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.