Grateful Spring

Here it is July 3rd and I have not posted since March.  I have had a few long talks with myself about this...agonizing talks, with lots of excuses and then some reflection and then some realization...here is what I came up with that helped me figure this all out...I blogged for 365 days in 2010 (that was my goal) and I accomplished it and am very proud of myself.  I struggled to figure out if I would continue in 2011 and if I would continue, what would be my purpose this year?  Why would I feel the need to continue blogging daily?  Would not doing the grateful daily impact my life positively or negatively. So, as you can tell I made it to March and I am happy about that. 

This spring was interesting.  Lots of rain, little sun and very busy with family, work and home.  All in all there is much to be grateful for; I just didn't blog about it.  Many times I have thought about "if I was blogging today, what would I be grateful for?" and "am I repeating my blog titles/ideas?"...sometimes I am very grateful for not blogging and getting the "have to do it" off the table but yet as we all know, when you a goal is set and a focus is maintained for a purpose, well it impacts your life and blogging daily for 365 days about what I am grateful for greatly and positively impacted my life.  It was a very good thing! 

I miss it, yet I feel I can step away from it and continue being grateful without typing it out daily.  Although I did feel that if Oprah read my blog in 2010 she would tell me "good job" and now she would ask me "why did you stop?"  Ha!  Like Oprah reads my blog.  But I did think about her a few times whilst blogging. 

So, I have come to this conclusion.  The grateful daily was always just for me, for my peace of mind, my soul, my inner growth and it served its purpose; very well.  I now know what it can do for me and now I can use that along with the fact that I need balance between daily and not-daily. 

I will continue to be grateful everyday.  I will purposefully take the time to be grateful every day and remember why and who and what and say thank you.  If I am near a computer then I will blog about it, if not I will try and remember, if that does not work, then when a computer is handy I will get to it when I can.  I will not feel super guilty about it and I will work being grateful daily into my life, making balance. 

I am grateful for Paul, for challenging me to do a 365 blog.  Thank you Paul.

I am grateful for the peace of mind that comes from knowing, enough is enough with this path and I am willing to embark in a new (somewhat lateral) direction. 

I am grateful daily, you may just not know all about it now.  Thank you for listening and reading; please keep checking in, your support and comments have always been extremely comforting. 

Friends

I have already missed some friends' birthdays this year on my blog.  I have thought about posting how grateful I am for them...but I did that last year and that seems weird. 

I can say that the friends that I have in my life are the best!  I could really just blog about my friends and family everyday. 

Thanks friends.  I am truly grateful for you each and every day of my life.

Spaghetti

I am grateful for the yummy dinner (this time it was some awesome spaghetti) my mom made for my kids, Troy's kids and me!  It was a hectic night and I love how she helps us out...again and again. 

Thanks MOM!

Warm(ish) Winter(ish) almost Spring(ish) Day

Enough that we could walk to the park and enjoy the much needed fresh air together! 

And...my baby walked to the park and back today!  All. By. Himself!

Science

Love doing science experiements and exploration with my 2nd graders!  They are so interesting to watch as they learn, hands on and with squeals of laughter and delight!

Rowland Road Run

Love that Beth, Audrey and Maddie all walked their first 5K...and I was there with them!

End of the Week

Sometimes Fridays don't come soon enough. 

Sometimes just thinking about Saturday morning sleeping-in is the best thing about waking up Friday morning.

Gwyn

9.2
21 1/2
11:39 pm

We are so very grateful for her sweet face, bright eyes and soft skin.

Welcome Gwyneth!

Baby-on-the-Way

Any day a friend's baby could be born!  We are waiting...and waiting and waiting...patiently!

I am grateful (most times) that I am done having babies. 

March

In like a lion and out like a lamb!

I am looking forward to nicer weather and some sunshine! 

Learning

I love that I am learning from my student teacher.

She is kind, thoughtful and sweet...to the kids, the staff and to me.

Each morning she greets me with a good morning and "what can I do for you" and ends each day with "anything you want me to do?"

I am so spoiled! 

I am so grateful!

Relaxing

A great day to relax and enjoy the children at home.

Those days seem few and far between and when they sneak up on ya...well, it is very easy to be grateful for the time spent with my kids!

Jamie and Heather

Happy 40th to them both! 

Great friends with wonderful husbands and some awesome kids!  I am looking forward to another 40 years with these wonderful ladies!

Happy Birthday Jamie...2/25
Happy Birthday Heather...2/27

Easy Day

When I am in pain, not feeling up to par and the kids at school are awesome...it makes for a very easy day!  And well, for that I am very grateful!

Snow

I think it will be our only day this year and it was a great day for us all! 
Zac's first time to play in the snow and he had a blast! 

I am grateful for the quietness of the snow and the beautiful time my boys had in the snow!

Nurses and Doctors

Thanks so much for the kind care and great day at surgery.

Nice People

Grateful for nice people and their willingness to make things all work out.

(Thanks Lora!)

Valentine's

It was a great day.  Full of love and nice things to say to each other.  The classroom party was fabulous with tons of help from all my parents! 

When the day is about a day of love and kindness, it is hard to not be full of love and kindness all day long!

A Whole Week

I am going to look back on this month of February and think...where did it go? Why didn't I blog?  But I am going to say right now, I have been busy, we have been busy.

I am going to blog that I am grateful for the week of a busy life, full of things to do, people to see and places to visit.  We lived.  We laughed.  We loved. It is not too cliche, it is real life and I am very grateful for it. 

Spiderman

My husband just told me that I can't blog about him, he "enjoys his secret identity too much".  I was like, who...Superman?  He let me know, that it was "Spiderman.  Thank you very much!"

He is my hero and I am thankfor for him. 

My husband.

Not Spiderman.

Saturday Treat

Lounging in PJ's until almost 2 pm...playing with Zac, watching TV, talking with the hubby...not doing laundry, not doing dishes, not cleaning, not doing anything! 

What a treat. 

I am truly grateful for days like this.

Smells

Running outside.
As I am running I notice the different smells in the air,
BBQ,
Laundry,
Water,
Gas,
Exhaust,
Perfumes,
Grass,

Life. 

5 miles

Last year (almost to the day) I posted on my Journey blog that I ran two miles without stopping and today...well it was five miles! What a trip!  I am very grateful for all the family and friends who have supported me along this journey.  It has been just over a year and I am still going strong.  Thank you!

Busy

Busy again...busy running, teaching, being a mom, being friend, being everything but a wife lately!  It feels good to be busy, but why does something have to go out the window when something new comes in the door?  I miss my hubby! 

Student Teacher

I am so thankful for student teaachers.  I love their enthusiasim and willingness to get involved and get to know the kids in the classroom.  This spring I am blessed again with a fabulous teacher-to-be! 

(Butt) Thigh-Arm Kicking

I love when my sister takes me though some sort of grueling-butt-thigh-arm kicking!  It is so gratifying when the workout is over...even if I poo-poo-ed out a bit at the end! 

Thanks seeeeeeeeeeeeeestor!  My sore muscles thank you...as doe my smaller butt, thighs and arms! 

Unwinding

I am grateful that my husband gave me some time to unwind at the beach, when I got home and through the rest of the evening. 

Best. Husband. Ever.

OSU Beaches

Love the girls. Need the girls. I am so grateful for these ladies.

The Lake

My friend Heather bought a vacation home on a lake.

Divorce

I am not thankful nor grateful for divorce, but it is a part of my personal life.  I have had to live through my parents divorce, my mom's second divorce and my dad's second and third.  Interesting. 

My niece and nephew have been living through a divorce now too.  Sad situation. 

Is there something to be grateful for amidst the sadness and pain that comes with divorce.  I am not so sure there is, but I do believe that there is something to be learned from the situation, the issues the arise and the process. 

I am not one bit happy that my niece and nephew are living through this...but I am grateful that I can share my experiences and heartaches  with them on a personal level.  I am appreciative of their feelings and insights on what they are going through at the moment. 

I am grateful that we are learning from each through the many day-today struggles and regardless of the years between our ages. 

Cold, Sunny Day

The weather can really make me happier as the day goes on.  As the sun comes out (even though it is cold) and the sky is getting brighter and brighter...well, my smile just gets bigger and bigger!  What a beautiful, sunny, coldish day! 

Husband to the Rescue

My hubby had the kids from 3-6 tonight and two other kids!  He was awesome at entertaining them and keeping them occupied.  I really appreciate him as a great dad to our kids and our kids' friends.

Snuggle Time

Because I was home with a bum toe, I was able to hang out with my baby and just play a bit and have fun...mostly on the floor but it was all worth it! 

Slowing Down

I was not ready to slow down.  I was forced to slow down.  Stupid plantar's wart.  But...it is in the process of being terminated and in that process it is making my big toe the size of my wrist.  Ouch!  Am I thankful for this?  Yes because then it will be gone.  No because I am not our running.  Overall, I am forced to slow down and ponder and be restless and realize that sitting around is not as fun as it used to me. For that....I am grateful.

Family Friends

You know the people in your life that you are so close to that they should be family but you are glad that they are not family because then it just wouldn't be the same?  Well, today we attended the memorial service for a family friend. As someone mentioned during the service, "he was a quality human being".  I am so very proud to have known Jake.  I will continue to learn from him for the rest of my life.

Moving On

Today I found out that my doctor is moving on in a forward dirction.  I am so very happy for and I am very grateful for all her years of advice, support, help and care.  I wish her all the best.

Seeing Other Runners

It makes me happy to see others running when out and running myself.  It keeps me inpired. 

CJ

He is sensitive, kind, sweet, loving and so true.  I love him with all my heart. 

I am grateful for the day he came into our lives. 

I am truly blessed! 

One Year Ago Today

January 25, 2010
I was struggling to run for 60 seconds...

January 25, 2011
I ran 4 miles without stopping. 

I am very grateful for my inner strength, my support, family, friends and the will power to keep on keeping on!

I Wub You

I will never be tired of hearing his sweet voice...my baby, "Mama, I wub you"

I wub you too Zac! 

4 Miles

Today I ran the furthest I have ever ran...and that felt great.  I was not emotional about it (like I was last week when I ran 3.5 for the first time) but instead I reflected on the run...I loved running in the wide open spaces.  I looked up, down, around and noticed things from a new perspective...a road that I have driven many, many times suddenly looks differenct when you run it. 

After a year of running, why have I not noticed this before?

Room

I love that I am a part of a book club.  I used to think it was something old ladies did...but now I think it is something to do.

Father of My Children

I appreciate the way he loves them and cares for them.  And knows them.

Friend

I love that my husband is my friend.

Husband

I appreciate his patience.

A New Perspective

I have new way of looking at the gym.  It is better than before. 

I appreciate the words from someone that I never expected.

Jake

Last night a great man died so today this is for him.

Jake married our long time family friend, Joanne.  Joanne has lived on the Umpqua river for about 150 years...really.  She even says it herself.  Jake and Joanne-Joanne and Jake...either way it was their place. It was our place to visit.  It is a place to love.

 I have been on that river almost every year of my life...almost. Sometimes we go to the river more than once a year so...on an average I have been there almost every year of my life.  I love that river.  That river is what inspired me to start blogging.  My very first blog is about that river. 

Jake lived on that river.  Jake was a part of those visits.  Jake knew my family.  Jake knew my kids.  How can the river be without Jake? 

Jake was funny.  He liked telling dirty jokes.  Jake had a twinkle in his eye that was funny, sweet and kind.  Jake let me ride his four-wheeler (all the time) and was always helping out.  I would help him clean up his computer.  I think I got the better end of the deal.

Jake took Carlos fishing.  Jake took Carlos golfing.  Jake took CJ on four-wheeler rides.   Jake and Joanne gave Zac his first birthday present on his first birthday because we celebrated Zac's birthday at the river.  I will cherish that toy and picture for a lifetime. Jake could be counted on to have the right tool, know where the right thing was or go get it.  He was always getting stuff for us, for the campfires, for the river...from the house on his four-wheeler.  He was our go-to man.  He was a kind man.  He called Joanne...Joseph.  And that was sweet. 

Jake will be missed.  I will miss him.  My family will miss him. The river will miss him. 

Stormy Beach

I love a stormy beach; giant waves, sideways rain and high winds.  It makes it really exciting to watch but not to exciting to not be able to get out.  It is the Oregon coast.

My Peeps

Laughing at the beach with my peeps makes me so happy.  I love their candidness, point of view, their stories, their laughter and I am very grateful for their friendship.

Here is to another nine years of fun!

Brutal Facts

It is going to be a rough year financially for public schools.  I am not sure how it is all going to pan out, but it may just get really bad.  The brutal facts are that we, as a nation, have put more money into a war than we do into education.  I am grateful for our public education but I am annoyed with our nation working within an archaic system.  One of my favorite quotes is, "put a good teacher in a bad system and the system will win every time."

My Kids

I love them. I think they are fabulous. I appreciate them and am grateful for everything they teach me.

I am so blessed.

Glee

I love it!  I love that I watch it with my husband.  I love that he loves it. 

I appreciate that he does not want to watch it until we can watch it together. 

Awwww. 

Staff Meetings

I think they are necessary.  I am not necessarily grateful for them. but I do enjoy getting together and hearing what is going on, what others are doing and just being a part of the pack.  I like being involved on a team.  I miss that aspect of high school sports (never made it to the college level).  I am grateful that I enjoy where I work. 

It is 1-11-11 and that is really cool!

Compliments

People give me compliments about my oldest son and it is very appreciated.  I do believe them and I do think he is a great guy and I do love that others notice how wonderful he is! 

Lots of Posts

I have noticed that a lot of my posts lately have been about running.  I know that it is a part of my life now and something I enjoy doing with my friends and independently. But...I really think that I need to branch out and blog gratefully about some other people, places and things in my life.  I am very grateful for all the time spent, miles logged, strength gained...but I need to have balance this year.

Balance.

2011 is all about balance.

Not Taking Life for Granted

What a terrible trategy today in Arizona. 

Senseless.
Horrific.
Life-changing.

How do we start talking to each other's hearts?

Disagreeing and not seeing-eye-to eye with someone should not also include disrespecting that person and hatred.  It should include compassion and tolerance. 

Where is this hatred coming from?

How do resolve conflict without violence? 

Dinner with Family

Tonight we went to my sister's house for dinner...first time in her new house with her roomate and a sit-down dinner.  Yummy food, great conversationa and of course a very active Zac to entertain us all.  (CJ was at Mimi's house) 

I am grateful for my sister for a variety of reasons...but for today...she is a fabulous cook, lovely hostess and very fun auntie! 

Blame

Blaming the husband makes me feel better because well, clearly "it" is never my fault.  Right?
Well, after time passes and the situation has been assessed...well, I am to blame. 

I did apologize profusly.  I admitted it was totally my fault.  I was not happy.

What I am grateful for today?  How can a day where I blamed my husband be a good day?  How can I appreciate something from this situation?

This is what I have come up with...

I am grateful for realizing that I can be a dork, idiot, self-rightous and controling!  Not all the time and not in that order, but this one time, today at 5:25 PM, I was to blame.  100%

Snow

I am ready for it...but will it arrive?

I love the peace of snow.

I love the crunch of snow.

I love the white of snow.

I would be really grateful if it snowed!

Trio

Miranda, Hayley and I went for a run today.  It felt great to be back with the original trio.  Started this way and have missed running with them...both!

I appreciate Hayley and Miranda's willingness to come to my house and go for a run...again, again, again, again and again!

Back to Routine

It felt good to get back to work today, a routine, a bit of the same again.  I have to admit it makes me a bit frustrated when I hear things like "oh, back to the grind", "oh, I could use more of a vacation", "ugh!"...but at the same time I am thinking and sometimes even saying the same thing!  I am just wanting someone else to lift me up!  Oh well, can't always get what ya want...

I am thankful for being back to work, back to being around my friends and back to teaching.

I am very thankful for my career and paycheck this 2011!

Reruns

I might have some of the same posts as 2010, but just like any good rerun it will be a great time to see something new in the same. 

I am grateful for this blog, this time to reflect and the positive feedbacks it gives me. 

Happy New Year

1-1-11

2011 is here! 

If is full of possibilities; it has got potential!
I am ready for it!

Bring.  It.  On. 

I am grateful for the past and ready for the future. 
I am grateful for the history and ready to make a new history. 

Welcome 2011!