Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Music

As this month of thankfulness comes to an end I can't believe I've waited so long to express my appreciation for music.


I love music. Most music - not a huge fan of Country and Western or Rap - but I feel like all music is something to be appreciated.

Music allows you to feel deeply, move freely, and allows you to think and reflect.

I'm grateful to those who have talents related to music. I'm hopeful as I hear our little boy playing "Ode to Joy" on the piano that he'll develop that talent and want to share it with others. My hope for our daughter is that she continues to want to dance and sing.

I'm sure this was an ad or something, but music is the gift you give yourself!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Medicine


Today I am thankful for this...Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup.

We so enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with our family - however, I came home with a stomach bug. Yeah! So while I am typically a healthy person today I am oh so grateful for the soft noodles and chicken broth!

I really am thankful for modern medicine which allows an extension and saving of lives. I truly hope all types of cancer will be eradicated in my life time. I also am glad for the people who make this their life's work. But I'm also grateful for the home remedies and down home treatments that get us up and running too!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thoughts for Thursday

She looks like I feel currently...


What a great day with family!

Tomorrow starts the race - every year I think I'll start shopping before Thanksgiving

On your mark!
Get set!
Enjoy Black Friday!






Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Traditions

I'm so thankful for our holiday traditions.


I am so grateful to my parents and my in-laws. See before we brought our two little blessings to earth we celebrated birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas all together as one family. Now that we have our two little blessings, they're able to spend holidays in one spot and not have to decide which side of the family we are going to visit when. Keep in mind we're able to do that because we have a small family and we all make an effort to get along. I am so glad we do. It spoils my kids but a little spoiling every now and then is a good thing.

This year we'll try a couple of new traditions. We'll see if they're good enough to keep!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Laughter

Today I'm thankful for laughter.



Everytime I see this photo of him it just makes me laugh. Is there anything that's more intoxicating than the sound of a little kid's belly laugh?! I don't think so. To me there is nothing sweeter to my ears than a kid's laugh. I'm thankful for having laughter in my life daily. It certainly helps with the grind. I hope you can find someone to laugh with today.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Teachers

Today I'd like to share my gratefulness for teachers.

It's not an easy profession and sometimes it's not even a paid position, but when I stop and think of the amazing teachers who have touched my life and the lives of my children I am awed. Just think of all the church teachers, coaches, piano teachers, school teachers, etc. who took the time from their familes to help form us. It seems a little in adequate, but thank you.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Seasons

Today I am thankful for living in a place where we can experience all four distinct seasons.

It makes your wardrobe a bit big as you have to have thick winter coats for the times it's -20 degrees as well as swimsuits to take a break from the 100 degree days.

 
 


Calf in Snow

     
To me it's great to experience every wonder of each season. For example today we put our outside Christmas lights up because it was 70 degrees with some wind. (There's always wind in Oklahoma you just get used to it.) Sometimes in November it's cold and rainy. What a beautiful day - I will be glad in it!


Friday, November 18, 2011

Rules

Today I am thankful for rules/laws and those that protect them.

This of course is our ultimate law - the U.S. Constitution.


It may not be perfect, but it's better than what any other country has and for that I am indeed grateful. I'm grateful there were men willing to put their ideas on paper for us. I'm grateful for those who chose and have chosen to defend it. I carry it with me on my iPhone (Yes there is an app for that!) and I am proud to be an American!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Talents

I'm thankful to those who share their talents as they enrich our lives. Whether it's a talent you can see, read, hear, touch, or taste. Or if it's something like being a wonderful friend, organize or whatever it is...I'm grateful.


As I am still trying to find all my talents, I don't feel like photography is a talent of mine - however, this is one of my favorite pictures. Look his face! The fact that I could catch a raw emotion like that thrills me!! I'm so grateful for the ability to have digital photography. For a person who is developing this talent it means I can take 100 pictures for that one really great shot! Knowing I can makes me want to try even more.

I think I know what I'm going to do tonight...

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A

Happy Birthday!



Today is Oklahoma’s 104th birthday. So today I’m grateful for this great state I now call home. While I was not born here – I am proud to call it home. Both of my kids are Okies! Oklahoma will always be a special place to me. Some express that we don’t have mountains or oceans or beaches or fill in your own criticism. I contend that you can find beauty wherever you are. Just like most things – it’s up to us to look!


Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Work

Here I go again - updating my gratefulness....



This is my current employer's logo. We work in the oil & gas industry in case that wasn't clear. I love my job! I know a lot of people like their jobs, but I really LOVE my job.  I am so blessed. This job is an answer to so many prayers.

In my life I've only had 7 jobs (I'm 42 so that's really not that bad of a track record). I've changed careers twice. I had a job I enjoyed, however due to economic conditions I was laid off after 7 years and 8 months. The boss I had was flexible and as long as I was doing what was needed and necessary we had a great working relationship (which I think is how it's supposed to work). However, when I was laid off I worked frantically to find another job. I worked hard trying to find something that would give me the ability to still be a functioning working mom. After a few weeks I found an 8-5 job that was only 15 minutes from our home and school. It allowed me to drop my son off  at school before work (thank heavens our town has all day kindergarten). That was a plus in my book.

However it was not a good fit. It taught me a lot, both good and bad. Which brings to my current position. I have the best boss in the world! He's flexible and as long as I'm doing what's needed and necessary we get along great! I have the utmost respect for him. I hope he knows how grateful I am.

If you have a great boss & great working circumstances - be sure to let them know.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Birthday weekend

Wow! Busy weekend!

My delightful daughter turned 3 about 10 days ago, however we waited until this past weekend to have her Princess party. Sometimes it's easier to do things in the college town we live in when there is no football game. That and if there's no OU game her dad & I wold actually be there. (Just kidding...kind of...you know I did have a baby shower once that showed the OU/Baylor game but we're just that kind of enthuastic fans!)


This was her cake! It was as delicious as it looks!! My girl was thrilled!

This is my girl & her favorite Princess! She was so excited to have her come!

This is Princess Belle with all the princesses! Oh they sang, danced, marched, read a story, and enjoyed every minute!

I am forever grateful for the help received to make this day so special for her!





Friday, November 11, 2011

Veteran's Day

Thank you to all who have made it possible for our Republic to stand.
Thank you to those who currently keep us free.
Thank you to those who will help us remain so by being brave.
You are not forgotten

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Pets

I am quite grateful for our pets! I'm grateful for their unconditional love. For their unwavering optimism and for their overall cuteness.
This is Clifford. He is neither big nor red, but he is our dog. You get a Yorkshire Terrier named Clifford when you rescue him from an uncertain future via http://okyorkierescue.org/ and your child is 3. He is an amazing dog! He likes to play, he likes to cuddle, he even has a pact with our little girl (he protects her - she drops scraps from the table for him). He's NEVER even snipped at either one of the kids or their friends. He sleeps close to us at night to keep us warm. He's a huge part of our family and I'm grateful there are creatures created to be mankind's friend. If everything goes wrong and the world feels like it's going to come crashing in - I know no matter what - this little guy will greet me with a happy wag of his tail!

Here's a little plug for my friends at http://okyorkierescue.org/ - if you're looking for a companion - check them out. They rescue their dogs (not all are Yorkies, but most are) from puppy mills and auctions. These guys are kept in foster homes so they can get acclimated to family life. The people with OK Yorkie Rescue love these dogs and get them the medical attention if it's needed. I love our little guy and I'd rescue another one in a heartbeat!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

In-laws

   Today I'm thankful for my in-laws.

I am lucky enough to have some of the warmest people for in-laws. They treat me like their own. They help out when asked. I don't have any of those nightmare stories some do of their in-laws. I'm thankful we can celebrate birthdays and holidays all together - both sides of the family without contempt or pettiness. Our families get along which is such a blessing for my kids. To be able to wake up on Christmas morning with all their grandparents under one roof is magical. 

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Catching up

I've seen lots of people post their daily thankfulness on either Facebook or Twitter. I can't help but think I must not very thankful because I didn't follow their lead. Can one really start it now on the 8th?  
I can assure you I'm quite a thankful person. I'm thankful for so many things I try to come up with something new in my prayers. So here are what may be determined as my top 8...

I am thankful for my Savior and for the Gospel which teaches love.




I'm grateful for the country I get to call home. There's no place like it on earth & I pray we can keep our Republic free. There's a reason socialism hasn't really worked in other places - let's not pretend it will work here.

I'm thankful for parents who taught me right from wrong & allowed me to learn on my own.



I'm so grateful that I found my special someone! I'm so glad we've stuck by each other - it's never been easy - but it's always been worth it! I'm also grateful I have him to walk down the road of parenthood.

I'm so grateful I have an amazing son! I learn from him every day. Sometimes there just aren't words to express how me makes me feel. I can't imagine what life would be like without him. I also catch my self wondering what it was I did before he came.

I'm so thankful to get to be her mother as well. She's awe inspiring. She makes me want to be better at everything so she can be proud of me. She is my princess.

I'm thankful for my siblings. This is my sister with my kids last year. It's hard to find a picture of my brother (he doesn't care for the camera). But I'm thankful for both of them and the lessons they taught me. I'm glad we had each other when Dad passed away. It made it so much more bearable.

Friends - Wow have I been blessed with friends! These lovely ladies have known me for a while. I hope my kids have the ability to be friends with someone for as many years. They are fantastic and they are just a small sampling of the amazing people I have in my life. I'm grateful for the talks, walks, laughs, tears, hugs and memories! I'm grateful for new friends! Anyone who is willing to be my friend lumps and all.

Well that should catch me up!
Until next time...

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Sunday afternoon thoughts


    I've decided I like my posts to have photos on them. I guess I think it makes up for what I feel is my lack of writing ability. That and I believe I have really cute subjects! It makes me continue to take current photos of my subjects.
    Anyway I've added a photo of my beautiful yet stubborn daughter. Her 3rd birthday was yesterday.  She's amazing. She's smart. She's kind. She's stubborn. It's this last part that's so frustrating to me. I hope I soon can use her power for good - but right now it's a real test for me. One I have not really prepared for - so I just hope I'm able to pull a passing grade.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

November

Wow! It’s only the 2nd and I’m feeling overwhelmed! We have a Cub Scout Raingutter Regatta this week and a birthday this weekend with guests for the day. We have parent/teacher conferences and a birthday party next weekend for the birthday girl! Then we have Thanksgiving. One of my favorite holidays, but with the passing of Dad will be understandably different this year.  We’re still kicking around how we’re going to celebrate. I have all these additional events and lists of things that need to be accomplished. Sadly I have no energy to do it! Guess I better find some caffeine and just GET IT DONE!!!

Wish me luck!