Day 19: Credit where credit is due! And a break...

My wife is a rock star.  We all know this and have almost come to expect it. Today she completed a training session for about 60 people at another school district.  This reminded me of how she impacts the world.  On Day 19 let's give Meg a break from writing and lets all be thankful for her.  Here is a list of just a few accomplishments:

Mother of the decade:  Sofia pushes the limits and Meg is firm when required and flexible when it possible.  Nico has not yet learned to sleep the night through or even to be his fussiness during the daylight hours.  She teaches them respect of others, respect for themselves, to love, to laugh, to fear, listen, to establish goals and how to accomplish them.

Wife of the Decade:  Meg has backed me up through thick and thin and has given me love and support.  I can't thank her enough for all that she means to me.  I could really go on and on here but I think we all know how good of a wife she is and some of the mushy stuff is best left between us two.

Friend for Life:   I would like to know of anyone who can say that Meg was never one of their most endearing friends. Even if you have only been able to call her a friend in the recent past, I would bet a lot of money that she is one of your favorites or is on your "list of people I want to get to know better."  You immediately bond with her and she will be there for you until her last breath.

Family Member of life:  She is like all women the glue that binds our families together.  She is the reminder our birthdays, momentous occasions, and all things important.  If anyone has a bad day, she is the first one to call to put things into perspective or to just listen.  She is a solver and a listener, and the best at both. Of course blood is thicker than water, but Meg's is thicker than oil on a cold Aspen night.

Meghan is my muse for life.  She inspires me in all aspects of today, tomorrow, and the future.  She genuinely affects more people than anyone I know.  From friends, to acquaintances, to family, to co-workers, students, staff and professional peers, church family, community, and the big picture of society.  She commands respect and gives it to those who earn it.  Most of the time you already have it but need to give her a reason to take it away.  Even then, she is quick to forgive and make the most of every relationship.  She will never turn you down for a favor and will be the first person to bring you a cup of coffee or a listening ear.  Today I am thankful for you being in my life, yesterday I was grateful for the memories created just 24hrs ago, and tomorrow I will be blessed to watch you do all of these things listed above all over again, like you do every day.  In day #19, we are all thankful for Meghan!

Day 18: The Commitment

There are a few tunnels that I have to drive through when I go to the mountains. The first one is really short and the second, the Eisenhower Tunnel, is super long. Driving through the Eisenhower always causes me to take a deep breath just as I enter. You can't see the other side, it's narrow, and to be quite honest, a little creepy. But there is no choice. You enter, drive 1.6 miles beneath the Continental Divide, and emerge into a whole new world.

It's a commitment.

Every time I drive through, it takes my breath away. I am reminded of how incredible this world really is. I absolutely love the mountains. They bring me peace. I am happy to "commit" any time.

And for this, I am thankful.

A beautiful day in the "neighborhood" 2/21/11

Day 17: Folded

I hate folding laundry. And when I say hate, I mean HATE. Thus today, when I looked at our bed covered in piles of clothes needing to be folded and repacked for the trip back down the mountain, all I could do was moan. I hate folding laundry.

I moved the piles from the bed to the couch. Turned on a movie while the girls played and began to sort, fold and pile. It took me nearly 90 minutes, but I finished. Neat little piles all holding their own organizational purpose. I like organizing.

Before I knew it, all our clothes were repacked and put away by the door for loading in the car tomorrow. The biggest chore of our bi-weekly travel done. Done! And, it was only 11am. Woo hoo!

Now, as I sit typing this, barely awake mind you, all I can do is feel a sigh of relief as look at my bedroom to see it clean and my bed awaiting me -- empty of clothes. I can go to sleep with nothing left on my agenda for the day. For this, I am thankful.

Day 16: Times Two

I think that one of the greatest gifts we have as parents is watching our children grow and develop into their own little personalities. This weekend, our long-time friends, Matt and Stacey, have been staying with us up in Aspen along with their twin daughters. Sofia and the twins have played, laughed, napped, and thoroughly enjoyed one another's company. It's been so, so fun watching the three of them together. :)

Day 15: Our Mary Poppins

In August, we were suddenly left scrambling to find new daycare for Nico after an unexpected change in our planned daycare center took place. Through a series of divine intervention, Kait was brought to us. We share Kait as our nanny with another family. Each morning, she comes to our house at 7 so that I can scoot out the door to get Sofia off to school and drive myself to work. It's wonderful. When I come home, she has usually taken Nico and Eloise on some sort of outing, read them books, gone for walks, played with toys, and gotten BOTH of them to take naps at the same time. Frankly, it's quite impressive.

Today, however, I was incredibly thankful for Kait's hands. Getting everything ready by myself to go up to the mountains is a great deal of work. Between laundry, food, toys, books, pack-'n-play, and any other random item that it takes to travel with children it's both time consuming and exhausting. But that's just the first part of the task. At a minimum, it takes me 45 minutes just to load my car up with everything needed for our trip. However, on days when I am able to leave town in the early afternoon, Kait is always there to help.

...and she helps in the best way possible: she holds, loves, feeds, changes, and occupies my little man. That simple act of taking care of him while I run up and down the stairs with the loads of crapola, is unbelievably helpful. I don't have to worry that Nico is getting into something, being left alone, or feeling neglected.

I love having Kait in our life. She has been so wonderful with Nico and is equally adoring toward Sofia. We are so thankful for her!

Day 14: Ahhh Aveda

Every once in a while, I get a little time to myself to get my hair cut. Today was one of those days and boy, did I ever need it! There's something about someone washing and brushing your hair that is so relaxing. The salon smells wonderful. The music is soft. And, for 45 minutes, I get to be just Meghan. Today, I am thankful for that!

So, I know it's totally cheesy, but here are a few pics of my new do. It's reeeaaaall short in the back!

Day 13: Chit Chat Commute

I'm not going to lie. Today was all-around craptastic. From waking up with a GIANT fever blister to getting stuck in traffic on the way home it all just kind of stunk. But in the midst of it all, I was thankful for the opportunity to talk with both my mom and mom-in-law as I drove this afternoon.

Driving to work in the morning and then to pick up Sofia after school is literally the only time during the day that I get to myself. That being said, it is nearly the only time that I can hold a phone conversation without being interrupted ten million times with "Mommy!" I really appreciate my little chats with Mom and Mary during this quiet time of my day. Even if it's just a quick "hello", it's always nice to hear their voices.

Day 12: 300 Days

...of sunshine, that is! Today, February 15th, was sunny and 64! I walked out of work and it not only was still light but it was warm too! Absolutely delightful and the perfect ending to a long day.

Day 11: "At Sixteen Years..."

Dressed in plaid in the spring of 1997, I sang:

At sixteen years I was oh, so sad.

Then Father said I should find a lad.

So I set out to become a wife

And find the REAL LOVE OF MY LIFE!

Do you know the show this song is from? This show changed my life. Or, should I say, where my life began...

 

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I believe in love. I believe in friendship. I believe that one cannot exist without the other. I have a husband who believes this too. And today, I am thankful for this!

When Chris and I started dating 14 years ago (TODAY!), I never could have imagined the life we would create together. More importantly, I never could have imagined the love that we would cultivate with each other and for each other. When I stop to think about it, it's all pretty amazing.

Chris is creative, thoughtful, kind, goofy, intense, smart, spontaneous and dedicated when it comes to love. I adore this about him. He just gets it...and thus, he gets me. He is careful to balance this aspect of our relationship with that of our friendship. It makes us a better couple all around.

Here's to 14 years of happiness, laughter, love and a lifetime yet to come!

Day 10: Mic #3

Those who know me best know that singing feeds my soul. Thus, today, I am thankful for microphone #3.

Since moving to Denver, my singing outlet has been through my church. However, because I was on bedrest for the last few months of my pregnancy and then traveling so much on the weekends, I really haven't been singing much. Our house has been quiet and so has my soul.

Today, I sang with the praise and worship team at church. My microphone, #3, felt so natural in my hand. I felt peaceful and rejuvenated. I was reminded how much singing is intertwined with my happiness and my energy.

Microphone #3: You and I will be seeing each other very soon!