September 30, 2012

Today my entire family slept in until 9:00am!!!!!....and I'm thankful....

1. For my awesome brother-in-law and father-in-law who came to my rescue on Wednesday when my truck broke down while Ben was hunting. Even though I had to walk home from where the truck died--with two kids in tow--Johnny came over later that night to diagnose (bad fuel pump). Then, he took me to my mom's house for the night and then went back with my FIL to tow the truck to my house. Thursday night, they both came out late, with a new fuel pump, and stayed until it was fixed. Not only am I thankful that they were able to help while my husband wasn't, I'm thankful that we didn't have to fork out the money for the pump (it'll be an early Christmas present!)

2. For a day off. Well, if I'm being technical, 3 days off. For some reason, the district gave us the Friday before parent teacher conference off instead of the Friday after (lame), so I got to stay home on Friday with my cute kids. Erich came to snuggle with me early in the morning (Ben was still hunting), Lana woke only once at 5am and went right back to sleep. None of us woke up again until 8:30. That was so heavenly! After taking our time getting ready and finishing some housework, I packed us all up and went to the zoo. It was a lovely day, made even lovelier when Ben got home and I didn't have to sleep another night alone in my house (I hate sleeping here alone!).

3. For my mom....again. She's so generous, supportive, and has helped me survive this last month. I partly feel embarrassed that I have to use her help for just about everything right now, but mostly I'm just so grateful that she's willing to help. I love you, mom!

4. For the General Relief Society conference last night. Ben's aunt, Linda, got tickets from her stake this year and invited a bunch of the girls in the family to go. I went down with my cute sister-in-law, Trina, and met everyone for lunch before going to the Conference Center. It was not only a much needed 'girls night out,' but I was utterly amazed at how each talk seemed to apply to my current situation and I was deeply spiritually fed & uplifted. We were able to sit quite close to the front. It made me look even more forward to conference weekend!

5. For the fall season of leaves changing and cooling temperatures. I love driving in the valley and looking at the beautiful leaves. If possible, I'm trying to convince Ben that we should take a drive up the canyon this afternoon to soak in some of the beauty before the crazy start of a new & busy week. I'm thankful to live in this beautiful state, especially at this beautiful time of year.

September 21, 2012

Today I'm not proud to admit that I ate 3 brownies, an ice cream sandwich, and a Pop Tart AND I'm thankful...

1. For my rediscovery of non-maternity clothes, namely pants I haven't worn since last fall, pre-pregnancy. I can't even tell you how excited and giddy I was this week when I put on a favorite pair of brown slacks; they fit, they didn't have annoying elastic, and dangit, I felt really good wearing them!

2. For Lana's smiles. She's smiling more and more, including during her middle-of-the-night feeding. I'm convinced she was sent here, at this time, to be my little silver-lining, my precious gift during stressful times. I literally could just gobble her up. Or put her in my pocket. I just love her.

3. That my blisters are healing. What is it with getting blisters from shoes you've worn over and over? At any rate, I've put those darn Crocs aside for now and am looking forward to wearing the new shoes my dad got me. I wore them around the house tonight and they are super comfy!

4. For friends. I don't have many, but I feel like I'm lucky to not only have good colleagues, but that many of them I consider friends.

5. That I forced myself to clean the kids' rooms, the bathroom, the kitchen AND finish Lana's laundry today when I got home. Ben had been home sick with both kids and didn't get much done. I haven't done much myself this week (since he's been home), and it felt nice to get it all done tonight, one less thing to do tomorrow.

Tomorrow we're blessing Lana at my mom's house & having a family celebration. Sunday is Ben's birthday. A busy weekend here!

September 17, 2012

Today was a really frustrating teacher day and I'm thankful....

1. That Monday's don't last forever and that tomorrow is a new day. Sometimes it's good to have day's like mine was so that when days go better, you can be thankful for them.

2. For Ben, who did the dishes and most of the laundry today while he was home. I'm getting so I really like a clean house and get kinda grumpy when it's too dirty for too long (chaos!). That saying, "When mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy?" That's true for me if my house is turned upside down. I think Ben is finally catching on.

3. For Lorraine, who watches my kids while I work. She's amazing because she not only has my two, but she has many others--including my friend's newborn, just a few weeks younger than Lana. She also teaches Erich's preschool and has already done some really fun things. I am grateful she is reliable and cares for my littles.

4. For my dad. We Skyped last night and it was fun to see him so excited to see Lana. Even though I wish he lived closer, I'm thankful that he is my children's grandpa...and spoils them with shoes!

5. For technology. I love it when it works and I can use it. Lately I've been trying to read the Book of Mormon on my iPod while I feed Lana during the night. I get a few verses in each night and can mark things I want to go back to. Of course, I love technology for things like twitter, instagram, and Words with Friends, too!

September 18, 2012

Today we had buntd cake and ice cream at faculty meeting and I'm thankful...

1. That it's Friday. I'm mentally and physically wiped. I have no more left to give this week, so I'm hanging up all my work-related stress for the weekend, trying not to worry about my home-related stress too much, and sitting back for a little extra sleep (hello, 8:30 pm bedtime?)

2. For that feeling I get when I get home and can take off my shoes! Ahhh! I'm wondering if my feet grew while I was pregnant with Lana because some of my most comfortable teaching shoes I wore last year are suddenly no bueno.

3. That I was able to get one of the counselors to transfer a few students out of my class of 43. I sent her a politely, yet begging, email explaining how awful that class is already and adding one more to the 5 students who already don't have a desk would be the end of me. She responded within the hour I sent the email and at least one of my behavior problems in that class is gone.

4. That Erich finally pooped! I know, too much information, but he's been complaining of a tummy ache for a few days and has been a little miserable. I've tried juice, but that didn't seem to help and finally tonight, he did it and felt instantly better! I hate when they hurt and I feel helpless!

5. For prayer. It's been my rock lately, more so than ever before. I know it works. I know it helps. I know HE is listening. And I have faith that my prayers will be answered....eventually.

September 12, 2012

Today I sneakily convinced my yearbook staff to pick my favorite theme/cover design and I'm thankful...

1. For the sunrise I witnessed on my way to work. I was a little later than normal, stuck in morning traffic, and that sun completely brightened my morning.

2. That my students were taking district-mandated tests in the computer lab---not thankful they were testing (I have a myriad to give this year!), but thankful that it gave me a chance to get semi-caught up in my grading load!

3. For leftovers. Between the three of us in this house who eat regular food, I'm pretty much the only one who eats...regularly. Ben hasn't had an appetite for months and goes a significant amount of time between meals; Erich has become a little picky and only eats what I require him and no more ("5 bites!"). Consequentally, there's always leftovers. And leftovers means making my lunch each night is a cinch!

4. For Erich's new "homework time" where the two of us sit at the table, go through his pre-school papers and review & practice. He's already learned letter A, the colors brown & yellow, and today, numbers 1 & 2. For each letter, his teacher has made up a little song, so we've been singing "Oh, Ally Aligator" for the last week. He's so smart and I love to see him (& help him!) trace his letters and numbers!

5. For a moment of calm before the chaos that is bedtime. I took the kids outside just as the sun was making it's way down behind the mountains to the east. Lana Lou & I swung on our porch swing while Erich rode his scooter. He spent the first 10 minutes calling for our neighbor girl to come out to play ("Oh, Jennaque!") Just as it was time to go in, Jennaque came out and everything went down hill...he cried from the time he had to say goodbye until he fell asleep at 8:00!

September 11, 2012

Today I discussed 9/11 with my students, who were 2 years old in 2001 and I'm grateful....

1. For my oldest brother, Eric, whose birthday is today. I was thinking about him all day and when I finally got around to calling him at 8, he didn't answer so I left a message. He called me back shortly after and it was a good, short chat. He's the best oldest brother and I know that he loves and cares about me, even though we don't see each other or talk much.

2. For my amazing, super woman, mom. She's been such a huge help since I returned to work, taking one day off a week to watch my babies, do my laundry, and provide a nice home cooked meal. Last night was the icing on the cake because she had my kids sleep over at her house so I could have a full night sleep...and get to work super early to get caught up! She'll never know how much she helps me. Thanks, mama!

3. That I have amazing friends at work...people who are patient, helpful and experts at what they do. I know I couldn't survive working at that place if I didn't have them as colleagues.

4. For people who apologize and mean it. There was a mix up today at school with using the library; I had previously arranged to bring students down to check out books, but was 'booted' when the reading students had to do testing. I was totally flexible and came up with a solution and had basically forgotten about it, but the new librarian came in to my room---he's super busy--to apologize for the mistake. He seemed sincere and it meant a lot.

5. For my little family. I was so excited to see my kiddos today when my mom brought them  home. Erich was all smiles and Lana is just too cute for words. I enjoyed a little snuggle session with them on the couch before getting down to the business of the evening. And it felt good to have Ben home early because he gave me a good, long hug and I needed on.