100 Days of Gratitude

So, I pretty much just quit on this challenge a while back, but I'm feeling the need to force myself to stop & reflect on what I have to be thankful for, so I've decided to jump back in on day 50! 1/2 way there!!

Day 50- I'm thankful for the freedom I have to do what I need and want to do.  I'm glad I have the time and energy and funds to have a happy life.

100 Days of Gratitude Days 41-49

Dec. 15-19 I missed.

(41)20
I'm thankful for my beautiful niece Brianna Kay.  She's 13 now!

(42)21
I'm thankful for a great day spent with my beautiful niece Evangeline Grace!  I can't wait until Loren & Heather move back home & Vinnie & Evangeline can grow up together!

(43)22
I'm thankful for my kid sister's help!

(4423
I'm thankful for Tim having vacation time!

(45)24
I'm thankful for a mostly drama free holiday at Mom & Dad's house.

(4625
I'm thankful for a big family/friend gathering at OUR house.

(47)26
I'm thankful for a mostly lazy day with family and friends.

(48)27
I'm thankful that Wazowski's x-rays went well & that we have about 6 weeks before we really need to do his surgery.

Dec. 28-30 I missed.

(49) Dec. 31
I'm thankful for my boys & the ways they make me smile.

100 Days of Gratitude Days 38-40

Day 38
Dec. 12
I'm thankful for my husband being able to go with me to doctor's appointments for the boys.

Day 39
Dec. 13
I'm thankful for productive days at home!

Day 40
Dec. 14
I'm thankful for white cheddar popcorn. Mmm mmm good!

100 Days of Gratitude 30-35

Nov. 30-Dec. 3---I missed.  Oopsie-daisy.  I'll make up for them on the end I guess!

Day 30
Dec. 4-I am thankful for James & Missy, our dear friends and their two sweet boys, Trevor & Colton!

Day 31
Dec. 5 I am thankful for my nephew, Tyler.  Happy 15th Birthday kiddo!  I remember the day you were born....and that is weird.

Day 32
Dec. 6- I am thankful for Tim's class ending. :)

Day 33
Dec. 7-I am thankful for Indian Summer and a BEAUTIFUL December day at the park.

Day 34

Dec. 8--I am thankful for 4 months with Vinnie in our family!  He is such a joy & at 13 pounds 6 oz he is getting to be quite the big boy too!

Day 35
Dec. 9--I am thankful for sweet baby laughter!

100 Days of Gratitude Days 36 & 37

Day 36
Dec. 10
I'm thankful for my beautiful niece Carolynn.  She is such a fun kid & I love her to pieces. :)

Day 37
Dec. 11
I'm thankful for new milestones for my baby boy!!

100 Days of Gratitude 19-29

Fell behind on posting these, but not on being thankful for each of them daily!

Nov. 19--I'm thankful for getting housework done and for getting groceries bought.

Nov. 20--I'm thankful for all the clothes we have, which means I have tons of laundry to do.

Nov. 21--I'm thankful for my Mom & Dad spending time with my boys and loving on them.

Nov. 22--I'm thankful that I'm an American & have so many rights given to me!

Nov. 23--I'm thankful to NOT have to cook the turkey dinner tomorrow!

Nov. 24-Thanksgiving
I'm thankful for my family, friends, and loved ones in real life and on the internet who lift me up and support me daily.  I'm thankful for being surrounded by such awesome people & for the God who knew to put them all in my life!

Nov. 25--I'm thankful for AMAZING Black Friday shopping deals & for online shopping at Toys R Us!

Nov. 26--I'm thankful for lazy days to recover from busy shopping spree days!

Nov. 27--I'm thankful for quiet time in the car.  Time to think, reflect, and calm down when needed.

Nov. 28-- I'm thankful for left-overs.  Easy dinner and saving a little money by not having to cook a full meal every day.

Nov. 29--I'm thankful for simultaneous naps, no matter how brief they are. :)

100 Days of Gratitude -Days 12-18

Nov. 12
I'm thankful for getting lots of housework done.

Nov. 13
I'm thankful for the Bounce House & how much fun my boy has there. :)

Nov. 14
I'm thankful for my planner.

Nov. 15
I'm thankful for MOPS & the new friends I'm making there.

Nov. 16
I'm thankful for CiCi's Pizza coupons.  Yep.

Nov. 17
I'm thankful for Tim NOT having a meeting or class tonight.

Nov. 18
I'm thankful for "alone" time.  By alone I mean, just Vinnie & I, with no real agenda, just browsing at a few stores, by ourselves for a couple hours tonight.  It was nice & it did me good.

100 Days of Gratitude- Day 11

Nov. 11

Today I am thankful for our military.  I am thankful for all those who have served in the past, who are currently serving (at home & abroad) and those who WILL serve in the future.

I am thankful for the freedoms we enjoy & take for granted on a daily basis and that we live in a country where we know our rights are protected.

Happy Veteran's Day!

100 Days of Gratitude Days 7-10

Monday Nov. 7
I'm thankful for my washing machines.

We bought the laundry when we bought our house in June of 2007.  They are still going strong even though they get PLENTY of use and abuse!

I love them!

Tuesday Nov. 8
I'm thankful for a great pediatrician!

So, Luke developed a fever during the night & I had to take him to the pediatrician.  They are so awesome there.

While we were waiting for the doctor, Luke managed to pinch his thumb in the canopy of the stroller for the THIRD time.  This time was REALLY bad though.  I couldn't get his hand out.  I had to get a nurse to come pull his hand while I pulled on the stroller.  It was terrible.

The doctor came right in to examine his hand but it was too swollen for her to tell anything.  She gave me advice and support.

A few hours later, Luke still wouldn't use the finger, so I called them back.  The doctor got on the phone with me and gave me advice again.  She recommended that we go to Patient First for some x-rays.

It ended up not being broken, but we all felt better knowing that!

Wednesday Nov. 9
I'm thankful for my sister in law and good naps. :)

My sister in law, Beth, is often home during the day (she works nights a lot of the time) and therefore is available to help out with the boys at the "drop of a hat" notice.  This is a life-saver to me.  Without her help there are many days I feel like I'd go insane.

Yesterday, Beth met me at a doctor's appointment and took care of BOTH boys for me.  I really appreciate her  doing that & she's really good with them!

On Tuesday, she came over in the middle of the day to help out with my cranky boys and stayed through taking Luke to the urgent care center.


Thursday Nov. 10
I'm thankful for cute clothes for my kids.

There are rarely days that I can't dress the boys matching or coordinating.  The best part is, I really didn't buy most of their clothes!

Grams was so awesome while I was pregnant with Lucas.  She bought clothing across all four seasons in all sizes, since we had no idea what size baby to expect.  Because of this, there were some things that didn't get worn or didn't get worn much with Luke that were like-new for Vinnie!  :)  

It warms my heart to be able to dress them so that they are matching and are totally adorable.

The clothes that didn't come from Grams, are hand-me-downs from friends and family.  I love hand-me-downs. It is so nice to see clothes getting extra love rather than being tossed!

100 Days of Gratitude-Day 7

November 7-My mom & dad!

Mom & Dad drove in today so Dad could go to a doctor's appointment.

I love them so much & am so thankful for them.  :)

I really LOVE seeing them interact with my kids.  They both dote on them so much and just truly enjoy the time they get to spend with the kids.

As much as I know it hurts him, my Dad continues to get down on the floor to play whatever Luke desires and Luke loves every minute of his Pap's attention.

Today they played trucks, tools, trains, more trucks, more tools, potato head, and jump-jump.   Luke certainly has the attention span of a 2 year old and his Pap tolerated it really well!

I hope Luke and Dad's relationship stays as strong as it is now & that they continue to be best buddies!

Mom has the magic touch with Vinnie.  Ever since he was born, she can get him to sleep.  She got to snuggle  him for the best part of an hour today & he just loved napping on her chest!

100 Days of Gratitude -Days 4, 5, & 6

November 4- Good medicine/health insurance

I'm thankful that we have good insurance & that I can get medical advice, help, and treatment as often as I need to.  The third round of mastitis in a month kicked my butt, but at least I was able to talk to my doctor and get the medicine I needed!

November 5- Doing fun things with my family!

On the spur of the moment, we decided to take Aaron and Luke to Bounce House in Virginia Beach! They had a blast, even though we didn't stay more than an hour & a half!  It was an expense we probably shouldn't have made, but it was worth it to see the boys enjoy their Saturday afternoon!

November 6- Lazy days at home with my boys

I skipped church today since Tim had to run sound.  I've been up since 7:30 and it is now 9:45 am and we still haven't done anything!  In fact, Luke is completely naked, Vinnie has a diaper & onesie on, and I am in my pjs!  :)  We've been playing & having a lot of fun together though!!

100 Days of Gratitude -Day 3

Nov. 3-Day 3 of 100

I'm thankful for my husband who loves me!

I got slammed with another case of mastitis yesterday.  I hate that & I am hoping Dr. M can figure out why I keep getting it (3 times in 1 month) and do something to help me.

I ended up calling Peggy to come over after work because Tim had homework that needed done.  She was a huge help & I got to take a nap.

After dinner, Tim put Luke to sleep while I put Vinnie to bed.  Then Tim gave me a back rub and rubbed my arms and helped me pump.  I had aches and pains all over my body and I was just NOT feeling good and the only thing I can take is tylenol, which doesn't help much.  Tim was patient and loving and helped me not feel so bad.

I don't know what I'd do without that man!

100 Days of Gratitude -Day 2

Nov. 2--100 Days Of Gratitude

I am thankful for good friends!

We had dinner with the Johnson family last night.  I started a pot of sauce at noon for our 7:15 dinner & it was DELICIOUS   I also had bread sticks (frozen from a box) and salad (from a bag) as part of our dinner.

We had a great visit & really enjoyed just relaxing together.  I didn't feel the need to make my house spotless before they arrived because I know they love us unconditionally and wouldn't judge me for the pile of pots & pans I haven't found time to scrub. :)

It was about 9:00 when they headed out, which is a bit late for us to be just starting our bedtime routine with Luke & Vinnie, but it was such a nice visit that we weren't in the least bit upset.

I can't wait to get together with them (and our other friends!) soon!

100 Days of Gratitude -Day 1 & Introduction

So, the buzz around the internet yesterday was that November is "Giving Thanks" month and that it is also a great time to start 100 Days of Gratitude.  
I like the idea & think it will be fun to reflect on my days & say something I am thankful for!  So, from Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011 through Wednesday February 8, 2012, I will be keeping a record of the things I am greatful for! 


Won't you join along??


(1) Nov. 1 -I am thankful for Pet Birthday Cake ice cream & both boys asleep by 9:30. 

I was having a rough few days, with very little sleep, thanks to the entire family having head colds.  
I managed to get out and do the grocery shopping, restocking our supply of Pet Birthday Cake ice cream.  That stuff is DELICIOUS.  It is seriously the best ice cream I've ever eaten. (Its better than Cold Stone Creamery's cake batter flavor!)  
I also got at least two weeks' worth of meat and plenty of other food and supplies.  It is such a blessing to be able to buy groceries without worrying about going over a certain amount or not having enough money to buy the little treats we enjoy.  I am glad that Tim's new job gives us that security and for now we can afford a few luxuries (like ice cream!)  
So, really, I'm thankful for Tim's job and the security the boys and I have, knowing Daddy is taking good care of us and meeting our needs.  (and sacrificing his own to spoil his wifey)  
I was also very thankful that I finally got Luke to bed at 8 pm and then that I was able to get in bed with Vinnie at 8:40.  I am so tired that just laying down to nurse him, knowing I didn't have to get up again any time soon (Tim was on his way home) was so nice.  


So, starting small and not too deep, but there you have it, that's what I'm thankful for today.

100 Days of Gratitude List

1-Nov. 1- Ice cream, Tim's job, the boys going to bed early
2-Nov. 2- Good friends
3-Nov. 3- My husband
4-Nov. 4-Good medicine/health insurance
5-Nov. 5-Doing fun things with my family
6-Nov. 6-Lazy days at home with my boys
7-Nov. 7-  My washing machines
8-Nov. 8-A great pediatrician
9-Nov. 9- Beth
10-Nov. 10- Cute clothes!

11-Nov. 11- For our military security!
12-Nov. 12-Lots of housework getting done
13-Nov. 13- Bounce House
14-Nov. 14-my planner (gotta love pencil & paper)
15-Nov. 15- MOPS & my new friends
16-Nov. 16- Ci Ci's Pizza coupons
17-Nov. 17-Tim NOT having class or meetings tonight!
18-Nov. 18-Alone time
19-Nov.19- Housework done & groceries bought!
20-Nov.20- Laundry!

21-Nov. 21- Mom & Dad loving on the boys
22-Nov. 22-Being an American
23-Nov. 23-Not having to cook
24-Nov. 24-Family, friends, love ones, God
25-Nov. 25- Shopping deals in store & online
26-Nov.26-Lazy days
27-Nov. 27- Quiet time in the car
28-Nov. 28- Left-overs
29-Nov. 29-Simultaneous naps

Nov. 30- Dec. 4 Missed :(

30-Dec. 4-The Hayes Family
31-Dec. 5- Tyler
32-Dec.6-End of the semester for Tim
33-Dec.7-Indian Summer
34-Dec.8-4 Months w/ Vinnie
35-Dec.9- Baby Laughter
36-Dec.10
37- Dec. 11
38-Dec. 12
39-Dec. 13
40-Dec. 14