Why I am Grateful, #28, #29, and #30

Today will be my last post on gratitude, at least for a little while. I am sure that you are tired of these cliched Thanksgiving posts, but I am glad that I am doing them, if nothing else, for my own sake, and for my family's sake. So, for the last time this year:
Today, I am grateful for:
-Good night's sleep, which doesn't always come as often as it used to when I was younger.
-The fact that our local animal shelter, thanks to the wonderful work of its new employees and volunteers, has not killed an animal for space reasons in 366 days. Last year, there was an 85% kill rate, and now, there is a 91% save rate, and the only euthanizations have been due to illness or aggression beyond any control. I am so proud of everyone involved, and the hard work, the tears, the happy "tails," and the battles we have fought together to bring this about.
-I am grateful that my dad deactivated his Facebook account. Before you freak out on me, let me assure you, I LOVED having my dad on Facebook. But, he deactivated his account, at least temporarily, because he felt he was constantly having to check it, which decreased his productivity, and he was tired of all of the drama caused by who is friends with who, and who said what, and who believes what, who read what, etc. It has inspired me to check it less and eliminate unnecessary drama in my life. Granted, it's a great way to keep in touch w/ people, and I'll probably still check it a few times a day, but I want to work harder to check it less and less.

Why I am Grateful, #26 and #27

Today, I am grateful for being able to start afresh each and every day, getting a chance to make things right and to begin again when I stumble in life, as we all do. I'm going through a bit of a trying time right now where I am really doubting myself and my abilities, and it helps me to make it through knowing that today is another new start, and I have people who love me unconditionally.
I am also grateful for health insurance/dental insurance, which I didn't have as a kid, and enables me now to decently afford health care and dental work. While it doesn't cover everything, it makes the costs digestible and manageable, and I know it would be so much worse not having it because I've lived having to do without it. This week, I went to the doctor and came back with three prescriptions, and only had to pay $23 for all three, and I was able to also go to the dentist and get my teeth cleaned and x-rays for free as I have done for a few years now, and which I couldn't get done regularly as a kid.
For those two things, today, I am grateful.

Why I am Grateful, #24 and #25

I am grateful for the fact that, minus buying some small gifts for a few friends, we have most of our Christmas shopping done...all of the family shopping is complete! And I'm really excited about that because now I can tune out the Black Friday commercials and sale ads and focus on the season itself. (I really, really, really hate the commercialism of Christmas and Black Friday, but that's a rant for another day...let's just say, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because it is essentially Christmas without the materialism, and now the retailers want to take that away from us via Black Friday hell.)
Today, I am also grateful that we had a Thanksgiving meal large enough to supply us with ample leftovers, which I will be turning into pot pies a la Paula Deen today.

TURKEY POT PIE

Servings: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1 sheet frozen puff pastry
1/2 cup milk
1 egg, beaten
2 11-ounce cans condensed cheddar cheese soup
2 10 3/4-ounce cans cream of celery soup
1 large Turkey skinned, cooked, boned and cubed
2 medium onions, diced
2 cup cooked butternut squash, diced (I'm just gonna use a can or two of canned veggies...corn, maybe peas, or mixed vegetables, or whatever is frozen downstairs)
2 cup cranberry sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To make the crust, dust surface with flour. Cut 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry into 1-inch strips, 8 inches long. On a large cookie sheet, weave strips into a lattice large enough to cover each pot pie. Mix egg and milk together and brush onto each lattice square. Bake for 5 minutes. Dough will rise and turn light golden brown. Set aside until ready to assemble pies.

In a large saucepan heat the milk and soups. Stir in turkey, onion, squash, cranberries and salt and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil. In an oven-proof pot, fill with mixture and top with the pre-cooked lattice square. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes until bubbly and puff pastry is deep golden brown.

Cook’s Note:
Cutting the puff pastry with a fluted-wheel creates elegant edges.

Good substitutions for cheddar cheese soup are cream of chicken soup and cream of mushroom soup.

Recipe Courtesy Paula Deen

Why I am Grateful, #23

I was listening to a song from the '80s today, "Life in a Northern Town" by Dream Academy, and for some reason, I started thinking about some of the friends I have lost to death throughout the years. For some reason, there have been more than a few friends of mine who have died too young, but all were special to me, and all blessed me in very distinct ways. So, today, I've spent privately memorializing them, and their presence and time in my life is what I am grateful for today.

Food for Thought on Thanksgiving

"Joy is the simplest form of gratitude." --Karl Barth

How wonderful is that quote. I have a planner that I use for my to-do lists, and each week, it has a different quote, and that was this week's quote. Sometimes, when I look at what other people have, or buy, or when I envy their talents or their looks or their personalities, I find myself getting depressed, feeling like I don't have enough, don't do enough, don't spend enough money.... Whereas, if I actually just appreciated what I had more, I'd probably be happier and not care as much about what others have or do. And I'd have joy. And what shows gratitude better than joy? I think I want to carry this quote with me as I enter the Thanksgiving and holiday seasons. I get so depressed sometimes around the holidays, between the demands on my time and energy, and the frazzled, contrary shoppers, and the stress of preparation, and feeling on one hand like I just want to reject the whole notion of the commercial side of the holidays, and yet, I feel guilty when I see my friends buying tons of stuff for their kids, and I'm keeping such an uptight budget for my own. When, really, if I just focus on what I have and try not to stress out, I'd find so much more joy in the season and with the holidays. I need to remember what is truly important and strive to be more grateful, and less envious and materialistic.

Why I am Grateful, #22

Today, I am grateful for sunny days, because it's rainy, nasty, sleepy days like today that make me appreciate the lovely sunshine all the more!

Why I am Grateful, #20 and #21

Today, I am grateful for things like Febreze and homemade candles that keep my house from smelling like diapers, dog, and dust all the time, and for groomers who bathe and cut my dog's coat so I don't have to! Buddy gets groomed today (finally, after a few rounds of sickness), and I'm so happy.

Why I am Grateful, #18 and #19

Today, I am grateful for two things:
1) That my children have wonderful relationships with their grandparents. They are blessed more than they currently realize, and hopefully, someday, they will see how truly lucky they are.
2) The chances that I get to have down time, alone time, the ability to do things for me once in a while. I spent my afternoon napping, browsing at The Barn (where I picked up a handmade jarred Sugar Cookie candle, two beautiful placemats, and a wooden sign that says, "Give Thanks"), and reorganizing my kitchen in peace. Bliss.

New Year's Resolutions

I know it's early, but for some reason, I'm in the mood to start thinking about my New Year's Resolutions. I think maybe I just need the feeling and hope of a new start? I think every woman gets into those funks where you just wanna brush off your knees and hands, get back up, and start fresh after those occasional knocks that life sends your way.
1. Spend less money on things that can be avoided. This means eating out less (and cooking in more), looking for gently used clothing or items when I can, working my food storage to my advantage/buying in bulk, avoiding buying "stuff" on credit cards, and focusing less on "wants" and more on "needs." I don't have to buy things to make me happy.
2. Get out of credit card debt as much as we can. Use as much of MY income as we can to do so. Pay even a few dollars more than the minimum payment every month.
3. Work harder to get bills out on time. I am a lazy and ineffective bill payer, and sometimes juggle bills around intentionally.
4. Be a more loving and compassionate wife to my husband. I can be a contrary butt sometimes.
5. Be more patient and loving toward my children. Appreciate them more. React with love more than anger when I am frustrated.
6. Work harder to get my grading done on time and my classes more organized this year. I'm always grading papers at the very last minute. Same thing with grade calculations. Not anymore.
7. Buy more locally grown and produced foods. I love fresh produce and homegrown yummies. And I'm lucky to live somewhere where they are accessible to me and within our budget.
8. Take an active interest in cooking meals for my family and enjoy it even more.
9. Exercise for a half an hour at least three times a week.
10. Work to keep a cleaner, more organized home.
11. I will make/do a project at least once a month. Use Pinterest for inspiration.
12. Be more charitable.
13. Give more homemade gifts this year.
14. Work harder to celebrate and enjoy holidays more than I usually do.

What are your resolutions this year?

Why I am Grateful, #17: Local Foods

My kiddos and I, along with my mother in law, ventured out to Alpine Pantry, a Mennonite run bakery/grocer that sells local foods, bulk foods, homemade jams, from-scratch baked goods, and food storage items. It's a tiny little place in the middle of nowhere, but the food is always top-notch quality and oh so yummy.
I'm lucky to live in an area where I have access to local butchers/grain fed beef, inexpensive local produce, pick-your-own-produce farms, beekeepers/apiaries, farm eggs when I want them, etc. A lot of these items are trendy in bigger city settings, and that usually means a lot of $$$, but here I can buy a lot of natural, quality foods, from local businesses, for my little family, for only a few dollars. Today, for $34, I bought a thing of Old Bay Seasoning, a dozen homemade rolls, a loaf of homemade cinnamon bread, ten coconut jam cookies, 3 jars of homemade jams (strawberry-rhubarb, pumpkin butter, and apricot-pineapple), and 32 oz. of grade A maple syrup from S&S Maple Camp...all at Alpine Pantry.
And that is why I am grateful today.

Why I Have a Sneaking Suspicion There Are Children in My House: Exhibit A

Why I am Grateful, #15 and #16

Today I am grateful for two inter-related things:
1) I am grateful for my Kitchen-aid mixer. I grew up using hand mixers. And I think that I single-handedly destroyed dozens of them by overheating when I used them more than three times. But, I didn't know there was anything better, and when I did, I didn't understand the hype. Until my sister-in-law bought me a cobalt blue Kitchen-aid Artisan mixer for our wedding present, and I realized it can mix cookie dough as I WALK AWAY.
I have never looked back.
It has been a workhorse for me for five years, but alas, I have been daydreaming of an upgrade, and at last, I will be upgrading to a mixer with twice the power, and bigger capacity:






All thanks to my sister-in-law (again)...

2) Who happens to be the second thing I am grateful for today. I am grateful for my sisters-in-law. I grew up an only child, so I am grateful to have the experience of siblings who love me and who I can talk to, who love my kiddos and my hubby (their brother). When I married, I not only got a hubby and parents-in-law, but three built in siblings along the way.

Fabulous Read

Read this. Digest it. Live it.
I'm Christian, Unless You're Gay

Thanksgiving Dinner Plans

This is more for my reference than anything, but I want this to be on the agenda for Thanksgiving dinner:
Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie
and
Maple Cranberry Glazed Turkey

APPLE BUTTER PUMPKIN PIE

Ingredients

• 1 cup apple butter
• 1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3 eggs, slightly beaten
• 3/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
• Sweetened whipped cream, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Combine apple butter, pumpkin, sugar, salt and spices in a bowl. Stir in eggs. Gradually add milk and mix well. Pour into pie shell. Bake for about 40 minutes or until set.

Cook's Notes:

-If the crust begins to burn, place tin foil around the crust and lower the temperature of the oven.

-A tasty topping for this pie is praline pecans.

------------

Maple Cranberry Glazed Turkey

Ingredients

Turkey:

• 8 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon House Seasoning, recipe follows
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic cloves
• 1 (15-pound) turkey
• Stuffing, if desired
• 
  

Glaze:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 (12-ounce bag) cranberries
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 3/4 cup cranberry juice
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup apple cider
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 
  
• Turkey

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a small mixing bowl combine the butter, House Seasoning, parsley, shallots, and garlic. Thoroughly rinse and dry the turkey. Tuck the wings underneath the body and place the turkey in a roasting pan. Rub the butter mixture all over the turkey. Stuff, if desired.

Roast for 18 minutes per pound (including stuffing weight, if using). The turkey is done when an instant-read thermometer is inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (and deep into the stuffing) and registers 165 degrees F. and the juices run clear. Remove from the oven and loosely tent with foil. Let rest for 20 minutes before carving.

Glaze:

Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer until the cranberries burst, about 8 to 10 minutes. Strain the mixture through a sieve and let cool. Reserve for turkey.

House Seasoning:

• 1 cup salt
• 1/4 cup black pepper
• 1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Should This Be Our Christmas Card This Year?

So, now, we actually have to, you know, SEND Christmas cards this year? ;)

Why I am Grateful, #11, 12, 13, and 14

I'm a few days behind with my gratitude entries, so here we go:
--I am grateful today for the fact that, between grocery store reward points, the hubby winning a contest, and the yearly free turkeys at work, we will have three turkeys for the holiday season that we didn't have to pay for. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I am grateful we have a bounty this year to celebrate.
-I am grateful for my health. I have been struggling with some minor health issues, and they can get me down at times, but I have it so much better than countless millions of people in this world, and I am thankful I have my health so I can be productive, play with my children, and enjoy the world around me.
-I am grateful for hand-me-downs and the giving nature of others, because that is less money that I have to spend when the budget is a little bit tight. My family has been able to snag some of the nicest clothing, furniture, etc. for free due to others' generosity.
-I am grateful for laughter, for things that make me laugh, for the sound of my happy children laughing, and for the ability to bring joy to others through said laughter. Can you imagine how boring and dreadful life would be without a little bit of fun?

72 Hour Kits--Mayday, Mayday!

Alright, food storage junkies...
I need some ideas for 72 hour kits--lists, ideas on how to get started and finish them before, you know, I'm 90. The idea of adding an item a week seems SOOO SLOW to me. I need some serious advice, encouragement, etc. I have very lofty food storage goals, and tackling those and creating 72 hour kits in the event of an emergency is daunting!!
Any comments would be VERY appreciated!!!

Why I am Grateful, #10: Good Jobs

I am grateful that, given the current state of the economy, that our family is blessed to have good jobs with adequate pay and benefits, so we can have a roof over our heads and food on our table, plus the occasional moment of fun now and again. Having grown up in a home where my family's paycheck was determined by individual jobs and wasn't regular, I cherish knowing what we will be bringing in every two weeks.

Why I am Grateful, #9: Food

Today I am grateful for the ability that I have to feed my family, and feed them well at that. I am grateful for the concept of food storage, and the counsel we have been given regarding it. I am grateful that I have the options available to be able to buy inexpensive, good quality food--whether it be from warehouse stores, small businesses, local butchers, farmers' markets, large chain grocery stores--wherever it may be. I am thankful for cooks who share their recipes, for spices that add so much fun and flavor to foods, and for the appliances/utensils we have that help us cook so easily.
And now, my friends, I am officially hungry.

Why I am Grateful, #8: Awesome Friends

I am grateful for my friends. I have some of the best friends in the world. I don't mean to brag...wait, yes I do, because my pals are fantabulous. Here are some of the amazing things that my friends have done for me lately:
-Gave my lovely little daughter a beautiful, barely used crib. Others have basically outfitted most of her wardrobe with the BEST hand-me-downs I have ever seen.
-Invited my family to Trick-or-Treat, knowing our neighborhood is lame and doesn't do it. (We will be changing that next year.)
-Shared loads of bargains with me so I can snag great things for my family for super cheap.
-Treat my children as their own.
-Remember not only my husband's birthday and mine, but my children's as well, and also remember our special days.
-Brought us meals when we had our baby.
-Threw a baby shower for me.
-Keep me from being anti-social by hanging out with me and inviting me to fun activities/places/shindigs.
-Provide a listening ear when I need it.
-Make me laugh on a regular basis, in addition to putting up with my often irreverent and sarcastic sense of humor.
The list could go on and on and on. My friends are talented, generous, loving, forgiving, compassionate, and so much fun. I tend to be a hard person to get to know, and I am so grateful for anyone who loves me, rough edges and all, and especially those who not only love me, but my family as well.

Why I am Grateful, #7: Cleaning Supplies

Nearly every Monday, my wonderful mother-in-law takes my children so I can do some cleaning after a chaotic weekend. Please let it be known that, while I like a clean house, I'm not the most motivated housekeeper, so a clean house comes at a huge sacrifice of energy on my part.
And besides my basement, which is still reeling from the effects of our current Mouse-a-geddon (see previous post from October), my house usually stays clean, even if a bit cluttered. And it wouldn't stay clean were it not for the wonderful modern conveniences we have like dishwashers (even though I curse mine nearly every day because it likes to be fickle, but won't die enough for me to be able to replace it), washers and dryers, cleaning supplies that help ease some of the elbow grease burden off of the user and that take off nasty spills and stains with the greatest of ease, etc. Do you realize how hard it would be for a lazy bum like me to keep my house clean if this was, say, a hundred years ago? It wouldn't happen, and luckily enough, I was born during a time where I don't have to know what that is like. It is hard enough already dealing with stupid things like mice, or the effects of my wonderful kiddos on our poor house, without having the work be any harder than it already is sometimes (and also, I'm grateful I have help so I can get these chores done in relative peace).
So, that is what I am begrudgingly grateful for on Monday, my cleaning day.

Now I Have to Feel Guilty for Really, Really, REALLY Hating Moustaches....

I am *not* a fan of the moustache. Ask my hubby...he has a beard, and I simply hate the feeling of kissing what feels like Brillo pad. And they look kinda cheesy--I mean, my hubby looks OK because it is technically part of a beard, but when it's just stand alone lip hair? I'll pass, thanks. I have loved some men in my family very much who have sported moustaches, but I just don't dig the look. Moustaches just seem creepy and weird to me.
That being said, apparently, I was unaware that this month is Movember.
So, I'll appreciate them for a mere 30 days, because I think it is ridiculously cool that there are men raising awareness for such a good cause/concern, and because it's, well, hilarious.
Until the hubby decides to do it.

Why I am Grateful, #5 and #6: Fall Colors and Yummy Breakfast

I'm grateful for beautiful fall colors, for the fact that I live in an area that is surrounded by green mountains that turn to shades of golds, oranges, and reds that are really only seen in the autumn. Have you ever noticed that? There's just something about the colors of fallen leaves--the colors are so vibrant and are very specific to fall foliage. You can't find those colors in a box of crayons or in a paint can--they are just available to us on tree tops and as a blanket on the ground. Breathtaking.
I'm also grateful today for breakfast. It's my favorite meal, and ironically enough, the meal I usually skip every morning because I'm too busy getting the children fed, dressed, and diapered. This morning, my loving husband made us pancakes, eggs, and maple sausage links, smothered in pecan syrup. Divine. My tummy and I are both very content and very grateful.

Peanut Butter Shortage

And THIS, my lovelies, is why you buy in bulk. We have four containers of peanut butter (two small Creamy, and two large Chunky) in our cabinet at the moment.
Peanut Butter Shortage

Why I am Grateful, #4: My Dog

We got our dog, Buddy, from a no-kill shelter, during my second trimester of pregnancy with The Goob. This shelter rescued him from a county pound, where he was deemed "unadoptable" due to abuse from his former owners and rampant sickness. The no-kill facility rescued him, nursed him back to health, and here he is with our family, four years later. I feel sometimes that, thanks to the craziness of marriage, life, kiddos, whatnot, that I don't always give him the attention he deserves, but oddly enough (and this isn't an excuse), I feel sometimes like he understands because he loves our family as much as we do. He is crazy, rambunctious, loving, and all out wonderful. I joke with the hubby sometimes that I feel the dog loves me more than anyone else because he loves me faults and all. He has some health problems, and I so wish he didn't because he doesn't deserve them. He's a great dog, and I cherish how much he loves me and my little family.

Why I am Grateful, #3: Quiet Mornings

I am grateful that my children are good sleepers, because if I get up early in the morning, I can manage to have time to myself to think, to relax, to blog, to surf, and anything else that strikes my fancy. I used to be a morning person, until I had my first child, and now, I'm rediscovering that trait within myself again. This little quota of peace and quiet has become my favorite part of the day, I think. I can watch the sun rise out of my kitchen or living room windows, let the dog curl up at my feet without his being disturbed by happy little ones, and send out emails to my hubby while he is at work. Bliss. Sometimes, it is indeed the little things.

Why I am Grateful, #2: My Home and My Hubby

I have two things to be grateful for today because, hey, it's my blog, and I can do what I want!
I'm grateful for my home. Sometimes, I feel like I need to be more grateful than I am. I struggle a lot when it comes to looking at others' houses, and I feel overwhelming inadequacy at times because I don't feel my house isn't clean enough, or big enough, or as well decorated as another house, or organized enough--you get the picture. And a lot of these battles I will continue to fight until I change my perspective and until the little ones are grown up enough that they can clean all of their own messes...you know, when they are forty.
I need to remember when it was worse--when we lived in a really bad neighborhood and wanted so desperately to be where we are now. I remember when we were getting ready to close on the house--we loaded up The Goob in the stroller and took him to the new house and just walked around the neighborhood, and I was so joyous, so happy to be in a safe, comfortable, and beautiful neighborhood where we *could* walk our baby around and feel secure and be able to take in the wonderful things around us. I shouldn't let envy get in the way of those feelings.
Our home is adequate, comfortable, able to be improved upon, and perfect for our family. I need to show my gratitude for it by using it and appreciating what it offers us, and by taking better care of it than I do sometimes.
I am also grateful this morning for my husband. I'm not very good at showing affection, even to my own spouse, and sometimes, I just get so overwhelmed by life and its challenges that I find I neglect showing him the love he deserves because I know he'll understand. But, it's not fair to him. He needs as much attention and concern as the house, as the children, as my work, as I do. Without him, I wouldn't have many of the things in my life that I cherish the most. He helps me overcome fears and obstacles, puts up with my endless array of crap, talks with me about the craziest things, is my confidante, and is very much my rock. I need to resolve to prioritizing him in my life, in showing affection and love, and taking care of the things that are important to him, and not just what is important to me.
What are you grateful for today?

Toothless Grins and Affirmations

I have been struggling some with the fact that breastfeeding just simply did not work out for The Bean and me. I didn't get the chance to nurse The Goob due to medication, and I was so anxious to nurse The Bean. I bought books, supplies, pads, bras, a Boppy, covers...you name it. I researched, I daydreamed...I was so excited.
But, thanks to latch issues and the fact that my little girl thrived on soy formula, and not my breast milk or milk-based formula, we were bottle feeding exclusively after only a couple of weeks. And I was so heartbroken. You hear all the time that "breast is best," and bottle-feeding moms are constantly condemned/criticized, and not to mention, those few successful nursing moments were OH SO WONDERFUL, and yeah, I was bummed. Not to mention, a pal had her baby close to mine and was struggling with similar issues, and it ended up working out for them, and I endured her endless nursing updates on Facebook every two seconds, so my news feed was glutted with all of these success stories, and I felt like SUCH a failure.
I have been doing better, but have had my moments, and today, while giving my Bean a bottle, I looked down at her reflux-y self, and she slurped a few, looked at me, and just grinned--so unbelievably happy and content, and you know what? I knew in my heart I did what was best for my little girl, even if it wasn't what I wanted, or what others thought was best. It was a precious moment, and I cherish that smile today. Sometimes, even when they can't speak, little ones can say so much.

Beco Baby Carrier Giveaway on Newly Wed, Newly Bred

I am obsessed with our Beco Gemini baby carrier (The Bean LOVES it), and Newly Wed, Newly Bred is doing a giveaway of a free Beco Butterfly II carrier. Check it out to enter. There's also a really smashing review of the carrier in question as well. Highly recommended. Beco is, by far, my favorite brand of carrier (and we've experienced some sub par carriers in our child-rearing years), and having a good carrier is so crucial to babywearing--for both baby and mama's comfort. Babywearing is so beneficial--three hours a day can really decrease crying and fussiness in babies and does so much to promote a close parent/child bond (there have been numerous studies). Baby spent nine months in mama's tummy, and there's little he/she likes more than to snuggle up close and hear that familiar heartbeat again. (And you can totally do housework hands-free. Score.) I admit that The Bean and I don't often make it to three hours a day...some days are better than others...but I didn't really do this much with The Goob at all because we had a crappy Wal-mart carrier, and it wasn't enjoyable or comfortable for either of us. The Bean and I found Beco and have been so happy.

Why I am Grateful, #1: My Children

So, here comes the cheese...since it is November 1st, it's time to start all of the obligatory "Why I Am Grateful" entries until Thanksgiving. And truth be told, I need the reminders and the time to reflect, so let's get started, shall we?
So, what am I grateful for so early in the morning on November 1st? Today, I have to say I am feeling grateful for my children. I truly need to appreciate them more than I do sometimes. Sometimes, I get so frazzled by potty-training, bottles, cleaning up after them, dressing them, bathing them, feeding them, that I focus more on the routine, rather than my children as individuals? Does that make sense? I care for the chores, and lose focus on getting to know them as individuals. Love doesn't always have to be simply taking care of them and cleaning their mess, but taking time to slow down the day a bit and learn to appreciate what they do and who they are. I grew up as an only child and saw the pain it caused my parents to not be able to have as many children as they wanted. I have friends who deal with infertility, miscarriages, the deaths of their kids...and here I am with two wonderful little ones.
I'm not saying that it is bad to get frustrated or to feel overwhelmed--heaven knows I feel this...oh, every day...but sometimes, it's nice to stop and forget about the dishes and the laundry once in a while and simply take the time to spend with them.
So, this morning, I'm grateful for little red dinosaur costumes, countless Binkies laying around my house, tutus, pettiskirts, headbands, that indescribable way that babies can sometimes smell that is so nice, the crazy things that come out of The Goob's mouth, toothless grins, coos and squeals of delight, toys everywhere, Hot Wheels cars under every nook and cranny, bedtime routines, Elmo, and everything else that reminds me that I am a mother and that my little ones are mine. I love them more than I can ever express.