Day 207: Yay Cloud!

At the end of the day, I looked out my classroom window to find it pouring rain. No umbrella and a pile of stuff to carry home with me, I was not pleased. Then I remembered why I am absolutely in LOVE with Google Docs. I locked up my laptop, grabbed my purse and ran out the door. No reason to race through a huge parking lot in the rain with a laptop when I can work on all of my papers, presentations and maps on any computer in any location. Oh, and now, I have my browser synchronized through Google Chrome...my history and bookmarks are accessible from anywhere too. Yay cloud! 

A quick exit and access to whatever I need whenever I want it! For this, I am thankful. :)

Day 206: U R Poop

Ahhhh, the wonderful world of teaching!

Today, my students had technology orientation in my class throughout the day. Part of today's session included practicing sending an email using our new district email system. Everything was going super well until one of my students ran up to my desk in the middle of the practice time.

Student: Um, Mrs. Daniel. I think I just sent you an email but I'm not totally sure. Can I look?
Me: OH! You mean, this one? The one that says, "u r poop"?
Student: Oh good. It got through.
Me: Do you understand that this is inappropriate? (trying not to laugh)
Student: (Standing there with a blank look.)
Me: Alright then...Let's just consider this your one and final warning before you lose all emailing privileges. 

Yes. That really happened. I couldn't have made that moment up if I had tried! Just to be fair, this student has a great sense of humor and is very, very kind -- as are the rest of my students this year. I'm going to chalk this one up to a momentary lapse in pre-pubescent male frontal lobe functioning. :)

So what am I thankful for? Well, there's the obvious moment of laughter in the middle of a congestion and coughing-filled day. But the thing that I am most thankful for is that I get to work with this little student for the next 179 days. I get the sacred opportunity to spend time with this little one to shape, mold and develop his thinking into that of a competent young student -- who won't ever send an email with the message, "u r poop" again. :)

Day 205: Modern Medicine

I'm stuffy, runny, coughy, achy, itchy, scratchy.... Gotta love getting back into the school year! :) 

Tonight, I am thankful for NyQuil. Yes, very thankful. Here's to hoping a snot-free sleep is in my near future! TMI? Oh well...

Day 204: So Fresh and So Clean

Our couch is covered with piles of folded, clean laundry. There aren't many things that annoy me more than having to put away loads and loads of laundry... especially on a Sunday night when all I want to do is go to bed. At the same time, I am grateful that I am not in a marriage where I am the only one who does the laundry and puts it all away. Chris is really good about sharing the load (no pun intended). It's nice to start the week out with a closet full of fresh smelling, clean clothes. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 203: Nice & Easy

I love that we have friends in our lives that are easy to be around. There's no pomp and circumstance when we get together. No primping of the hair and makeup. No putting on a front. I love that when we are around Matt and Stacey we can just be us. We had a great time tonight hanging out at their house for dinner, darts, conversation and an all-around evening of chillaxing. :)

It's good to have friends like Matt and Stacey. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 202: The Right Fit

Today, Chris and I took Sofia to meet her new teacher at her new school. She'll be starting in a week and we couldn't be more thrilled. Within minutes, Miss Mindy had earned Sofia's trust by showing her the classroom pet dove, John. She played with all kinds of toys and confirmed upon finishing a matching dinosaur game that she was "smart"! It was really funny. :) 

More than anything, I think Chris and I left this afternoon with a sense of peace and ease knowing that Sofia felt comfortable in her new surroundings. I think it's going to be a great year for our kiddo. And for this, I am thankful. 

Day 201: Your Highness

Today my husband made me feel like a princess -- even though I walked through the front door in my sweaty, dirty workout clothes.

Doesn't get much better than that. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 200: Counting Is Hard

So apparently I can only count to 168. Yup. Increasing by one at a time can be difficult, folks!

I was sitting on the couch tonight thinking about what I was going to do when I reached my 365th post on this journey of thankfulness and it dawned on me that in just a few short months that day will be arriving! I took a peak at my list of posts and noticed something odd: Day 166, Day 167, Day 168, Day 196.

Oops. Nothing like a little transposition!

Oh well. It seems appropriate that I recognized my mistake on the actual 200th post. One milestone to mark another! :) I'm just glad I discovered my mistake now and not as I was nearing the end. How embarrassing would that have been?!?!

Day 199: MOMMMMMMMY!

There's nothing like a happy, super-charged greeting when a working mom arrives to pick up her kids. :) Man, I miss those little buggers during the day! However, my angst is nothing in comparison to how happy, satisfied and nurtured they are when I arrive to take them home. Now that's something to be thankful for!

Day 198: Like Riding A Bike

Today I remembered just how much I love teaching.

It was a great first day with kids. And for this, I am thankful. :)

Day 197: Coincidence? I think not!

In an attempt to quell my nerves tonight, I have been reading over previous posts. I was shocked when I got to May 30th and read about my excitement regarding Nico beginning to eat solid foods and how it meant we would actually be able to have family dinners together. Didn't I just write about how I was loving being able to eat as a family the other day?

My goodness. How quickly we can forget the small moments of excitement in our lives and lose sight of the big picture. Frankly, if it weren't for this blog, I would have forgotten all about my longing for a child that would eat "normal" food and evenings that we could sit together as a family. Instead, I would rushed my focus to the next step in Nico's little life. 

I'm glad I took the time to read previous posts tonight. It is abundantly clear now that God has a plan for me. Sometimes, it just a takes a little bit of patience and slowing down to see. 

I am no longer nervous about tomorrow and the days to come. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 196: Bucking Bronco

Daddy looooooves the Broncos!

...and he's causing our children to catch his Bronco Fever. :)

Chris went to the game today and before he left he asked for two things: (1) Take his picture with Nico in their Broncos shirts; and (2) try and watch at least some of the game on TV if we could so the kids would get to see the Broncos.

While I was able to comply with request #1, the kids and I didn't make it back from our evening concert in the park in time to watch the game. I do know, however, that Chris had a great time with his friend, Todd and he was able to have a much-deserved night of fun. :) 

A contagious love of football and a husband who loves to share his excitement with his children is definitely something to be thankful for!

Day 195: Week 1 Down

My first week back in the classroom is done. I survived. My room is set up, copies have been made and lessons are planned for the week. I'm just as much excited as I am scared. I feel like I'm on this constant roller coaster of emotions ranging from ultimate preparedness to ultimate panic. This will go away...on the last day of the year. :) Truly, the anticipation of what's to come and the unknown of it all is what makes this part of the school year so emotionally difficult.

Week 1 is down and Week 2 is just around the corner with 137 bright pairs of eyes waiting for me. And for this, I am thankful. :)

Day 194: The Gauntlet

Each year, incoming 6th graders come to Sky Vista for a simulation day before the actual first day of school. They are grouped with 8th grade students who play games with them, lead them on an in-depth tour of the building, and then drop them off to their teachers for a schedule run-through. The kids are SUPER cute and it's always fun to hear the building full of noise again.

But, the best part of the entire day is the first 15 minutes. When the kids arrive at school, they are held in the cafeteria before entering the gym for the kick-off. When it's time, the doors open up to a gauntlet made up of the entire staff cheering and high-fiving 300 newbies to the school. The looks on these little 6th graders' faces are absolutely priceless!

It is a great part of getting the year started and makes the energy in the building palpable. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 193: Sunrise/Sunset Cheers

When Chris told me in July that he was going to have to work nights on his new project for a few weeks to get it off the ground running, the laugh that only emerges when I'm on the brink of insanity let itself loose. You know that laugh. We all have one.

Really? The first two weeks of the school year? The first two weeks that I am making a ridiculously HUGE transition back into the classroom? The first two weeks that are possibly the MOST TIRING two weeks of the entire school year? 

It wasn't his fault. I knew this. And though my ranting may have come off as a bit selfish (remembering I had the nervous, insanity twitch and laugh going on at the same time), I wasn't trying to make him feel bad. Chris knew this. But as they say on SNL, "REALLY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!"

Over the last few weeks, we put our minds and hearts together to prepare for the upcoming adventure that would be his new project and my new job. We creatively designed daycare drop-offs and pick-ups, sleeping arrangements, bedtime routines and the all-important, evening nap. But, my favorite (and I do mean FAVORITE) thing about this crazy time is that Chris is always home for dinner and we get to eat as a family. I absolutely love it. I maybe love the fact that he does most of the cooking a little bit too. :)

My husband is working so hard right now. So hard. And you know what? I am too! However, neither one of us would be able to be endure such huge transition were it not for each other. Even though we can't live the typical family lifestyle right now, it's okay....our cheers for one another penetrate through all hours of the clock and are heard loud and clear.

And for this, I am thankful.

MSU vs Wisconsin Football Game, 2000

Day 192: Two Heads

Oh my gosh. I am SO loving planning with my 7th grade science counterpart, Kate. Not only is she brilliant, but she is funny, passionate, creative and willing to try just about anything. I have to say, coming back into the classroom 7 years into my career, it's nice to be able to work with someone who is flexible, energetic and willing to listen to all my crazy ideas. :)

I know this is going to be a beautiful partnership and an incredible year! And for this, I am thankful.

Day 191: Can't Choose

Today was honestly one of those days that went really well. There were multiple moments throughout the day where I told myself to "remember this" as my happy and thankful nugget of the day. So what do you do when you can't choose? This is a nice problem to have!

Overabundance is wonderful thing. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 190: Simple Sunday

Today, I am thankful to have had just a simple day. Chris worked out this morning, my 7th grade science partner came over and we hashed out the year, the kids played outside, naps were had, we ate dinner at the Lapsley's and the day just eased on by. It was a great way to wrap up the weekend and kick off a new week.

Simple. I like that.

Day 189: Make Up

I'm going to be completely honest here: every marriage has it's ups and downs and we are certainly no exception. Today Chris and I had a pretty big argument. I was mad. He was mad. But I quickly realized that what would matter most was how we worked it all out. And so we talked. Honestly, openly, and all out of love.

Communication is foundational to the health if our relationship---as it has always been. This is why I fall in love with my husband over and over again each day. And for this, I am thankful.


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Day 188: Rescue Renovation

I would venture to say that having a friend on a reality television show is a rare. Even more rare: getting invited to said friend's taped reveal party after the reality show has completed renovation on the home.

Well, this evening, this rare event actually happened! My friend Linda and her family were chosen for this fabulous show on the DIY Network to have their home renovated and shown on national television. The best part is, I'm not quite sure there is a more deserving family out there to have such an incredible opportunity come their way. The Klosowski's are simply the best. :) 

Tonight was the taping of the reveal party where friends and family were invited to walk into the house, talk with the host of Rescue Renovation, hang with the Klosowski's, and soak up the surreal surroundings. I even got to do a stand-alone interview! The finished product was simply stunning and I can't WAIT to see how it all came together on the show. 

Congratulations, Linda, Matt, Lilly, Sammie, and Josh! Tonight, I am thankful to have been witness to your good fortune. :)

Me, Lindsey, Beth, LINDA, Meredith & Donna - All SMS Friends @ The Reveal :)

Day 187: The First Real Kiss

We have been so fortunate this year to have shared our nanny, Kait, with the most incredible family. Tonight, we had Leah, Gil, and the ever-so-sweet Eloise over for dinner to celebrate a year together. We had such a great evening! Watching Nico, Eloise and Sofia play was priceless. So much laughter. :)

When it was time to leave, Nico and Eloise embraced for an epic kiss: Nico's mouth wide open, Eloise's closed. So cute! I wish I had a had my camera! I'm guessing I won't feel quite the same when Nico actually has his first meaningful kiss when he's older, but this was special.

We are so thankful for the Garbe's and the love they have shared with our family over the last year.

Day 186: Patchwork

When living in a two-income family, daycare can sometimes feel as if it's a patchwork quilt. Don't get me wrong, we've had been fortunate to have incredible people take care of our kiddos. But even incredible people need breaks and get sick. :)

We have a few days coming up where patchwork daycare approaching and I am so very thankful that we have been able to find safe, happy places for our kids to be during that time. 

Day 185: Toast at 2

This afternoon I got an unexpected drop-in by my friend Stacey. Her timing couldn't have been more perfect -- just as Nico had fallen asleep for his afternoon nap. We went and sat out on the balcony to chat and brought with us two cold, crisp glasses of Sauvignon Blanc. The weather was perfect and a delightful accent to our much-needed catch-up and laughter session.

I am so thankful for a relaxing afternoon and for unexpected, friendly laughter. :)

Day 184: Back in the Saddle

This morning I got to walk into my school as a science teacher. I sat in a room with a group of new teachers and hashed out the beginning of the year, re-wrapped my brain around PCM and officially switched gears.

It felt good to think in a new direction - well, an old direction, but in a new way. :) And for this, I am thankful.

Day 183: Oh Query Me

Argh. At the end of the school year, I had begun working on this crazy huge technology database for our school. Unfortunately, I did not have time to finish it before the last day and left it to work on over the summer. Earlier this week, I pulled out my flash drive to finish up the final details and...you guessed it...database corrupt. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING would open. 1463 records gone. Yes, gone.

I cried a little. Ok, I cried a lot.

So, this weekend, I have been working furiously on re-building this thing because when I walk into school tomorrow for training, I am officially a science teacher! This HAS to be off my plate...not just for the livelihood of my dear friends now running the tech department, but also for my own sanity.

It's 11:20pm on Sunday night and I'm almost done. Thank the Lord. I will forever be in awe of the power of the database but Macros will never be my friend.

Oh sweet bed, you are so close and I am about to feel a million pounds lighter! And for this, I am thankful!

Day 182: Apparently We're Sweet

...at least that's what the mosquitos think!

One of the things that I have loved about our neighborhood is the summertime activities that they put together for the community. Every Saturday night they bring in live music to perform in the grassy knoll area of our town center. We haven't been to any this summer because of all our travels so we jumped at the opportunity to go tonight. We packed up our goodies, chairs and blankets and headed the mile down the road to enjoy some great music. While it totally stresses me out at first until I get settled, the kids can run around freely and dance, the parents can sit back and sip some wine and the sun sets behind us all. It really was fun....and totally worth the 50 million mosquito bites we got at dusk. :)

A fun summer evening...for this, I am thankful.

Day 181: 1 Year Report

I'm happy to report that at Nico's one year well check appointment today he checked out in a complete bill of health! We definitely have a string bean on our hands though. He is in the 86th percentile for height but only the 41st for weight! Regardless, the doc was pleased to see that he has made such an incredible turn-around from the last 6 months.

And for this, I am thankful.


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Day 180: Who knew?

Tonight I hosted my first ever jewelry party and it was so much fun!! I was completely taken aback at the beginning however when everyone was asked to say how they knew me and why I was the greatest person they me. Say whaaaaat? My women friends said some of the nicest things I had ever heard and it was so humbling!

I am so grateful for wonderful friendships and the reminder that even the little things in life that we do can have a huge impact.



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Day 179: All-Around Good

Today was genuinely a great day. My training went really well, the kids had tons of fun at the aquarium with Kait and our neighbors, Chris didn't have to work late, and there was lots of laughing after dinnertime.

Yes, it was a great day. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 178: Coaching Session

I feel really fortunate to have so many people that I trust and respect in the field of education. As I prepare for my 3.5 hour Google Apps for Education training seminar tomorrow, it was super nice to tap into some of my favorite resources. First, my mom called and helped me structure my time, then my friend Sam called and we talked topics and purpose. At the end of the day, I had talked my way into a really solid session for people to attend in the morning.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed my attendees feel the same way!

Great minds and great conversations...for this, I am thankful!

Day 177: Crown Me

Ugh. Today, I went back to the dentist to have my 5th crown put on. It hurt. It still hurts. Thus, today, I am thankful for Tylenol and 2 weeks before my next dental visit.

Lame, I know. But kind of makes me want my mom... :(

Day 176: Sing Song Sewing Sundays

Ha! Say that 10 times!

Today, as I worked on things around the house, I couldn't help but chuckle at Sofia and Chris. Chris was re-making bean bags for his corn hole set and Sofia was determined to help....by providing background music that is. :) As he sewed, she made up songs, words to songs, and laughed so hard, I'm sure she'll wake up with sore sides in the morning.

It was a great day! And for this, I am thankful.