Day 105: Blast From The Past

Today, I helped chaperone a group of 7th and 8th grade band students to a competition held at Denver's amusement park, Elitch Gardens. After successfully shuffling 60 kids and their instruments through security and the entrance gates to the park, I looked up to find a sea of former students - all seniors, celebrating their last day of high school with their classmates and teachers. All throughout the day, former students shared hugs, smiles and stories. It was awesome. It really is an honor to have been a part of so many young lives. And for this, I am thankful!

Day 104: Amazed

Tonight I heard the song "Amazed" by Lonestar while watching American Idol and I forgot how much I loved that song. It immediately brought back memories from the early days of Chris and I. I liked that. :)

Memories of early love are good. And for this, I am thankful.

Sophomore Year of College, 2000

Day 103: Stretched

Today, while I was in a meeting, I was asked to step out three different times for three different reasons. I was beyond frustrated. Sooooo much is going on and saying that I'm stretched thin is an understatement. But when I stopped to think about it all, I realized that it's nice to be needed. It's nice to know that people feel comfortable to ask me questions and confident that I can help them solve their problems. Despite my frustrations and fatigue, I will always be thankful for this.

Day 102: Somersaults

Tonight, while Skyping with Chris, Sofia wanted to show her daddy how she was learning to skip. Scooting back across the living room, we took form and began step-hopping through the room. Lots of laughter, not so much skipping. :) Her effort was valiant though!

Somehow, the skipping turned into somersaults. When Chris challenged me to a backwards somersault there was no backing down. I was up to the challenge.

And, oh yes, I OWNED it! :)

I'm 30 years old and still roll around on the floor. For this, I am thankful.

Day 101: A Little FaceTime

After waiting for years (no exaggeration), my time finally came....I got an iPhone. Woo hoo! My upgrade from Verizon came through just in time for Mother's Day and I took FULL advantage. :) I could go on for hours about how incredible this little computer disguised as a phone is, but I'll spare you. I will tell you, however, one of my favorite things is it's ability to call with video. It's like Skype but cooler because you're not tethered to one spot with your computer. This weekend, we chatted with my step-dad, mom and in-laws with FaceTime. The kids were able to be interactive and it provided a whole new feeling of being connected.

Despite distance, it is still possible for our kids to be actively involved in the lives of our families. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 100: Commitment

I have written in this space now for 100 consecutive days! I'm not quite sure I have ever done something with this much consistency in my entire life. I'm learning a lot about myself on this journey of thankfulness; namely that the little things from day to day are sometimes the most meaningful. I know that I am growing and healing through this process of daily reflection which is proving to be priceless.

Today, I am thankful for the number 100 for it now has an entirely new meaning in my life: commitment.

Day 99: "Our Talk"

If there is one thing that I appreciate about being a parent with Chris it's that he always provides a united front with me. So, after having a really difficult week of bedtime with Sofia, I was glad to have some reinforcement when he arrived home tonight. Within ten minutes of walking through the door, he and Sofia were sitting in the chair having a little chat. It was all very positive and reflective and Sofia genuinely seemed to be responsive to the conversation. But when Chris began to repeat some of his earlier points, Sofia interrupted him to say, "Dad, didn't we already do our talk?"

United fronts and a priceless response...for this, I am thankful.

Day 98: Tantrums

Blogger was down for this day but tantrums were not.

I was DEFINITELY thankful that these are not a regular occurrence in our house!!

Day 97: Surpise!

It feels good to do things for other people. Tonight, I helped throw a surprise baby shower for my dear friend and neighbor, April. For a lot of the party, I just watched and enjoyed having my home filled with friends, kids and laughter. It was really special to be part of it all. But most of all, it was wonderful to see my friend genuinely happy and relaxed before her new little baby arrives on Monday. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 96: New Phase

Tonight while I had dinner with some girlfriends and our kids, we were reminiscing about what our dinners and happy hours used to be like -- much different than the current state. As children laughed, screamed, cried and cooed in the background we couldn't help but laugh at where are lives are now.

It was a good moment. No, a great moment. And for this, I am thankful.