With gratitude - here's to health

Day 9

I find myself lately, more than ever, being thankful for my health and the health of my family. Perhaps it is because I've been following several friends and/or acquaintances who are battling various forms of cancer. Or a recent visit with a friend who shared a bit of what she's been going through. We concluded that if you don't have your health what really do you have?!?!?!! We all take so much for granted each day. Many would be so grateful to have our minor aches and pains. We have little to truly complain about. So I've returned (begrudgingly at first) to an exercise regime. I'm also trying to turn myself into a morning person in an effort to avoid all the excuses I can come up with to NOT get my workout in. This is not an easy task for someone who would much rather stay up til 2 a.m. working on a project or catching up on all things DVR'd!

So today I'm thankful for my health and that of those around me. I'm thankful for friends and/or acquaintances who are responding well to treatments and beginning to heal. Finally, I'm thankful for CaringBridge.org. Thank you for creating a place for families to share their journeys, receive support and prayers and remind us all of how precious life is! 

With gratitude,

With gratitude - ahhh for oolong

Day 8

I should probably be thankful for Diet Coke today but I'm on a mission to kick my habit. Water, water and more water needs to be on the menu. Plus I've been reading about all the health benefits of tea lately. So I have a container of tea in the kitchen which I hope to work my way through. It's a bit of an acquired taste to me so it may take some time (and sugar or honey) but I'll get there.

While at our local Caribou Coffee a couple of weeks ago I decided to try a Pomegranate Vanilla Oolong Latte. It sounds complicated but really its just DELICIOUS!!! My home version is pretty close and involves only steeping the 'sachets' in hot milk and adding a dash of vanilla extract.

Tea + skim milk = a healthier drink alternative for me

 
Never mind its getting cold in North Dakota so something warm is a little better tasting these days than the old stand-by Diet Coke. So today I'm thankful for a new drink that I love and is much healthier for me than DC. Sorry Coca-Cola!

With gratitude,

With gratitude - a friend's journey

Day 7

Pretend its Monday morning....

The girls are up and eating breakfast. I'm quickly checking my email...for really no good reason, just something I tend to glance at quickly. What I saw was a quick email from a special person who has been patiently waiting on news from Africa. The girls' first dance teacher has been/is Miss Jenny. She has done a fantastic job and is a wonderful teacher. She also happens to be a mom of two lovely ladies herself. Their family of 4 has been patiently awaiting word from Africa letting them know its time to come and get a sweet boy who will soon call their home his. Jenny has blogged about their journey here. As my girls say, "oh, he's so cute!" He is and I can only imagine the homecoming he will receive shortly.

So today (and on Monday..remember we're pretending here!) I'm thankful for all the hoops that were jumped through and all the paperwork completed so these friends can bring another family member home.

With gratitude,

With gratitude - time

Day 6

Today I'm thankful for time. It was the end of daylight savings time today which meant we got to set all the clocks back (I think I've gotten all of them!). Of course most of our household was up bright and early anyway but it meant we could lounge around a little longer before getting ready for church. It was so nice.

The time change had me looking and thinking about clocks today so here are a few visuals. All from Pottery Barn. I love most everything Pottery Barn!

Rustic Wood & Iron Clock

Side-Mounted Station Clock

Grand Hotel Clock

With gratitude,

With gratitude - a tree for fall

Day 5

I follow many blogs. They have become a good thing to scan through as I'm waiting at dance class, speech or after school pick-up. One of my favorites is petitelefant.com. Allison Czarnecki writes in a style I find fun to read. She also likes many of the same things I do, so its interesting. She posted a picture of her gratitude tree and I wanted to share a picture of ours.

This is our first year. I originally saw this idea a few weeks ago on Pinterest (its a really fun virtual bulletin board site that is ADDICTIVE!!!!!).

The girls are both contributing and its been interesting to see what they add to it. I was pleasantly surprised to see Miss A sitting at the island writing a couple of tags this afternoon. She added at least two because as she said, "I forgot to yesterday." We have so much to be thankful for. I'll share our list after Thanksgiving...it should be interesting.

With gratitude,

With gratitude - waves of grain

Day 4

Almost caught up!

Today I'm thankful for 'amber waves of grain'. I took this picture in August as the girls and I were making a quick trip out to visit Mr. M. He was busy combining the wheat. School was almost back in session which meant time together was limited for several reasons. I spent many hours riding with him before the girls came along and there was more time. Now our visits are shorter and the cab more cramped. However, the time is still precious.

The barn is in the yard of Mr. M's aunt and uncle's home which is also where his grandma lived for a time. It's old. The paint is chipped. I think it's beautiful.

The whole scene reminds me of how lucky I am to live where there are beautiful fields, spaces to roam, kind people and generations of families who have made it a special place to raise the next generation.

With gratitude,

With gratitude - my monkeys

Day 3

I'm behind...sorry. I vow to catch up though!

Today I'm thankful for my monkeys. I have two of them and they are beautiful, kind, funny and full of life. I can safely say I've smiled and laughed every one of the last 7 years plus about 5 weeks because of one or both of them.

Thank you girls for making life much more fun and interesting and challenging and occasionally frustrating. Even in the most difficult moments, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!


With gratitude,