Gratitude Log- Day 14

Five things I'm grateful for today:

The Sound of Ocean Waves

Nothing beats the real thing but lately Rick has been playing ocean sounds on night while we sleep and it is pretty relaxing and amazing.... thanks Dad for the tip!

My Phone

It is so great to be able to connect with friends who live far and chat about life together.  It's second best to actually spending time with them in person.

Half Marathons

I decided today that I am going to run another half marathon, I hope actually setting the goal will motivate me to stick with my training schedule.  I plan to run the Santa Barbara Half Marathon November 10th.

Family Strolls

Today on my running schedule I was supposed to do cross training of walking or running 2 miles.  I walked with my family downtown Pleasanton for two miles although we did stop in the middle to buy and eat some frozen yogurt.  I think I will still count it :)

Frozen Yogurt

Yum.

Gratitude Log- Day 13

Five things I'm grateful for today:

Craigslist

We are finally getting around to making our home feel like a home and selling things that we don't like anymore.  Tomorrow someone is coming by to pick up some of our old furniture and I'm so excited to be rid of it!

Air Conditioning

It has been hot lately and I'm glad we have a way to keep it cool inside.

Homemade Pizza

A family favorite.  Tonight Adelaide helped me make a couple pizzas for dinner using a crust filled with herbs from our garden.  One was topped with potato, shallots and chives and the other with bell pepper, pineapple and basil.  Yum.

Teeter Totters

There is a park in town with a teeter totter that Adelaide loves to play at.  She sits on one end while Mav and I sit on the other and we just go up and down while we sing songs.  I seriously think she could do that all day, it is pretty cute.

My Grandparents

They live in Idaho but I call them often; it is great to hear about what they are up to and they always brighten up my day.  They are some of the most loving and genuine individuals I know.

Gratitude Log- Day 12

Five things I'm grateful for today:

Naps

I had a long one today snuggling up with little Mav and it was wonderful.

Amazon

Sometimes you only remember the random things you really need to buy late at night and thank goodness Amazon is there to place your order at that very moment.  

My Sewing Machine

I pulled it out tonight and put it on my desk to motivate me to start another project soon.  I'm thinking of making these.

Comforting a Child

I love that when Adelaide is scared, sick or hurt she asks for me, and that just by holding or kissing her I can make her feel better.  I think it might be one of my favorite things about being a mom.

A Husband that Vacuums

...while holding our baby.  Amazing? I think yes.  I swear I do some housework, vacuuming just isn't my strong suite. 

Gratitude Log- Day 11

Five things I'm grateful for today:

The Dammit Race

It has been tradition that my dad and I run this whenever we are both in town for it.  This year Eric ran it with us and totally creamed us.  My time wasn't that good and I didn't train at all this year but something about races always motivates me to run more so hopefully I can get back in the habit and train for a half marathon soon.

A Running Companion

This man named Skip was pretty much the same speed as me today on the trail.  I would pass him on the downhill and then he would pass me on the flat parts.  I had fallen behind him when we got to the final lap around the track but I sprinted and beat him at the last second.  We bonded over the fact that we were each other's running pacers and even though I got him in the end he is obviously the real winner given that he is 65 years old.  I hope I can still run that way when I'm that age.

My Newton Shoes

Today I was grateful for my Newton running shoes.  They help me run in a more barefoot style and are really comfortable.  They happened to have a booth at the track after the race which made me happy and a little nostalgic for Boulder.

Joanna Brookes

I have been following her work for a while now and wish I had known her during my time at SDSU (she is a professor there).  I had the opportunity of briefly meeting her today in San Francisco and she is lovely.  I felt like a weirdo asking her to take a picture with me but that didn't stop me.

Redbox

I'm excited to go snuggle up with Rick and watch a movie right now :)

Gratitude Log- Day 10

Five things I'm grateful for today:

Date Night

Tonight my parents watched Adelaide and Mav while Rick and I went out.  My parents were surprised that we arrived home so early (11pm) but we are tired!  It was great to have some time together without the kids, thanks Mom and Dad!

Swim Parties

Swimming with friends makes it feel like summer. Today I met up with three friends and their kids and we swam for a couple of hours.  It was chaotic and hot and so much fun.

Dancing

Tonight we danced with tons of old people while a Santana cover band played.  There was this guy really getting into it that we got a kick out of.  Sometimes I don't feel like dancing, I'm not sure if I am self conscious or just lazy but then I noticed a man clapping to the music while sitting in a wheel chair and I realized that being able to dance is a beautiful gift... even I look like an idiot I will embrace the opportunity to dance!

Gelato

Rick and I are ice cream freaks and eat Ben and Jerry's like it's going out of style but tonight we switched it up for strawberries & cream and snickers gelato.  Amazing.

Food Trucks

They are the greatest and tonight we checked out this place in Los Gatos where like ten food trucks were all lined up with tables and chairs and dancing in the middle.  What a great idea; Rick and I both agree we could get used to going there every Friday night! 

Gratitude Log- Day 9

Five things I'm grateful for today:

Singing to my Children

It's no secret that I don't have a good singing voice.  I loved to sing as a child but was told daily by my brothers that I really shouldn't sing (typical of older brothers don't you think?).  But it wasn't just them; after a musical try-out in middle school a friend who was present asked me if I was tone-deaf, and he wasn't kidding. Up until now I've never had anyone ask me to sing for them so I love it when Adelaide asks me to sing to her before bed.  I realize that it is likely just a ploy to stay up a little later but I don't care.  We have a great time singing lullabies, church songs and disney melodies together. 

My Freezer

I  have been freezing and storing seasonal fruit in giant ziploc bags.  Adelaide loves to snack on frozen treats and I love to eat them with yogurt or use them in smoothies.  We have lots of delicious blackberries piling up in our freezer right now because we can't eat all that we pick each night fast enough. 

Locks

Today I discovered a new trick; I locked all the doors to the bedrooms and bathrooms so my kids could only play in the living room.  Adelaide is like a quick and destructive tornado sometimes and this definitely limited her toy explosions.  I know it will only last until she figures out how to unlock the doors herself but I will enjoy it while I can.

An Attitude Adjustment
I woke up this morning pretty much hating life.  Adelaide woke up at 3 this morning and never went back to sleep (she is still up right now and it is 9:00pm... that girl never sleeps) and I was just so exhausted.  But at one point I decided to get over it and in the end I'm amazed to say today was a great day.  Thankful that my attitude can often shape the outcome of my day.

Forts

There is no way my kids would simply play under my kitchen table for over an hour but if I throw a sheet over it and call it a fort then they will play under there for hours.  I was very grateful for this trick today while I caught up on some things.

Gratitude Log- Day 8

Five things I'm grateful for today:

Reliable Recipes

As much as I love trying out new dishes, I also really love having a few tried and true recipes to lean on when I'm not feeling so adventurous.  This Eggplant and Zucchini Lasagna has become a classic in our home although I often switch out the zucchini for whatever type of squash I receive in my CSA.  

Easy Lunches

For days that we don't have leftovers I've been trying to figure out an easy lunch that Rick can take to work.  I like the idea I've seen floating around on pinterest of putting salads in mason jars. I tried it out today using arugula, black beans, quinoa, bell peppers and red onion but in the future I think I will add more variety. Rick loved it and I think I'll start making these salads each week so that we can just quickly grab them when needed.

Scenic Runs

I went for a jog today and as always it made me feel whole again.  I love the feeling I get after running... I always feel less crazy and stressed after a good jog.  Grateful that I have the health to be able to enjoy my time running. 

Wild Turkeys

I often see them when I go running in the nearby neighborhoods and their goofy little wattles remind me of Richard's fetish from the show Ally McBeal.

Eugene England

His personal essays are a source of inspiration to me and I find myself reflecting on his ideas often.