I stayed home sick today. No fun. But, the one shining light about today was being snuggled underneath my covers and watching crappy TV. Getting to watch television uninterrupted -- getting to do anything uninterrupted -- is so rare. I didn't care that the afternoon was filled with B Grade movies. It was just me, the remote, and a box of kleenex.
Today, I rested...really rested. And for this, I am thankful.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Day 24: The Nap Blanket
Today I feel awful. Nico is sick too. So, in a rare moment of rest today, I snagged the "nap blanket". Don't lie...we all have one. Mine is this amazing down blanket that is super soft. It's the kind of blanket that makes you forget that there is a world that exists around you. It's simply divine.
For about 30 minutes, I was able to rest and relax under my blanket. And for this, I am thankful.
For about 30 minutes, I was able to rest and relax under my blanket. And for this, I am thankful.
Day 23: Clean Hands
What I am thankful for today is something simple: a clean, car door handle.
Today was a busy day filled with lots of errand running and random tasks. One stop included a run through our neighborhood car wash. After days of opening my car door with a dirty, nasty, gritty handle, I gripped the handle this afternoon without having to wipe my hands down promptly afterward. It caught me off guard how much I appreciated not feeling dirty after just trying to get into my car. That was a nice feeling. Simple and nice.
Today was a busy day filled with lots of errand running and random tasks. One stop included a run through our neighborhood car wash. After days of opening my car door with a dirty, nasty, gritty handle, I gripped the handle this afternoon without having to wipe my hands down promptly afterward. It caught me off guard how much I appreciated not feeling dirty after just trying to get into my car. That was a nice feeling. Simple and nice.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Day 22: Yes, please.
If there's one thing I appreciate about my husband, it's that he knows how to anticipate many of my needs and wants.
After a long, busy week both at work and home, there was nothing better than to arrive at our favorite neighborhood restaurant this evening to find a drink and tasty appetizers already waiting at the table. Both were delicious and we proceeded to have a great family dinner.
A husband who knows me and an hour just as a family...for this, I am thankful!
After a long, busy week both at work and home, there was nothing better than to arrive at our favorite neighborhood restaurant this evening to find a drink and tasty appetizers already waiting at the table. Both were delicious and we proceeded to have a great family dinner.
A husband who knows me and an hour just as a family...for this, I am thankful!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Day 21: 8:14
It is a rare evening when both of my children go to bed without 30 minutes every possible tactic to avoid going to sleep. Tonight, however, was different. Within minutes after closing the bedroom door, both kids were asleep.
By 8:14 p.m. I sat quietly on my couch.
Quiet. That was nice.
By 8:14 p.m. I sat quietly on my couch.
Quiet. That was nice.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Day 20: A is for AVID
There are definitely benefits to working in a school with one of your best friends. Not only does it make the day fun with quick visits in the hallway or copy room, but also, a genuine openness to try new strategies and tools in the classroom exists.
My friend Dawn is quite possibly one of the most talented teachers I have ever seen. She is creative, brilliant, rigorous, relevant in her instruction, and genuinely cares about the success and future of her students. That being said, Dawn is always willing to try new things to help her students gain an edge in education.
Today, she let me come and work with her 6th, 7th, and 8th AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students so that they could learn how to use Google Docs. This is where my thanks come into play. First of all, spending a day watching my friend truly make teaching into an art form was simply awe-inspiring. I learned so much just from watching her! So for this, I am thankful. Beyond the observation, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to share and teach kids something that I am truly passionate about. The kids were energetic, interested, and could hardly contain their excitement to play with Google Docs themselves!
It's teachers like Dawn that truly make a difference in education. She models what it means to try new things to her students and is honest about the challenges ans rewards that come from taking risks. I am lucky to have her as a friend and honored to be able to teach in her presence.
My friend Dawn is quite possibly one of the most talented teachers I have ever seen. She is creative, brilliant, rigorous, relevant in her instruction, and genuinely cares about the success and future of her students. That being said, Dawn is always willing to try new things to help her students gain an edge in education.
Today, she let me come and work with her 6th, 7th, and 8th AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) students so that they could learn how to use Google Docs. This is where my thanks come into play. First of all, spending a day watching my friend truly make teaching into an art form was simply awe-inspiring. I learned so much just from watching her! So for this, I am thankful. Beyond the observation, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to share and teach kids something that I am truly passionate about. The kids were energetic, interested, and could hardly contain their excitement to play with Google Docs themselves!
It's teachers like Dawn that truly make a difference in education. She models what it means to try new things to her students and is honest about the challenges ans rewards that come from taking risks. I am lucky to have her as a friend and honored to be able to teach in her presence.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
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!
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.
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.
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| A beautiful day in the "neighborhood" 2/21/11 |
Sunday, February 20, 2011
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.
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. :)
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