"Old" Photos

Every photograph tells a story.  I believe that firmly. 

It drives my husband crazy -- my love of pictures.  But I just feel they are a way I hold on to memories.  They have a story to tell.  A story for me to remember.  That pile of pictures pictured there has stories of Marvelous Monday Meals (and the meal that was so delicious yet so fattening and so unbelievably filling that I actually awoke in the middle of that night having serious stomach pains -- I think it was from the 3 or 4 yeast rolls I ate... along with the cheesy potato soup, the salad, and the delicious chocolate peanut butter ice cream pie...), my trip to Savannah with Juliebean, my trip to the Oregon coast with my mommy (with a stopover in Astoria to see the Goonies jail -- and yes, I took tons of pictures).

I can't help but smile as I flip through these pictures. 

I pulled out this box of pictures I printed and never organized (we're talking about 300 pictures) from 2010 to 2011.  One of my goals is to work on the Monday Meals cookbook, and since I had all the pictures printed from our meals, I decided I should see how far I'd printed them. 

But oh what treasures were within that box (in addition to the delicious food pics, of course).  Memories of turning 30 and hanging with Lea in Seattle...  Memories of April's wedding...  Of an *infamous* Sounders game in which certain people posed with a red key -- and ate gray hot dogs...  Of early dating days with my sweetheart... Of eating at Latinos y Mas and watching the servers drool over the beautiful teenager we had with us...  Memories of birthday parties and food parties (like the "back to school" themed party for the nieces and nephews in which gummy bears rode a banana bus with mini oreo wheels...)...  Memories of my first garden from start to finish (including me weed whacking grass that was up to my waist, the lawn chair wind-break, and the fruits -- and vegetables -- of my labors). 

So many memories. 

This is why I take pictures.  It's why I treasure my camera.  I'm so grateful we live in a time when pictures are a thing we can easily take for granted (even if we shouldn't...).  I can't imagine life without all my pictures. 

True story:  I used to consider getting a safety deposit box for all my negatives....  And sometimes I still think we need a fire safe box for my old negatives and our more up-to-date CDs with all the pictures.  Because it would be a tragedy for me to lose all my pictures. 

So I plan to take pictures for years to come.  To cherish the memories.  And to smile at a life lived with happiness and fun.

What are you grateful for today?

Unexpected "I Spy" Quilt Fabrics

One of my goals for this year is to make an "I Spy" quilt for both my little munchkin and for her cousin (who is only a month older than she is). 

Considering it's been 7+ years since I made any quilt (and it was 3 of these quilts)...  And considering I was under the very awesome tutelage of my wonderful friend Donna back then...  Well...  I'm pretty sure this time, the experience will be slightly more daunting. 

Anyway, I'm very excited about these quilts.  I had so much fabric left over from when I made them for my nieces and nephews who were already born in 2005, so I was able to get a good start on it this month.  In fact, my goal was to have all the hexagons cut out from the fabrics I had before the end of the month.  And I did!  But I was still shy about 30 fabrics to reach the 133 hexagons I needed for each quilt (yeah, seriously...).  I bought some last week at JoAnn's, but I am making valiant efforts to live within the budget I created and agreed to; so I couldn't buy everything I needed all at once.  Instead, I bought 10, plus some fabric for the triangles... 

Well, Donna sent me a whole bunch of fabrics in the mail!  And many of them were already cut into hexagons!  Seriously awesome!  Saved me money and time.  (And saved my old-lady back from having to lean over my table as much...).

And honestly, I consider it a little miracle.  Which is another goal of mine:  to find a miracle in every week and make sure I put it in my journal when I write weekly. 

So I'm definitely grateful for these fabrics.  I am ready to start sewing now!  And I'm so excited.  And, as always, I'm grateful for Donna and the memories this project is bringing to the front... of days at Troy University, quilting in the periodicals storage area :).

On another note, I'm way stoked about this goal thing...  I have felt so productive this month as I've set my annual goals and then broken them down into monthly goals and weekly goals.  It feels so great to cross things off the list (or in my case, erase them from the white board) and to see the progress I'm making!!  It's making me feel happier and better about me!

What are you grateful for today?

The Dishwasher

Most days, I wash dishes by hand.  This is because we don't generate enough dishes (generally) to make using the dishwasher worthwhile.  We'll usually need a dish before it's clean, if we go the dishwasher route.

But sometimes, like when we feed the missionaries or have other company over for dinner (like for Marvelous Monday Meals), I like to use the dishwasher. 

And sometimes, I just don't feel like washing bottles (and other dishes) by hand. 

Today was one of those days...  We use the Dr. Brown bottles (because when our girl was an itty-bitty, she had severe sensitivity to gas; and these were the only bottles -- with a PREMIE nipple -- that would allow her to be comfortable).  And Dr. Brown bottles have extra contraptions that are not the easiest to clean (which is what allows them to prevent so much air getting into the baby, so it's a pretty necessary part).  We are starting to try working her off these bottles, but I don't want to do it to fast with bad results.

So, since I made all new dishes for dinner today (and I have to say I was pretty pleased with it:  onion chicken, parmesan roasted cauliflower, and yam wedges with zesty sauce), I had plenty of dishes to merit a dishwasher run -- and include the bottles.

So I did. 

Which was a good plan, since the sweetness had a really rough time going down tonight...  And softie that I am, I can only let her cry for about 10 minutes before I go rescue her.  Fortunately, she went down easier after spending an extra 30 minutes sitting on mommy's lap.

Thank you, dishwasher...  Tonight, you did most of my work for me :).

What are you grateful for today?

Baby Story Time

So I frequent the library here.  Frequently.  And I've obviously become a regular at one of the branches, because one of the librarians started recognizing me and looking for Baby Girl every time I walked in.  Apparently she is the Children's/Youth Librarian, because a couple weeks ago, she told me about Baby Story Time at 1:00 on Tuesdays. 

And I decided that it was time to start taking our sweet girl to the library for her and not just for her mommy to check out books and movies :).

Today was our first time.  Unfortunately, none of the other kids that usually show up showed up today.  But that meant we had the librarian's undivided attention! 

So we played peek-a-boo with some tulle-like brightly colored fabric squares...  We bounced on mommy's lap while singing a song...  We shook noisy shakers...  And we read Peek-a-Moo!  Which was totally cute. 

That all lasted about 10 or 15 minutes, and that was the end! 

So then we went and checked out some baby signing videos.  We're going to try those out :)...  It's funny how having a baby of your own changes your perspectives and opinions of things!  Because suddenly you understand! 

We plan to go back next week -- and hopefully more babies will be there.  Because though it was still fun, I happen to know my little munchkin loves to be around other babies.  And I want her to start gaining her social skills early.  I think they are important.  I also want her to gain a love of the library early.  Because I think it's important!  And because I love them! 

Regardless, though, I'm really grateful for library programs, even for my little bug.  Because it helps me help her learn and grow and develop.  It helps us have fun and new things to do together.  And I'm so grateful!

What are you grateful for today?

Marvelous Monday Meals!

Marvelous Monday Meals is, indeed, marvelous. 

The tradition was begun in 2010 when my friend Lea and I decided to start getting together every Monday and making meals.  It was our goal to try new things -- fun things, crazy things, daunting things.  Delicious things.  We actually managed to do it almost every Monday for about 10 months. 

We had Chinese night with orange chicken, cauliflower fried rice, chow mein, and even home-made fortune cookies!  We had Baked Alaska...  Chicken Cordon Bleu...  Cheesy Potato Soup...  Broccoli Salad... Appetizer Night... and Breakfast for dinner (including dessert crepes for dessert!).  Mondays truly were culinarily marvelous. 

Then life started changing and Monday Meals got put on the back burner a lot, though we sometimes managed to have one every now and again.  But it's been quite a while...  Until today.  Today we had a Marvelous Monday Meal.  And it was awesomely fun!!  And so now we're talking about starting it up again -- not every Monday, but many Mondays.  And I have to say:  I'm excited! 

It's a lot of work to make and prepare (and keep up with a crawling baby!) but so worth it!!!  And I'm definitely grateful for Monday Meals -- both those in the past, and those (hopefully) in our future!  Good food, good friends, good memories.  Mondays have never been so good ;).

What are you grateful for today?

Leftovers

I mentioned before that we try to keep our meals simple around here on Sundays.  And leftovers make that so much easier!

I can't say I'm always a fan of leftovers.  I am particularly un-fond of leftover chicken (that isn't mixed up in a casserole or something), because it tastes old to me.  And sometimes I make a meal that looked good and I wanted to try out -- and I don't end up liking it.  And if I didn't like it the first go-around, when it's fresh out of the oven or whatever.  Well...  It's highly unlikely I'll enjoy it as leftovers.

This is another thing I could have added to my list of reasons I'm grateful for my husband!  He will eat anything that's food.  Or even if it's questionably food.  So that means any leftovers I don't enjoy, he will eat!  And I can eat the "good" leftovers :).  I'd feel guilty about this, except that food isn't an experience for my husband like it is for me, so if it's edible, he's cool with it.

Anyway, I'm thankful for leftovers on Sundays, as it helps us with our efforts to keep things simple.  But I'm also incredibly grateful for leftovers sometimes during the week.  Because when I get to a leftover day, it's almost like I can breathe a sigh of relief that I don't have to make dinner!  And it's not that I don't love to cook and try new things and make meals (because trust me, I do!  Take into consideration Marvelous Monday Meals...)  More of 'the day flies by fast and it's sometimes not the easiest thing to do while trying to juggle everything else'.  And so, when it's leftover day, I don't have to add dinner to my to-do list.  And sometimes that makes me very happy :).  All I have to do is pop something in the microwave and I manage to eat before I put the baby down for the night :) (this is mostly applicable when the hubby is working swing shift).

And the other reason I realized I'm super-grateful for leftovers?  Well, in a way it means we are very blessed in that temporal way.  We aren't trying to scrape together meals every day.  Quite the contrary, in fact.  If we have leftovers, it means we have enough and to spare.  And for that, I am so very thankful.

What are you grateful for today?

My Wonderful Husband Jeremy

My husband's job requires that he works different shifts.  Usually this changes every month.  Currently he is on swing shift (working 2 p.m. until 10 p.m.) 5 days a week.  Which is preferable to swing shift for 4 days a week (which means he works until midnight).  When he isn't working swings, he's usually working days.  But when the project really gets going (or is really pushing the envelope for getting finished on time), I have no doubt there will be a grave shift month thrown in there too.  And I really dread that one.

Generally speaking, swing shift is my favorite shift.  I'm a night person.  I really prefer not to do mornings...  And after I get the baby down for the night, I have several hours that are all mine.  It's a beautiful thing.

Last night was a different story though...  I went to bed before Jeremy got home (which I rarely do) in an effort to get a little extra sleep (Baby Girl has decided to start waking up between 6 and 6:30 rather than 7 or 7:30).  I figured he'd be home within 30 minutes of me getting into bed and I'd hear him come in before drifting off to sleep.  Not so.  11:00 came and went.  Then 11:30.  It's been known to happen that, since there isn't currently a grave-shift working, if something unforeseen happens, swing shift stays on until it's resolved.  So I told myself not to worry -- that he'd be home soon.  I managed to drift off a little.  Until midnight, when the cuckoo clock woke me back up.  I can't say I adore this clock, but my husband does, so I tolerate it ;).  Upon realizing it was midnight and he still wasn't home, I got worried.  I even came out to the living room to find a contact number and call his work.  (I've never had occasion to call him at work, so this was a first).  The phone was busy.  So again, I told myself to go to bed -- that if the phone was busy, it meant they were all still there and trying to resolve some issue.  But I'm a worrier by nature.  Try as a may, I cannot shut off my brain and all the what if ifs (after all, he does walk home late at night, and there are crazy things that happen)...  And so, it was in this state of my crazy mind that I thought, "How awful would it be if something had happened, and I'd never dedicated a "grateful" post to my sweet husband?"

I'm happy to report I finally got through to him at work around 1 a.m.  And managed to drift off into light sleep until I heard him come in a little after 2 a.m.  At which point I completely zonked out.  Because I'm just able to sleep better when he is home.  It just is.

So yeah... Long story about why I've chosen to make Jeremy my grateful for today.  Officially on the blog, that is.  Because I'm grateful for him most days :).  I say most, because there are those pouty days where we have a tiff and I'm being a dork.  But even then, I can still acknowledge a reason to be grateful for this wonderful man I married.  And even on those days, if he didn't come home until 4 hours after he normally does, I'd still be out of my mind with worry.  Because I love him.  Incredibly.

I am grateful for the way he makes me laugh.  Sometimes he drives me crazy with his silliness.  But it does make me giggle and laugh.  And I'm grateful.  Sometimes I laugh so hard at the way he says things with such incredulity.  For example...  Back before the baby was born, we randomly decided to trade the way we slept in bed one night and sleep with our heads where our feet usually are (oh, I think we were trying to figure out if a chemically smell we kept smelling was coming from in the wall by our heads or not).  Jeremy made this whole production of turning the mattress so our head would still be where our heads usually were (on the mattress).  I told him I figured we would just put our pillows on the bottom, not go to all that trouble.  With the most shocked expression (and in complete sincerity) he said, "You mean sleep with our heads where we put our feet!?!?!"  Something about it made me laugh so hard.

I am grateful he does our taxes.  I hate doing taxes.  (This is on my mind since he just spent the last 4 hours hogging the computer to do them ;))...

I am so grateful that he felt as I did:  that it was important for me to be home with our children.  He encourages me and supports me in being a stay-at-home-mom.  What a blessing that is!

I am grateful that he takes his responsibility as provider for our family seriously.  That he goes to work every day to make a living, to supply health insurance, to put away money for our future.  He is a good man.

I am grateful that he is a hard worker.  Not just in his employment and willingness to work to support our family, but also in other ways.  Every time we go to Alabama (okay, so we've only been twice so far), he helps my dad with a lot of projects that require a lot of physical labor.  I know my dad appreciates it.  And I know I do too.

I'm grateful that he is an outside-of-the-box thinker.  Because I am definitely NOT.  He finds resourceful ways to fix things and solve problems.  And I am consistently amazed with his ability to do so. 

I am grateful that he is creative and mechanically inclined and able to build things (and fix things).  Like our bed.  And my can rotation rack thing -- which I still love.

I'm grateful for the way he helps us be prepared for the curve balls of life.

I'm grateful for the way he helps me be a better person.

And I'm grateful he's my husband. 

What are you grateful for today?

Surprise Packages!

My husband laughs at me because walking to our community mailbox (we live in an apartment) is like a highlight of the day now that I'm home all the time.  And honestly, it's sometimes the only time Baby Girl and I step outside.  Especially on the cold yucky rainy days that are so prevalent in Washington.

Many days, the mailbox is empty. 

And some days, I get abnormally excited that the weekly grocery store sales ads are in there.  Hahaha.

But some days we get a surprise (and no, that isn't a bill!). 

Today was one of those days!  There was a plastic mailing envelope thing stuffed in our box.  It came from The Children's Place.  So I knew it was for the Sweetness.  So we hurried back inside to see what treasure had come -- and from whom!

Well, inside was the cutest monkey hat and mittens!  From one of her loving aunties!  Definitely made our day! 

Because special surprise mail (whether it's packages or not) always does :).

What are you grateful for today?

Journaling

One of my goals this year is to write in my journal weekly. 

Sad that I had to set it as a goal to actually accomplish it.  Really sad because I've had to set it as a goal before (in 2011), since my journaling had become quite infrequent.  But I feel it is important, so I set it as a goal again.  Because it had become quite infrequent again.  And so far, so good.

Once upon a time, I was great at journaling.  Those were the days of my teenage years.  From some time in my 8th grade year through my sophomore year (and possibly into my junior year), I wrote almost daily in my journal.  Makes for some awesome (and highly entertaining) reading, let me just say that!  But those were the days where life's biggest tragedy consisted of not receiving a candy-gram from the boy-crush-of-the-week. 

Seriously, there is one entry from 7th grade in which I describe this time when I passed the then-current crush in the hallway at school between classes and he said hi to me; and I hi to him...  And, in the journal, I described it as "a moment worth saving." 

Gag. Me. Now.

What can I say?  I was a teenage girl.  Who thought she knew what love was. 

Over the years, as I matured, my journal-writing became less frequent, but more deep.  Sometimes the pages were filled with pain -- real pain.  Fears of never being able to have a baby.  Fears of being alone.  Frustrations at circumstances I couldn't understand (or control).  Feelings of ugliness and worthlessness.  Sometimes the pages exuded happiness, joy, and an almost-return to the giddy teenage school-girl of yesteryear.  Like when my sweetie and I first started dating.  And sometimes, the pages have been filled with spiritual things.  Miracles.  Tender mercies.  Promises fulfilled. 

Within these journals are the stories of a life.  The growth of a soul. 

And though I sometimes cringe at the thought of my posterity one day delving into these hand-written pages (I've lived a human life with plenty of unwise choices and flawed views), I know they will be a way I come to life for those who will never meet me in this life.  And I hope they will glean something of value from the life I've documented. 

I'm grateful for journaling and the ability to journal.  Including in the intangible world of blogging.  And though typing is much faster...  There's just something about putting pen to paper and pouring out thoughts in my own hand-writing.  Something to preserve.  And so I do.  For myself...  And for those who will follow.  Even if it is a tad embarrassing.

What are you grateful for today?

Awesome (Former) Workplaces (With Even Awesomer Former Co-Workers!)

Today I visited two of my former workplaces.  One was a library (my former boss from that job is retiring and leaving the state, so Baby Girl and I went to say good-bye and wish her well).  The other was the County (a former co-worker is retiring and invited me to attend her retirement party, so we did!). 

And it occurred to me today that I have always worked in awesome places.  I'm not saying I've always had awesome jobs.  But I've always worked in awesome places -- and for the most part, the jobs were pretty great too (there have been times when the job was a little frustrating, though).  I think the reason I think on my past workplaces so fondly (and am happy to return to them to visit) is because of the people with whom I was blessed to work.  Really amazing people.  People who have always welcomed me back when I return to visit. 

What a blessing that is.  Because, really, the co-workers can really make or break a work experience in my opinion.

As I was contemplating this, while rocking my sweet girl to sleep tonight, I realized that I return to almost all of the places I used to work, whenever I can.  Whether that's here or Alabama, it remains true. 

Maybe it's because these places shaped me.  The people in them shaped me. 

Maybe it's because of how much I learned in these places...  I learned how to do some fiscal-type stuff...  I've learned how to find my way around a cemetery (it's a skill, trust me)...  I've learned how to process a library book (though that changes from place to place, but I do understand that there is a process for preparing library material for circulation and use)...  I learned how to catalog (somewhat) library materials... 

Maybe it's becuase I made some of my best memories in these places...  Like being from the top of one library (literally -- the roof) to the very bottom (literally -- to the "page rec room" where an old brick wall still stood under that building from the old school building that used to stand there)...  Like finding out rats were nesting under the bookshelf right next to me and my cubicle (okay, it's nasty... but hilarious story nonetheless)...  Like sewing quilts during lunch breaks...  Like working crossword puzzles with the crematory operator... 

Or maybe it's because I met some of my dearest friends in these places...  Like Lea... Or Julie... Or Annie...  Or Donna...  Or Anne, Kristin, Sue, Sylvia, Angel...  I should probably stop there, because this list could go on forever. 

The point is, I've been blessed to have worked in some really awesome places with some really awesome people.  It was hard to leave when the time had come.  But I'm grateful I carry them with me in my heart -- and that the people are still such a big part of my life.

What are you grateful for today?

Glasses and Contacts

So I'm pretty much blind as a bat.  I've been wearing glasses since 3rd grade.  And contacts since the end of 8th (that was a blessed event, the day I got contacts!).  Seriously, though...  The last time I went for an eye exam, I had my contacts out (it was a 'glasses' exam) and was texting Julie...  And in order to see the screen and what I was typing, I had to hold it like an inch from my face...  And the doctor walked in and said, "I'm betting you're very myopic."  So yeah... blind as a bat.

I've pretty much always taken for granted the fact that I can get corrective lenses -- of one type or another -- so I can see.  I've always been able to go get eye exams (even if I neglect them a lot as an adult...).  I've always been able to get glasses and/or contacts (even though I often only get one or the other per visit).  But what a blessing it is.  Because not everyone can.

B.C. (before child), I pretty much always wore my contacts.  Mostly because I was almost always going somewhere.  Usually driving.  And now that I'm used to driving in contacts, I'm not a fan of driving in glasses.  It bugs me that there are spots I can't see (where my glasses end...).  So I pretty much always kept my contacts updated and would let my glasses expire for a couple of three years or so...  This also meant that I put my money into contacts (I have an astigmatism, so I can't get regular contacts and the toric curve is pricey!) and my glasses were usually of the uglier (and therefore cheaper) variety.  With seriously thick lenses...  (My current glasses are ones I decided to put a little money into).  These days, if I am not going anywhere (or at least not driving anywhere), I generally stick with glasses.

I remember when my dad took me to see about getting my first set of contacts.  He didn't know that technology had come a long way and soft lenses could now be worn by people with astigmatism.  So he took me to get fitted for hard contacts.  Even though it was a pretty traumatic experience for me (those things suctioned onto my eyeball beneath the lower eyelid -- not on the pupil), it's actually a fond memory I have.  Because we went to Paitilla (in Panama City) and on the way home we experienced the panasecond (which is the length of time between the light turning green and the first horn honk).  And we laughed about it, because it seemed the honkiest cars were the furthest ones back anyway -- and therefore unlikely to be making that light... 

But I digress...  I ended up getting soft contact lenses.  I'm sure my parents paid a pretty penny for them.  But I didn't want to start high school in glasses, and my parents were kind enough to allow me that.  I still laugh about how hard it was to get them in my eyeballs for the first week or so.  Now it sort of freaks people out that I have no issue touching my eyeball.  Like ever.  It also cracks me up that I carried eye drops with me everywhere at first.  Like I needed to constantly moisturize.  Or maybe I'm a horrible contact-taker-carer now? 

The point is...  I've been blessed.  Blessed that, though I wasn't blessed with perfect vision, I am blessed to be able to correct my imperfect vision so that it's practically perfect in every way. ;).  Being able to do so enables me a world of other opportunities (because believe me, you wouldn't want me behind the wheel if I couldn't correct my vision...). 

Just one more way I am realizing how very blessed my life truly is.

What are you grateful for today?

That I Was Raised Not to Base Value on Color

I didn't grow up in the 1960s.  Or even before them.

I didn't grow up in the South.  Or even in the United States.

But I know that one doesn't have to be born then or there to know what racism  looks like.

I'm grateful that I was raised to value people, not skin color.  That I was given opportunities to look for good before being tainted by someone's opinion of the bad.  

And I'm grateful I grew up in a time and place where society didn't try to sway me otherwise.

Because the value of a person is who they are, not what they look like. 

And if I felt any other way...  Well, I'd have missed out on a whole lot of amazing friendships.

So I'm grateful for parents who saw good for good and bad for bad and not because of the way a person looked.  I'm grateful for parents who instilled that in me.  I'm grateful I can teach my baby girl the value of a person... the worth of a soul.  That I can teach her we are all children of the same loving Heavenly Father.

And I'm grateful to have known (and to know still) amazing people of different colors, shapes, sizes, educational backgrounds, and religions; because they have certainly enriched my life and made me a better person.

What are you grateful for today?

New Perspectives

As I've gotten older, I've noticed that life has a way of helping me change my perspectives.

The truth is this:  I have the capacity to be harsh, cold, judgmental, and mean.  None of those things are flattering.  I am not proud to say they are part of my natural tendency.

I am thankful I can say I feel I am LESS of those things as the years pass.

And that's thanks to life, and probably a loving Heavenly Father who has given me opportunities to gain perspective through situations.  Some of them of my own making (and He allowed me to experience the consequences), some of them through the blessings and tender mercies He has so lovingly bestowed upon me.

One of the examples of this I can clearly remember was my very harsh judgments of Jennifer Lopez (the actress).  I'm not a fan of her in general -- and it's not like I know her personally.  But I remember clearly the mean things I thought and said after she divorced her husband Chris (can't remember his last name) after 9 months of marriage.  All I could think of was how she treated lightly the institution of marriage -- how she didn't put any effort into the marriage, etc etc etc.  Well, who was I to judge her (and how did I know what efforts she put into the marriage)?  Because while I don't think divorce is a cure-all or a solution to every unhappiness in marriage...  While I do think it seems easier sometimes to throw in the towel than to keep pushing and working through things when the going gets tough...  While I do think far too many marriages end in divorce...  My perspective has changed, and I've learned not to be so harsh and cruel and judgmental.  Because only a couple years after my harsh judgments of Jennifer Lopez, I found myself a divorcee after only 3 years.  And I knew the pain and anguish that had come with that.  I know that there are sometimes reasons for things that not everyone knows or understands.  Before... did it ever occur to me that perhaps Ms. Lopez had sleepless nights filled with heart-ache and loss at the dissolution of her marriage?  No.  I was far too focused on what I (in my infinite wisdom -- HA) felt was wrong about the situation.  I lacked compassion.  And while it was not the way I would have preferred to gain a little bit of new perspective in my life to help me be a better person...  It is what happened in my life.  And I am grateful for the new perspective... the ability to be kinder because of experience.

And motherhood...  That has changed me more than anything else I could probably have experienced.  As I look at my baby girl playing on the floor happily...  As I hold her and snuggle her in the glider before I put her in the crib at nap-time, and especially at night...  As I hear her laugh and watch her smile...  I often am nearly brought to tears at the love I feel for this little girl.  It is a love I cannot describe, but one which I know other mothers fully comprehend.  As I mentioned before, I have an unfortunate ability to be judgmental.  And, though never aloud, I have certainly had opinions about people I've viewed as "less" or even "contemptible" (in my eyes).  The man begging on the street corner...  The frazzled woman who doesn't seem coherent and appears unkempt...

But since having our baby and spending every day with her.  Since experiencing love I've never fully understood or felt for someone else before...  I've found myself wondering what my little girl will be like in the years ahead.  Will she make choices that lead her down a path to where she may be viewed the way I have viewed others?  And so, I have had moments when I see those others and stop for a moment before I judge.  I stop and realize that, once upon a time, that man... that woman... was a little baby.  A baby whose mother (hopefully) loved them and showed that love.  (I say hopefully, because, though I'd rather it not be true, I do know that some children do not have that love.)  That man or woman may still have a mother living somewhere that loves them as much as I love my baby girl.  (And, because I believe family relationships exist beyond the grave, I believe even if that mother isn't still living, she probably still loves her child.)

And more importantly, that man or woman has a Heavenly Father who loves him or her beyond my comprehension.  Because he or she is His child.  Just as I am. 

So who am I to judge?

I'm grateful for new perspectives, even if, at times, they have been hard-won.  Because I am grateful for opportunities to be a better person.  Chances to change for the better.  And I'm grateful that I can change because of the Atonement.

What are you grateful for today?

I feel like this might be a little disjointed...  I started writing it this morning and contemplated deleting it...  But then I went to church and listened to a talk on charity and kindness and love...  Listened to a story about not judging.  And I felt like it was a tender mercy meant for me.  And so I published this tonight.

Late Night Chats With My Sweetie

So after watching a movie together for date night, my sweetie and I just lazed on the couch and talked.  And talked and talked and talked.  And laughed some and smiled a lot. 

Sometimes it feels like it's been forever since we've done this.  Especially when his work schedule is quite different from my day schedule...

So tonight was a treat.  And I'm so grateful we had this time to spend together.

What are you grateful for today?

Online Banking

I love that I can check our bank accounts (and credit card accounts) and balance our checkbook while sitting my pajamas at home. 

I love that I can transfer money from one account to another with the click of a button.

I love that I can see almost all my transactions as soon as I get home and log-in to the bank (or credit card website).  I don't have a smart-phone with all those aps...  I'm not quite that cool yet ;), so I can't check it while on the go.

I can remember when I had a bank account (my very first) and relied on the paper statements for balancing and knowing what all cleared.  That was a month out sometimes!

Today was payday...  So it was deal with the checkbook day for me.  And it was just so nice to do it at night... in my pajamas... all warm and snuggled. 

What are you grateful for today?

Pajama Days

I've found that, since becoming a mom, I've had quite a few "pajama days."

Does that make me sound lazy?

I figure this won't always be the case, since, as the children grow, they will become involved with more and more, and I'll be chauffeuring.  Ergo, I choose to just enjoy these days while they last.  If I don't have to go anywhere, Baby and I stay in our jammies all day.

And sometimes, it's just the best thing anyway -- like when you're going to be covered in snot.  Because the baby is dealing with yet another cold, and baby noses seem to hold a lot of snot!  And she sure does love to rub her face against my shirt when she's tired...  Haha.  That's the glamorous life of a mommy, I suppose.  And I love it.

In my pajamas ;).

What are you grateful for today?

Virginia T

During my time in Tuscaloosa, I had one of the best church callings ever:  nursery worker!  Well, and then assistant nursery leader and then nursery leader.  But basically... I was in nursery.  Teaching the littlies who were 18 months to 3 years old. 

You ever want to feel loved...  That's where you go.  The kids are just awesome.  Half of them will come sit in your lap and the other half will run around chaotically.  But they will all listen and learn and love you, just because you're their teacher. 

It's also a good place to make friends.  Great friends.  Friends who will be a bright spot in your life for years to come (and hopefully forever). 

And that's the kind of friend I found in Virginia while we worked in nursery together with those sweet kids. 

One of the very awesomest things about Virginia is that she knows good frozen yogurt when she tastes it (she did, after all, introduce me to the Publix brand stuff).  Haha... 

Well, that's true, she did.  But there are a ton of other awesome things about Virginia.  She is part of many memories for me during my time in Tuscaloosa.  Cherished memories of moments that warm my heart and made a world of difference.

Like the time she came over and helped me change my headlight bulb (and by helped, I mean she did it for me). 

And all the times we went to the Temple together.  It was really nice to always have a friend who was willing to go along.  A friend to gab with in the car during the hour drive there and back. 

And a friend to stop and eat Chinese food with at 9:30 on a Friday night after we went to the Temple.

A friend to introduce to a whole panoply of chick flicks (like Click, 13 Going on 30, and Just Like Heaven).

A friend who lets you store all your stuff in her apartment during the 3 weeks between leaving Tuscaloosa and driving to Washington (during which time you are vacationing in Panama with your dad...).

A friend who helps you move said stuff -- not once, not twice, but three times (from one apartment to another, then into her apartment, and then into the moving van).

A friend who watches Cool Runnings with you on the projector screen in one of her classrooms (because she's a university professor) after you've had a meltdown about your horribly thinning hair.

A friend who drives you from Birmingham to Dothan during one of your visits down South.

Everyone needs a friend like Virginia.  A friend I'm grateful I have.  And grateful I got to see at Swen's (one of the best Chinese places in good ol' T-town) in October/November. 

What are you grateful for today?

My Laptop

Back in 2009, one of my major goals was to get out of debt.  I was living with family at the time, which helped me achieve that goal. 

So in 2010, once I was debt-free, my first major purchase (for which I paid cash -- I was determined not to go into more debt!) was a laptop.  I had several reasons for wanting one.  One of which was for my job at the time (I was helping create a filing system for a local cemetery). 

I am not super-computer savvy.  In fact, I have next to NO knowledge, beyond use of basic programs and the internet.  I'm not a gamer, so I didn't need anything with massively huge processing abilities.  I needed something that could run basic programs (like the Microsoft Suite) and the internet.  I needed something that I could afford.  I spent a few weeks watching the ads and checking things out.  I started seeing which brands were cheaper -- which models and such.  And I started doing research (because, as we all know, cheaper is sometimes NOT the way to go...).  I asked friends who were more computer literate (or whose husbands were).  I even made it a matter of prayer.  I felt like this was a big purchase -- and I didn't want to buy a lemon!

And I ended up choosing this laptop.  I've had it for 4 years now.  And aside from lousy speakers and the fact that the battery is no longer holding a charge (so it's not much of a laptop these days...), it has done all I've asked of it.  And it allows us to do so much (as it is now our only computer, since hubby's died a year ago).  We use it for paying bills, checking bank accounts, tracking our budget, keeping in touch with those we love, chronicling life, researching, purchasing, planning, surfing...  I really am grateful for this laptop.  Though it may not be the top of the line (and never was, quite frankly), it has been all I've needed.  And I feel it was one of the best purchases I've ever made -- and, I believe, an answer to prayer.

What are you grateful for today?

Walking Videos (DVDs)

In an effort to lose the rest of my baby weight (ahem... the extra pounds I gained just because I could...), I have decided I must exercise every day.  And alter my diet a little.  But I'm so not good at the diet part...  So I have to just start doing exercise.

And I prefer to walk for exercise.  (I'd swim, but things aren't like they used to be where I could show my green card at Los Rios swimming pool and swim for free...).  So I walk. 

But I prefer to walk with a friend.  To chat.  Makes the time go faster.  So once a week (currently), I do just that.  I bundle up the munchkin, strap her into the carrier, and we walk.  She loves it, because it's a change of scenery.  I love having adult conversation ;).  There's a good chance I'll be starting to walk with another friend at some point during the week, and I'm hopeful that happens.

Until then... and even then... on the days I don't walk with "real" company...  I walk with Leslie Sansone.  I don't know that I'm walking away the pounds yet...  But hopefully it happens soon! 

And either way, I'm grateful I have options like this one.  Where I can walk away the pounds in my pajamas if I want to.  And still be doing my body good!  (And much thanks to the ever-awesome Lea for letting me borrow her DVDs so I didn't have to keep renewing the library copy :)).

What are you grateful for today?

Snap Pea Crisps

I will admit to not being the best vegetable eater on the planet.  Unless they are slathered in some sort of fat.  I hope to instill better habits in my baby girl -- and if she's anything like her daddy (who is helping display a snap pea crisp above...), she will!

My cousin had told me about these quite some time ago, but I'd never seen them (and never looked really hard for them; because snap peas are among my least favorite vegetable -- especially raw). 

And then we went to Alabama.  And my dad had a couple bags of these.  Expired, because a lot of his stuff is...  But sealed shut.  So we decided to try them (ummm... because we generally try expired food...). 

And I loved them!  (even expired!)

But I still hadn't ever seen them around here.  (I'm sure they were there, but not where I had seen them!)  Then one day I noticed them at one of the grocery stores...  They were sitting above the produce (where the sprinklers are!).  I didn't buy any that day...  But then I noticed them at another grocery store where they were quite a bit cheaper (again, in a spot I wouldn't have usually looked, but just happened to see them).  So I bought a bag.  And yum!

And then last week, I noticed there was a coupon for these at Costco!  Which meant Costco must be selling them!  And so I put them on my Costco list (with a *star* -- meaning they were important to buy that trip ;))...  And I bought a nice big bag of them :)!  For cheaper than usual :).  (More bonus points for Costco, by the way)

And sometimes (like tonight), these are my vegetable ;).  (Yes, I know that's naughty, but still!  They are 70% pea, after all :)).

What are you grateful for today?

Road Bump/Reflector Thingies

I'm sure they have a more technical (and more correct) term.  I don't know it, though.  I only know I'm so grateful for them today. 


See, today (of all days), I decided to join my mom and mother-in-law in going to the Temple.  It's the first time I've been since baby girl was born.  I have some attachment issues, apparently.  I didn't want not to be here when she woke up in the morning.  But, I did it.  And we both survived.  (Was there ever a doubt?)

And the reason I say "today of all days" is because today was some really craptastic weather.  Yeah, we get rain in Washington the majority of the year.  But today's rain was, in many instances, like Alabama rain.  Torrential rain.  And, since I hadn't gone and driven (thereby leaving my mom and mother-in-law to do all the driving for 8 months), I volunteered to drive (I did that on Monday, though).  And at 3:00 this morning, when I woke up and heard the wind howling and rain coming down steadily outside.... I suddenly remembered that the van's wipers are pretty sad of late.  Like really pretty sad.  And I started getting nervous and contemplating options.  Which kept me from sleep for a bit.

But then, when I woke up and left to get my mom... It wasn't raining!  Yay!

But that didn't last long.  And those wipers were awful.  And there were moments in the traffic going to Seattle where I was way tensed up with the rain pouring down, the wipers going full-speed, really ominous dark clouds above me, cars all around me, and water spraying me from other vehicles.  And I was so thankful for those little bumpy reflector things that, along with the white paint, mark the different lanes.  Because they kept me on my path safely many times today, when even the painted lines weren't visible.

I'm sure there's a figurative parallel to this, but that's for another time and place ;).

What are you grateful for today?

Goodreads

I am a list-maker.  And a list-lover.  And a book lover.

What better combination of those two things than something like goodreads!  I can keep my list(s) of books -- yes, that's plural for me! -- digitally online (so I always know where they are :)).  Not that that means I don't keep my lists elsewhere too... Plus, if I'm feeling like taking the time, I can write a little review.  I do this, not so much for other users, but for my old-lady brain.  So I can remember what a book was about after a year or so passes ;).

Part of the excitement, for me, of finishing a book is crossing it off my list.  Or moving it from my "currently-reading" list to my "read" list...  And then moving a new book from my "to read" list to my "currently-reading" list.  Just gives me a little thrill.


And totally rocks the Nilla Life.  I'm grateful when so many things are available to me through technology!

What are you grateful for today?

Crunchy Thai Quinoa Salad

Think the name's a mouthful?  Wait until you see the ingredient list!  I will admit, it is a bit spendy of a dish.  But it's also like a flavor explosion in your mouth.  Totally worth it. 

And healthy too!!  If you're eating vegan, you can eat this.  I'm an eat-mostly-anything kind of girl (well, as far as meat, it's cow and chicken and some parts of pork... like bacon), so that's not what got me to try it.  But thankfully a gal I know from church was making vegan recipes and shared this fabulous dish at a Relief Society activity in October.  I finally made it in December, and now I made it again today.  It took me a while to accrue the ingredients.  But now that I have the real pricey ones... I can make it again and again! 

I served this to my brother and his wife...  They loved it.  I took some to my friends Lea and Chuck.  They loved it.  It's pretty much delicious in no uncertain terms.  Assuming you like the exotic flavors of the ingredients. 

So, here's the recipe:

Crunchy Thai Quinoa Salad

1 cup dry quinoa
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 cup diced red cabbage
1 cup shredded carrot
1 cup cooked shelled edamame
1/2 cup sliced scallion
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup peanut butter (the raw kind is better because it's less sweet...  I made it the first time with Skippy and it was noticeably different...)
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
1 tbsp. rice vinegar
1 tsp fresh grated ginger
1 tbsp. maple syrup
2 cloves garlic, pressed
2 to 3 tbsp. lime juice (juice of one lime)

Prepare quinoa according to package directions.  You may use a rice cooker.

While quinoa is cooking, prep all vegetables (or, if you have a 7 1/2 month old... start prepping veggies about 3 hours in advance ;)).

In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, maple syrup, garlic and lime juice.  (You could zing it with a Magic Bullet or, as I do, a mini chopper thing.)

Once quinoa has come to room temperature, add all the vegetables and mix gently.  Pour dressing over top and stir to combine.  Serve cold or at room temperature.

It's seriously delicious.  And so colorful.  Just a beautiful side to anything, really.  (The picture really doesn't do it justice).  And here's a tip (since it was an issue for me)...  You can freeze fresh ginger for quite a while and just grate it frozen.  It's hard to buy a small amount of fresh ginger root, and it is not cheap.  So I can't have it going to waste!  So mine is now completely peeled (though that step is apparently unnecessary) and in a glass jar in my freezer.  The thing I read said just throw it out when it stops smelling like ginger and starts smelling like freezer ;).  Hopefully that's a long time from now!

Anyway, much thanks to Mariah for finding this awesome gem of a recipe :).  It's a keeper for sure!  And I plan for it to rock the Nilla Life for years to come!

What are you grateful for today?

Costco

Costco is an awesome store.  And not just because of the samples...  Though that is a bonus!

I have learned that baking items (like baking powder, cinnamon, and especially yeast) are a phenomenal deal at Costco.  And now that's where I buy them.

I have also learned that it's the best place to buy diapers and formula.  Especially when there is a coupon for Huggies!

The difficult thing is that the cost at check-out is never below $70...  But that's just the price of bulk!  And, in the long run, it makes all the difference.  And little by little, I'm discovering new items which are better to purchase at Costco. 

And the frozen yogurt that's only $1.35 (plus tax) in a giant cup...  The sweetest way to end the trip ;).

What are you grateful for today?

Frozen Yogurt

The past few years, in lieu of a toy or something, I have taken my little nieces and nephews out for ice cream or frozen yogurt (their choice).  It was a way of spending a little time with each one and celebrating them at the same time. 

Today I took my 5 year old niece for her first frozen yogurt.  And she loved it.

The bonus is that you can't buy some for the kiddo and not for yourself...  Treat for me!! 

I love frozen yogurt.  It's better for you than ice cream, but just as good (in my opinion).  Though I suppose t could be argued that, once I topped it with all that deliciousness, it wasn't as good for me anymore ;). 

My theory with frozen yogurt is you can eat the same amount you would have in ice cream and feel half as guilty (at least with my favorite ones from Publix).  I usually don't do that, though.  I figure I might as well have FULL guilt for twice as much consumption :).  It's just good stuff.  And Publix brand frozen yogurt in the South?  Holy goodness...  I love the Black Jack Cherry and the Mint Cookie.  While in Alabama in October, we bought some the night before we left.  And I realized there were a lot more flavors than I remembered from when I lived there!  And some that I'd really like to try one day, like chocolate truffle and key lime. 

Until then, I'll enjoy the little frozen yogurt shop and add all my favorite toppings (which usually are mostly chocolate).  Because it totally rocks the Nilla Life.

What are you grateful for today?

Annie E.

It's a wonderful thing to open my inbox and find an email from my dear friend Annie.  And that's just what I did today.

Annie is another one of my wonderful Tuscaloosa friends.  Another person who took a lonely girl under her wing at a difficult time in her life.  And I am forever grateful for this wonderful woman.

I met Annie while working in the Cataloging Department at the University of Alabama.  She sat in the cubicle in front of me.  I don't know exactly how we started talking and becoming friends, but I do know Annie was nice from the very beginning.  But that's just Annie.  I think our friendship really started to blossom when I ran into her at the laundromat one evening.  And I think there was one time after that in which she picked me up and we went to the laundromat together.  I can't remember the reason for it, but I remember it happened.

And after that, we just started talking more at work.  Annie would invite me to join her at the Christmas Party at the President's mansion.  Which was super-awesome, because I would never have gone alone.  I would have felt too awkward and conspicuous not having someone to go with and talk to.  Annie was kind enough to offer both of those things that first year I was there.  And, though that may seem a small thing, it really did impact me a lot.  And I still remember how grateful I was for it to this day.

Annie and I (along with our other friend and co-worker Le) made up Team WEB for Strive for Five.  Basically, we worked toward losing weight as a team, eating well as a team, drinking a lot of water, having happy thoughts, etc...  It was a fun little incentive-type thing the University did, and then we got to enjoy breakfast and a huge group picture inside the huge UA stadium (the one and only time I was in there -- and it is impressively huge).  We had fun participating in this together.

And...  Well, Annie and I were somewhat attacked by a rat together.  At work.  Yeah, it's a great story.  I still laugh about it and can picture Annie screaming and jumping in the air as the rat ran toward (and past) her.  Definitely one of the greatest working tales of all time.

I'm so grateful for Annie.  Grateful that we have kept in touch these several years since I left.  Grateful I was able to see her when we went down in October.  Grateful that she always makes time to see me whenever I am passing through.  People like Annie just make this world a better place, and I feel so blessed to call her my friend.

What are you grateful for today?

The Microwave

On Sundays at our house, we try to keep dinner simple.  It was something my husband felt was important, and I had no problem with that plan.  And nowadays when we have 1:00 church (and get home at 4:30), it makes me super-happy that I don't have to try to make a dinner.

What this  means for us is that we usually have leftovers.  As long as I've planned well through the week and thought ahead. 

In the event I didn't, I keep things like canned chili and hot dogs on hand for chili dogs.  Haha.

But usually we have leftovers.  And that's why I love the microwave.  It makes eating leftovers on Sundays so easy. 

I love the microwave for other things as well.  It's how I boil my water for my hot chocolate (Stephen's mint being the current awesomeness I'm savoring these days, thanks to two amazing friends).  I need to get a kettle, though...  I think this often.

I've recently discovered the joy of making a single serving of mac & cheese (from real ingredients -- though I have nothing against the blue box) in the microwave (thank you Pinterest).

We use it to warm up the water that in turn warms up the bottle for baby girl.

And I use it for the timer feature when I'm either a.) doing something like those crazy good bagels which require multiple timers; or b.) trying to not wake the baby from a nap with a loud brrrrrrrrrinnnng sound.

And, yeah, I know there are many who feel the microwave is a dangerous thing.  I can't say I've done research on it.  I just know that it's been helping me out for many years...  I can still remember our first microwave.  In fact, we were using it up until a few months back when my sister's broke.  So we gave her that one, since the apartment we're living in came with one.  That 20 year old microwave is still kickin' as far as I know.  We got it in 1992 while my mom was away helping out at a Young Women Girls' Camp for church.  I remember being so excited about her coming home to find out my dad had gotten her this present.  Funny the things you remember. 

What are you grateful for today?

Ears That Hear

A few days ago, a friend of mine posted something on her facebook page that impacted me.  She has a niece who is about a year old.  A happy little girl, based on the pictures I saw.  A little girl born the same year as my little girl, just a few months earlier.  And that sweet girl was born mostly deaf.  As I read a little of her story by following the link, I learned that with hearing aids, she can hear noises like jack hammers.  Without them, she can't even hear that.  Which means, even with hearing aids, she has never been able to hear her mommy's voice telling her she loves her.  Never been able to hear her daddy's voice soothing her when she's hurt.

And as I read that, it just did something to my heart.

It made me so grateful for my own ears that hear.  My ears that know the voice of my parents.  The ears that hear my husband call me beautiful.  The ears that hear my darling baby's belly-laugh when I rub my head on her tummy.  Do I realize this gift I have been given my whole life?

And then, probably even more strongly, it made me feel so much more grateful for my baby girl's ears that hear.  Grateful that she looks at me with a smile when I say her name.  That she laughs in the bathtub while playing with her toys when she looks over at me and I say in a singy-song voice, "I see you!"  Even that she startles when she doesn't realize I'm in the room and I suddenly say something to her.

I am reminded of the words of one of my most favorite Primary songs:  Whenever I hear the song of a bird... He gave me my ears that I might hear the magical sounds of things.

And, though I haven't -- to this point in my life -- needed it, I'm grateful for the technology that exists to help those who can't hear.  This little girl, whose story helped me be more grateful, is scheduled to receive a cochlear implant on Valentine's Day.  What an appropriate day for her to hear the words "I love you" for the first time (at least with her ears).

You can read about this little girl here.  And if you feel so inclined to help, please do.  I don't intend for this blog to be a solicitor.  It is meant to be a gratitude blog.  But in being grateful for this, I am faced with the reality that not everyone has it.  And as a mother, I know what it is to love my child with all that I have.  I know what it is to want all the good there is for her.  I know what it is to know I would do all I could to give her the very best (of non-material things).  And though I do not know this little girl personally, nor do I know her family (outside of her great-aunt), I am pretty much 100% positive that her mother feels the same way.  But sometimes we can't do it alone.  And I believe there are those who want to help.  That we are here to lift and help each other.  Because I believe no man is an island.

What are you grateful for today?

Awesome Grocery Store Deals

Seeing as today was payday, I figured it wise to re-stock the house.

And start stocking the can rotater (I think I totally made up that word) one item at a time.  (This time it was chicken broth :)).

I generally attribute awesome grocery store deals to tender mercies from the Lord.  And blessings that come because of choices we make.  I know I have witnessed miracles in my life during times when money was very tight for me, and I was determined to live within my means and not take on any more debt (like when I was in Tuscaloosa).  I could go to the grocery store during the time when rent was due, leaving me about $30 to buy groceries for 2 weeks.  And without fail, I always was able to get everything on my list -- and usually a couple extras.  And I didn't exist on ramen noodles, either.  I know those were miracles, blessings, tender mercies.  And I will forever have a testimony of tithing and how the Lord fulfills His promises because of my time in Tuscaloosa.

But I digress.

True, money isn't as tight for me now as it was then.  But I do still have a budget my husband and I agreed upon.  And I make a lot of effort to stay within my budget when I do shopping.  So I consider it a tender mercy when I know I'm getting low on meat in the freezer and will need to purchase some this pay period... when I know meat is probably one of the most expensive items I purchase... and the ads arrive and boneless skinless chicken breasts are on sale (yeah, I know that's the pricier stuff, but it's the only way I eat chicken... I'm so picky about that) and the lean ground beef is also on good sale...  Well, I consider it a blessing for my budget.  And I go and stock up for those times when it's not on sale. 

And then it's even awesomer (yeah, I made that one up too ;)) to also find some nice looking petite sirloin steaks on a screaming deal...  Buy one, get 2 free!  And so I figure:  why not?  That's a whole lot of food -- meat -- I just plopped into my freezer.  That's a whole lot of meals.  (And I don't generally buy steak, but this was a deal I felt was too good to pass up!)

So yeah...  these types of things are rockin' because they bless my life, but also because it's just fun to feel like I'm getting a good deal and being wise with money at the same time.

What are you grateful for today?

Goals

Part of the fun of a new year is setting goals.  At least for me.

Some people call them resolutions, but I think I've come to prefer the word "goal."  Because the truth is, even though I may want to accomplish something, I'm not always resolved to do so.  And rather than get bogged down in disappointment, if I set that thing as a goal, I don't have to feel like quite as much of a failure if I don't succeed this year... or even next.  And thus, I can continue working toward that goal until I do finally achieve it. 

I was lax in setting goals for myself in 2013.  Which is a shame, really; because in previous years, I did set certain goals -- goals that I felt were attainable.  Things like writing in my journal weekly, planting a garden, setting aside a certain amount of money from each paycheck for savings.  And because I'd taken the time to set those goals (and share them online, in various degrees of specificity), I held myself accountable just as publicly at various points throughout the year...  And then, at the end of the year, I had actually accomplished several of them.  And what a great feeling it was to look back and see what I had accomplished. 

Goals, at least for me, give me motivation and direction.  They help me be a better person in many ways.  When I take the time to ponder worthy goals in various aspects of my life, and when I work toward those goals -- whether I completely achieve them or not -- I grow in knowledge and ability. 

So I am grateful for goals.  Grateful I can set them and work toward them.  Grateful we are counseled by church leaders to set goals.  Grateful I can feel like I live a more purpose-driven life through heeding that counsel and setting worthy goals. 

I haven't completely set all my goals for 2014 yet.  But in talking with my mom the other day, I decided to try something new:  setting daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals, and yearly goals.  I already set a bunch of goals for today and made a list.  And I accomplished every single one of them.  And I think, as I get more in the swing of things, I will be able to have longer-term goals that I break down into shorter-term goals which will help me keep moving along.  Because seeing that list get all crossed-off today (even though some of the goals were simply doing a load of laundry and making dinner), felt really good, and I felt really productive.  Heck, I was really productive. 

What are you grateful for today?

Hope

Hope is a beautiful thing.

There is hope in every day, if we so desire.  But with a New Year, it just seems like there is an added measure of hope.  Not just because of the resolutions some people set and hope to achieve.  But also because it's a new year.  A fresh beginning.

Hope that the things you aren't pleased with might improve (whether through your own efforts or through tender mercies of the Lord -- or a combination of both!).

Hope that things you've longed for may arrive.

Hope that you can build on your strengths and overcome weaknesses.

Hope that, when life throws challenges, you can hunker down and push through.

In so many ways, hope keeps us going.  It fuels our dreams.

To quote a quote I found on Pinterest:

"Hope is the little voice you hear whisper 'maybe' when it seems the entire world is shouting 'no!'"

Or, another one of my favorite hope quotes:

"Hope sees what is just around the corner."

Yes, hope is a beautiful thing.  And I'm grateful to have hope in my heart as I begin a new year.  Hope for improvement.  Hope for dreams becoming reality.  Hope for becoming better than I was before.

Happy New Year.  And just because it popped into my head...  Here's a great article on hope.

What are you grateful for today?