Give Thanks December, Week 5 LAST ONE EVER!!!!

December 29:
     Its been a rough day, I am not feeling to well; but with that comes the small moments today, that I am so thankful for. My oldest, almost 3 years old, held the gate open, at the bottom of the stairs today, while my youngest and myself walked through. After, he closed it. He helped me with breakfast, even closed the gate to the kitchen, while letting me know "gate needs to stay closed". He even listened to me when I said that cereal bowls stay on the table, and he returned the bowl back to the table. I guess this new technique might actually be working. Crossing my fingers that being a kind and caring person, means that my kids will be too.

December 30:
     Thankful to finally see some of my military friends again. I missed them all while I was away. Its always so easy to slip right back into life with them. Its like we all just pick right back up where we left off, like we saw each other yesterday!

December 31:
     Thankful that today is the last day of this project, and all that I have learned to be thankful for. Its not always the big obvious things (as some days are too rough), but sometimes its the small things that matter the most. I am so thankful for everyone who supported me through this year, and reminding what I can be, should be, and am thankful for. One month of giving thanks in November just is not enough to learn anything from. A full year, a journey of sitting down each night and thinking about the great, wonderful moments of the day and the almost impossible decent moments in the hard, uneventful days. I have been reminded that each hug, kiss, and word that someone gives time to you should be something you are thankful for. Those people are giving you the time that they value, and in that time they are sharing a piece of themselves with you. Don't forget to smile, keep your chin up while walking, and work hard for each and every goal you want to succeed in the day, month, year, or lifetime.

Thank you for joining me on this year long journey. I can't believe I am done. Is it really over? I guess it is.... until next year. Happy New Year Everyone!

Give Thanks,
Sarah

June Give Thanks, Week 1

June 1:
     Today was a little rough. We went out to run errands and my oldest was a hot mess in Target. I am thankful that I had the back carrier, that I made, with us; because I put him in it (after several nasty looks), he calmed down instantly. He almost fell asleep before we got back to the car. I am so happy he fits in it.

June 2:
     I still can not believe my youngest is going to be 1 this month, but I am thankful that he is wanting to be more independent and do such things like, feeding himself. Feels great, but a bitter sweet moment too.

June 3:
     I am thankful that I actually had time tonight to paint my toes and my finger nails, all while watching one of my shows. Peace and quiet.... its bliss!

June 4:
     Today was an awesome day! I am thankful I was able to get so much done! I finished several projects for my sons first birthday, did the laundry, dishes, made dinner, cleaned the car out, returned stuff at Target, did a few errands, and still had time to clean out the boys toys! It was a beautiful day.

June 5:
     I am thankful for whatever was in my coffee this morning. Sounds silly, but I literally cleaned the ENTIRE house, did all the dishes AND the laundry. I put everything away, and even had time to clean the microwave (talk about cleaning)! Feels great!

June 6:
     Today I am thankful for my best friend. We chatted on skype late last night, and I am so thankful that she is so open with me. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful friend who can be happy with me, sad with me, and listen as well as catch up like we talk everyday (even when we go months without chatting). Thank you Kim!

June 7:
     Sometimes, its the simple things in life that we should be thankful for. Today I am thankful for the patience I have, and even though it has taken me years to gain it, I am thankful to have such amazing patience (especially with my kids! Hey we have all been there.)

Give Thanks,
Sarah

May Give Thanks, Week 2

May 8:
     Another day, another ER for my oldest son. Again, another hard day to find something to be thankful for, but while we spent our day at UC Davis ER, I have to say it was one of the most caring, nicest, updated, facility with amazingly kind and passionate nurses and doctors working hard to help find out whats going on with our son. It was an amazingly stressful day with such love and care from the entire ER unit. Thank you to all of them, for all they do.

May 9:
     My husband is back at work today, after spending the past two days at the ERs with us, and I am thankful for his hard work, his dedication to both his family and career. He is an amazing husband and a beautiful soul inside and out. I can't thank him enough for all he does for us. I love you babe!

May 10:
     A great day of relaxation, and thankful for all the cuddles and love from my wonderful boys, and wonderful husband.

May 11:
     Its Mother's Day, so of course I am thankful for my amazing Mother! I love her and couldn't thank her enough for all she has done for myself and my brother and sister! Best mother ever!!

May 12:
     Thankful to feel peace, calmness, and just simple happiness. Its been a great day.

May 13:
     Feeling accomplished and thankful for a few minutes to finish up the boys stove/oven unit. Its pretty much done being painted, and all it needs now is the hardware! Feels good.

May14:
     Thankful to find out that most of my families and friends houses (in southern California) are all safe from the wild fires raging right now. Stay safe southern California!

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

Love

When I was younger, I couldn't stand what mothers said about their kids. Ugh. Why? Why did mothers always have to say they loved that, or could do this with their kids for forever... and so on. It was just annoying, weird, and for me I was so over it. My mother raised myself, my sister and two brothers all by herself. She rarely had help, and when she did it was always appreciated. We had rough days, weeks, or years; but eventually, we just made it work. We lived a normal life, as I would call it, and we all enjoyed our childhood.

Now that I am a mom of two kids, I can officially say all those things I hated to hear, when I was a kid. Sometimes, I even catch myself laughing at my old memories of what I use to say. Glad time and life experience has changed me.

Heres a few I couldn't stand then, but say today:

I could watch my kids sleep forever.

I love watching them smile and laugh.

My kids are true love.

I never knew what true love was until I had kids.

They really are a blessing.

I can just see my old self, rolling my eyes, or giving the "for real, right now?" look. I recall when one of my friends had her son at a younger age, and she was just so over the moon in love with him. She really could not express the feelings she had for him, and I loved him on a certain level, but never as deep as a real mothers love. I still couldn't understand it then.

The bond you have with your child is so life changing, and as a young adult, or teenager I would never and probably could never have understood, or realized any of that. Love is powerful, and I found my soul mate while still in high school. So, I thought I knew what love was. However, when you are dating, or get married to someone, that kind of love is so different from a love for a child. I think its also a deeper kind of love from the mother then the father. As we make them inside our bellies, and slowly feel life take shape. Its an amazing experience to be a woman, get pregnant, give birth, and hold your baby for the first time. Its life changing.

I am not sure men could understand that as deep as woman do, but maybe men love their kids differently as well. Maybe all humans feel love for a partner vs a child differently? I know I can categorize it as different. What do you all think? Leave a comment, let me know; especially if you are a male and have children. Tell me how you see love for your partner and for your kids. Also, whats something you would have hated to hear parents say then that you would say now?

Love Life,
Sarah

April Giving Thanks, Week 1

April 1:
     Pulling a pair of jeans on an realizing you can button them for the first time in six, yes, SIX years! Now that, is something AMAZING to be thankful for. A pair of jeans; I can not believe actually fit me. Don't believe me here you go:

April 2:
     After hours and hours of running errands, being at the Dr.s office, cleaning the house, unloading groceries, and screaming/crying children; it feels amazing and melts my heart to see my two kids watch frozen (calmly) and be so kind and loving towards each other. I am thankful for just that.

April 3:
     I am thankful for my few minutes (ok maybe it was a few hours) of being able to sew a quilt and feel so much joy, knowing the baby who will be wrapped up in it!

April 4:
     Thankful for a great doctor visit, for Jared, and everything is well. Feels great.

April 5:
      Family day at the zoo, and enjoyed every second of it. Thankful for such a wonderful day together, and could not have asked for a better day.

April 6:
     Thankful today for the hour or so that we got with our neighbors, just hanging out and letting the kids run around. Felt great. I think I needed that mommy/adult chit chat.

April 7:
     Seeing a doctor to make sure everything is OK! Thankful for the health care right here on base and "free" to us. Its nice to know I am feeling taken care of.

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 1

This month I am going to do my giving thanks by weeks. I felt like I was sitting on the January post for too long. It drove me kind of nuts. So, ill post weekly, and that way you all can read a few at a time, and not 30 or so.

February 1:
      I am so thankful its February! My sisters baby shower is this month, as well as my sons 2nd birthday! Its going to be a great month, I can just feel it!

February 2:
     I am so thankful for a husband who knows how to use tools. He was able to bust out a cutting table for my fabric, in my sewing/craft room, in less then an hour. Its awesome, and its pretty much custom built for my height. He said hes going to eventually add a shelf to it, so I can place fabric below thats not is use. I am extremely happy, and it works great!

February 3:
     Today, I am thankful I hit a goal weight I had in mind, for my weigh in today! Yep, I had to weigh in for my WW, and I told myself I wanted to be at xxx number and I landed right on it! I even went out and spoiled myself with an In-N-Out burger!!! Yeah!

February 4:
      Double seated shopping carts, like the ones you find at sams club or costco, yep those; thats what I am so very thankful for today! Jared man is at that point where he can now sit in a shopping cart, and so today when we went to sams club, both my boys got to enjoy a ride in the cart! Jared was just so excited, and Brian loved having his brother right next to him. It definitely melted my heart.

February 5:
      I am so thankful for those special moments I get to have with my wonderful kids. They are growing up so fast, so those special moments that I do have mean the world to me.

My big boy is not feeling well, and my little guy is sleeping!

February 6:
     Husband came home super early from work, so thankful for perfect timing. He helped load up the car for our trip to southern Cali tomorrow!

February 7:
     Arrived in southern Cali before noon, so thankful for the very little traffic we hit and the two extremely happy kiddos the entire way!

Enjoying the in-laws coffee table as a teether.

Dinner at grandma and grandpas house!

Giving thanks 365 days,
Sarah