

I am grateful for Theresa and her enthusiasm!  

I am grateful for heating pads.

I am grateful for JJ - too many reasons to count.

I am grateful that God answered my prayers with:  You know, your'e right!  I'll give you this one.  

So, thanks God, it was a very special moment in someones life.

I am grateful for my new sweater - came in handy tonight.
I am grateful for a good hair day - superficial I know, but kinda made my day a little brighter.
I am grateful for a really good nap today - needed it badly.
I am grateful for a day without a migraine.

Had one of those breakthrough moments today.  Someone took time to help me with something that I was struggling with.  A small thing, not very important to anyone, but the patient guidance was SO appreciated.  

So, I am grateful to Ryan for his coaching.

I am so grateful that I got to spend an evening with Laura.  It's been way too long.

I am grateful that I did not run over the squirrel.

I am grateful that I have a free weekend to relax.

I've been missing quite a few days.  This is not as easy as I thought it would be.  Just write a few quick thoughts at the end of the day....too tired, my favorite show is on, bad mood,...the list of excuses is endless. And yes, I admit it: sometimes I don't feel grateful for much of anything at the end of the day.

BUT - it's there, all around me, every day.  There is ALWAYS something to be grateful for.  Can't let myself forget that.

I am grateful for a husband who likes my cooking - usually.
I am grateful for reconnecting with an old friend.
I am grateful for a mammogram that was clean.  Thank you, God!!!

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” Mother Teresa

I really need to remember this.  Sometimes it seems easier to be crabby and impatient.
It only takes a kind word, a smile, or small act of kindness to turn my day around and the kindness and love you get in return is the best!!!

Relax, breath, and reach out with a kind  heart.

I fall short way too often.

I am grateful for a friend that had my back today.  

I am grateful for the heating pad for my sore back. 

I am grateful for an evening with Kelly!!!

I am grateful for good migraine medication

I am grateful that my back didn't go out today.  Too much heavy lifting while trying to clean the garage.

I am grateful for a text from my daughter just to say I Love You.

I am grateful for a double oven - getting ready to bake cookies for 9 college kids!

                                        THIS is what I am most grateful for........

Just returned from our first trip to see Em at school.  Crappy weather but good company:

I am grateful for new friends
I am grateful for Shelley Cowell's taxi service
I am grateful that my daughter is doing so well (so far) 

I am grateful for Christina 
I am grateful for Liz - it really is the little things.......

Stress-filled day, but plenty to be thankful for:

I am grateful for Dr. Allen
I am grateful for Modern Family - need a good laugh tonight
I am grateful for a low maintenance dinner

Just got back from a trip to St. Louis.  The whole family met up for Sarah and Jeff's wedding, and it was a small miracle that we all made it.  Four different flights from four different cities!!
We got to see family on both sides, I spent an evening with Lauri and two new friends (Hey A Team!!! You two are always going to be guaranteed fun-and thank you for always being there for Lauri), and had a great night with the cousins.

The wedding was such a wonderful, crazy, dance-filled night. Sarah was a beautiful bride and we were so blessed to be included.  Catching up with family that we rarely get to see  is always very special.  We miss everyone so much living way down here.

I think I am still hung-over from way too much partying, but it was worth it!

The trip had so many moments to be grateful for, so here goes:

I am grateful for my friendship with Lauri and my two new friends, Amy and Andrea.

I am grateful that Elizabeth, Sally, Susan, and Carolyn are ALWAYS so welcoming and ready to hang out.

I am grateful that my parents open their house to us and quietly suffer with too many house guests.

I am grateful that we have a NP in the family so that we can get that Z Pack without a doctors visit - Thanks Lori!!!

I am grateful that my husband even considered this trip in the first place - SO worth it.

I am grateful for my mother-in-laws hospitality - Dropping everything and entertaining 15 of us on short notice.  

I am grateful that we got to spend a weekend with  the girls - I miss them so much.

I am grateful that we all made it home safely - again: 4 different flights.

I am SO grateful that Lauri is ok. 

Been out of town and haven't been able to get online.  I have a little catching up do:

I am grateful for an old friend and two new friends for making a boring Wednesday evening SO much fun.  Haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
Thanks Lauri, Amy and Andrea - Happy Birthday Steve.

I am grateful for the time I get to spend with my parents.

I am grateful for this amazing fall weather.

Yep, already skipping days!!  I guess it can't be helped. 
So I begin with yesterday:

I am grateful my husband took me out for a memorable evening.


Today:

I am grateful that my daughters still calls me for advice and support.
I am grateful that I can call MY mother for advice and support.

I am grateful for that "good sore" after a workout.

I am grateful that Michael cooked a wonderful meal, and I got to relax and enjoy my evening. 

Friday, September 14, 2012

I am grateful for a nice evening with a good friend.
I am grateful for a new haircut.

Where to start?  My family has been through so many changes over the past year.

We seem to be forever busy focusing on business, school, finances, and all those little every day problems. We are exhausted from living each day chasing the finish line, but the TO-DO list is a daily, growing chore.  I too often find myself saying, “ When this week (event, project, or whatever it may be) is over, everything will slow down and I can enjoy my family, friends and hobbies.  But right now I just have to GET THROUGH THIS!”

Well, guess what?  My kids are gone.  They grew up while I wasn’t looking, and now Brad and I are trying to figure out what to do next.  I pray the next part of our journey will be as amazing as the first 25 years.

So here I sit, a new empty-nester, trying to put it all into perspective.  I have decided to begin this blog for one simple reason: to show my daily gratitude.  I hope that it makes me sit back, take a breath, look around, and see the many (big and little) blessings that are around me every day.

I invite everyone to join me for the next year.  Please feel free to post your own thoughts and the blessings from your life.   

I will do my very best to post every day until September 12, 2013.  

My first entry:

I am grateful for the maturity shown by my daughter today.
I am grateful that the dog threw up on the kitchen floor  and missed the carpet.
I am grateful for a hot shower after a workout.