The Grateful Daily

It has been a year.  My 365 blog has come to an end.  How do you end a 365 blog? Where do I go from here?  A new 365 blog? 

This blog has changed my life.  Seriously.  In small day-to-day ways and on a much grander scale; like universe-big-change.

Why do I say this?

Well, when I make a conscience effort to write about what I am grateful for EVERYDAY, it made me think of my life on a whole new level.  On the really tough days I had to search for something to be grateful for AND on the great days I had to search for something to be grateful for...out of the many to choose from.  I think that when I put out into the universe, to God, to life...the things that I notice in my own life and I am truly grateful for them, well it send out a good vibe, good karma.  It made me think differently.  It made me look differently.  It made me think and look at life, love and happiness more positively and more respectively. 

I can go back and read my writing this year and remember each and every day through my post...that is quite remarkable.  I am proud to have remembered a whole year of my life; day-by-day.  The big picture of a whole year is not lost, but neither is my daily life forgotten by the big picture.  It makes me smile.

Do I need to quit my 365 blog? 

I don't think I do.

Can I just call it my Grateful Daily blog...for another 365 days? 

I think I just made my decision. 

2010 you have been good to me.  It has been a great and fun ride.  It also has been a bumpy and rough ride.  Overall I am truly grateful for the things I have learned along the way.  It will most definitely be a year remembered, and remembered well. 

I look forward to 2011 and all that it has to offer; more good, more positive and more learning.  I look forward to more love, light, joy and happiness.  I look forward to another year of life; being with my boys as they grow and learn; being with my husband as he starts a new chapter in our lives; being in the moment and enjoying time spent. 

Welcome 2011! 

Early Sushi

We have been doing dinner with the Early's for a few years...their place, our place sometimes out, but always fun!  Tonight we made sushi rolls (again) and they turned out the BEST!  Julie spent two hours rolling and I spent two hours frying shrimp and asparagus tempura.  Yum-Yum!

I love the time we spend with Julie and her family, they are really great, fun people.

Fairy God-Mother

When CJ was just four days old we went to my mom's house and her friend Lynda was there...she promptly asked to be his fairly god-mother. What a lovely and wonderful idea.

When Zac was born and she met him for the first time, she was introduced as his fairy god-mother.

Lynda is the perfect fairy god-mother...she is lovely, beautiful, says yes all the time, gives them tons of love and attention and is super sweet. 

Every kid in the world needs their own fairy god-mother!

Closet/Bedroom Clean Out

Two boy's rooms...done.
1 of 2 closets...done.

Office area...not done, but on the list for tomorrow.

Cleaning feels good.  Taking our old treasures to others feels good too.

I am so very grateful for this time at home to clean up, clean out and get ready for the new year.

Computer Catch Up

I am so grateful having the time to catch up on all the computer stuff...load pictures onto my digital photoframe, clean up files, organize folders, play a few games, delete old stuff and just out with the old.

It is nice to have days with no agenda.  Just to be and enjoy the slower pace of a very rainy day.

20 Years

We watched the wedding video from 20 years-ago of our friends. 

Carlos was just 21 and I was just 19!  He wore a very "nice" sweater and some very large red glasses! Not sure about the glasses. I had some some "great" hair and "natural" looking makeup!  Yikes!

What a marvelous trip down memory lane.  We were laughing, crying, shouting names and remembering that wonderful day! 

• What a treat to see and hear my grandparents talk and give advice on the wedding video! 
• What an adventure to see Anna and Carlos dancing together; she would have been 11 (almost the same age CJ is now!) 
• How crazy that my mom, sister and I were all wearing white shirts and navy blue jumpers...ahh, the outfits!  

We sure had a wonderful time 20 years ago and tonight.
It was truly wonderful to remember the love surrounding them 20 years ago; the people who came to celebrate. 

Happy 20th Anniversary Todd and Dani! 

Merry Christmas

I am very grateful for the calm and wonderful Christmas day with my family. 

Perfect!

Christmas Eve

Anna and I went to the Christmas Eve church service; just the two of us.  It was wonderful to join in with the Ryan's and his parents.  Then, my brother and niece showed up.  What a Christmas treat to sing songs and hear the Christmas story with my siblings.  Wonderful.

Every time we go to the Christmas Eve service I am transported back to when we were kids and listening to my grandpa sing Silent Night in Swedish each year.  Ahhh, happy, loving and sweet memories. 

Tamale Party

Nate and Trina throw a fabulous, super-fun and yummy tamale party each Christmastime.  It is always filled with lots of fun, laughing, talking, catching up and hanging out with his parents...great friends, great times! 

God Parents

Zac and CJ's God-Parents are some of our closest, dearest, oldest and cherished friends.  We do a lot of things with Steve and Bethany and their children. 

CJ has been friends with Stevie since birth; they are like cousin-brothers...super close, they respect and love each other so much. 

When Jakie was born I had the pleasure of being there and snapping some great pictures. 

They have been at the dedication of both of my kids, hosted countless dinners, watched numerous movies together...the list goes on and on. 

So, when they told us that they were going to get CJ a DS for Christmas it was no big surprise to us.  (CJ lost his Gameboy about 2 years ago...they his DS about a year ago and we have flat refused to buy him another one for a long time.) 

Last night we had dinner at their house, frosted cookies, played, lit the Advent candles and each child read about the candles for Advent.  It was a very great night.  Then we exchanged gifts.

CJ opened his present from Steve and Bethany...the DS.  He laughed.  He cried.  He laughed-cried. Fell over on the couch.  Hugged. Gushed thank yous.  Grinned from ear-to-ear.  I think he might have even passed out for a few seconds. 

Bethany said that her Christmas was complete now because she got to see so much excitement and joy from CJ...so sweet, loving and kind (that is how Bethany rolls!)

Love the Ryan family!  I appreciate their kindness, lovingness to our boys and their rock-solid friendship.

Merry Christmas!

Zac Playdate

Zac ended up having an unexpected play date today.  It was so incredibly sweet. 

I am very grateful for my friends Lynn and her most wonderful, awesome, sweet, kind and loving boys. 

My Boys

I love them with all my heart. 
They are loving and kind.
They are funny.
They play well together.
They are my pride and joy. 
I love them, appreciate them and am very grateful for them.

First day of winter vacation.

They are driving me crazy today.

Under the Weather

When I am not feeling well, it sure is nice to take a nap and have my husband help out.

Again, I apprecite him and my family. 

A Funeral

Today I went to a funeral.  It was a celebration of life.  It made me think (again) how fragile this life we lead is and how living a life dedicated to others is really the only way to live life. 

Living means giving and loving. 

Living means acting and doing.

Living means kindness and caring.

Living from the heart.

Living means learning. 

Keeping it Real

Miranda keeps it real for me.

I appreciate that about her.

Grasshopper

So, for the past 9 weeks I have been running with Amanda.  She has been doing an amazing job.  She has sweated, panted, pushed herself, thought she could not do it and well..she has done it all! 

I am so very proud of her.

Until tonight.

We went out for run with two other running ladies. 

All was well.

Until Amanda outran me! 

She was strong, sure, confident...worked her ass off! 

I am so very proud of her! 

Grasshopper surpass master.

Classroom G'ma

Last year...after almost 12 years of teaching...I had the opportunity to have a classroom grandma.  Ann was awesome.  She came in every Thursday to read with kids, write with kids and even sew up our giant stuffed animal Dasher.  We called her Grandma Ann, we all did...we all loved her so! 

This year we have Grandma Lynn...just as awesome and just as wonderful.

Wow!  We are very blessed!

Almonds

Making almonds like Grandpa Gradek used to; salty and tasty.

Thanks G'pa for all the memories.  Times like this it is easier to remember the good times over the bad.

Positives

Sure is helpful when I am having a bad day to get a smile, word of encouragement and just some overall positives to lift me out of the funk. Sometimes it comes from the unexpected...and it means so much!

Thanks! 

Christmas Vacation

Am I grateful for a movie?  Not really...but I am grateful for the laughs and lines that my son CJ and I share while watching the movie. 

I think I have heard "I love this part" about a thousand times. 

Great flick.
Great times.
Great laughs.

Kame

Turtle in Japanese, but more importantly the best food in town and this night...the location of Carlos' Christmas party.
Small, fun and very relaxed and with some magnificent food!
I am so very grateful for great friends and great food!

Laughter and Smiles

Coming home to laughter, smiles, hugs and love...best ever! 

Love my boys! 

Support

Sometimes my husband just listens and then lets me quietly be...for those times I am forever grateful!

Awesome and Supportive

That is how I describe the parents of my students.

Really.

I am extremely grateful for all that they do! 

Thanks parents!

Artist in Residence

An education foundation pays for an artist to come to our school each year and teach art to every single one of the kids in our school!  It is really, really amazing.  Each year I am in awe of their talent and the time they take with our kids. 

Thank you artist in residence!

Trimming the Tree

Not sure why it is so wonderful to put all the ornaments on the tree; maybe it is because we talk and laugh about each one and remember all the good, fun times or maybe it is because when we are all done...we turn off the lights and let the twinkle of lights reflect in my boys' eyes.  (super sappy I know...but I do love a lit Christmas tree!)

I am so thankful that my boys love to put ornaments on the tree. 

(Christmas spirit is coming...it is sneaking in)

Jingle Bell

Grateful to have had Amanda running beside me.  What a fun and exciting way to spend a Sunday morning; 5K run with friends. 

Tree

Love that we can get a Christmas tree for $15...it looks great, smells wonderful and we got to cut it down ourselves.  We go as a family with our close friends; taking pictures, laugh, get muddy and have a blast!  And it usually is freezing cold so we are all bundled up. 

I am grateful for the fresh, outdoor scent of our Christmas tree.  Welcome holiday season!

The Finish

Amanda and I finished week 9 today, 3 miles.  We are ready for the race on Sunday.

I am sooooooo incredibly thankful for Amanda and her willingness to tackle such a huge task.  She has done so really well and with a great attitude.  It has been really fun getting to know her and run with her.  I am looking forward to the next journey together...a 10K!

Camera Lady

She has been patient. (seems to be a theme this week)
She has been kind.

She has taken the time to show me many camera over the years. (yes, I said years)

Today I bought a camera.

I think she is happy.

I am grateful for her patience, kindness and time.

I am happy.

Patient Teacher

(not me today) My teacher friend next door to me more patience than almost anyone I know.  I have heard her use kindness when she really wants to scream, seen her make huge efforts for children and listened to her teach for the last 3 years (we have 3-walled, open-backed classrooms).  She is really amazing and I am very grateful for the opportunity to learn from her.