\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 13//

I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. Writing down my thankfuls for each week has become a way to stay away from the negative. Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments.

I'm thankful for the health that has been restored to our home. After the long weekend, Kid and I stayed home sick after getting no sleep the night before. We are now feeling back to 100% and our tissue use has decreased.

I'm thankful for Starbucks and Caribou gift cards. Let's be honest. It's such a treat to pull up at the drive-thru and know that you're getting your beverage for free. My favorites are Peppermint Hot Cocoa (Starbucks) and Hot Cocoa with a shot of Caramel (Caribou). I'm also thankful for the drive-thru window. It is so nice to stay in the warm car while my beverage is made and then be right on my way to work.

I'm thankful for dirty dishes (and the dishwasher). Dirty dishes remind me that I have food to prepare in the refrigerator. They remind me that I have a functioning stove, oven, and microwave. I'm forever grateful for my dishwasher that received as a Christmas gift when we bought our home. The family that left our home took everything with them, including the kitchen sink). But the dishwasher saves me (and the hubs) countless minutes after dinner each night. Minutes that we can spend hanging out with Kid and the pup. They are minutes that we cherish.

What are you thankful for?

\\Thankful Thursday: Vol. 12//

Thanksgiving is here, and I felt the need to bring Thankful Thursday back. There's so much to be thankful for, and Thanksgiving is a fabulous time to reflect.

1. As always, I'm thankful for my family. My parents watch Kid two days a week and he is so loved by them. My mom always has words of wisdom for when I complain about my body, my job, my cranky kid. Dad gives the best dad-hugs and sometimes you just need a dad-hug. My sister and brother are the best - always there for me. Especially when I need fashion advice. Sister always has fabulous tips for me. Brother has perfected Kid's wardrobe (we all have him to thank for Kid's adorable Christmas outfit).

2. My job. It's been really busy this year, but I'm loving it. I'm feeling like a new teacher again, in that there is always something to do, but I am sick of doing the same thing year after year. It was definitely time for some change! The kids I work with are delightful, and my coworkers make going to work even more fun. While I will complain from time to time, I do look forward to going to work.

3. A teacher's schedule. I love my schedule. Yes, I bring work home every night. Not correcting, but stuff to prep - cut, staple, draw, etc. I don't get to it until after Kid goes to bed and it takes a long time. But, I have a teacher's schedule. I have a break in the fall, a break for Thanksgiving. A winter break, a spring break. While we can't afford for my to stay home (my real dream job), I get the best of both worlds. I go to a job that I love during the school year. On breaks and during the summer, I get to be a stay at home mom. It's wonderful.

4. Cash Money. Don't get me wrong. We aren't rolling in dough. Even a little bit. We live on a tight budget. But, we are comfortable. We have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We have clothes on our backs. I can afford to fill my gas tank each week. Do I wish we had more money? Honestly, who doesn't? But, we are good. We are lucky.

5. Fertility. There are many families out there that struggle with fertility issues, and my heart breaks for them. I am ever so thankful every day for our fertility.

\\Thankful Thursday Vol 11//

I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. Writing down my thankfuls for each week has become a way to stay away from the negative. Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments.

This week, I am thankful for...

...our restored health. Both the hubs and I were battling some sort of bug that had us running to the bathroom far to frequently. We are finally feeling better, and are thankful for it. It's so easy to take for granted the time that you have in a day (even when you think you don't have any time). When you're sick, you realize how much time you actually have. And you miss it. It's so nice to be feeling healthy again!

...snowboarding. I haven't gone snowboarding in two seasons. WHAT?! For one season, I was pregnant. And this season, time just got away from me. And, the temperatures were often way too far below zero. But this weekend, THIS WEEKEND!, the hubs and I are going snowboarding. My sister will be watching Kid. The hubs and I will ride until we can ride no longer.

...family close by. I know I've said this time and time again. But my parents are out of town. And so is my brother. And, it just feels weird. I enjoy knowing that they are there. Just 10 minutes down the road. The world just doesn't feel right when they're off traveling and seeing the world.

\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 10//

 I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. Writing down my thankfuls for each week has become a way to stay away from the negative. Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments.

This week, I am thankful for...

..the Mint Oreo Blizzard my husband surprised me with last night. We indulged in blizzards all the time when I was pregnant with Kid. Mmm, so delicious. And it was such a surprise. The hubs walked in the door with a huge grin, and his hands still in the garage (yes, it looked so awkward). And then, he showed me the blizzard! It was the best surprise ever!

...pickles. Kid had his first pickle this week. I know this is a lame thankful, but pickles are one of my favorite foods. And it is appear as though they are one of Kid's favorites as well. Woo hoo! He loved it! And got so mad when he dropped it on the floor.

...skiing. I've been trying to learn how to skate ski. I was part of the nordic ski team for a couple years in high school, but I only participated in classic skiing (where your feet go back and forth). Just this year, the hubs and I picked up skate skiing. Did anyone watch the biathlon events during the Olympics? They were skate skiing (and then stopping to do some target shooting). It has been so, so fun. Unbelievably tiring, but fun. And a great work out, too!

...the weather (now that I am talking about it, it'll will take a turn for the worse). Our weather has been delightful. Driving with the windows down. A light spring coat, instead of the hefty winter coat. It even smells like spring out there. The snow is melting, the sun is intense. And the birds are back!

\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 9//

I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. Writing down my thankfuls for each week has become a way to stay away from the negative. Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments.

This week, I am thankful for...

...grandparents. I know I have mentioned family before, but this one is just focused on the grandparents. Kid has 4 of them, and they live within 10 minutes of us. He also has 4 great grandparents, that live within 20 minutes of us. What a lucky boy he is! But really. I am so fortunate to have family so close. Just last weekend, we relied upon my parents for babysitting during a cross country ski lesson and for a low key evening out of the house. It's so wonderful to be able to cal them up, bring over some fresh vegetables and have a quick dinner together. Kid reaches for his Mootzie as soon as we arrive at their house and snuggles in close for some love. It's such a wonderful thing to witness. Again, I am thankful and we are so fortunate!

...friends. My closest girlfriends and I are all turning 30 within a month of each other. We have started planning for our birthday bash: a night out on the town and a slumber party downtown. Oh my goodness, I am so pumped! I have known these women since 9th grade (and one of them since first grade!). We have all been through so much together and, while we are different points in our lives, we still manage to get together on a weekly basis for dinner. I call upon these women in times of need, knowing that they would give me the shirt off their backs if needed. And I would do the same for them. Again. So thankful.

...the sun. It's been dreary around here lately. It's wintertime. The sun rises late and sets early. Sometimes, when I arrive home, it's already dark. But lately, the sun has shown his pretty face longer and longer. This weekend, while Kid napped, I pushed my comfy chair into the window and soaked up the sun. Oh, the vitamin D! Winter gets hard. It's cold. It's dark. It's blah. But when the sun joins us in the winter, life is so much better! There really are a ton of things to do in the winter, and they are all so much more enjoyable when the sun shines.

\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 8//

I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. Writing down my thankfuls for each week has become a way to stay away from the negative. Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments.

This week, I am thankful for...

...days off from work. It has been so fun to be home with Kid during the week. Monday was Presidents' Day and he had so much energy. It was so different to be home with him, instead of picking him up from daycare. He's tired after a day at daycare (or one of his grandparents' houses!), so having him all day during the week is fun. We played with all of his toys, we read books, we sang songs. We worked on crawling. Okay. I've talked about crawling a lot here, on Twitter, and on Instagram. You may think that I really, really wish Kid were crawling. I am completely content to have a baby that is not yet crawling! Either way, Monday was a delight. I am most definitely looking forward to summer and having a few months to be a SAHM. It'll probably be more work that kindergarten, but I can't wait!

...books. I haven't had much time to read, but I'm currently reading Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. So far, so good. Plus, I love the feel of a real book in my hands. The smell of the paper, the look of the print. Obviously, I am a blogger, and the internet means a lot to me but there is something to be said about an old fashioned book.

...my winter boots. We have gotten so much snow in the last couple of days. While I haven't had to venture out, I have made a few trips into the wintery wonderland. My Keen boots have been a life-saver. It was warm today (the car read 31 degrees Fahrenheit), so the snow on the roads/in parking lots is getting slushy. Walking through that mush is annoying. And when I don't wear boots? My pants get wet. Boots are a must.

\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 7//

I'm feeling all sorts of discombobulated with the NaBloPoMo going on, and with the short work week.

That's right. After two weeks off from school, I was granted 2 extra days to stay home with my two main men. The temperatures dipped so long (and the windchills even lower!) that schools across the state of Minnesota were canceled on both Monday and Tuesday.

And so, here I am, marveling in how quickly this week flew by.

I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. Writing down my thankfuls for each week has become a way to stay away from the negative. Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments.

This week, I am thankful for...

...two extra days off from school. It was so delightful to stay home with my boys and lay low. It was so cold here that we didn't even leave the house on Monday. On Tuesday, we made the trip to our local community center to play in the pool. Little mister LOVES splashing in the water during bath time. While it took him a good 20 minutes to observe the community center pool, he was splashing and playing and laughing and talking up a storm.

...my observant little boy. We have noticed that, while Kid is an outgoing character, it takes him a little while to warm up. When walking into a room/building/house full of new people, he is a quiet and mellow little boy. Once he warms up, though. Oh man, there is no stopping him! It is so fun to see the characteristics that he has from both his dad and I. I am excited to see what other characteristics and personality traits we start to notice.

...time away from school, period. Don't get me wrong. I love my job. To pieces. It is such a wonderful thing that I get to walk into that room each morning and greet 20 smiling faces. 20 little people that are so excited to learn. 20 munchkins that think I am the coolest thing since sliced bread (can you tell I teach kindergarten?). But time away makes me appreciate it so much more. I teach those 20 buddies all day long. Reading. Writing. Math. Coat zipping. Shoe tying. Working nicely with friends. Playing nicely with everyone. Respect. Responsibility. It's a big job. And it takes a lot of energy. So when I am granted those two weeks for winter break, oh, how wonderful it is. And I know, I know. Parents can get stressed with all of their munchkins at home. It always works both ways.

What are you thankful for this week?

\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 6//

I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. Writing down my thankfuls for each week has become a way to stay away from the negative. Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments.

This week, I am thankful for...

...Tylenol. Kid is currently cutting FOUR teeth. Poor kid! I couldn't imaging having four teeth coming in at the same time. He has been drooling a ton, and gnawing on anything he can get to his mouth. We try not to use Tylenol too frequently, but there was one night this week that the poor boy was inconsolable. It was 2 in the morning, he and I had gotten little to no sleep, and I had to be up earlier than usual the next morning. Tylenol to save the day!

...new tires. I cried when I got the flat tire a few weeks back. It was so frustrating. I just wanted to get home, but I was delayed a few hours with the flat. The tire was irreparable and, because of the type of car I drive, replacing one tire means replacing all four tires. I wanted to cry once more when I looked at the bill. But the new tires are dreamy. The car is driving so well, which is a must in a Minnesota winter!

...a break. Tomorrow is the last day of school for two whole weeks! I am more than ready for this break. This school year has been kicking my behind and I'm ready for the break so that I can regroup and recharge. Especially after the winter sledding party we're having this morning. The students will love it, but it will be quite exhausting!

What are you thankful for this week?

\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 5//

I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. Writing down my thankfuls for each week has become a way to stay away from the negative. Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments.

This week, I am thankful for...

...technology. Duh. I write a blog. Of course I dig technology and am thankful for it. But this week, it has saved my behind. Well. A colleague's behind. As you may (or may not?) know, I teach. One of my fellow colleagues was out sick this week, but didn't write any plans for a guest teacher. Yikes! I had a phone call, email, and text out to her in a matter of minutes! She stayed home sick the following day and  emailed me her guest teacher plans. What would have happened if we didn't have email and the internet at our fingertips!?

...sleep. This will be my last thankful for the week. I normally have this post ready to go on Wednesday afternoon. But here I am, 8:45 on Thursday night writing away. With heavy eyelids, and a sleep-deprived, foggy brain. I'm so very thankful for my warm and cozy bed. A place to rest my eyes and warm my toes (because the dog sleeps on my side of the bed until I crawl in...he makes it so nice and warm). I'm so thankful for the fact that the babe is already snoozing away, and I'm ready to enter a nice, long sleep. Yep. At 8:45.

\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 4//

I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. Writing down my thankfuls for each week has become a way to stay away from the negative. Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments.

This week, I am thankful for...

...Sierra Nevada. No, not the mountain range. The cerveza. Like most, I enjoy myself a glass of vino. But really, beer is my thing. I love it. The different styles, the different "flavors." It's delicious. My favorite as of late has been Sierra Nevada's Extra Pale Ale. Can't go wrong.

...my boys. Did I say them once before? I'm ever so grateful for my three boys (yes, I've included the puppy-boy). My husband is the most wonderful husband one could ask for. He's loving, he's funny, he's there. He is SO involved with Boy. Not only is he the most amazing husband, he is a fabulous father. Of course, I think my baby boy is top-notch. I'm always thankful for him. For his smiles, his laughs, his inclination to yell at the top of his lungs because he thinks he's so cool. Love him. And of course, I must not forget my first baby, Sir Finnegan Spotted Ale (his full name). The pooch is great. Does he annoy me from time to time? Why yes, yes he does. But is he always there with an excited wag of the tail (which ends up being an excited wag of the whole back end). Does he warm up my side of the bed for me every night? Sure does!

...my husband's old high chair. I'm thankful for this for a few reasons. ONE. We didn't have to buy a high chair. TWO. Boy is so entertained while sitting in his high chair while I make dinner. Mostly because he is at my level (and I think Boy thinks it's pretty awesome that he's bigger than Finn). He loves it. So I love it. And I'm so thankful for my husband, who finally dug through his parents' storage closet and brought it home!

Oh, and. Last week I was thankful for Boy's health. While he is still incredibly healthy, we've been rocking a runny nose for a solid week now...

\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 3//

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. Writing down my thankfuls for each week has become a way to stay away from the negative. Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments.

This week, I am thankful for...

...the family. The whole thing. My husband and I are rather lucky in that both of our parents live not more than 10 minutes away. Our siblings all live in the state (okay, one is living in Spain, but she'll be home soon!). Family really is the biggest part of my life and something I am thankful for each and every day.

image source

...wool socks. They hug your feet! They're so cozy! I love wool socks. It's that time of year again when the wool socks come out in full force. One of the first things I do when I get home from work (besides loving up the baby boy, of course!) is change my socks. Adios work socks. Hello wool socks! Cozy, warm, delightful.

image source

...Aldi. It's a grocery store. And it is amazing. The produce is delicious. Delicious and really inexpensive. A lot of people around these parts are rather skeptical about this particular grocery store. Like any store, all you need to do is check ingredient labels. And when you're buying produce? Just pick out the good stuff (again, like any grocery store). Do you have an Aldi in your area?

...Kid's health. He has been such a healthy boy to this point. He hasn't had more than a little cough and a runny nose that lasted a day and a half.

\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 2//

It's time, again, to list the thankfuls for the week.

Feel free to leave your thankfuls in the comments!

1. Pa (my dad). Because everyone needs an awesome Pa. You may think I'm just going through the list of my family members. Which I very easily could do, as I am thankful for each and every one of them. But this week, it's my dad. I have one of those dads that would drop everything to help. He'd give me the shirt off his back. And he'd pick up the baby boy from daycare three days in a row because there were conflicts with mine and the hubby's schedule. That Pa. He's one great dad and amazing grandpa.

2. Once Upon a Child. I'm rather short. So I kind of expected a small baby. He is not small. I should have known, too, as the hubs is 6'2". Not short by any means. Our little boy is growing rather quickly. His clothing sizes, at 7 months, are between 9 and 12 months. It seems as though I have to buy him more clothes every couple of weeks. Which is not easy on the pocket book. The other day, I spent $30 and got 2 winter jackets, three books, and a puzzle. I checked the price of winter jackets at Target in the baby's size. $32.

3. My 20 to 25 minute commute to work. You mean, people actually enjoy sitting in their vehicles? To go to work? What? Here's the thing. I love my job. Besides staying at home, I can't think of something I'd rather do. Sometimes, I find it difficult to switch gears from work to home or home to work. Twenty minutes is the perfect amount of time to prepare for work, or the decompress after a long day. It's also the perfect time to see the beautiful Minnesota sun rises.

Stay tuned for next week's Thankful Thursday.

\\Thankful Thursday Vol. 1//

I find that it is impossibly easy to get into a rut of negativity. And once you're there, it's hard to climb your way out. With my whole heart, I believe that you have the power to have a good day or a bad day. You can make your day fabulous or, you can decide to have a not-so-great day.

One way I have helped myself have wonderful days, and avoid the rut of negativity, is a gratitude journal. I write down the things I am thankful for.

And I've decided to bring that to the blog. Welcome to the birth of Thankful Thursdays. Each Thursday, I will write about a few of the things I've been thankful for in the past week. Feel free to leave your "thankfuls" in the comments!

1. I've been so thankful for my mom. Without her, I wouldn't be here (duh). I wouldn't be the person that I am today. The woman is is, quite simply, one of a kind. I had a bit of a meltdown on Sunday. The hubs was out of town, the babes was a bit ornery. And the mama was quite frustrated. A quick phone call to my mama and all was right in the world again.

2. The Ergo. Oh, my dear, sweet, favorite baby product. Okay. I don't know if it is my absolute favorite. But I love it. It comes in handy when the daddy is working late, the baby is fussy, and dinner is being made. Plop the baby in the Ergo and life is good. He loves it, too. The hubby and I both use the Ergo on a weekly basis. We shuttle it with us everywhere we go. And the best part? Deer Day was this past weekend, so my sister and I went shopping. Baby G got hungry...strap him in the Ergo...nurse and shop. At. The. Same. Time.

3. My job. Quite simply, I love teaching. I work with the littlest kids at the school (kindergarten!) and find so much joy in those little buggers. We have been talking about working and playing together: what it looks like, what it feels like, what it sounds like. One of my kiddos said, "Playing together is being friendful." Friendful! What a delightful word! He coined that word on Monday, and I have used it so many time since then. Five- and six-year-olds are so thoughtful, so caring. I love that I can to teach them each day.