May Give Thanks, Week 1

May 1:
     Thankful for all the "new" things my little guy has done today. He clapped for the first time, took several steps in a row on his own, and even walked from the couch to the coffee table on his own. He is just picking up on everything these days. Even when we say something to him, like "Say, Hi Dada" he will mimic it so well! Its the best feeling ever.

May 2:
     Thankful that I was able to sit down and prep all the blocks for the next section of the Halloween quilt. The prepping on the freezer paper takes a lot of time (probably because I am OCD), but I finished all of it for the next section! Its nice to have that time where absolutely no little hands are grabbing at everything you are doing. Happy dance!

May 3:
     My oldest son tried his hand at painting for the first time today. I am thankful that he enjoyed it a ton (even threw a fit when he had to stop for dinner), thankful he didn't eat any of the paint, and lastly I am thankful for such beautiful artwork now hanging on my fridge! Best way to keep a kid busy for an hour.

May 4:
     For awhile, after the holidays, my mother and I kind of got into a routine of calling each other whenever we could find the time, and just take a moment to catch up. She often called on her way home once a week, and if I missed her call I would try calling sometimes on the weekend while I had a hubby to help keep the kids out of my hair. Today, I called my mother and we were able to chat for some time, so thankful for such a wonderful mother, and as I get older I realize how much it calms me to have someone to chit chat about life with. Its a beautiful thing, that as we age we grow closer to those we often pushed away while we were kids. Love you Mother Elizabeth!

May 5:
     Working on little projects here and there for my sons 1st birthday next month. Thankful today I was able to finish up cutting some of the pages for the banner. I am excited to see this party come together, but at the same time its too soon.

May 6:
     Thankful for an hour or two, during the boys nap, to put one coat of orange paint on the boys stove/oven unit. I can't wait to finish it up.

May 7:
     Today is a hard day to find something to be thankful for, but after a long day in an ER for my oldest son, I am thankful for all the family and friends who have supported us.


Give Thanks,
Sarah

April Give Thanks, Week 5

April 29:
     Thankful for the 90 degree weather today, our walk around the block, and being able to enjoy the kiddy pool in the back yard! It was a great day.

April 30:
     The best, random, last minute BBQ; thrown together by our housing company here on base, and the kids loved it too! Thankful to my neighbor for letting me know, and giving us the info and invite. Its exactly how the end to a long day should be; free cupcake decorating, free flowers, free bounce house, free bubbles, free hot dogs, and free painting station. We even won some tickets to a family fun center! It was great.

Decorating and snacking on his cupcake.

Give Thanks,
Sarah

April Give Thanks, Week 4

April 22:
     My first block is done. I started my Halloween wall quilt. Its all done by hand applique. I am so thankful for the few hours after the kids go to bed, to work on this project. This first block took me a few days. Feels great to have the first one done!

April 23:
     Thankful today for those moments you get to catch, while your child learns/touches the kitty for the first time and really understands what it is. The laughter, the excitement, the puzzled looks, and the overall joy of the experience for him, is just the best feeling and a great experience to see. I love watching my kids grow and learn.

April 24:
     Today I am thankful for a HUGE milestone for myself. I have officially lost 30 pounds! Its an amazing feeling, and I can not weight for the next few pounds to fall off. I am half way to my goal weight. However, this overall life changing experience of putting the weight on and then slowly taking it off has helped me realize what healthy LIVING is all about. Its definitely a lifestyle change.

Left: December 2013, Right: Current weight today.

April 25:
     My youngest, Jared is 10 months old today. I am so thankful for all the wonderful days that he has blessed me with, and the wonderful experiences and life changing moments that have happened in the last 10 months. He is a unique, happy, funny, out"spoken" kind of personality, and a picky eater. I love him to death, and I could not be more thankful for him.

April 26:
     Since we arrived here in California, months ago; we still are going through stuff and trying to "clean up" and "clean out" the items we don't need or we don't use. Today, we spent at least an hour or more going through boxes apon boxes of stuff and posting them for sale, or putting them in the thrift store pile. I am thankful that we can give our unwanted or unused items to people who can use them, and still give back and help out our military community in return. Feels good.

April 27:
     Thankful for each and every second I get with my kids. They are my world, my only world. As a stay at home mom, this is what I eat, breath, and well... clean! Its my life; I never get a day off from it, even when I have strep throat, and I will work harder then I ever thought I would, at any other job. (No other job, can you go to work with strep throat and still have to work, taking care of 2 kiddos who also have strep throat... yeah this job rocks!) In a positive though, us all being sick means we are spending a lot of time cuddling and thats what its all for.

April 28:
     I am thankful for my kids love for one another... just look at this photo. It says it all. This is what life is about.

Holding hands... awwww

 Give Thanks,
Sarah

March Giving Thanks, Week 4

March 22:
     Thankful for new chairs. We really needed them! Its sometimes the small things.

March 23:
     Peace and quiet, alone time; that's what I am VERY grateful and thankful for today. A break from the world to think and be happy inside and out.

March 24:
     Thankful for my husband finally being able to get his wisdom teeth out. The pain is a bummer, and a hate seeing him feel so miserable but hopefully in a week or two when he is back to normal he can smile and know he wont have anymore tooth pain because of those dang teeth!

March 25:
     My little baby is getting so big so fast. We purchased his big boy seat today. I am thankful for his big boy seat, and the feeling of him being safe, but its all very emotional for me as well. He sure does love to look out the window though!

March 26:
     Thankful for a special night with my oldest son and husband as we watched Frozen for the first time. Wonderful way to end the day.

March 27:
     I am so proud and excited and overly thankful for my oldest son eating ALL of his lunch! Its an awesome feeling when we all sit down for lunch and all I hear him say is; "Yum! Mmmmm. So good Mama." When he finished the last bite I was so excited for him, and we high-fived and I made a HUGE deal out of it! Lets just say he has never once cleared his plate.

March 28:
     I have sewed, I have done some spring cleaning, I have enjoyed a movie night, and I have finished the book I was reading (and started another). I am so thankful for all these small moments of personal achievements or personal time, etc. It has been a great week and I can only look forward to this weekend!

Give Thanks,
Sarah

March Giving Thanks, Week 3

March 15:
     Husband of course has another weekend duty/work. I am just so thankful today that he got off in a decent hour, so he could see the boys and be with them for awhile. I feel like some days he doesn't even see them at all.

March 16:
      Thankful for a chance to attend a LOCAL quilt show! Its not every day I get to drive down the street and look at some awe inspiring, and amazing art. The ladies who made some of these quilts have inspired me to get working on some art work for my sewing room.

Quilt Show, this is NOT my work.

Quilt Show, this is NOT my work.

Quilt Show, this is NOT my work.

Quilt Show, this is NOT my work.

March 17:
     Happy St. Patty's Day everyone. We are thankful for a clean bill of health for my oldest son, today; as he had his 2 year old check up. It went great and we had no issues to address.

Having LUCKY Charms for breakfast, with his GREEN cup!

March 18:
     A day in San Francisco, that is what I am so thankful for today. Family time, a fun busy city, clam chowder in a sourdough bowl, and the Aquarium my son couldn't get enough of! Best Day EVER!

March 19:
     Thankful for a small window of alone time, and just enough time to finish up one of my wall art pieces that I sewed all by hand!

March 20:
      In life we experience big events, and small everyday occurrences; but to be thankful for a friendly face, a caring small conversation, and a sweet gesture to come over and hangout, can mean more then words can describe. I walk our housing area at least 3 times a week, if not more. I see officers houses full of toys, boxes of stuff they don't use, and probably haven't touched in weeks, if not months; I see enlisted families chit chatting with their neighbors, dogs and children playing, smiling and laughing. All while I walk around, day after day, seeing mostly the same faces, and same kids. Today, a new neighbor a few streets over actual came towards me when I smiled and said hello. She stopped, chatted with me, listened, and I am sure she will never know this, but that small conversation made my week. I still don't have any friends here, and just when I thought my biggest interaction with adults on this base would be the friendly smiles; the universe shows me otherwise, letting me have a chance of making a real friend. I am thankful for that. I am thankful for the ache I feel in my heart, has dwindled slightly and a small smile has appeared on my face. Tomorrow, I'll walk around our housing area again, and it will look forward to hopefully running into her again. There are still true real people in the world, feeling what I am feeling.

March 21:
     I am thankful for my husband being able to have a short day at work so we could take the kids to the playground. Which was a ton of fun. A small moment of pure happiness.

Give Thanks,
Sarah

March Giving Thanks, Week 2

March 8:
     I am so thankful for the amazingly nice day out and the wonderful day at the zoo that we had. It was busy, but so worth it (as we have passes), and Brian had such a blast!

Climbing on the fake crocodile.

March 9:
     Thankful for a lazy Sunday with the kids, and just relaxing and getting the simple things done (like laundry, dishes, and vacuuming).

March 10:
     They are always there for you when you feel low, and when you just need someone to talk to or lean on. Those people are family members, and today I am greatly thankful for them all! It's not easy being a mom, and its not easy living away from family; however, when I need them, they are there for me no matter what.

March 11:
     Starbucks, its a horrible addiction of mine. Ask anyone who knows me, I drink it more then I probably should. However, I am a mom, I need caffeine, so I am thankful for those wonderful perfect invented drive-thru starbucks! Thank you for saving me from my extremely sad and tired self! Now, maybe I can get another tutorial done!

March 12:
     Being a stay at home mom, its hard to find any time alone. I often pee with the door open, or enjoy the company of one or both of my kids. I rarely shower alone, or have a free moment anytime during the day. So, today I am so thankful for that 20-25 minute shower I just enjoyed, ALONE, with the door closed, and no monitor in sight. Feels GREAT!

March 13:
     Today I am thankful to the wonderful mother with her adorable little daughter, at Target, who let my older son talk and high five her daughter. I really appreciate letting our kids make connections and know that not everyone is a bad person! Thank you for stopping and letting my mommy brain have some adult conversation as well. I can not tell you how nice it was. My son was so excited the rest of the day.

March 14:
     Dessert! Yes please. After I made dinner, and we all had some; a trip to a local dessert store, and it was a lot of fun! I am thankful for these moments, my oldest picking out a cookie, and enjoying it; having family time, and laughing (with a little crying). It was wonderful, and I couldn't ask for a better end to the week!

Give Thanks,
Sarah

February Giving Thanks, Week 4

February 22:
     I am so thankful for the family and friends that did show up to my big boys 2nd Birthday party today! I have been working a ton for this party am so glad that at least some of our friends and family came! Brian had an awesome time, and he always loves to see his friends and cousin!

Birthday boy enjoying the pinata!

I always enjoy making the cake and cupcakes, decorating is one of my favorite things to do for the parties.

February 23:
     Today was the best day in a very very long day! I am so thankful for a mommy and daddy kid free day, at..... wait for it..... DISNEYLAND!!! It was the BEST day ever. I think my husband and I really needed it! A thank you goes out to my mother-in-law and father-in-law for taking the kiddos for the entire day.

A drink or two for us!

Yep, thats a tower of terror selfie being done!

February 24:
     I am thankful for a husband who is willing to get up with our kids, while I am passed out and hungover from a long day of drinking and having fun at Disneyland. My knee and leg is killing me today, so I am thankful for a husband who is just up and ready to go! Thank you honey!!

February 25:
     My little guy turns the big 8 months old today. It's an amazing experience to reflect on, having a child. Today, I am thankful for just that, to be able to create a human being with my very own body. It's an amazing experience, but a challenging one as well!

February 26:
     We are back home, in Northern California, from our vacation in Southern California. I am so thankful for each and every chance we get to go down there and see everyone. It's always thousands of new and wonderful memories.

Passed out on our drive back home.

Sleeping like a baby, oh wait he is one!

February 27:
      Its amazing how far my husband and mine relationship has come. We literally can discuss, talk, and agree (or agree to disagree), all without getting angry, loud, or aggressive. I am thankful that our relationship has become something that we work on, learn to grow, and always kiss each other with love. Its the best feeling ever!

February 28:
     Today, my husband is taking his test (to rank up), and I really hope he does well. I am so thankful he has this opportunity, and will hopefully (crossing my fingers, and knocking on wood), that he makes it. Good Luck Love!! 

February Giving Thanks Week 3

February 15:
     Today we celebrated my sisters Baby Shower. I am thankful for all the wonderful family and friends who showed up for the event. I am also so thankful for all the family members who helped us out, to get the house and food ready in time! It was a great success!

February 16:
     As much as I enjoyed throwing my sisters Baby Shower, I am so thankful I have a day off from doing ANYTHING!!! Started the day in just PJs and hanging out with my kids, best day ever. So thankful for the relaxing time between parties.

February 17:
     Today is my sons 2nd Birthday! I am so thankful for him each and everyday, but today I am more thankful then ever. He is the greatest little kid who keeps me on my toes. Happy 2nd Birthday Brian man!

Went to the train museum, and its his favorite place ever!

February 18:
     Starting back into the party work, and I am so thankful that today all I had to do was a few goody bags and a few thank you bags! Its just something simple I whipped up, can't wait for everyone to see them!

February 19:
     Heating pads are a miracle! I am so thankful for a heating pad. I pulled a muscle or something in my shoulder and this heating pad has helped a lot!

February 20:
     I love and am thankful that my kids are so willing to try so many new things. My kiddo loves Greek yogurt, its his new love in the food world!

February 21:
     Finally, had a chance to go out to dinner with my family and celebrate my sons 2nd birthday. I am so thankful for the time I get to spend with all my family members.

Grandma with her grandson!

Singing happy birthday to him, and he was digging in!

New Year, New Year Resolutions!

Everyone makes resolutions, either for themselves, or publicly. I don't usually make any. However today on the eve of the New Year I feel the urge to attempt this, this year. What should I set as a goal? I kept asking myself all day. I thought about it and thought about it... finally, I came up with one. Next thing I knew I had a ton of ideas. Then I thought, thats too many... I just want to keep it simple and I can't do that if I choose too many!

I decided on the following New Year Resolutions:

1. I am going to do 365 days of giving thanks! Thats right, follow this blog and at the end of the month I will post my daily thanks, or what I am thankful for. Ill try to include photos and a small daily blurb of how I came up with the daily thanks! We shall see, this might be a challenge for me with the two kids, but I am going to do my best. The reason I am doing this is to try and find something positive in everyday life. We sometimes have rough days, weeks, and sometimes months. This year I want to remember the small things, and the positive things that I still have in my life. I hope this will inspire others to remember the positive, and thankful things in their lives.

2. I want this year to be a year of living healthy, working out, and getting fit. I am over weight, because of all the weight I gained during my two pregnancies, and then my knee injury didn't help either. I eventually put on WELL over 50 extra pounds. So starting in the new year, I am joining weight watchers, working; out now that my knee is (kind of) back in working order, and eating healthier. When I married my husband I was around 125 pounds. I worked out at most 6 days a week, and at least 3 days a week. I watched what I had for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I made meals, packed lunches, and when I couldn't pack food I purchased the healthiest item I could find. I want to get back to those choices, and remember the results that can come of it. I will say here that I would love to get back down to my 125 pound healthy body, but I would be happy to just reach 140 before the year is up. I know I can do this as long as I don't need any random surgeries, and as long as my body stays strong. Wish me luck, this one I might need just that!

Heres my past to present photos:

June 2008

July 2008

March 2012 After the birth of my first son.

July 2012

Present day, current weight.

Alright, thats it! I told you I was keeping it simple!

Hope you all have a great New Year,
Sarah