The Joy of Christmas Vacay....

Today is the first day of Christmas vacation for Ally!!!  It's crazy... I've been off since last Wednesday, so I feel like it's been a week for me... but her's has just begun!  The morning was off to a rough start... the kids like to begin with fighting... I know it's just trying to figure out what's what... and settle into their day, but that knowledge doesn't make it any easier to take really.  Ally ends up all pissed off and storming to her room once or twice... and Luke, has his feelings hurt at first and then, fights back..... we finally got through the rough start and are enjoying our morning snack:

You would never know by their smiles that they hated one another ten minutes before this.  ;-)

Yesterday... my fearless hubby set out to get some things done.  The only time he really has to take care of things is the time he takes off for vacation, so he actually enjoys the feeling of accomplishing things around here and on things, such as the car in this case, when he CAN do them.  So... off he goes in the morning to drop Ally at school... and get to some tire places to finally take care of the tire situation.

I took the car to Belle Tire last week and was given a nice $1000 estimate for four new tires.  Ugh.  He went to some other places, on recommendations... but the issue is simply the type of tires my car has (HUGE!) and the fact that it's all wheel drive and requires FOUR tires each time you replace them.  Nice huh?  

He was living in a world of denial that we had to purchase these tires.  The issue is this:  we lease our cars for this very reason.  We DON'T WANT to pay for stuff such as tires... we just want to use and abuse a car for three years, turn it in.. get a new one. That's just how we roll.  Problem this time around was that... we were HORRIDLY over miles on this car so, the wear and tear was starting to take its toll.  

So, off to Nissan he goes... to see what we can do.  Used tires maybe?  Something! The lease is up in May after all..... we aren't going to get $1000 use out of these tires!!!!  

Instead of used tires..... it turns out, we are just going to get a whole new car.  :-))))  HAHA!!!!  I love my hubby.  Turns out, we can just get bought out of our lease, cuz the car is worth what is owed and then some.... so we can get out of our lease for free... saves us oodles of money in tires and overage fees on the miles.... AND I get a new car months earlier!!!!  

This is a double bonus for me... because with Ally's activities and carting friends around, I have made the decision that I really want a third row SUV... so this gives me that extra space months earlier than I thought I would!!! Just in time for me to take five girls to a gymnastics meet in January!  And Ally's birthday.... it's just a win/win!!!!!

Scott went to every dealer in town. I love his diligence.  Everyone will give us a GREAT price for the car... but the best deal and car in town is a Honda Pilot and that's the dealer that is offering the least for the trade in..... so Scott is once again.... out and about wheeling and dealing and trying to get the best car for me.  I love him. :-)

After today, I will either have a brand new Pilot or an Acadia..... Merry Christmas to me!  :-)  Room for eight baby.... PARTY in my car!  :-)))))

Ally even got dragged around a bit yesterday after school... cuz Scott spent the entire day in town and still had places to go after she was done with school.  She was such a trooper... and is so excited to sit in the "way back" of our new car.  :-)))))  

Last night, when she got home.... Luke was so excited to see someone other than his Mommy... so they did some painting together...

As you can see... Luke is fairly addicted to his Sant (or HoHo as he calls him) jammies... we are pretty much wearing them all the time now.  At least we are getting my money's worth!!!  HAHA!!

So..... today I am trying to get things around and prepare for Dave, Mary and Maggie's arrival tomorrow!  Scott is off accomplishing greatness without kids... so he gets to do the grocery store!  Later this afternoon we are heading to Nana and Papa's to make Christmas cookies with our cousins... and the "big kids" are gonna enjoy some tequila drinks and tacos....  :-) The party before the party.  I love the holidays and opportunities to get together all the time.  

Happy, happy holidays!!!!!!

Luke is THREE!!!

What a weekend.... what a birthday!!! Whew!  Yesterday, my little man turned three years old! THREE!!! That means we're out of the terrible two's right?  :-)  It was a little rough in the beginning.... his birthday was off to a rocky start..... and here is why:

Sunday evening, my mother-in-law took Ally ice skating.  Ally's only been once or twice (maybe!) with Y Camp... so she's not exactly a great ice skater.  They went to the Optimist Ice Arena and for about an hour, Ally was doing really, really well! Then.... she took a tumble.... and smacked her head on the ice pretty badly.  She had a giant goose egg. Instant headache.  And was generally shaken by the whole thing.

She came home... and was pretty out of it.  She started to feel very nauseated.... and I couldn't get her to eat or dink anything at all. Then, she pretty much just fell asleep on the couch.  I made a call to a nurse friend of mine... who said to wake her up... keep an eye on her, but to take her in if she vomited for sure.  Of course, five seconds later, Ally woke up and vomited.

So, between the goose egg, headache, sleepiness and vomiting.... we decided we better have her checked out.  We got into the Express for Kids right away!!!  No waiting.... and she was seen immediately by none other than mine and Scott's doctor... so that felt good.  She passed her "concussion screening" and the doc saw no reason that she needed a scan or anything... she seemed quite fine.  She remembered what month it was... what was happening Saturday... she knew her parents' names.... she could add and subtract.... and she seemed just fine to him.  Us too, really... and I knew in my heart she was fine... but you never can be too safe.

She threw up two more times... in the car... hmm... still barfing?  Ugh.  It hit me that I was actually almost holding out hope this WAS a concussion cuz then it meant it WASN'T a stomach virus... and that there was no chance of anyone else getting it.  It was not looking good....

But, then, she got home... and we kept her in our room that night, checking her constantly.... and she didn't throw up again all night. No dry heaving. Nothing.  Hmmm.....

Monday morning rolls around..... It's Luke's Birthday!!!  Hooray!!!!  I get him up singing Happy Birthday all the while.  :-)  And Ally wakes up with us... saying she's feeling fine except for a slight headache.  She's hungry.  I make her toast.  She's thirsty.  I let her have a glass of water.

Luke is having birthday peanut butter toast cuz he wants to be like Ally and Scott and I are downing copious amounts of coffee because we got zero sleep the night before.  We decide to let Luke open his gifts from us:

We got him a birthday Thomas the Train car, book and Cranky the Crane (which he has been talking about for months!!!). He was pretty excited....

And... things were going so well, except for then, Ally started to feel bad again... ran to the bathroom and lost all her breakfast....  :-(

Back to bed she goes..... (our bed still)....  She's a miserable girl when she's sick.  She gets MAD at the world.... I guess I can't fault her that. It sucks to be sick!!!!!

She is so upset that she's going to miss Luke's birthday party and generally feels so terrible.  I assure her that we will not have a party without her and that we will figure something out......

In the meantime, Scott decided it's just for the best to go out and about with Luke... while I clean and deal with Ally.  I make a fabulous bleach concoction and go to work on every surface of the house... the entire house ends up smelling like an indoor pool... but I have killed whatever is in this house dammit!!  No evil bug is gonna get us down!

That was the last time Ally threw up. Thank god!!!  After that, she is able to eat some dry waffles... some goldfish crackers... and drink some Sprite.  She and I lay around and watch Elf together.  She's never seen it and is STILL laughing about the "World's Best Cup of Coffee" scene. :-)))))

Then, I take a shower and she takes a bath..... wash all the germs down the drain..... we get dressed... she chills some more..... I do some MORE cleaning....... and we think we can have Luke's little party after all.

In the meantime... Scott has run some errands with Luke... taken him out for birthday chicken nuggets... and taken him to the Toy House.... where he let's him pick out some more birthday gifts.  He chooses this animal preschool contraption... a soccer ball... and two Dora and one Diego book.  Life is good for the birthday boy!!

He comes home with all of this... and I am certain Ally is gonna blow a gasket... cuz that's what Ally usually does.  But, lately Ally has done some maturing... and she surprises me by, yes pointing out ALL that Luke got for his birthday, but not being nasty about it. Kudos Ally.  ;-)

We get ready for the birthday party... we are just having family over for pizza and cake and ice cream... and everyone arrives around 6:00 pm.  My mom and step-dad, Dave are even in town, cuz in the midst of all this chaos.... my step-sister, Crystal has had a baby girl!! Charlotte Loren.... born at 4:06 pm on Sunday, December 19th!  So Mom and Dave come in from Livonia (where they are staying - they actually LIVE in Columbia, Missouri).... Nana and Papa..... Jane, Adam and the girls.... all arrive...... we have wine... beer... lots of pizza.... and the little ones play and play.

Then, out of no where Luke comes upstairs and asks "Is it time for presents??" HAHA!!! How can you say no to that?

I didn't get a lot of great pictures, but enough to tell the story of his birthday.  More importantly, I enjoyed watching my boy enjoy his special evening with some of his favorite people.  :) He was so happy.... he got a fire engine... a Woody and his horse (what's his horse's name?) toy... an "electric guitar" and a Follow Me Thomas!  

He slept with EVERYTHING.  :-)))))  And first thing this morning... he's playing with all of it.  He is such a happy little man this morning.  

Who needs Christmas?  :-)

'Tis the Season...

I am sitting in my living room. The tree is lit up.  Christmas music is softly playing.  A candle is burning. The dogs are laying with Ally, who is on the couch, drawing on the iPad and sending "gifts" to friends and family.  Scott and Luke are downstairs watching the Lions.  All is calm. All is bright.

I am enjoying every moment of it.

All my gifts are wrapped (except for the kids').  Ally did most of the wrapping for me.  She loves to wrap... so why not? Why must all the gifts be perfectly wrapped with no seams and perfect bows?  She got so much joy out of wrapping the gifts her way... and I was happy to have her help!!!

Most of my shopping is done. All I need to do is take inventory of what I have for the kids... and decide what little things we still might need to get for them.  I am still planning on picking up a Color Me playhouse that's on Ally's list... so I need to get to Michaels and do that this week.  Other than that, I think I am all set.  It feels good. But, I can't help but feel that I forgot something. Someone. Who knows.  :-)

This is the calm before the storm that begins tomorrow.  Not a bad storm... just a stream of visitors and events... that kick off with Luke's birthday!  We have invited Grace to spend the day with us tomorrow.  Ally still has school.  Scott, Grace, Luke and I will play the day away at home... bake a cake.... enjoy the time together.  Nana, Papa, Aunt Jane, Uncle Adam, Lyla, Jilli, Auntie Kristen, Uncle Mark and Rhen will join us in the evening for pizza and birthday joy.  It will be a nice day for the little man.  He will be very happy.  I need to get balloons. That's really all he requires.  His favorite people.  Cake. Ice Cream.  Balloons.

Ally's last day of school is Tuesday... and our first day all home together is Wednesday!  I am hoping to do some baking on Wednesday!  YUM!!!!!  Christmas cookies.  Maybe fudge?  All things sweet and wonderful.

Thursday, I will take some time for me... and go to Ann Arbor. Some insane last minute shopping (there is something I need to get there... but it's a surprise!) and a trip to the salon for a much needed hair cut and COLOR! Holy grey roots!!!!

Thursday evening, my brother, David, sister-in-law Mary and niece Maggie will arrive to stay with us through the holidays.  My mom was supposed to come in as well.... but she is driving in right now, as my step-sister is in labor as we "speak!"  She is having a baby girl today... and they are naming her Charlotte.  I cannot wait to meet my new niece!

A busy week.... full of joy, family and eating.... before the excitement of Christmas day!!  Hooray!

We had a wonderful party with friends and co-workers last night.... always a good time when we get together.  It's been a wonderful holiday season so far, full of many people I love to be with..... 

Much more to come.  :-)

Christmas Programs and Other Joys...

Yesterday, Ally had her Christmas Program at school, and I must say... I was more than impressed!!!!  The music program at Queens is amazing... and those kids really embrace the entire thing and perform their little hearts out!!!  From the great voices of the children's choir... to the silly antics... to the kindergarten santas... to the first and second grade dancing reindeer.... the entire thing was enjoyable from start to finish!

I took Luke to the afternoon performance, to see how he would do.... and he sat still almost the entire time, completely mesmerized!!!  He loved it!!! He loved it so much, that I invited Grace to come to the evening show.... and I think they both had a great time watching all those kids... and especially seeing Ally!

Ally did so well!! She was right there in the front row, on the end (she said it's cuz she's one of the shortest kids and was kinda bummed by that!)... so it was easy for us and the little ones to spot her!  During the afternoon show, Luke about came out of his seat when he finally spotted her.  It was adorable.  "MOMMY!!! I SEE ALLY!!!"

She just stood there like they practiced and sang her little heart out.... remembering all the words and all the hand motions.... I was so proud of her.  She said she was nervous... really nervous... and it sure didn't show at all!  She looked confident as can be up there!

I wasn't really able to take any pictures.... between Luke sitting on my lap and the darkness of the gym.... I just couldn't get anything decent.... but snapped this one during the afternoon performance of the entire school singing the final song.... "Thank You"

It was pretty impressive to hear those 300 plus voices all singing together.... I was brought to tears at least a couple times the first time around.  They were just so adorable!!!  It was the feel good show of the season for certain!!!

Ally has an out of uniform day at school today, and an all school Christmas movie and party today... it's supposed to be a fun day.... I think very little work will get done. She was pretty pumped to go to school today and, of course, overly excited to wear her skinny jeans and tall black boots.  She is so my daughter.  :-)))))

We have been busy around here, preparing for Christmas and house guests next week!  I have the majority of the shopping done... but still picking up a few things here and there for the kids every day it seems.  I still need to do the stocking stuffers.... and then, I think I'm done.  Kind of.  ;-) Wrapping has not even begun... but, I am done with work!!!!  I do not work again until January 4th, when Ally goes back to school..... so 19 days off in a row.... a nice, nice break!!!

Scott's Christmas party with his department is tonight at Knights... and we have another with work friends of mine tomorrow night. Then, all the friend and work parties are done and the celebrations with family begin!!!!  My brother, sister-in-law and niece arrive Thursday evening!!!  They will be here with us through next Monday!  My Dad, Step-Mom and sibs will all come to visit us Christmas Eve morning and we will celebrate with them!!! Christmas Eve evening, we will celebrate with Scott's family. Christmas morning at home with my brother and family.... and then, to my Grandma's for celebrations with my Mom's side!!!  Many aunts, uncles, cousins and my grandma!!!  I am looking forward to seeing many, many family members I haven't seen in far too long!!!!

It should be a crazy, but wonderful couple of days.....  :-)

In the meantime.... poor Luke's birthday is Monday, the 20th!!!! We are just having immediate family and friends that are family, over Monday evening for pizza and cake and presents!  I hated to take up anyone's "Sunday before Christmas" for a birthday party... but will have to do things a bit bigger when he's older.  Right now, he is just as happy as can be to have Ally and "Fracie" there.  My simple boy, I love you to pieces.  

Three years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  :-)  Wow.

So very much to look forward to.... I hope you are all enjoying the joys of the season!

I Miss My Daily Thanks....

I was telling Scott last night, that after 30 days of posting what I am thankful for... I swear to you, it has become my way of life.  It's the first thing I think about each day now.  Especially in those moments when I am really SO NOT thankful.  I am constantly searching for something, anything... in the midst of crap, to really be thankful for.

I feel like, when you do something for 30 days straight... it becomes a habit. A part of you.  Routine in it's own way.  I feel like I almost snapped my brain into looking for the good in everyting.  Corny? Cheesey?  Probably.... but true... and most definitely a damn good thing!

I've always been a glass is half full, optimistic girl... but I hadn't quite examined what really made me so... or what was so great in my every day life that I should really be thankful for. And, then, I did it for 30 days straight.... and now I miss posting about it each day.  It was such a bright spot to my day.....

So, when I came across a blog post about An Experiment of Joy.... I knew this could be for me!!! We are halfway through December, I know, I know... but I want to start now... with my own version of this Joy Project....... I am going to post for the rest of the month on something that truly brings joy to my world... my heart and my life...

JOY!  I have always loved the word.  I remember choosing readings and songs and printed items based on Joy for  our wedding.  My invitation wording was "You are invited to share in the joy of...."  I like it a lot.  Life should be filled with more joy!!!!

So, you are all going to have to humor me and put up with my joy for the rest of the month!  :-)

And, if you so choose... you can join me.  I promise it won't hurt!

Green & White...

Yesterday, I was brave and took three little second graders to the Green and White gymnastics meet up at MSU!  Ally and her friends, Delaney and Kennedy, all take gymnastics together and just love it.... so I thought they would enjoy watching a college meet!  So, I picked the three of them up from school and off we went!!!!

The decided they should probably nap on the way up...

Little fakers.... there was no napping... there was only talking and whispering and giggling... but they looked angelic there for a minute. Do not be fooled.  :-)

We went to the Spartan place to eat... I can't think of the name... something Cafe?  Spartan Cafe?  I don't know... I was all MSU... the girls loved looking at all the pictures and the memorabilia they had everywhere.  The girls had chicken fingers and I had some nachos and a mojito.  YUM!!!!

They are little cheesers I tell ya!  After the meal... we made our way to Meijer, where the girls picked out a gift for the family that the gymnastics team had adopted for the Christmas season!  They were so cute trying to pick out an appropriate gift for a 10 and 12 year old girl. They decided on a game for the two of them to play and Kennedy piped in with her suggestion, her favorite, Apples to Apples... so that is what we got!

We headed to campus... and as we drove by Sparty, we saw many graduates in caps and gowns posing for pictures! I just couldn't resist... so I pulled over a snapped a couple of the girls.... 

I had to wait until I was a senior in college to have a picture with Sparty. These girls are definitely MSU bound!!!  They look awesome in Spartan Green.  :-) They thought this was a pretty cool thing to do... and I think they enjoyed the kids in caps and gowns too.  It was a gorgeous night to be out and about...

We headed across the street to Jenison and the girls were so excited to get to the meet, that they ran out of the car without me... and just busted into Jenison. They were a sight to see...

As soon as we got in, they saw the girls, and all the equipment... they could not contain themselves... their shoes were off... the were doing cartwheels and round-offs and dancing all around.

Ally, Delaney, and Kennedy... in order... beam masters!!!! They could not have had more fun running all over this gym.... tumbling... jumping on the tramp... balancing on the beam... playing on bars... and pretending to vault... really just running and stopping.  :-)

After the fun, we got to meet the gymnasts and have snacks with them! This was definitely a highlight.  All the girls were so kind.. and they really knew that those little girls were totally in awe and completely worshipped them.  The gymnasts asked the girls about their gymnastics and acted like they were genuinely interested in them. So sweet....

A great, great night all around.... when I was putting Ally to bed at 11 PM when we got home... she was teary when she said, "it was so much fun... but it just went so fast..."  It always does my girl... the best of times always go far too fast...

Where are the Pictures?

In my month of Thankfulness, I grew very accustomed to not posting a lot of pictures.... because the purpose of my blogging, while still very much about what was going on day to day around here... changed focus.  And, now I see that I have posted very few pictures at all in the last month or more!!!  I know a lot of people don't even post anything without posting pictures... but I think I, personally, like the writing part more than the picture posting part.  So, I apologize to those of you who want to see lots of pictures... but now I have a valid reason for not uploading anything....

I cannot find my camera.... anywhere!!!!

Now, it's quite possible it's in my car.  Which my hubby has today.  It's entirely possible.  Let's hope so!  But, it's no where to be found in this house.  I blame Luke. He takes it all the time and the last time I remember seeing it... he had it.  So, it could be anywhere. He sticks stuff in random places all the time! All the time.

So, the last time I uploaded any pictures off the real camera was Halloween. Yes.  Halloween!  Ugh!  I used to take so many pictures!!!!  I do, however have some cute pics I took off my iPhone when the kids were playing outside.  I primarily wanted to capture Luke's outfit that day because we had to put together quite the ensemble for him to be able to play in the snow!!!!

I hadn't gotten him any snow boots yet, so we had to scrounge up some of Ally's old boots in his size. It just so happened that they were bright pink Hello Kitty boots. He didn't mind. He thought they were great! Then, we lost one of his only gloves, so he found some MSU (one white and one green) mittens he wanted to wear... along with his red, orange and navy blue coat.... and brown hat. Yes, he was a sight!!!

They loved playing in the snow (for a while anyway!!!).... Ally really got into it.... needing her snow pants and their Bilibo's... and the enjoyed the whole experience!  She had just done a science experiment in school where they looked at snowflakes under the microscope, so I think that played a part in her excitement....

They were pretty cute... and soon after, came in for some hot tea to thaw out from the cold....  Mommy stayed indoors and watched them from the warmth of my kitchen.  :-)  I am so not a winter person.  At. All.

We have had another busy, full week around here!  I worked four days this week!  Really only three and a half... but who's counting?  I just had to go in to give a presentation at work yesterday, which I really enjoy so the day was a lot of fun. I volunteered in Ally's art class again in the morning.... and presented on Environmental Training needs to a bunch of old men in the afternoon. I full, well-rounded day.  It was hilarious when I was in the office for a moment, cuz one of the girls I worked with completely freaked out, thinking it was only Wednesday... cuz I'm never in Thursday or Friday.  She says "don't do that to me!  I need it to be Thursday!"  It was funny.... 

Ally had Girl Scout events two days after school this week... on top of weekly gymnastics... so only one free evening!  Luckily, the teachers are easing up on homework as we near the Christmas break.  They are completely losing the kids to the season I am told... so they aren't even gonna try anything new or challenging until they are back in January!

I blew out a tire on my way home from picking Ally up Wednesday evening.  UGH!!!!!!  We were fine, and I was able to make it into a gas station, but we found out we need FOUR new tires on my car... to the tune of a cool grand....  :-(  The most expensive month of the year just got far worse.  It's just really bad timing.  All our birthdays and Christmas fall into these two months. We don't need things on the car or in the house breaking at a time like this!

But, isn't that always how it goes????

I have been busy playing santa and getting some things for the kids!  I love putting together their Christmas gifts!!! This year, I am trying hard to coordinate things so they each get a similar item.  Ally's getting a new scooter, and I got Luke the toddler three wheel one! That's something they can ride up and down the hall this winter, then, take them out in the spring.  They are each getting an art set of some kind... Ally the Color Wonder Light Up Paint thingy... and Luke, the Color Wonder Sound thingy (like how I know the actual names???).  Books for both, of course... Ally is just getting like 6 and Luke, one.  Ally recently got a new sleeping bag for a sleepover, so Santa is brining Luke one cuz he likes Ally's so much. They are each getting flashlights.  Ally is also getting a new DS game, Mario Kart and Luke a bath toy. They are both getting pillow pets. And some jammies.  

I think that's what I have so far..... Ally is desperately in love with Kit (an American Girl doll) and wants to get her.  She keeps saying she is saving her money for her.  A part of me wants to get her, another part of me doesn't want to spend $100 on another doll..... but the only thing that tells me it's okay, is that they are so something that can be passed on and loved by someone else.  Ally has two "hand me down" American Girls that she loves... and we've only purchased two.  She doesn't have a ton of accessories either.... so I don't feel it's too overwhelming yet.  But... I also feel like the time of playing with dolls is short.... I am conflicted.

Luke has informed me that Ho Ho (what he calls Santa) is bringing him a Red Choo Choo Train, some more Red track, and a Red House for his trains.  :-)))))  I can do the train and house... I'm pretty sure the Thomas Track doesn't come red.  Although we could paint a few pieces of track we already have and he's be none the wiser.  So, I am going to get the Roudhouse and James for Luke... and he will be pretty much done!

I am getting a Color Me playhouse for both the kids... and stocking stuffers and other little things... and that should be good.  I think. Once I get it all out, in never "looks" like enough. Which is a completely stupid way to feel... I know... but still!  :-)

I need to get working on our Christmas cards!  As in addressing them!  I had high hopes of writing a Christmas Letter this year... but I am not sure it's gonna happen.  I would have to take the time to sit down, type it, then have copies made... that doesn't sound like something I'm going to fit into the next few days.........

Tonight, I am taking Ally and some girls to the MSU gymnastics meet... her gymnastics friends!  It should be a lot of fun for them.  I just wish I could find my camera!!!!!!!!!  Ugh.

Winding Down...

We are winding down to the end of our year around here! I am winding down another year of work.  This year brought a new boss and a new schedule as I went part-time at the end of March. It's hard to believe it was just 9 months ago that I started working part-time! Feels like it's always been this way!  Crazy......

So, as I wind down this year, I am more than thankful for the opportunity to go part-time.  That is probably my greatest accomplishment of the year.  Adjust our lives to allow for that.  Living without my full-time income was small in comparison to all I gained.... being home with Ally (and Luke!) each day after school just allows for a more peaceful day all around.  I think I now have the perfect schedule!

And, next week - I will have a brand new boss and start in on a brand new project at work! I am really excited for the new position and challenge that will bring!! And the flexibility to do such an exciting project within my part-time hours!  Feeling very thankful job-wise right now... which is a great feeling cuz this year brought a lot of turmoil for me within my job.  I like that I am ending on an upswing!!!

This year also brought a new school for Ally.  Once again, another thing I am most proud of in our year!  Queens is the best choice for our daughter and our family and I am so pleased that we made the switch and had the courage to do so!  I am especially proud of Ally who faced the challenge head on and is rocking that school.  :-)  She is excelling int he classroom... has a wide and vast group of great friends... and I have been fortunatel enough to be really active in her school world, through being her room mom, chaperoning each field trip, volunteering for school events and art class, and just being more present in her school life.  It has it's set backs now and again... but is overall, the best thing for all of us.

Ally and I have grown closer this past year as we have spent a lot more time together and she can see that my focus has come away from the stresses and joys of work... and turned to the stresses and joys of her!  I can feel our relationship growing and that is something I truly treasure.

I also really enjoy my one on one days with Luke.... and I think he and I will have a strong relationship from the get-go because I worked so much less when he was so much younger.  I am trying very hard not to regret those early years I "stole" from Ally.  I know you can't change the past... so all I can do is my best in the future.

It's been a great year. A really, really great year.  I end this year truly feeling more peace in my own world than I have felt in as long as I can remember... and I feel like I'm finally, after all these years, starting to grow up and realize who I am and who I am supposed to be..... and that was all done by slowing down....  :-)

Where am I?

I post each and every day for 30 days straight... sometimes twice a day... and then, I just abandon you for a week!!!!!!  I'm a terrible blogger.  ;-)

Whew... last week was BUSY!  Insanely so really.  We had many evening committments... birthday fun... Ally's First Reconciliation.... I worked a school lock-in.... Somerset day with my MIL and SIL... just a GREAT week, all around... but BUSY!!!!

Yesterday, I spent the day picking up the house and getting some Christmas decor up!!!  What I failed to do was grocery shop or laundry.... so I am going to have to catch up on those things this week!  Add to that, I actually have to work FOUR DAYS this week. Ahhhhhh!!! Really, I just have to come in Thurday afternoon to give a presentation.... but I am volunteering in Ally's art class again too, so it's another day Luke has to go to my in-laws and it will feel like a working day! Not really a bad thing... just different!

The past week was really great.  I had many meals out with good friends to celebrate turning 35!  I probably gained five pounds last week.  The actual day of my birthday, I had the best day... relaxing... out with my hubby.  Some quality time with my kids.  Scott had my diamond reset for my birthday... in white gold.... and it's just gorgeous!!!!!!!!!  When we got engaged, we went together to choose the ring... so I like that, 13 years later, he chose the setting.  :-)

Thursday was Ally's First Reconciliation at the church.... and it's a pretty big deal. They've been preparing for weeks, months even.... and Ally was nervous for a while there, but when the actual day came... she was pretty calm!  I was so proud of her.  She went to the priest she was most comfortable with and went on and on about how nice he was and how much she enjoyed the experience.

Ally has been really good lately.  It's actually freaking Scott and I out a little bit... which is sad in a way....  ;-)  Ally is good and we wonder what's wrong....  :-))))))  She's just not been quick to lose it.... her temper has been under control.... and she's just more content lately it seems.  She will get upset about things, like any kid does... but she comes around quickly... and it just... different!  I can't put my finger on it!!!

I talked to her a bit about it yesterday and I asked if anything had happened lately... or if she could put into words how she's been feeling... and she shrugged and then said, "Well, it sure is nice to know that my sins are forgiven!"  Ha!  What a cute freakin' kid she is.  Isnt' that the truth sometimes though? Don't we all just want to know that even when we mess up big.... someone forgives us???

Whatever is going on with her... I will take it.  And she probably thinks I've lost my marbles cuz I don't stop PRAISING her lately for all the great things she IS doing! 

Then, there's Luke.....  ;-)  He's a boy.  He's three.  Enough said.  He can be so very sweet... then, so very awful.  :-))))))

Ah... it was a crazy week.  Scott had a three day meeting in Lansing last week too, so that added to some craziness... cuz he was there late, and then, he had to work this weekend to make up for time not in the office.  We have a busy week this week too!  Every Sunday night, he and I sit down and go over the week's events... so we are all on the same page.  Ally has something after school every day but Tuesday... not something really late, but something none-the-less!  Gymnastics, girl scouts, a Christmas movie event, and then, Friday I am taking her a few friends to a gymnastics meet at MSU! Saturday Scott and I have one of our zillion Christmas parties.... and a sitter for the night. Sunday, once again, should be calm.  :-))))

It should be a good week though....... and after this week... just three days of work next week.... and I'm off until January 4th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Day Thirty: I am Thankful that I Spent 30 Days Being Thankful!!!

30 days... 30 blog posts.... 30 reasons to be thankful!!!!!!!  I did it!  And, I loved every minute of it. I loved that each and every day, I found something to be really thankful for.  I love that even when I was mad at the world, feeling down, or not in the mood to BE thankful.... I posted anyway. Nothing snaps you out of a funk like searching for the good in your life.

I really feel like this month has been theraputic for me.  I feel like I am more positive these days.  Have a brighter outlook on most things.  I just FEEL really good right now and it's hard to imagine that this focus of being thankful dailly doesn't have a huge part to play in that feeling.

When you focus on the GOOD, I firmly believe, you CREATE more good..... when you are positive... the energy around you follows suit.  I always believe things will work out..... and they usually do. I rarely dwell in the negative pieces of anything and try very hard to always see the light at the end of the tunnel. Because it's always there... even when you can't see it yet.  I know it's there.

So, I've enjoyed my month so much more than I ever thought possible.... I will probably still post often about blessings of this and that.... I think it's a part of me now.  Doing something for 30 days in a row makes it feel like a habit....... maybe I have created a habit of being thankful....... and what a wonderful habit to have.

Sanity at Christmas...

I love, love, love this post at Simple Mom today on Staying Sane at Christmas.  I could not agree more with it.... and I have tried as hard as I can each year to keep Christmas as stress-free on all of us!!!!  I DO say no a lot... and I hope I don't hurt people's feelings, but I'm sure I do!!!!

I have made a comittment to "not split the day" on holidays. That means, Thanksgiving... Easter... Christmas... you get the idea. I don't start out at one family's and go to another... or god-forbid, three or more places! I think it's just insane!  You end up staying for a short time only and pissing people off anyway, so you might as well say not to begin with!

But, more importantly, it's just so freakin' stressful on you, your husband, and especially your kids!  Kids hate being dragged from one location to the next. Just when the settle in and start playing with whatever toys they got from that house... or whatever kids are there.... you say "time to go to Aunt Bla-Bla's now!!"  And if they're anything like my kids, they will probably whine and pitch a fit.

That said, maybe your kids are super easy-going and this works for you. I am not one to judge what you feel you need to do for you.... rather, I am sharing what works for us.  My kids are NOT easy-going.  I'm certain this is no news flash to any of my readers.  ;-)  So... Scott and I make decisions to cause the least harm to ourselves on holidays!  :-)))))

We have a lot of holiday parties this year it seems!  We are going to what we can... but saying no to what we must!  For instance... we already comitted to a party on Dec. 18 (Saturday) and then, found out Scott's work party is the 17th. So, I will stay home for that and he will go.  I don't think we have to pawn our kids off on a babysitter two nights in a row. To say nothing of the fact that it would cost a fortune!  Pick and choose. Rearange and do what you can, in the least stressful way for you... your hubby and your kids. 

Put your immediate family first. That's my motto!  Me, my hubby and my kids..... so if I say no to you this holiday season... I hope you don't take offense.... just understand that I can only do so much!!!!!!!!

Day Twenty-Nine: I am Thankful for Birthday Week....

I am a firm believer in the "birthday week!"  A birthday shouldn't just last one day!!! That's just not enough.... so I always celebrate for a good, solid week (or more).  ;-) 

Today kicks off my birthday week with lunch with some of my favorite co-workers.... then, dinner out tonight with one of my best friends.... then, another lunch tomorrow.... no dinner plans tomorrow cuz Scott will be out of town.  Anyone want to bring dinner to my house?  :-))))))  I will be stuck at home on my birthday eve with my kids.  ;-)

Wednesday, the actual day...  I will be off during the day!  Like I said, some "me time" in the morning and a girlie-girl lunch in the afternoon!  I am not sure what we are doing for dinner. Scott's in charge of planning something... but he is in Lansing until 6:00 pm that night at a meeting, so it would be a late something.... if at all.  Maybe just a dinner at home. I'm not sure!!!!!

It's fun to have a reason to go out.... get together... I love celebrations!  Celebrations of all kinds!!!  So, I look forward to seeing lots of friends and family this week.  Yay for being born. :-)))))))))

Day Twenty-Eight: I am Thankful for Patience...

Although I wish I had some more most days and today in particular.  Ugh.  Luke just woke up a HUGE grouch.  Total stinker.  From the moment his eyes opened, he was mad at the world.  We attempted going to church. What a freakin' disaster!  He had promised he would be good and quiet.  He was SO NOT!  He was as bad as he's ever been at church. Well, since the incident on Christmas Eve last year anyway. ;-)

I'm beginning to wonder if it's Scott.  ;-)  He's seriously really good when just I take him! It's really odd.  Maybe he senses that Scott is about to blow every time because he's just waiting for Luke to loose it and he is totally mortified. I guess... I understand that shit happens. Kids will be kids.  You take him out. It's not the end of the world.

Needless to say..... Luke did not make it through mass. Scott had to take him out of the church......

So, we get home and Luke is still being impossible... and on the way home Ally is so mad that he ruined her experience that she's in a mood too. Neither one of them want to come home. They hate home.  Home is boring.  Ugh.

Is it totally wrong that I am so hurt when she says that? ( Luke, I understand... he's too young to even realize what he's saying )  I feel like I work fairly hard at making sure our home is one of peace. Comfy.  Has what everyone needs. But, it's never enough for her it seems.

So, during lunch, I told her to amend her Christmas List to include those things that will make her WANT to be HOME! Things she will say "I can't wait to get home and play with *fill in the blank!*"

She pretty much sucked at it..... but she tried.  She ended up deleting a bunch of things she said she didn't want anymore.  Luckily, nothing I had purchased!  And added books..... and I think that's about it.  We're still working on it.

Oh - she just informed me she added "some clothes" and a laptop.  Nice.

Kids.

Luke finally went down for a nap after giving all sorts of grief.  We are going through another "I don't ever want to go to sleep" phase... which always seem to coincide with when he seems to need sleep the most!  He is tired and grumpy.  I am giving the benefit of the doubt here, as we had a hell of a week with schedules. He was up all hours of the night. And sleeping at odd times.  Need to work hard to get back on schedule this week.......

Back to work tomorrow... and I'm ready.  ;-)  Looking forward to getting back into a routine.  Looking forward to the week! It's a busy one!  Just a couple days of work for me.... then, I'm having a pedicure the morning of my bday and a girlie lunch planned by some great girls.... then, I will get Ally... and the evening is uncertain.  Of all the weeks.... Scott has a three day meeting in Lansing.... so he might be staying up there.... there's talk of me going with him for my bday, but we shall see.  Hate to mess with the weekly schedule and who might get Ally to school. December 2nd is her First Reconcilliation in the evening, so it's a pretty important day!

Friday, she has a birthday sleepover with her bestest buds...... and I am working an event at the school.  Saturday..... can I say that I cannot WAIT until Saturday......?!?  SOMERSET DAY with my sister and mother-in-law.......... a day of fabulous shopping.... lunching... coffee drinking... sushi eating and wine!  So, while Birthday Week is definitely starting out slow and shitty..... it promises to pick up!  :-)

Day Twenty-Seven: I am Thankful for a Hubby Who Gets It Done...

I have had a running list of things to do around here... that I need Scott's help with... or him to do altogether. We all have that "honey-do list" I am sure!  Well, today... my beloved decided to follow through and do some of the things that I have been asking him to do for so long.

First, he put up the new pictures we recently had taken!!!!  We got a 16x20 of our family and a couple 8x10s of the kids... and made a pretty big display of our gorgeous selves on the wall!  Looks GREAT!!!!!  Also, with the new furniture arrangement in the living room, we needed to move a mirror... so he rehung that for me!!!

ALL of the lights in our master bedroom were out... and require getting the big ladder out of the shed to replace... so he did that today as well....

And, the grand finale.... he took Luke's crib down... and the big boy bed is up once again!!!!  Luke has been sleeping in his mattress and box spring on the floor with the crib frame still up.  He hasn't slept in the crib for months.... Scott was just so against taking it down after what happened last time.  :-))))))

Ally and I ran some errands this afternoon... returns and picked up a few needed things.... then, came home and made a fabulous dinner with leftover turkey.... of course!!!

We watched Mary Poppins this evening. Ally's been dying to see it again since we saw the play. And had a really, really great night in together.

OH!!! And the Spartans won..... and won the Big Ten Championship.  GREAT DAY!!!!!!!

Oh Luke...

Luke is just saying the funniest things today, so I am keeping another list of his statements today:

• He climbed into my lap and told me his tummy hurt.... says "open it mommy..." which means, pull my shirt up and rub my belly until it feels better.  Every time his time hurts he comes up to me and lifts his shirt, grabs my hand and rubs his belly.
• "Sing the Sunshine Song Mommy...."  (You are My Sunshine)
• He has started to poop his pants so many times today, I told him no more underwear until he goes... cuz we are running out. He exclaims, looking down "Oh NO!!!  What are we gonna do with my PENIS????"
• "I want a peanut butter and jelly sandwich... I sing a song about it..."
• After Daddy told him not to play with the laser level cuz it could hurt his eye, he touches it and freaks out.. runs to me screaming, "my eye! my eye! hold me until it's better....."
• Every time he's trying to stall or delay... "But, but, but... Mommy... but, but, but...."
• "Holy Moly!"
• "No way Jose!"
• Luke has also started using the F-word from time to time.  I have no idea where he has heard this word.... ;-)  He even uses it in correct context.  I am not proud of this... I really need to watch my mouth around him.... but for journalling sake... I need to blog about it. ;-)  He says things such as "F-ing mess.... F-ing Mickey (when he's mad at Mickey Mouse apparently!).... Ef it.... and, well, you get the idea.  Sometimes, I'm sorry... but it's so hard not to laugh.  He climbed into a chair yesterday after lunch.... and just said.... "Ah Ef It!"  Scott and I had to walk into the kitchen so he didn't see us hysterical.  He always apologizes after.  Let's hope this stops before school starts.  ;-)
• "I"m gonna BAM it!!!"
• "Hi!  I'm a mister!!!"

Day Twenty-Six: I am Thankful for Children that Sleep Until 9am...

The kids must have been some tired puppies cuz they slept until 9 am this morning!  A very thankful Mom and Dad were a direct result of this gift!!!!!!  They have been up extra late these past few days, with family and all their cousins in town. Too much fun to be sleeping the time away!  For the most part, they have been really great with the craziness that the schedule has been lately. The first night the cousins from Kansas City were here, Ally was disappointed she couldn't have a sleepover and she was really upset about that. She was just so excited for Natalie to be here... her cousin that is closest to her in age and a GIRL!  :-) I can understand why she was upset.  It was a bad reaction... but sometimes understandable. She is a kid after all, and she doesn't get to see Natalie that often anymore...

But, each night after, both kids were great about coming home and going to bed.  I think they were just so tired sleep finally sounded like a good option!!!!!!!

Yesterday was a busy day!  We got up bright and early to start the turkey we were taking for dinner.... got the kids around (while watching the Thanksgiving Day parade!) and got to my Grandma's around noon to visit with my mom and step dad for a bit.  Luke was a stinker and fell asleep in the car on the way home - thank god!  I dropped Ally off at my in-laws since everyone was starting to arrive... and came home to help Scott with the final preparations... stuffing... potatoes and turkey were our contributions to the dinner. OH, and wine. Of course. :-)

Luke slept in the car for about an hour and a half... and we made our way to McIntosh's for dinner at 3.  The house was chock full of some of our favorite people... and there were plenty of kids to go around.  10 under the age of 9 I do believe!!!!  It's so nice for the kids, when there are so many kids!

I love all Scott's Aunts and Uncles... so we had a great time visiting with them.  Dinner was amazing. All the food was amazing and delicious!  I ate FAR TOO MUCH!  I couldn't even eat pie for hours and hours... so I hid a piece in a closet so as to save myself one.  :-))))  Adam did too!  :-)))) We are so mature.

A very nice day indeed..... and now, we appear to be recovering. Taking it easy at home.  Tonight, we are going to a reception for my cousin Joe, who is an amazing artist.  He is having a show at Art 634 in Jackson, so many of my family and friends will be gathering there this evening... and going out after!  A happy, happy weekend filled with lots and lots of people I love!!!!!!

Snippets of Warm Memories from Thanksgiving:

• Luke reaching over to grab my hand when he saw Santa on the TV while watching the Thanksgiving Day parade.  He was in total awe.. and just reached out for me in the sweetest way.
• Ally and Luke jumping and dancing on my bed to Christmas songs while I tried to get dressed.
• Scott and I enjoying an hour of alone time before going to his parents'.... and the yummy wine we shared.
• Luke and Grace running around without their pants.... 
• Ally crying real tears of sadness when we had to say goodbye to Natalie.
• Watching Luke and Evan play cars together.
• Ally running to hug Grandpa Dave as soon as she saw him.
• Luke and Ally's matching "Ho Ho" jammies.
• The kids all wrestling with Daddy (or Uncle Scott) on the floor.
• Watching Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving.
• Luke asking Uncle Mark "do you want to play with me?"
• Luke asking Uncle Adam to read him books... And Uncle Adam reading to him by the fireplace.
• Inappropriate conversation of what to send Kyle (cousin in the Marines) for Christmas.  HAHA!
• Planning the first annual "McIntosh Mexican Christmas Eve!"

Day Twenty-Five: I am Thankful for my Many Blessings...

Sometimes I think my blessings are too many to count. And how did I get so lucky. Who did I please in a previous life? But... Then I remember how hard I work for what I have. Not only the THINGS I have, but the relationships too. The intangibles. The real things that matter.

Everything takes work. Marriage. Friendships. Kids. Family. It all takes energy. Focus. Commitment. Time.

And I get better at them all the older I get. So, it turns out it makes sense that my blessings grow.... Because I work hard to make them so. The things that are important to me... I will always make my priority. And when you care that much... It has to pay off. Right?!?!

What a day we had. A great crazy day of family, food and love. Loved every minute of it. Even the hard parts. And there will always be hard parts.... Cuz they make the good parts shine so bright.

I hope you found many blessings to be thankful for.... And I hope you continue to work at making many more blessings for yourself too.


-- Post From My iPhone

Day Twenty-Four: I am Thankful for a Herd of Cousins...

Today was such a great day for my kids. All the cousins were here from near and far!!! Jane got some pics of everyone. They ran crazy all over our house and just enjoyed being together!!!!! Pizza for lunch. Tangled (the movie) in the afternoon. A great day for all!!!!

More fun to come tomorrow!!!!!!


-- Post From My iPhone

Day Twenty-Three: I am Thankful for What my Children Teach Me...

Yesterday after picking Ally up from gymnastics and having a peaceful dinner, all hell broke loose!!!  Ally snapped about something. You never know what is going to set the girl off.... and as you all know, she spirals out of control from there.  She yelled. Screamed. Slammed her door (have I mentioned she has actually BROKEN her door from so much slamming???). Told us we were horrid parents... and then, packed some shit up and walked out the front door.  She was leaving.

Is it wrong that I simply, calmly, said... "goodbye Ally, I will miss you?"  No.  I think it was appropriate for the situation.

Luke has to get into the act just because of the stress of it all.  At first, when she has fits like that in his presence, he doesn't know what to do. He asks why she's crying, and will even try to talk to her. She will snap at him... hurt his feelings... and then, he too will start lashing out at everything. It's actually a really sad situation because I can see that he genuinely is worried about her and trying to help... and she sends him away crying and pissed off.

Her rants didn't last too long.  Long enough.  At one point, while summoning up all the patience inside me.... she started yelling about what an awful, mean mom I was.  There always seems to be some breaking point for me... and this time, that was it.  An awful mom? Really? The mom who just wrote a huge check to your gymnastics class? The mom who is taking you and all your gymnastics girlfriends to an MSU meet, dinner and special things for an evening in a couple weeks? The mom who took you to see Mary Poppins a week ago? Who pays for you to go to a great school?  The one who went part time because she thought it was in your best interest for her to spend more time with you? THAT ONE???? THAT MOM????

Good lord girl..... I feel like I have changed and turned my life completely around for you... and willingly so.  Happily so.  But damn if there is no thanks in return.

Someone recently reminded me:  Parenting. The most thankLESS job you'll ever have.

Ain't that the truth???

Something I read recently stated: "God doesn't give you challenges for you to work your way THROUGH them, no, he gives them to you so you can LEARN from them."

So.... I have been trying like hell to hear what my children are trying to say to me. I am working my butt off trying to learn from each and every one of these outbursts.... these trying moments.... and also, trying to really sit and bask in the good, great and damn wonderful moments! Cuz they can turn on me on a dime.

I think more than anything... over this past year.... I am learning to be a more patient person. A more present person.  I have to summon this patience up from the depths sometimes... but I try very hard.  And I often fail and snap.... but that happens few and farther between... and well, I can't beat myself up about it.  I daily try to do what's best for my kids, my family, myself and my husband.  And I am learning all the while.

I really do think these outbursts are a result of something missing. Either something Ally is not getting from her parents... or possibly something she just can't get at all that she wants so desperately. There could be bigger issues at play here.  Who knows? Time will tell.

Ally will be going to see Dot again in a week or so.  She has directly asked to see her again... because she can actually recognize that she has anger in her she can't control. And she "wants help."  It breaks my heart that she is intelligent enough to recognize something is off or wrong. But, it makes me so damn proud that she is willing to ask for help and can admit that something is wrong.

She last saw Dot (a children's therapist for those of you that don't know her), when I was pregnant for Luke and she started the fits. So, she was four.  And she remembers her... which Dot finds remarkable.  She cannot believe she asked directly for her and looks forward to teaching her some techniques and helping her.  Just making that phone call last week made me feel better.... like a possible light at the end of our tunnel.....

So, patience.... presence.... and ask for help when we need it.  None of us are perfect. These are the things my children teach me. Thanks kids.  :-)

Day Twenty-Two: I am Thankful for Time with my Family...

Scott and I are off all week together!  Hooray!  It feels so good to not have to go into work... especially when we are BOTH off at the same time.  I know, I know... I have many days I don't have to work. But it's just different when Scott is home too. Feels more special because it doesn't happen so often! It also makes me feel like it's Christmas and the holiday season in general because we always take the weeks around Christmas off together.

So..... I am doubly thankful..... cuz Christmas is just around the corner!  I love, love, love this time of the year.  Johnny Mathis said it best.... it IS the most wonderful time of the year!!!!!  I love the Christmas decorations out in stores, the red Starbucks Christmas cups, the music, the smells, the shopping, and just the general feeling of this season.  I am always so happy this time of year.  I love giving gifts... finding the perfect gift for everyone! Wrapping presents.  Buying the kids Christmas jammies!  Oh how I love Christmas jammies!!!!  It's  a silly little thing... I know... but I just love them. I wonder how long I can get away with making them wear matching jammies?  :-)) Gymboree makes adult sizes, so I figure I can totally do this into Ally's teenage years.

This morning, Scott and I each ran some errands... so technically we weren't home, HOME together... but we are now.  He is playing with Luke in the basement.  Luke is currently attached to a dollhouse that Santa brought for Ally years ago. I am certain he has played with it more in this past month than she EVER has. The dollhouse and his train set (also a gift for Ally from Santa!) are his two loves right now!

Ally has gymnastics after school and is taken by another mom so we don't even have anyplace to be until 5:30.  I might go watch her today though... we shall see how I feel.  I am still fairly motivated to clean, clean OUT and organize... so I plan to get to that in a moment.  I am also gearing up for Christmas shopping and in full list mode!  I have all my nieces and nephew done and even a couple things each for the kids!  Yay me.  :-)  I am trying not to go overboard on the kids this year..... but we shall see how that pans out.

Very much looking forward to the week ahead and enjoying every moment!  Looking forward to seeing Scott's brother and sister in law and our niece and nephew tomorrow night too!  A good week indeed!

Day Twenty-One: I am Thankful for Girlfriends...

I wrote earlier in the month about how thankful I was to be a girl... and this is truly one of the reasons:  Girlfriends!  I cannot imagine not having a good, solid group of girlfriends to share life's ups and downs with. And I have some of the BEST!!!!!

I have a core group of girls.  "My Girls."  They know everything about me.  EVERYTHING.  And yet, they love me just the same.  Maybe even more because they know I am about as imperfect as they come.  They have been my closest friends for 16 years.  One of them, even MORE because she and I started out as high school friends.  Holy shit!!!!  That's a long time!  We've been together through boyfriends, breakups, marriages, the births of babies, the loss of babies, the loss of parents, and a whole hell of a lotta laughs!!!!  We've all lived in same town... we've all lived in different towns and different states... hell, one of us lived in another country for a while.  Nothing changed. Our friendship remained.  I can't imagine anything happening to diminish my friendship with these three girls.  They are my family.  My sisters.  My first phone call in time of need.  My first phone call in time of happiness.  My life would be a big empty hole without them...........

Then, there are the numerous other girlfriends in my life. Just as important in their own way... they all provide support of different kinds. There are the other moms in Jackson that I have gotten to know through my sister-in-law, blogging and playdates.  I am looking forward to a gathering of these moms tonite!  They share motherhood's ups and downs with me... and are often my sounding board and support in times of kid trouble!!!!

There's family... the women... the girls in my family, my sisters, sisters-in-law, mothers, mother-in-law, grandmothers, aunts and cousins.  They are each girlfriends in their own way.... and provide endless support to me.

There are some amazing girls that I have gotten to know at work..... my bestest bud at work who I shop with, laugh with and bitch with. Can't imagine not knowing her.

I smile when I think of all these girls in my life.  I am amazed that in time of any sort of need... any at all... I would never be alone.  All summer long, all it took was a facebook shout out... "I'm going to Nixon... who's in?"  And girls would be there.  I love the girlfriend network...... and can't imagine a life without it......

I am blessed to be surrounded by amazing women...... most of whom, are reading this post right now!  I love you all.  :-)

Day Twenty: I am Thankful for Date Night Tonight!

Twenty days into my month of being thankful and today I am super thankful and looking forward to a date night with my hubby tonight!!!  I can't remember the last time he and I went out.  Just the two of us.  Yummy dinner. Talk. NO KIDS!  We were trying to do date night at least once every other week, but things get busy... and we're down to one sitter... we MUST do a better job at this. I think making date night happen, making time for you to go out as a couple with NO kids is as important as anything you can do for your marriage and your family period!

So, we need to get back into the routine and make it a priority.

Tonight we are going to Nightlife here in Jackson. It's a small bar/restaurant that I always forget about but that has great food and drinks!!! Then, we are SO excited to check out the new piano bar downtown... so that's where we are headed after dinner!  Very much looking forward to it!

My mom is in town, so we have a FREE babysitter. HOORAY!  :-)  Another hard thing about date night... the additional $50 you have to pay a babysitter!  I need to find some other sitters as well.  We are down to one, Spring Arbor University grad who is doing her student teaching.  She will likely leave us soon if/when she finds a new job! We already lost a couple to college after last year.

Anyway.... just really looking forward to the night out. As an added bonus... I am thankful to this time right now, because Scott just took both kids to run some errands, including going to the pet store for some new fish.  So, the house is quiet. And, I am drinking some more coffee and enjoying writing this.  :-)

A couple weeks ago, Luke threw a ball and smashed Ally's fish tank. That was a fun morning. (sarcasm people... lots of it!). Water EVERYWHERE.... filled up the top drawer of her dresser.  Had to wash every article of clothing in her dresser.  Take it all apart to dry it.  Not to mention.... save fish as they came out the hole of the tank at breakneck speed!  Ally was screaming cuz her "fish were gonna die".... Luke was screaming from the chaos of it all.... Scott went running so fast to get something to catch the water that he slipped (wet feet!) and fell in the hallway, bashing into the wall and creating a hole in the wall..... was a fun Saturday that was!  :-)))))))

So, one fish survived and has been living in a rubbermaid container.  I am interested to see what kind of getup Scott comes back with.

And to see if Luke is up to the challenge of finding a way to destroy this one too.  :-)  Boys.....  ;-)

I gotta say people... this daily posting of something I am truly thankful for has been so refreshing!  I find myself focusing on the positive more and more.... and finding ways that I am thankful over and over again!  I find that I have put the focus on the good and less emphasis on the challenging... or what one might consider "bad."  I just find that I FEEL better all around about the everyday things... about life in general.  I might not stop after November is done...... this has been such a great little exercise!  Not to mention, the fact that I so enjoy reading what everyone else is thankful for! Whether on Facebook or their blogs!

I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving!  Probably my favorite meal of the year!  YUM!!!!!!!!

Until then.... I will be thankful for this peaceful time just the two of us, Scott and I... before the week of crazy, family fun!!!!!

Happy Saturday everyone!