Day 9: I Can "See" You Now

Today, I am thankful for Skype. Living across the country from our entire family (and away from Chris during the week) isn't easy, but Skype helps to make it manageable. I love it because it has allowed my kids to get to know our family and friends in a way that wouldn't be possible without video. We cook together, eat together, chat, and have coffee. I love Skype. It helps me feel connected to those I love and helps make miles feel like inches.

Sofia chatting with Daddy and making silly faces with apples in her mouth.

Nico and I chatting with Grandma and Grandpa.

Day 8: Not Forgotten

This week, Student Government has had carnation grams and candy grams for sale to be delivered on Valentine's Day. Remember those days? Heart beating faster as the delivery came into your classroom...were you going to get one?

As the adviser, I often worry about the kids who are the quiet ones, not so popular, awkward or shy. I never want any one of my students to feel as if they have been left out, forgotten. Thus, I work really hard with the kids in SG to be all-inclusive and to spread that mentality throughout the school. Not being in the classroom, however, it's difficult to know if the kids are really modeling this. But yesterday, I witnessed something pretty amazing...

I watched as two of the most popular girls in the entire school came and purchased 6 different candy grams to send anonymously to some of our most shy, and often overlooked students. Their notes simply read, "Thank you for being kind. Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!"

Today, I am thankful for having the opportunity to witness an incredible act of kindness by two students. It was a wonderful reminder to not lose faith in our youth.

And now, off to purchase over 400 carnations!

Day 7: 'Dem Bones

I was reminded this morning that a good laugh is important -- even at 6:20 a.m. For this, I am thankful.

Sofia has been ridiculously interested in bones lately. She pours over skeletal pictures of all kinds on the internet and is fascinated by the comparisons between organisms. This morning, the very first thing she asked me was if we could look at bones when we got home from school.

Me: You bet! What kinds of bones would you like to look at today?
Sofia: Ummmmmm. I want to look at booty bones. Booty bones and ankle bones!
Me (chuckling): Alright. Why your "booty bone"?
Sofia: Because my booty bone hurts. It hurts because my ankle bone is stuck in it.

I laughed all the way to school.

Day 6: Moonlight

He wakes. He coos. He squeals. He cries. 

I wake. I sigh. I trip. I moan.

The bottle is ready. He's cozy in my arms.

3am. No lights. Just the moon, my baby and I. 

Day 5: Delayed Start!

Who wouldn't do a little dance if they found out they got to start work an hour late?

The weather is horrible here: 0 degrees, -5 degree wind chill. The roads are snow-packed and drift-covered. And, while I didn't leave much later than any other normal day, it was so nice to not have that feeling of being rushed. I drove down the highway at 35 miles an hour happy as can be! Funny how the rest of my day seemed to follow suit in ease.

Ahhhhhhh. Delayed start.

Day 4: "The Video"

When I was 7th grade, a few of my girlfriends and I began creating a video diary. It was filled with total nonsense -- nonsense that continued until we were seniors in high school. When we graduated, my friend Andrea took the time to edit and copy our 5-year diary for each of us within our circle of friends. The title on the VHS (yes, VHS) was simply, "The Video".  The tape was placed in a box decorated by her and filled with pictures, letters, cards and other items she had collected throughout our friendship. It was extremely special. That box held a prominent place in my many dorm rooms and apartments as I made my journey through college and early adulthood. Any time, and I mean any time, that I was feeling down, all I had to do was pop in "The Video" and I was good to go for weeks!

While cleaning out my closet the other day, I came across my special box filled with memories. It brought tears to my eyes. I am SO incredibly fortunate to have been blessed with the friendship of these women who once walked in stride with me during our awkward and OH SO FUN teenage years. Now, 17 years later, we are still in-step despite our distance from one another. They have each grown to be outstanding, talented, devoted, and inspiring women. God was good when he brought us together!

Day 3: Patience is a Virtue

Today I was grumpy. And when I say grumpy, I mean G.R.U.M.P.Y. Sometimes it's for obvious reasons like lack of sleep and sometimes it's beyond even my comprehension. Today was one of latter -- until I had an epiphany while erupting over taking out the trash.

With Chris gone in Aspen during the week, my control of time does not exist. Sofia time, Nico time, Sky Vista time, anybody else time seems to take precedence. Don't get me wrong, I get a few minutes to myself here and there, but rarely do I get to be in control of the moments of my day. There is simply too much to do. Thus, on the weekends when my husband is home, I thrive for the chance to slow down; to be in charge of the clock.

When the alarm clock went off this morning, I already felt trapped by the day. Things seemed to snowball from there, hence the Incredible Hulk grumpiness once I got to taking out the trash at noon. Thankfully, I have a pretty incredible husband. One of the things that I most appreciate about him is that when I am exploring the extremes of my emotional spectrum, he is completely calm about it all. He gives me time (without me requesting it!) to just be and figure things out. He is honest and real.

Chris, I know I wasn't the easiest to be around today. But today, you were more patient with me than I think you have ever been in our 14 years of being together. There is a reason that God brought us together and I was reminded of that by looking in your eyes this afternoon. You are my best friend and the love of my life. Today, I am thankful for YOU. 

Day 2: Stinky Breath

I know, I know. Stinky breath? Let me give you a little perspective.

My absolute favorite part of each day is waking Sofia up. There is rarely a morning that I walk into her room to find her in routine position. This kid is all over the place. Most often, however, Sofia's head is buried in her arms, pillow, stuffed animals, blankets, or anything her head can fit under. This means that when I come in close whisper "good morning" I get a huge wave of morning breath when she turns her head toward me. Regardless, this is a moment that she and I share each and every day. A moment that I can look back onto throughout the day and laugh. I'm OK with stinky.

the little moments...

Can you beat these smiles? This was the first picture of the night...

Silly face...
Huge smile!!!
Do you remember when your foot was one of your favorite toys..
Love thy sibling...


I think he almost said Dada in the first one!

Nice Footsteps to Follow

For the past month, I have been reading the blog of a friend of mine back in Michigan. She has decided to write something she is thankful for everyday for one year. This struck me on many levels. After being diagnosed with post-partum depression after Nico was born, there were days that would go by that I couldn't see past my own self. It was dark, sad and extremely lonely. I forgot that there were so many wonderful things in my life to be appreciative of and be thankful for. Now, 7 months into the life of my new son, and nearly 4 & 1/2 years into the life of my daughter, I am ready to be thankful too. Every day.

So, Sara, today, I am thankful for you. Thank you for inspiring me to enter this one year journey of looking beyond myself and into what this incredible world has to offer.