One, Two, Skip a Few

For the first time in over a year, I skipped a day of posting. I woke up almost feeling in a panic this morning. Weird! But then I realized, it's ok.

I write here as an outlet and a way to provide balance in my life. The last few days all I've been able to think about is how to get Sofia better and have, without question, lost some balance. I haven't slept well, eaten well,  functioned well.  I've never seen my daughter so ill and I didn't care about me.

But now, I think things may be looking up. I'm hoping that life begins to return to normal here soon. We all need it to. For now, I am going to revel in the watching my kids actually crack a smile for the first time in days and for finding a few moments of balance in today...even if it took me an extra day to get here.

And for this, I am thankful.

Little Magic Pills

I can't believe how long, lanky thin Sofia looks. This stomach bug and ear infection has really taken a toll on her.

After nearly 36 hours of not being able to keep even a few milliliters of fluid down, the pediatrician prescribed a dissolvable Zofran pill to relieve the nausea and vomiting. I think it's finally beginning to work as it's been nearly 5 hours since the last rendezvous with the special white bowl on the couch.

Thank goodness for this little magic pill! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it does it's job all night so the four of us can get a little sleep.

Year 2 Starts With A Barf...err, Bang!

I'm going to be honest: the last 24 hours have been BRUTAL. Our kids are siiiiiiick. Thankfully, Nico was on the tail end of his stomach bug, but Sofia came roaring into the picture with full force AND a double ear infection. Chris and I had to divide and conquer in order to make it through night -- he on the couch with Sofia and the barf bowl and me in our room with a toddler who refused to sleep.

Around 3 a.m. I heard Chris shouting for me from the living room because he saw a shadow of something standing on the kitchen table dancing around. But it was no shadow...it was Nico! When I dozed off, he  escaped from our room and climbed up the chairs to create a stage our of the dinner table. Stinker! I quickly scooped him up and finally calmed him down enough to fall asleep for a few hours.

Sofia was a trooper all day. I haven't seen her this sick in a long time. She even fell asleep on the exam table at the doctor's office!

More than anything, I am glad that I have a partner during this crazy time. What essentially could have been World War III, was much more manageable thanks to teamwork. Being a parent is no easy task -- especially when kids are sick! I'm so thankful I don't have to do it alone. :)

Day 365: A Day Just Like Any Other

I'm not sure what I expected when I woke up today.

I came out of the bedroom to the normal Sunday routine and "normal" continued throughout the day. I thought I might feel different today, but I don't.  It's my 365th day of posting! Shouldn't there be fireworks or confetti or flowers or something?


Nope. It's just another day. A Sunday. A day that my kids are fighting fevers and a stomach bug. A day, that despite fighting fevers and stomach bugs, we still played outside in the super awesome snow fort that Chris and our neighbor built in the 20 inches of snow we got over the weekend. A day that the house was cleaned and disheveled no less than 5 times.

A day that just so happens to be my 365th day of gratitude.

Holy cow. I've never stuck to a goal like I have this one in my life. Aside from marrying the love of my life and creating two amazing children with him, this is quite possibly one of my most proud accomplishments. It's because of my incredible husband and children that I could even dream of refocusing my life for the last 365 days as I did.

Today is a day just like any other. And today, I am simply thankful. What an experience this has been!

On to Year 2... :)

Day 364: Only Up From Here

There's something about holding a brand new baby that just makes all the wrong in the world dissolve. As I held my friend Andrea's new son today, I couldn't help but think about what an incredible life this little boy is going to have. So much to look forward to, dreams to be fulfilled and journeys to experience! Seriously, being a baby has got to be the best gig in the world! :) Everything only goes up from there.

It was so wonderful catching up with my dear friend and holding the newest addition to her family today. And for this, I am thankful.

Day 363: Just Right

It was an awesome day. Between school being called off, an impromptu visit from my friend Carrie and then lasagna dinner to follow, today was just the right way to end the week.   And for this, I am thankful. 

Day 362: Hello there, long weekend.

Meteorology in Colorado is nothing short of inaccurate. Those mountain ranges are tricky! :) However, the weather hunters have seemed to get this giant storm right and school for tomorrow has already been canceled! Woo hoo! The snow is coming down at an unbelievable pace and we are predicted to get anywhere from 15"-24" of snow. I don't care if we end up with 2". It is just such a nice feeling to get ready for bed tonight knowing tomorrow I don't have to wake up before the sun does.

And for this, I am thankful.

Day 361: Friends with Benefits

Each day my children get dressed, bundle up and head off on their merry way thanks to the help of many wonderful friends. No, it's just me who follows the kids out the door, but it is our loving friends who have passed on countless items of clothing to them. These kids are set! Shoes, boots, jackets, pants, sweatshirts...you name it, friends have passed it along. Sometimes it simply stops me in my tracks. We are SO lucky to be involved with a network of people who care so deeply about our children. Plus, it's fun to pass our own items along to others in return. 

Back when I was in high school and college, my girl friends and I would hold "benefits". We'd gather at someone's house with items of clothing we were tired of and trade. Instant shopping spree free of cost! While I don't typically do this type of "benefiting" anymore, it's really cool to see how it's all evolved based on the needs and stations of our lives. 

It's all become a big cycle. We all benefit. :) And for this, I am thankful.

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!***