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.

Gratitude Log- Day 7

Five things I'm grateful for today:

Girls's Night Out

The girls from my church do a girl's night out every couple weeks.  They have been great for getting to know new people and it's always nice to get a little break from the crazy kids.  Tonight we shared snacks and stories while we sort of played Catch Phrase.  

Giggles

My two kids giggle all day.  It is so cute to me maybe because it reminds me of Jessica and I (you can't stop us from laughing when we are around each other, it is actually kind of embarrassing sometimes).  I feel like sibling love is at it's best when laughter is involved.

Homemade Bread

I love making homemade whole wheat bread.  In the summer sometimes I avoid doing it because I don't want to turn the oven on, but today was just cool enough.  I love the way the house smells after.

Shopping Carts with Kid Cars

These make shopping trips more pleasant and more crazy at the same time.  Adelaide and Mav have a great time turning their wheels and smiling at other shoppers and I can concentrate on getting the items on my list.

Failing

 I fail pretty much on a daily basis in one way or another but I really do think failures are something to be grateful for.  They are humbling, teach valuable lessons and often open up doors to new opportunities.

Gratitude Log- Day 6

Five things I'm grateful for today:

Cars

I love that all I have to do is hop in my car and within an hour I can be in a number of really awesome places.  Thank you Mr. Ford.

Stars

Recent camping trips have reminded me how much I enjoy gazing at the stars.  I especially love when I see one shooting across the sky.

Honest People

Tonight I was a little bit of a ditz and left my bag in an ice cream shop in Santa Cruz and didn't realize until I was in my car.  I thought that someone might have taken it or at least grabbed my wallet but when I rushed back it was exactly where I left it and untouched.

Emails from Jessica

Every monday morning I wake up to an email from Jessica who is currently a missionary in Portugal.  I miss her so much and love to hear about her new friends and adventures there.

Going on the Big Dipper with Rick

Tonight we went to the boardwalk with family and Rick and I rode the Big Dipper twice.  I've been on that ride lots of times of but hands down it is the most fun sitting next to Rick who squeals and giggles like a school child the whole time.

Gratitude Log- Day 5

Five things I'm grateful for today:

Shady Trees

Particularly the one outside my church building.  Maverick and I spent a big chunk of church sitting on the lawn in the shade of this beautiful tree since church is pretty much pointless when your child is nine months old... he can't sit still and makes really loud noises.

Toffee & chocolate covered almonds

These are a new discovery for me and they are amazing.

Sunday morning brunch

We don't have church until 1 in the afternoon so I love eating a late breakfast with my family.  Today we made whole wheat crepes with plums and peaches and homemade whipped cream.  I love sitting around the table together while eating good food.

The way Maverick looks at me

He is such a momma's boy and looks at me like he is in love.  I know he'll grow out of it so I'm just soaking it in.

Google hangout

Even though it can sometimes be a little spotty it is so nice being able to keep in touch with family that live far away.  Adelaide especially loves to play peek-a-boo and show off her toys through the screen. Right now she is chatting with her grandpa in Arizona.  Technology is really amazing.

Gratitude Log- Day 4

Five things I'm grateful for today:

Sleeping in

It has been an exhausting couple of weeks so sleeping in this morning was needed and appreciated.

Paint

Grateful that you can turn ugly furniture into something cute and fresh.  I repainted a chair and some shelves today.  I'm not quite sure about the chair color, but if I decide against it I can just paint it another color I guess.

Home made ice cream sandwiches

Today I ate at least four.  Even though I feel a little sick now, they were totally delicious and worth it.  I might just go have another one while I watch an episode of Doogie Howser with Rick.  

My dishwasher

Ours was broken recently and now that it is in working condition again I am in heaven.  Doing dishes by hand all the time is no fun.

Rick's mad housekeeping skills

Today while I was painting in our garage Rick loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen, did three loads of laundry, swept the floor and cleaned up the kids toys.  He puts me to shame.