30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 30

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Day 30

Wow. I can't believe how quickly this month has gone past and it's the last day of November!
In October we had some disappointing news which made Mike and I really have to take a step back from all of our hopes and plans that we've been working so hard on for the past 18+ months. It was difficult and sad (although a bit of a relief) and I was having a slight tendency towards the mediocre and seeing the negative, so I decided to do these greatful posts because I felt like I needed the reminder, daily, that there is at least one thing in every day to be greatful to God for. I am so blessed, yet I forget. Lord, help me to remember.
Some days were fun and easy, and others were most difficult, but such a good exercise for my mind and soul to come into alignment with my spirit. I'm almost wish the month was a bit longer or that I would commit to another month. :) I hope some of you have enjoyed these posts and I hope that next year I will remember to do it again.
And without further ado, Today I am greatful for:

my husband ~ we are far from perfect but I've been reminded over and over again this month just how thankful I am to be married to this man. I'm ever so greatful for his grace to me every single day for the past 8 1/2 years. I'm greatful for his desire to know more, be more, and live better. It's a desire we've both had and it has, thankfully, been something we grown in together.
I'm greatful for every day that he gets up early and goes to a job that he doesn't necessarily love to provide for me and our little ones. I'm thankful for the smiles, hugs and kisses he has for each one of us every time he comes home. And I'm so thankful that he holds my hand, still, everywhere we go together.

Olivia ~ My bright shining star. She is my biggest challenge and yet, I think she will be my biggest accomplishment. She stretches me daily to be a better mom, a better person, to feel deeply, to see delight in every little thing, to pray unceasingly, to keep myself humble, to laugh at the rediculous, to be gentle, oh so gentle with little things like "feelings," and to be affectionate when I would rather not be, to step out of my comfort zone. Life hasn't been the same since she entered my very young world and I am very very deeply greatful to have her as my daughter.

Sadie-Rose ~ our sweet baby girl. I'm thankful for her easy-going spirit and gentleness. I love how she wants to "do it herself" and yet will still ask for help upon occasion "mommy, pweas hep me nooowww." I'm greatful for her giggles that are as infections as can be and have anyone in earshot giggling too. I'm thankful for the love she quietly but oh so fiercely has for her daddy, her sister, her mommy, and doggy. I'm greatful for her politeness that flows easily and generally without prompting. I'm thankful for all the snuggles and cuddles I've enjoyed from her for the past 3 years. I'm greatful for her sense of humor and her quest to be as big a girl as she thinks her big sister is ( and then some.) I'm very thankful for the happiness that she brought to our little family of three that she changed to four.

Baby #3 ~ I am very greatful for the blessing of carrying and growing you inside my womb. I thankful for the unexpected surprise that you were and still are. I'm greatful for all the thumps and bumps, rollicking and partying that you do in there. It reminds me to be thankful that you are growing and healthy and strong. Each one of us is very eagerly looking forward to your arrival and anticipating holding you in our arms. I'm thankful that God is giving me another child to grow and who will grow me as well.

a month of thankful/greatful's to look back on and remember.

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30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 29

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Today I am greatful for:
spiced waffle batter that we froze before we left and got out to thaw the night before
hot cocoa (mommy's laced with coffee)
Sadie getting to open one last birthday gift that arrived while we were gone
said gifts being so entertaining that they lasted all morning
a nice long chat with my father in-law
getting everything unpacked and put away
Olivia's delight that is almost equal to my own when I showed her the new thrifted pyrex
all the Christmas posts on Tumblr
cleaning off the china cupboard to make room for the Christmas village about to appear there
Olivia really "getting" her math lesson
the total mischievousness of of Sadie-Rose
her daddy's mischievousness that matches hers
an easy dinner
early-to-bed family members that allow mommy to do some last minute cyber monday shopping

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 28

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Today I am greatful for:
having packed everything the day before
my mom fixing and feeding the girls breakfast, brushing their hair, and putting their shoes on
a sweater for another frosting morning
5 more discs of Sense and Sensibility
children who didn't get car sick and throw up on the way home
children taking naps
my mom thoughtfully making us sandwiches to take
tea in the thermos
apples and oranges
and then baby wipes
a silly baby who turned right-side-up and let us know by getting the hiccups (daddy got to feel your head while you had them)
no contractions all day long
finally arriving home
sleeping in my own bed :)

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 27

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Day 27,
Today I am greatful for:
another gorgeous frost covered morning
vitamins
doing up all the dirty laundry so I wouldn't have to do it at home
listening to the girls playing with toys of my moms, of mine, and of my sisters
sorting through tubs of Olivia's clothes for Sadie-Rose
sorting through even more tubs for all of our newborn clothes and diapers
remembering such special moments with each outfit I pulled out
a new movie to keep the girls occupied while I was sorting
Mike getting belts replaced on the van before our drive home
afternoon snacks with just mom, dad, Mike, and I
chatting with my parent's Mennonite neighbor for an hour or so about food allergies and health concerns
watching her boys and my girls interact
my oldest deciding to keep me humble
my youngest for remembering her manners
both of them for being themselves no matter who they are around
a wish for a blessed and peaceful birth
mom's homemade enchiladas
salsa with fresh cilantro out of their greenhouse
an early bedtime for the 1st night in over a week

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 26

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Day 26,
Today I am greatful for:
not having to roll out of bed at 3:30 am to hit the Black Friday deals like my mom, dad, brother, sister, and husband all did
sleeping in and then snuggling with Rose in bed for half an hour
seeing the teenagers utter silliness because they had all been up for 24 hours straight
secret telling with Mike about Christmas presents for the girls
the beautiful-ness of a frosty morning
naps in the morning for everyone (except Olivia)
pie for lunch
with chili on the side
thrift store shopping with no kids
scoring a cute dress for each of us girls at a consignment shop
sweet finds of pyrex at the flea market
Rose's utter delight that I was finally home hours later
fresh milk and warm cookies from my parents neighbors
watching Rose open her birthday gifts from my parents and seeing her concentration on "doing it herself" with the lacing cards
her showing off to every single family member when she finished each one
bubble baths for little girls so mommy and daddy can have a moment of peace
non-swearing, but still entertaining, movies in the evening
snuggling with Mike and Rose (and my large belly) in a full size bed (it made for some cozy moments)

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 25

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Day 25,
Today I am greatful for:
spending time with my husband, girls, mom and dad, and brother and sister
cooking with my mom
sitting around the table all together
Sadie-Rose sleeping through our entire meal
our country's history
reminiscing with my family about the past 20 years worth of Thanksgivings
lovely weather
coconut cream pie
chatting with my brother late into the night after everyone else had gone to bed

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 24

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And today
we baked.

Day 24,
Today I am greatful for:
a grandpa who take grandgirls out to do chores with him
fresh greens from out of the greenhouse
guineas cackling outside our window at 6:30
baking with my mom
fresh chocolate cheesecake for the morrow
stacks of Christmas magazines to read through
new rain boots for both of the girls (horses for one, polka dots for the other)
spades to dig in the garden with
Sadie-Rose's delight in collecting eggs
beautiful warm weather for the kids to play outside in and the guys to work on cars in
an evening of movie watching and relaxing

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 23

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Day 23,
Today I am greatful for:
a safe drive to TN
a normal 12 hour drive that only took us 9.
tea in a thermos
good weather
11.5 hours of Sense and Sensibility on CD
headphones, books on tapes, and portable DVD players for the kids
seeing family that we hadn't seen since July
dinner in the crockpot when we arrived
leftover cupcakes and chocolate cheesecake

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 22

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Day 22,
Today I am greatful for:
an easy packing job
silly kiddos who wouldn't eat cupcakes for breakfast (they decided they wanted oatmeal instead)
pandora radio
getting the house all picked up and our bags packed in about 11 hours (yes, that's quick for us!)
a husband who runs the vacuum for me
earl grey tea to keep me awake in the afternoon
knowing that tomorrow night we will be at my parents
the most gorgeous full moon hanging in the sky

~~~
We are headed to my parents house for the rest of the week and my internet will be slow (they live in the country and still only have dial up internet service) so my postings for the rest of the week may be sporadic and possibly pictureless. But, I'm going to try and keep up because there will definitely be a lot of greatfulness in the next 5 days. :)

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 21

Today my greatful list is long. So very long.
Three years ago tonight, a very special beautiful sweet little baby was gently born into this world. Her birth was the most peaceful event, so much better than I had ever dreamed of. And her birth into our family changed separately, each one of us and together, our family unit. She was, and continues to be, a precious soul and a joy. And it's so fitting that she would be born just hours before Thanksgiving day began. Along with my marriage and my first born, she is one of the "things" I will always be most thankful for.

(just minutes after she was born)

So today, I'm thankful for the past:
her beautiful birth
the peace it brought
my great midwife and her awesome assistant
my great supportive husband
my precious older daughter, who watched in awe and wonder
our family and close friends who were praying for us and then
all the support, love, and visits that came afterward
amazing friends who brought delicious meal after delicious meal for 3 weeks
a most lovely little bundle in my arms
(I will never forget Mike and I lying in bed at 2am, taking pictures of her because we just couldn't believe how perfect she was.)

(early morning pictures)

Today I'm also most greatful for the present:
good friends who celebrated with us yesterday (they were there in the beginning and are still with us today)
the blossoming child that Sadie-Rose is right now
playing hooky from church to spend a morning of relaxed family time
making spiced waffles and whipped cream with Mike and Rose
while Olivia hid out, working on a "top-secret" project of her own making
lots of requests for "snuggles on the couch" from Rose
leftover cupcakes
sunshine and warm weather
Sadie-Rose wearing her red polka dotted "3" birthday shirt and piggy tales all day
seeing my girls play and laugh together all day
the joy that she brings to each of us

(playing princess dress-up this morning with her birthday gifts from the Wyatt's.)

And I'm also greatful for the future:
the person that Sadie is becoming
the role I have as her mother
the potential of all that God has for her
the blessings that she will have

~~~

Sadie-Rose Joy
She has lived up to her name in ever sense. She is her daddy (and I's) princess, she is a beatuiful flowering presence in our life, and she is a joy each and every day.

Happy Birthday baby girl! You are so very loved, by so many people.


The cake recipe mention yesterday can be found here.
No modification or alterations, although I didn't use cake flour, just AP.
Enjoy!

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 20

Day 20,
Today I'm greatful for:
making up with the husband (even though the reason for making up = not so fun)
a new cake recipe that turned out perfect and delicious
lots and lots of pillowy, creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting
28 lbs. of fresh deer meat in our freezer
Rose's absolute enthusiasm to go run errands with her daddy, all by herself
2 hours of uninterrupted working time while Mike and Sadie Rose were gone
Sadie-Rose playing with a friend and sharing her new birthday toy so sweetly with him
Olivia's concern and watchfulness over her little sister
both kids going to bed at a decent time so Daddy and Mommy can spend time together
working on Christmas cards
finishing my word blocks (pictures next week, I promise!)
Christmas presents coming in the mail

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 17, 18, and 19

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Day 17
Today I am greatful for:
the realization that I'm not the only one who sometimes feels lost in this mothering of an beautiful but intense child
a friend who came over to craft
hours of {mostly} uninterrupted crafting
good conversation, encouragement, and pots of tea
spray paint, modge podge, and scrapbook papers
an evening at home
getting something {mostly} accomplished that I've wanted to do for weeks and weeks

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Day 18
Today I am greatful for:
an invitation to a birthday party
a red-headed little boy who turned 6, he is one of Olivia's favorite friends
playing with my kids
interesting conversations with new acquaintances
big glasses of water
salads for supper
a husband who works so hard to provide for his girls

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Day 19,
Today I am greatful for:
to-do lists
100's on all of Olivia's tests
soap
clean laundry
some good one on one time with Olivia while Rose took a nap
seeing Olivia get to participate in a craft project that she had seen me plan and talk about for weeks
my ability to relinquish control (for once) and let her try her hand at something new
seeing her do so well at it (imagine that!!)
being at the last stage of a project
crossing off so many of my "to-do's"
getting the van back from the dealership (again)
picking up a CD of our Christmas pictures
finishing this very busy and sometimes stressful week

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 16

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Today I'm greateful for:
a made bed
a picked up bedroom
clean stairs
dinner ready and hot in the oven when we got home from the library
finding Sense and Sensibility on CD for our Thanksgiving trip
polka dot cupcake wrappers and striped paper straws that came in the mail
Pandora radio

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 13, 14, & 15

Ok, so I was bad and missed the weekend, and I'm going to be even worse and stick them all in one post and leave the rest of the family out of this past weekends post. Sorry!

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Saturday I was greatful for:
getting the van door handle fixed (even though it was to the tune of $250)
shopping at Target at 8:30 am, there was no one in there
shopping with my family to fill a shoe box full of goodies for a little one far away
finding the perfect sweater for Olivia and the perfect skirt for Sadie-Rose for pictures
finding Hanukkah candles for $6.99
having Mike help me with some projects that I've had to put off (I've been banned from using the skil saw - all because I'm pregnant!)
getting 43 different wooden blocks cut
getting down a bunch of Christmas decorations as props for Monday's photos
finally finally finally getting one of the chalkboards painted

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Sunday I was greatful for:

Mike making me breakfast
Sadie-Rose waking up with a smile
God's gentle (and not-so-gentle) reminders of areas I need to work on in my life
lovely bike rides to the playground
a call from our neighbor letting us know she was ok
a friend's daughter finally getting to come home from the hospital after 2 weeks
finishing up my advent calendar every-day to-do list
Olivia's Awana class
1 1/2 hours with just Mike and I (and Rose)
browsing through Costco and chatting with the Vita-Mix man and seeing his light shine
popcorn, apple cider, and seltzer water

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Monday I am greatful for:
God's grace under stress
Olivia's helpfulness
rainbow colored balloons, vintage ornaments, feather trees, family quilts, chalkboards, and one really sweet photographer
a cell phone to call a tow-truck with
an understanding park ranger who left the gates unlocked
my husband being with me when my ignition cylinder decided to lock up
having a box of crackers, a stack of books, and a package of wipes in the van with us
finally getting to go home after 2 hours of waiting
God's peace that truly passes our human understanding, fears, unknowns, failings, and doubts
a good cup of tea and a bowl of hot oatmeal for supper

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 12

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Today I'm grateful for:
finding most of what I need for Christmas craft projects on sale
finding 2 small bags of pretzels, a small bag of Kashi O's, and a small bag of dried cranberries in the depths of my purse to keep Sadie-Rose happy for 20 minutes longer
getting to hold a friend's 10 day old tiny baby girl
helping momma figure out her new sling and seeing them both snuggled up together
giggles and smiles and mischievous eyes from Rosie
finally hearing some good news about a friend's baby daughter who's been extremely ill in the hospital without a diagnoses for 2 weeks
grapefruit, pomegranates, and shrimp all on sale this week
craft date planned with a friend for next week
this week being over (happy dance!)
Rose finally acknowledging that we have a baby coming and her hugs and love pats and kiss to "mommy's baby belly" as she calls it
watching the girls watch my belly "dance" from all this baby's movements and their awe of actually "seeing" the baby move

Have a blessed weekend!

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 11

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Today I am grateful for:
my lovely hairdresser, Ellen, who makes my hair look pretty and like I actually take care of it
having "fixed" hair for the next few days
a shopping trip that saw about 30+ items go into a dressing room and 6 come out
a $10 off coupon at that store that helped us save $116
Mike taking us to dinner afterward
God's faithfulness in our marriage even though we see them crumbling all around us
children who {mostly} behaved at the salon
polka dot cupcake liners and stripy straws
all of the people who have served and are serving in our Country's military. God bless you!

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 10

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Today I am grateful for:
a washer and drier that are electric and that work
laundry to do, because it means I have people to love
finishing a long-overdue special order
list making
calendar planning
long conversations with my little sister on the phone
Mike's 2 lunch dates for the week over, he back to coming home for lunch
blocks and childern's endless creativity with them
seam-rippers
Olivia's new ability to read some one else's cursive handwriting (besides her own and mine)
packages in the mail
this inspiring blog post
the new Cath Kidson US website, prices, and shipping (I think my wishlist grew by 15 items today!)
remembering that “ Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it. ” -Groucho Marx

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 8 & 9

Day 8
for muffins for breakfast
for Mike's help folding, hanging, and putting away about 4 loads of laundry.
for a quiet moment of just "us" holding each other
for Rose asking for a kiss out of the blue (my very non-kissing child)
for broccoli cheddar rice soup and mother-to-be tea for dinner
for the promise of a new day and a fresh start



Day 9
for finishing the last 6 loads of laundry folding and putting away
for getting Olivia's books all situated by color and put back on the bookcase
for Olivia's silly reading of the book "Mr. Tickle" to Rose and Rose's delicious giggling as they are curled up together in the big chair.
for Rosie's new word of the day; library
for leftovers for dinner and a movie
for vitamin B's to help me get through the day with some sort of energy

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 7

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Day 7, Family Edition:

Olivia: church, my warm coat, watching a movie with our family, popcorn and tea, a warm house.

Sadie-Rose: "no mommy" {ok, guessing from her day I would say playing with friends at church, her yellow sweater, being pushed on the swing, more chocolate chip cookies, alone time with just mommy and daddy, cuppy cow, and coloring with daddy.}

Mike: for getting all the camping stuff put away, cleaning up the garage, my beautiful wife and daughters, and for my warm bed.

Fairlight: sweaters and hand-knit scarves, Mike cooking lunch, ordering Sadie-Rose's birthday present, getting the garage cleaned up, (one step in the right direction for getting our house back together after our camping trip!) Olivia going to Awana, a very quite shopping trip with Mike and Rose, the whole store being on sale, hot tea, grilled cheese and turkey sandwiches, vitamins that help me so much during my pregnancy.


It's gotten cold here in the last few days, hence all the gratefulness for warm beds, houses, tea, sweaters, scarves, and coats. We are too southern to the grateful for the cold! :)

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 6

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Weekend Family edition!

I thought everyone should join in on the weekends. Here's our thankful thoughts;

Olivia: my baby sister and going to the Fair.
Rose: just giggles {I would have to say bubble baths (because she's in one right now) and chocolate chip cookies (because that's what's all over her face right now) are at the top of the list today.}
Mike: having a good time today with our girls and seeing the smiles on their faces. Our warm house.
Fairlight: Fair fun. God bringing friends to the Fair and just happening to bump into on another. Our kids spending the rest of the afternoon riding rides together. Hot tea in a thermos on a cold afternoon. A quiet baby. A heater that works and a down comforter.

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 5

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Today I'm grateful for:
estate sales and being on the mailing list
consignment sales and new maternity shirts for $4 a piece
my GPS which directs me and sometimes takes me down unknown roads in beautiful neighborhoods which can also lead me to treasures like the vintage yellow crib left on the side of the road that became mine in all of 30 seconds. :)
a daughter who likes to thrift and hunt goodies as much as I do
good math lessons where no one cries and we both learn something
hugging Olivia
long conversations with my mom and sister on the phone
brisk autumn weather that calls for knee socks and tall boots
holding hands with Sadie-Rose
evening walks with Mike

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 4

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Today I'm grateful for:
a rainy blustery day
getting every bit of our schoolwork done by lunchtime
for having a carefree afternoon because of the above
children who were so excited to spend the afternoon playing together
my husband who cooks with me and make delicious salsa
for a yummy dinner
for the Vegetarian Epicure cookbook. Love it!
for one child who self entertains herself :)

30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 3

I've procrastinated all day since my day didn't quite go as planned. But, after reading this quote,

“ The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life’s plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life.” -Robert Louis Stevenson ”

it seemed silly to not be thankful for the small things, even if they weren't what I had expected or how I had planned. So, no more procrastinating (or pouting, which is what I was basically doing. lol)

I'm grateful for a daughter who helps me completely dismantle her room. Even when she looks at me like I'm crazy.
I'm grateful that that said daughter is thrilled to pieces with the new layout of her room. Even though I was not.
I'm grateful for my 27 week baby bump. Even when it makes moving furniture difficult.
I'm grateful that I just happened to have a home-made dinner frozen in the freezer so all I had to do was pop it in the oven.
I'm grateful for new inspiration and fun new blogs to read.
I'm grateful for the 5 uninterrupted hours of sleep that Sadie-Rose gave me by sleeping with her sister instead of daddy and I. Even though I missed her something fierce and was ever so glad (and grateful) to snuggle her when she crawled in bed with us at 4am.

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30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 2

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Today I am so grateful for the gift of living in a Republic where we have the privilege and freedom to vote.
For a husband who says (most every night) c'mon baby, let's do it! And jumps up to help me clean the kitchen. We'll have the dishwasher unloaded, reloaded, dinner put away, and all surfaces wiped clean in less than 20 minutes. It's a big fat "grateful"!!!
For kind and lovely words in response to my monthly guest post on Lillyella's blog about Thanksgiving simplicity.
For chiropractic adjustments, the element of surprise, and a good public library.

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30 Days of Greatfulness, Day 1

We have so much to be thankful for and some days and in some seasons of life, we need the reminder more than others. I feel that for me, I need this daily reminder for a while. So, I'm going to take up sweet Andi's idea of 30 days of Greatfulness here on my blog. I hope to post most of them daily, but if not, I'll do the best I can. :) Please join in if you feel so inclined and let me know in the comments!source

Day 1: This day I was greatful to finish our math lesson before lunch time, for Mike's computer at work being crashed so that he came home at 4:05, for a lovely bike ride around the neighborhood, and for a cool evening of sitting on the porch and working in the yard. For making garden plans and for two little girls who enjoy broccoli. For vanilla ice cream with frozen pecans and drizzled with homemade caramel sauce.