December 13 - Monkey

Today our wonderful Monkey turns 5.  Five years of this wonderfully unique and immeasurably precious little girl.

For any mom I think the moment your first born baby takes it's first breath is a moment that is literally unforgettable.  It was for me. I remember it so clearly.  And when I close my eyes and remember her tiny, warm body laying on my chest I well with tears.  Oh that sweet bundle instantaneously kidnapped me, smothered me, and ground my heart into fairy dust.  Oh that little baby, my Monkey, changed me and she renamed me "Mom".  Precious she is, and cherished always.

Monkey is bright.  Brown hair, blue eyes, spunky and giddy.  She is enthusiastic.  VERY. ENTHUSIASTIC.  She jumps and wiggles and does the hokey-pokey whenever she has something to share.  She is a joker.  I foresee that in the coming years I will be the brunt of many-a-practical joke.  She is proper when she wants to be and detail oriented.  Her memory is sharp and her use of a napkin (na-kim) is a thing to behold.

She loves eggs and toast, nuggets and dip, carrots, broccoli, pizza, meatballs, and cookies.  Well, all sugar really.  "Special Treats" as she refers to them.  She can woof down a piece of cake or cookie or pie before I can put the spatula down and walk to my seat. 

Monkey loves Pipsqueak.  I mean, LO-HUVES her.  They are best friends and though they have their disagreements, they LOVE like sisters too.  She takes care of her little sister and looks after her.  She tells her what to do too.  She loves to tell Pip what to say when they're playing pretend.  It's rather funny.  She sings Pip songs before naps or bedtime.  She is content to have one sister since she is the best sister. (Love this)

As any mother can attest the list I could write on my child seems endless.  I'm so grateful to be her mom, to have the opportunity to nurture, mold, prune, and love on this little person.  I'm still finding it hard to believe she's reached this milestone of turning 5, but she has and boy, am I glad.

Day 30: Thanksgiving Month

Finale.  All morning I've been mulling over in my head what I should say today.  Nothing profound, nothing witty, nothing quippy comes to mind. What remains is sincere gratitude for the hard work this month has been.  It's been such an amazing exercise to sit at my desk every day and think on things to be grateful for.  By the end of this post I will have listed 400 things, small and great, that I thank God for.  That's 400 things that I go about my day on the usual month and don't acknowledge as a gift.  Or maybe it's not that I don't acknowledge, but that I don't always acknowledge as a gift.  Most days (well, everyday) I thank God for Handsome and Monkey and Pipsqueak, but I really don't give much consideration to my toothbrush nor the behemoth pack of Costco toothpaste in my closet.

Here's the question I'm thinking over:  Do I continue on this blog?  I sure hope so.  I may not make it everyday but I want to continue to cultivate a heart of gratitude.  How will this look?  We'll see.  I'm hoping to open up the forum here for others to write too.  If you're looking for an avenue to write, please let me know!  Most importantly, if you have anything wonderful you'd like to "Give Thanks" for, I will post it!

Tomorrow is December 1.  The beginning of the countdown to Christmas.  This is what we all are most thankful, right?!  The Son of God coming to earth.....

381.  Compact Mirrors
382.  Make up
383.  Proactive Facewash
384.  Face lotion
385.  Clean Bathroom!!!!
386.  Monkey singing naptime songs to Pip
387.  Pics of my nieces
388.  Christmas Decorations out in the house
389.  Pancakes for lunch
390.  Orange juice mixed with cranberry juice (and a splash of zeltzer)
391.  I had fish sticks in my freezer last night when I really didn't want to make anything.
392.  Keeping up every day (minus one) writing on this blog
393.  Monkey still enjoys cleaning up the play room with me
394.  Both my girls told me (yesterday and today) that they want to be a mom, like me, when they grow up.  Bestill my heart!!!! (and tears still form in my eyes)
395.  Handsome going to work even when he feels sick.  What a guy.
396.  How Handsome always irons his own clothes... that is one thing I will ALWAYS be grateful that he does... and never once suggested that I should do it. Love him!  And thank you, Army, for teaching him that chore :)
397.  She's having a girl!!!  (you know who you are!!!)
398.  Grace to persevere through hard times 
399.  Friends who encourage me along the way
400.  Amazing grace to make it to #400

Day 29: Thanksgiving Month

We are on the Eve of the end of Thanksgiving Month.  Our house has a few sick people and I can't remember when I last put real clothes on.  Jammies seem to be the order of every day these days.  Coffee is flowing, sleep is not sweet, and bedtime seems to be so far away everytime I look at the clock.  All these things are true, but this I know to be truer.  There is still more to be thankful for.

361.  Breath in my lungs
362.  A Heart that beats
363.  Hair on my head
364.  Socks on my feet
365.  A Christmas Tree in my living room
366.  My collection of Nutcrackers
367.  A delivery of oranges and clementines last night
368.  Ice cream in the freezer
369.  A new trampoline for the girls.
370.  Classical Music Radio  (with the now occasional Christmas song)
371.  Creativity
372.  Sending and receiving pictures
373.  Leftover Soup
374.  Books on the shelves
375.  Lots and lots of warm scarves
376.  Lots of warm hats
377.  Plug in speakers
378.  Yummy Seltzer Water
379.  The funny things my girls say
380.  My flat iron.... I wish i had one in high school... I needed one then!

Day 28: Thanksgiving Month

"It's the little things", right?  That's what "they" say.

So here's what I'm sayin'.   Check out all these little things that I'm grateful for today.

341.  Forks, Knives, Spoons
342.  Napkins
343.  Coushions on chairs
344.  Different kinds of hairbrushes.  Some round, some square, some oval...
345.  Ready Made coffee creamer
346.  Kitchen gadgets.  Can you believe all the specialized kitchen gadgets we have out there?  Can you imagine a pioneer woman coming into your kitchen and seeing a can opener or an electric stand mixer?  Woa.  We have so much to be grateful for.
347.  Tissues
348.  Tape
349.  Carpet
350.  Space heaters
351.  Humidifiers
352.  Multiple Bibles all over the house.
353.  Bowl of hot soup
354.  Hand lotion
355.  Volume control
356.  Redbox
357.  Hot Tea
358.  Juice (in the fridge, no need to squeeze fruit myself)
359.  Monkey's paintings
360.  Pip's belly laugh.

Day 27: Thanksgiving Month

330.  Kids with mostly happy hearts this morning
331.  My dear friend who understands when I need to cancel our time together
332.  Oatmeal for breakfast... with whipped cream on top!!
333.  Snow prediction this afternoon
334.  Pipsqueak's perseverance through this cold.  Nary a complaint this morning even as the cold is turning into a cough.  She's still playing... love this kid!
335.  A new book on my ipad
336.  Handsome's continuous generous service.  Heading to the store for Milk this morning (BEFORE WORK) so that I didn't have to go out with the sick girlie.  He's just the B.E.S.T.   For realz!
337.  I'm almost done the laundry this week... I see the finish line!
338.  "Every morning that breaks there are mercies anew.  Every breath that I take is Your faithfulness proved..."
339.  Sourdough Bread rising on my counter
340.  Video chat with my mom yesterday... getting a tour of the new house!

Day 26: Thanksgiving Month

Happy "Slow Internet" Day... otherwise known as Cyber Monday.  On a day like today when we are all looking for the best deals and more things, it's good for me to remind myself of what I already have and all I have to be thankful for. 

I spent a wonderful time with my extended family yesterday.  People, this is what I'm thankful for.  The laughs, the comradery, the sense of belonging, the deep understanding that when you are alone you are not alone at all.  Blood can indeed be thicker than water and love really is all you need.  Well, love and a table full of food.  And I guess you need water too.  So love, food, and water is all you need. 

321.  Pipsqueak slept all night long
322.  Pip even looks 75% better this morning than she did when she begged to go to bed last night (at 6:15pm)
323.  Handsome's "work at home" day is today!! 
324.  caution: this may not be something I'm thankful for right now, but I'm saying it anyway.  Saying  it is half the battle, right?    Ok.....                    A sink and counter and dishwasher full of dirty dishes.         There, I said it.   I am grateful becauuuuuuse........   Life without dishes would be hard and I would be miserable.  Dishes are a gift!!  Pretty dishes are a gift.  Dishes that are my own are a gift.  I'm so grateful that I get to own dishes and feed my family on them.  See, I honestly feel better and more thankful already!! YEHAW. 
325.  Monk and Pip working together, "as a team", this morning to let the dog out.  So sweet.
326.  More coffee to fill my cup when it's empty
327.  I'm so thankful that my heart is continuing to grow in hope.
328.  A week with minimal appointments. 
329.  Wegmans :)  :)
330.  Costco :)

Now... one more cup of coffee then it's off to clean that kitchen. And probably bake a loaf of bread... and do some laundry... and some dusting.  Oh yes dusting.... and if I can fit it all in, maybe pull out some Christmas decorations! 

Day 25: Thanksgiving Month

I'm sad I missed yesterday.  However, I have no guilt as I was out and about with my dear family and dear friends for a day of fun and chopping down our Christmas tree. There was not a moment to be had at my computer.  That about sums up my list of thanks from yesterday. We'll call yesterday #311.

Today I'm able to sit at my computer again.  Not for long I think as my littlest Pipsqueak is for sure sick this morning.  By the end of our day yesterday I could tell she was coming down with something.  What clued me in could've been the extreme emotions, or the fact that she fell asleep in the car and was virtually un-wakeable.  It also is in part due to her nose running and constant sneezing.  After a long and tiresome night of waking up multiple times, I'm distracted from what I could be thankful for.  So here I go, redirecting my gaze away from the grey clouds and on to the silver lining. 

312.  Pipsqueak will get better
313.  God designed our bodies to heal themselves. So grateful!
314.  Our tree looks beautiful in our living room
315.  Today I get to see my brother, Sister (in law), nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles.  Wahoo!
315.  Veggie Tales
316.  New shows on tv that are so good that I get hooked.
317.  Music - the kind that plays in the background and becomes a soundtrack to your life
318.  Green Tea
319.  Boxes of cereal sitting in the cabinet. 
320.  Strength for today.