Day 360: Never Drive Faster Than Your Angel Can Fly

Near the kitchen door at Chris's parent's house, there hangs a little sign on the key rack that says, "Never drive faster than your angel can fly." Of the thousands of times I have entered and exited the Daniel house, I don't think there has been a single time I've passed that sign without reading it. I love it and even though I haven't stepped through the Daniel kitchen doorway since July, this little saying seems to stick with me.

Even today. I took a different way home from work today to avoid traffic and construction. I was deep in thought about work and didn't even realize I was driving 10 mph over the limit. Something sparked my attention, I realized what I was doing and slowed down right away. Not five seconds later, I rounded a corner to find a HUGE speed trap taking place. On the side of the road sat four motorcycle cops with radar guns poised, ready to pull cars over.

Thankfully, I was not one of the people stopped. I had an angel today who reminded me to slow down so he or she could keep up. And I needed that.

And for this, I am thankful.

Day 359: Deciding What's Next

Surprise, surprise...I got off on my day counting early on. Technically, I'm supposed to be up with my "365" on February 1st but since my habit of late night blogging has gotten in the way of my counting skills, I've decided to keep going for 6 more days. It's only fair, right?

So what is next? I haven't been able to decide. This last year has proved to be an incredible journey on so many different levels. (If you didn't have a chance to read this week's Glass Heel post, take a look for my full reflection.) I feel like it would be a mistake to just quit writing each day. I've found that these ten or fifteen minutes that I sit down each night to write have become sacred. It's my one time of the day to just kind of hang out in my head, if that makes any sense.

I love this blog. I love writing. Day 366 isn't so far off and what it or the following 365 will look like, I have no idea. I do know I won't stop looking around for moments moments of gratitude. This is a dramatic difference from where I was just one year ago. How it flows out may be just a little bit different. We'll see.

For now, I have a few days left of my daily reflections and I definitely will cherish each one. And for this, I am thankful.

***Please feel free to comment with ideas on what you think should come next!***

Day 358: Two Brains Are Better Than One

Today I snuck out of the house for a bit to meet my 7th grade planning partner, Kate. She also teaches 7th grade science and thanks to her, I've avoided drowning in a sea of new content this year. We met at this awesome little coffee shop in my old neighborhood and got a TON of work done. It was more than awesome.

Our days are filled with commitments and interruptions at school. It was really cool to meet on our own time, in super comfy clothes and with a warm cup of coffee to really get the thinking juices flowing.

Twice the work in half the time...I'll take it! And for this, I am thankful.

Day 357: Game Night

Sofia loves games. And I mean loves games! Thus, every once in a while, we forgo the normal bedtime routine in leu of a game night.

Tonight's game of choice was Headbanz, a guessing game where the players put on a headband, attach a card with a picture on it and try to figure out what is on their head. The three of us were having such a great time playing and Chris and I were astonished that Sofia kept figuring out her card so quickly...until we realized she was cheating! The little stinker was looking at her reflection in the glass kitchen table to see what was on her card!

Chris called her out and she was not happy. At all. However, it was a great lesson in how to play games fairly and all ended well before bed. I had no idea that game night would be chock-full of values and lessons.  I suppose that's a good lesson for Chris and I too...

And for this, I am thankful.

Day 356: Pillow Rest

My bed. I love it. It's been a long week and tonight, my pillow has never felt so good. Rest is on the way and for this, I am thankful.

Day 355: 10 Little Minutes

Ten minutes is all it takes. To stop and think and write about my day, that is. Ten minutes of my own thoughts without interruption. Ten minutes to be thankful. 

And that's pretty awesome. 

Day 354: Clean Bill!

I took Nico to the doctor today for his 18 month check-up. This is literally the first appointment in his little life that nothing was wrong! He measured in the 87th percentile for height and 51st percentile for weight, had completely clear ears, skin and was a picture of health! He even managed to shake off the tears post-vaccine in about 30 seconds.

I left the pediatrician's office feeling elated for the first time in a looooong time. God has blessed us with healthy, beautiful children. And for this, I am thankful!

Day 353: A Launch of Historic Proportions

I can guarantee with near certainty that tonight, around the family dinner tables of my second period students, the story of an exciting show their science teacher put on today is being told. Unfortunately, this show wasn't anything having to to with science. This show involved a backpack, high heels and a launch of historic proportions. 

A launch of myself. 

I nearly bowled over two girls and broke my neck in the process. It was pretty hilarious though. And, it definitely made for a great story. A little humor to a normal day...for this, I am thankful. :)

Day 352: Excuse to Exit

The plan for today was that Chris was going to pick the kids up so I could work a little late and get ahead on a couple of things in my classroom. But around 4:15, I was regretting my decision to stay late. I was beat.

And then my phone rang. Chris was stuck in traffic and wasn't going to make it to get the kids in time. I grabbed my purse and bag and was down to my car in less than 2 minutes.

Apparently I was looking a little more eagerly for an excuse to leave than I thought! Oh well, I'm home and can have an early night to sleep. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 351: Fashion Bait and Switch

I wouldn't ever consider myself to be a fashion forward person. I would say, however, that I do have decent taste. That's why today, when Christina asked me to help her pick out a new purse, I didn't think twice. We talked about different styles and options and set to work in the store.

Finally, the perfect purse. A medium, leather, pale pink bag with handles big enough to hold over the arm or slide over the shoulder and adorned with unique metal buttons. Perfect for any city girl looking for both practicality and style.

After a lovely afternoon with my friend, we pulled up to my house and as I stepped out of the car, she said, "Don't forget your bag!" I was confused. I didn't have a bag. "What?" I said. "You know, the purse you picked out for me. It was really for you the whole time!"

I was stunned. What a fun gift and totally unexpected! I love getting new purses and they are not something that I typically ever buy for myself. It is such an honor to have a friend that is so gracious and kind...not just to me but to my kids as well!

Christina, thank you for bringing out the city girl in me this afternoon. :) For you and my new fashionista purse, I am thankful!

Day 350: Saturday Snooze

Coffee doesn't even make a dent on my fatigue right now (I have my stellar basement levels of vitamin D to thank for this!). By the time we got home from ballet and running errands this afternoon, I was beyond spent. I needed a nap. And bad.

Lunch was served for the kids and all I had to do was give Chris a look. He knew -- do not disturb for 1 hour. I kissed the kids, shut my bedroom door and cashed out. When I woke up, I had what it took to make it through the rest of the beautiful 65 degree day. It was just perfect.

A much needed Saturday snooze. For this, I am thankful.

Day 349: Hello Friend!

Yay! Christina's in town! And for this, I am thankful!

Day 348: Mrs. D -

Got a call from the doc today: turns out my body is not producing enough vitamin D. This can have all kinds of weird effects -- including causing the current medication I take to not work effectively AND cause massive headaches! So, for the next 3 months I'll be taking a prescription strength dosage of vitamin D and then a daily dosage for the rest of my life after that. It all seems a little overwhelming but reassuring at the same time to know there's an actual reason to why I've been feeling like crap for the last 6 months.

Many of my students call me "Mrs. D". Chris called me today and requested "Mrs. D -". Nice. But it made me laugh. And I needed that.

A solution with humor...for this, I am thankful.

Day 347: It's Not A Tumah!

(Reciting this title requires the best Arnold Schwarzenegger voice you can muster up.)

Nope. No tumors on this brain of mine! :) While I was confident that something so serious would be the cause of these nasty headaches, it was a bit of a relief to have it confirmed today during my headache evaluation. What the exact cause of them is, however, is still undetermined. Thankfully, the doc put a plan together and had a bunch of tests run to hopefully figure out how to eliminate these once a month bullies. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that her plan works and I start to feel better soon.

Plans in combination with modern medicine are a good thing. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 346: Girls Only

Whenever my mom comes to visit, we always go out to dinner on the last night she is in town. Knowing that Nico is not the best restaurant guest at the moment, Chris suggested we have a girls night out.

So off we went - Sofia, my mom and I - to dinner at one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants. Within minutes, Sofia had deemed our outing the "Girls Only Party".

She was the perfect party guest and entertained us both at the dinner table. It has been wonderful having my mom here to visit and it was so special to have a night to celebrate the girls. :) And for this, I am thankful.

Day 345: Who Doesn't Roll Around In The Aisles of Target?

Nico had an off day. Actually, it really kind of stunk for him. He's not sleeping well, is starting to get a cold and was crabby as all get out all. day. long. Thus, I was weary when it came time to head to Target for grocery shopping. I had no idea what we were going to get from him.

I take that back. I knew exactly what we were going to get...a little boy who did not want to ride in the cart, cooperate, or have anything to do with being in a grocery store. This was a little boy who wanted to run, crawl, roll and slide down each aisle, touch everything he passed, lick the freezer doors and go into full backward arch pose when I picked him up.

It's ok though. The shopping got done, no one was harmed and Nico used up a ton of energy running across the store. Not much more I can ask for. :)

And for this, I am thankful.

Day 344: I Am A Daughter

Yay! My mom is here! I'm so looking forward to a few days of being a daughter and spending some quality time with Mom. Sofia and Nico are pretty stoked too. :)

And for this, I thankful.

Day 343: Oh man!

Let's just say I'm glad it was dark. :)

For memories both remembered and forgotten...for this, I am thankful.

Day 342: Some Days, It's Just Worth It

Today I administered a quick survey for a friend of mind writing an article for Forbes magazine. I whipped up a quick Google Form with three questions for the kids to answer anonymously: age, gender and what do you want to be when you grow up? I was blown away by the goals the kids have for themselves and so proud to have a window into their dreams. But the very last submission of the day is what took my breath away...

It's days like these that make being a teacher the most amazing job in the world. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 341: A True Gift

I find that having friends who are honest, supportive and insightful is quite a gift. And what a gift to be thankful for!

Day 340: Pancakes Make Everything Better

I was off today. After being gone for a day from my classroom, I felt like I was playing catch-up with my students and trying to push them forward at the same time. I continually ran out of supplies for my lab, misplaced items I needed for instruction, forgot my train of thought and even broke two pieces of glassware. I just couldn't seem to catch my stride. On top of it all, my head still ached and my stomach was upset from yesterday's doozy of a migraine. Yeah, I'm totally having a pity party.

But then it was time for dinner. Pancakes. Pancakes for dinner can make any difficult, out-of-sync, tiring day seem just right again. Even better are pancakes made by my husband and daughter in the shape of hearts and stars because "they're so much more fun to eat"! :)

Pancakes are good...in so many ways. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 339: Options

I woke up last night with a really nasty migraine. It was by far the worst one I have ever had and the kind that scared me enough to actually call the doctor today. The nurse I talked to was unbelievably kind, thorough and encouraging about options about where to go from here. I feel extremely fortunate to have a job that provides me with excellent health benefits so options actually are available to my family and I.

I'm getting a headache evaluation done next week and will finally have some treatment options for these nasty headaches. For this, I am thankful.

Day 338: Super Sleuth

I consider myself to be fairly resourceful. I'm an internet searching guru and if I don't know an answer to something, it doesn't take me long to find it - internet or otherwise. Sometimes though, I just get tired and don't have the time to do all the necessary digging.

Sofia's ballet studio has a dress code which requires her to wear a white leotard with pink tights. The first few classes they don't mind what is worn, but they encourage the dress code as soon as possible. I had searched around for the proper attire prior to her class beginning and came up empty handed. I knew that the studio store would sell them and decided to check them out when we arrived on Saturday. My heart sank when I saw they were $30. Seriously?!?! $30 for a piece of stretchy fabric that my kid is only going to wear for God knows how long?

I didn't buy it. I was determined to find something cheaper. Or, should I say, my sister was determined! A former dancer herself, she went into to super searching aunt mode tonight and called me up to tell me that she found an online dancewear company and would be sending Sofia not one, but TWO white leotards for $20! Woo hoo!

I guess resourcefulness runs in the family! It was so nice to not have to be the one to do all the digging this time. Thanks, Sis. For your super sleuth skills, I am thankful!

Day 337: Tebow Time

I woke up from an afternoon nap today to Chris and Sofia shouting in the bedroom, "De-fense! De-fense!" High fives and clapping were followed by giggles that echoed into the living room. The Broncos were playing in their first play-off game in 6 years and Sofia was soaking every second up with her Daddy. I laid on the couch and just listened to them for nearly 10 minutes. It was priceless.

I love that they share such passion together for the Broncos and secretly, I think it's awfully hilarious that Sofia has a little crush on Tim Tebow. :)

And for this, I am thankful.

Day 336: Curtain Rising

I'd be lying if I didn't say that I hope my children would find some kind of love for the performing arts as I did. Thus today, I found myself nervous as Sofia took her first step toward this love when she began her first ballet class. She has wanted to take ballet for over a year. We finally gave in over Christmas and Santa brought her enrollment into her first class. She was ecstatic and as she stepped into the studio today, she was no different.

I watched her on closed circuit television from the parents' waiting room with the delight. She followed directions easily and was surprisingly graceful as she glided back and forth across the floor. She had so much fun and was beaming when her teacher brought her out at the end of the class. Whether this class is followed by years of study and performance or sudden change to soccer, I don't care. Just seeing my daughter smile bigger than she ever has was good enough for me.

And for this, I am thankful.

Day 335: For You, Pickles

Today is my sister's birthday. I love her. I miss her. I'm so glad that I have her to share so many incredible memories with.

Happy Birthday, Sis. For you, I am thankful!

Day 334: Funkified

I'm in a funk. I still don't feel well, I'm tired, I'm lacking creativity at work and in my writing and on top of it all, I had a bad hair day.

But now that the day is coming to a close, here's what I'm realizing: It's not a bad thing to feel low every once in a while. In fact, it's important. It's important so that we are reminded of what makes our lives rich and fulfilling. I feel fortunate to have what seems to be an unending source of these reminders!

Tomorrow will be a good day, but tonight, I'm okay with feeling a little funky. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 333: ETB-ETR

We're up pretty early in our house. Like 4:15 early. And on a regular basis. Chris is usually the first one up and into the shower while I grovel in bed cursing into my pillow in awe that my alarm clock already went off. As a result, we do try and get to bed at a reasonable hour in the evenings to help these mornings run a little smoother. But, as most well-intentioned activities are, we often miss our early bedtimes getting caught up in the daily routines of dishes, clean-up of the toy minefield in our living room and catching up about our days.

But tonight, we are on track! We are early to bed so we can be early to rise. And that feels good.

Rest. For this, I am thankful.

Day 332: Tea Time

For as long as I have known Chris, he has loved tea. We used to go to coffee shops when we were in high school and college to hang out and he would regularly forgo a latte for a smooth tea instead.

Thus, when it came time to fill Chris's Christmas stocking, I knew just what to put in it: a new tea press, German Rock Sugar and four delectable flavors of tea. It was a hit! Ever since Christmas morning, our house has been filled with the aroma berries, chais and green teas. I love it...even more so over the last few days while I have been sick and my sweet husband has kept a warm mug near my side almost constantly.

Warm tea, sweet aromas and a giddy, tea-making husband. For this, I am thankful.

Day 331: No Brainer

Today, I am thankful for an anticipated morning of no thinking. I'm still not feeling well which means tomorrow morning could be rough. Thus, all the bags are organized and sitting near the door, lunches are packed and clothes are laid out. The only thing I have to think about tomorrow morning is how many times I can hit the snooze button before heading back to work. :)

No thinking in the morning is a good thing. And for this, I am thankful.

P.S. CONGRATS to the MSU Spartans in their 3OT win over Georgia at the Outback Bowl! It is a proud day to wear green and white!

Day 330: One More Day

What a start to the new year. I spent the day on the couch -- no, NOT nursing a hangover of any sort. Instead, I was sipping tea and buried under blankets trying to fight off a fever, cough and sore throat. I feel absolutely awful. So, tonight, more than ever, I am so thankful that I do not have to go back to work tomorrow. There is still one more day left of winter vacation.

Go away cough. Go away sore throat. Go away fever. You have one more day to vacate the premises.

Day 329: The Year's End

A new year is on the way. I am grateful for the experiences I have encountered, friendships old and new, and of course, family. It's been one of the most incredible years of my life.

And for this, I am thankful.