3/31/2012

today, I am grateful to the person that filled in for me at the Badger Mountain Challenge aid station so I could enjoy the day with D; for a safe drive back; for my mother-in-law; for cheat meals and lessons learned; and for a group of like-minded girlfriends focused on fitness and clean eating, located all across the U.S. and in Canada - you ladies rock! :)

3/30/2012

today, I am grateful for surprises; an amazing dinner; a stay at a fabulous hotel; beautiful roses; and a man that loves me enough to indulge and spoil me. I'm a lucky girl.

3/29/2012

today, I am grateful for compassion, empathy, peace, strength and love.

3/28/2012

grateful for being able to stay home today and nurse my aching head; for my friend Michelle asking me the date of the marathon I'm training for...which in turn made me realize that I didn't have lodging for the night before the race..ack! that I was taught to keep my word and as a result, I have the opportunity to be available to a friend that is facing one of the most challenging situations she's ever faced to date; for my sweet Makayla and Reese; and for my mama, for teaching me about Jesus, faith and how to pray. I miss you, mama.

3/27/2012

today, I am grateful for opportunity; for new friends in my circle that believe in raising $ for a cause and support me in my endeavors; for my children; for feedback and compliments on my children's behaviour; and for feedback with regards to my work ethic and ability.

3/26/2012

today, I'm grateful for an extra hour of sleep before having to start my
morning; for the drive with Mak to and from school; for Mak's ability to talk with and reason with Reese in ways that D and I can't; for Reese reading me a bedtime story and for a little girl named Natalie, that impacted my life through her courage, determination and strength.

3/25/2012

today, I am grateful for feedback from Mak's coach about what a good girl Mak is and how glad she is that Mak is on her team; for frank and candid answers from Reese (me: Reese, why do you take such big bites? Reese, shrugging her shoulders: because this is a big hot dog. bwahaha!); for a safe trip over the pass and back, even though it was a long day; for the day spent with my fam; and for an awesome, 1st place win to end the season - so proud of the senior level 3 cheerleaders :)

3/24/2012

today I am grateful to start my day with a run; for returning to hot yoga; for a nap with Reese (although it was a fail); for mil doing my hair and for D making a delicious dinner.

3/23/2012

grateful today for laughter; for my friend, Tracey; for self-reflection; for dinner out with my family and for texting with my daddy.

3/22/2012

today, I am grateful for gifts like instinct; that I listen to that gift - and the gift of fear - and am not afraid to raise concerns; for beginning my day with yoga followed by a good workout this afternoon; for being nominated to be part of a product marketing group for a running apparatus; and the opportunity to donate a basket for a silent auction that is being held to raise $$ for cancer research.

3/21/2012

grateful for a rest day from working out so my body can recover; for chats with friends that makes me laugh out loud; for Mak's blunt honesty; for Reese insisting I share her umbrella so I wouldn't get wet running to the car in the rain (so I had to do an awkward duck walk lol); and for precious memories than can never be erased.

3/20/2012

grateful to start the day with hot yoga - what an amazing class...I've forgotten how much I've missed it! for a flexible work schedule; for co-workers that love me; for being able to catch a 45 minute snooze this afternoon; for getting my hair cut :)

3/19/2012

grateful today for co-workers that covered for me while I was away; for being missed; for Reese being kind and another adult complimenting her manners; for being able to pamper myself; and for setting a personal best on my 5k.

3/18/2012

grateful today for sleeping in; technology; naps; staying in my jammies all day; and idk.

3/17/2012

grateful that Mak is so kind and so patient with her sister; that my girls were complimented on their manners; that my sister always understands and is here for me; that we had experienced pilots that got us safely thru the turbulence; and that I'm one day closer to my next visit home. 

3/16/2012

today, I am grateful that my daughters were able to spend some quality time with papa, Aunt Lavonne and Katie at the park and having ice cream; for a quick visit to Tallahassee; for an amazing familial bond that neither time nor distance can hamper and only makes stronger - for me and for my children; for quiet time at my mama's grave site; and for my sweet daddy - I love you to the moon and back.

3/15/2012

today, I am grateful for a day to relax since we've been going non-stop since we got here; that I got the chance to watch Wesley play baseball; that we were able to treat him to dinner after the game; for conversations with my daddy; and the sweet sounds of my girls saying "I love you, sissy" followed by "I love you too".

3/14/2012

grateful to wake up this morning at my daddy's house - to the sounds of the country. I love it here. grateful that my dad's brothers and sister came to have lunch with us today, and for Linda preparing such a tasty meal for us - it was delicious! grateful to be able to visit with Katie, Coye, Wesley, Rob and Dawn today - it was so awesome to be able to see childhood friends and reconnect. grateful for the slow, difficult run today in the thick humidity and the rain with thunder rolling - life really is different here. peaceful. have I mentioned that I love it here?

3/13/2012

grateful today that Aunt Katie saved the day and took Mak to the beach; that Reese and I had a safe drive from Orlando to Monticello; that Reese is enamoured with her papa - and he with her; that I had a good, albeit fast, visit with Uncle Bug, Uncle Howard and Aunt Lavonne, along with a phone call from Uncle Wayne to check to see if we made it safely; and finally, I am grateful for an amazing run in the Florida "humility" as my dad calls it...and it's not that bad out yet! but it's totally different running here than in WA. I love it here.

3/12/2012

grateful that my girls missed each other and showered each other with love; that I was able to witness the sheer wonder on Reese's face as she met the various Disney characters; that I was able to experience Space Mountain with Mak; that I didn't pee my pants from having drank so much water and no access to a bathroom for over 2 hours while we waited to ride...and I really had to go! and that we were able to create fun, family memories today :)

3/11/2012

grateful that the fire alarm that woke us up this morning was a false alarm; grateful to be able to sit down at the same table for a meal with Gernett, Chrissy, Leigha and Jenna before they headed back to Tallahassee; grateful that Katie, Coye and Drew were able to meet us at day 2 of the cheer competition and they were able to be there with us for Mak; grateful that Reese has been such a patient, good girl waiting for her visit with the princesses and Magic Kingdom; grateful that my Mak is back in her rightful place with us, safe and sound. I missed her!

3/10/2012

grateful today that Reese wakes up happy - especially after jet lag and lack of sleep; for the opportunity to watch Mak and her team compete; for the sheer wonder and awe on Reese's
face as she experienced seeing Ariel and Phineus and Ferb; that D loves me and tries to protect me from hurt; and that I have friends that love me enough to tell me to stop being so stubborn and talk me out of my funk. <3 you, T.

3/9/2012

grateful that D made it safely; that Kelli, Mav and Layla came and spent the day with us; that Katie, Coye and Drew arrived safely; that Gernett, Chrissy, Leigha and Jenna also made the effort and the trip down to catch some time with us too - I so appreciate those folks in my life that make the time and effort to show me that I'm important to them - and I'm grateful that we were able to see Mak tonight, shower her with hugs and kisses and have her exhibit grace and kindness and big smiles. I am SO PROUD to be her mom!

3/8/2012

grateful that even though Mak wants so badly to be grown, she exhibits age appropriate behaviour - like needing a stuffed animal to fall asleep with; that she relates to Reese in ways that I can't; that Reese absolutely adores Mak and tries to be just like her; that we are able to provide Mak with these exciting opportunities; and that D, my sister and my kister will be joining us tomorrow :)

2/7/2012

grateful today that I got to go in to work a little late and I left a lot early; that Mak was kind and thought of her sister today when she went to the library; that check-in was smooth; that we had safe flights; and that we finally made it to our hotel :)

3/6/2012

grateful for hard workouts that keep me sane; that D was finished with work "early" and was able to run a few errands for me; that I had an extremely busy day and got everything done that I needed to get done so that I can go enjoy my trip; that Reese was nominated for a "Bear pride" award; and that tomorrow is the start of our vaca woot!

3/5/2012

grateful to be able to run in the wind - because it means I'm capable and strong; grateful that one of the hats I wear is that of taxi driver - because it means that my kids are involved in activities they enjoy; grateful to be able to donate my time, energy and products to a cause I believe in - because it means I'm helping to raise $$ to fund a cure for cancer; grateful that folks think I'm an inspiration for them to lead healthy and happy lives - must be doing something right; grateful for my sensitivity, empathetic heart and country roots. 

3/4/2012

grateful today for the sun shining and a beautiful day; for Mak and Reese mostly getting their chores done; that I had some time at home to start getting things ready for our trip; for my sweet Reese and the kind things she says (mama, you're the best!) and that D had a good boondoggle weekend where he did learn coaching tips too and made it safely home.

3/3/2012

today, I am grateful for a good run with team - been a while since I've run that far and it was tough but worth it; for the privilege of being able to witness my beautiful friend Courtney begin her happily ever after with Jake; for the kind compliments received about Mak and Reese - they are kind, sweet, adorable, beautiful young ladies; for Reese's beautiful smile and her laughter; and for an afternoon and movie night with my loves.

3/2/2012

grateful today for a day "off"; for a good meeting to kickstart fundraising for my run events; that my friend, Cody, made time in her busy schedule to see me before she transferred; for the opportunity to experience new things; that gma and gpa help with watching Reese and getting Mak to cheer practice so I can run.

3/1/2012

grateful today that Reese was able to open up and let me in on what's going on at school; for friends that reinforce that I am a good mom; for laughter; that Mak seems to be doing better; for Natalie - that she touched so many people in her short time here and she continues to be an inspiration.