Day 29 of Thankfulness: Gal-pals

Today I am thankful for my blessed friendships.  For over a decade, I have been friends with some of the most amazing women to grace this planet.  And over these years, they have truly become my family.  We have lived together, been single together, been in each others weddings, been there when children are born, moved away from each other, and always loved each other.  I could not imagine going through life without these incredibly strong, wise, funny, compassionate women.  Each one of them contributing something amazing to society, and to my life.  They are incredible mothers, musicians, teachers, artists, givers, and healers.  Some people are blessed to have one best friend; I have been blessed to have many.  And although I moved away from them several years ago, when I see them it is like not a moment has gone by.  They encourage and inspire me to be the kind of women I am working to become. 

Today I am thankful for my blessed friendships. 

Day 28 of Thankfulness: My Mawwiage

 

 Today I am thankful for my marriage.  I am thankful that I get to be married to my best friend in the whole wide world.  Not everyone gets to say that.  Sadly, not everyone is friends with their spouse, and even more sadly, those who would make wonderful marriages are not allowed to be married, but that is a whole other story.  Nevertheless, this is why I feel extra thankful for my marriage.  I am thankful for the fights that lead to growth and better understandings.  I am thankful for the thoughtful moments that come from wanting to fill the other with joy.  I am thankful for 80’s dancing in the living room, raising babies together, comforting each other, being together.  When I hear of a lifelong committed partnership breaking, my heart aches for that loss.  It makes me hold on for dear life for what I have been blessed with.  My best friend.  My husband. 

Today I am thankful for my marriage.

Day 27 of Thankfulness: Unmade Beds

Today I am thankful for embracing the messiness.  Every night when my kiddos finally go to bed, I usually work on end of the day household task.  Laundry.  Dishes. Picking up toys.  Sweeping.  But today, I will just let it all be.  This last weekend when I visited my aunt, she mentioned that she is trying to be more relaxed about things.  To be ok with things being a little messy sometimes.  She told me that the other day she decided not to make her bed.  She said, “My mom is not here to tell me what to do!  I am going to rebel!”  This may not seem like too big of a rebellion to you and me, but if you know the way my mother and her brother and sisters were raised, not making your bed is a BIG deal.  Nevertheless, I got the impression my aunts rebellion was about a lot more than not making her bed.  At least it meant more than that to me.  She inspired me to let the messiness happen.  Not only in our homes but also in our lives.  Because sometimes when we let the messiness happen, it allows time for other things to happen.  Perhaps more important things.  

So today, I am thankful for embracing the messiness.  

 The Unmade Bed by Joan Griswold 

Day 26 of Thankfulness: Getting Dirty

Today I am thankful for playing in the sand box with Franklin.  I am thankful for leaving the laundry for later, and taking the time to sit out in the sunshine, and dig in the dirt with my darling son.  I am thankful that he teaches me to be happy in the little moments.  There is always something else that needs to be done, but rarely, is there something more important.  Too often, I trick myself into thinking that these simple moments can only happen after I get the things I MUST get done first.  However, really, moments like these with Franklin, moments of rest, soaking up the sun and the love and the dirt, that is what MUST get done.  

Today I am thankful for playing in the sand box with Franklin.  

Days 24 and 25 of Thankfulness: Cynicism, thanksgiving, and pie.

Day 24 (November 24, 2011)

Today I am thankful for, well, thanksgiving.  I am especially thankful today that I got to spend Thanksgiving with my wonderful San Francisco family!  Usually we travel to Oregon for the Holidays, but this year we decided to stay home.  I am thankful I have my fabulous cousins nearby and that I got to spend the holiday with them.  Have I mentioned that my cousins are some of the greatest people on the planet?  Well they are.  And today I am extra thankful for them.  

Some of you may know that I can be a little cynical and sarcastic.  This is not something I love about myself, nor do I hate it.  I feel like a little cynicism keeps you socially aware and a little sarcasm well makes the world a funnier place to live in.  Especially when it can be a sad place to live in.  Although cynicism and sarcasm can be amusing, in can also be distracting, and harmful.  Therefore, because of this personality trait of mine, taking time to be thankful, and reflect on life’s blessings is good.  Beyond good, it is essential.  So, I am not just thankful for the Thanksgiving holiday but also the act of giving thanks.  I am thankful that I have this opportunity to reflect on all my life’s blessings.  Big and small, I am thankful for them all! I am also thankful that I have so much to be thankful for!  Coming up with 30 days of thankfulness is difficult not because it is hard to come up with 30 things to be thankful for, but because it is hard to ONLY think of 30 things to be thankful for!  

Today I am thankful for thanksgiving.

Day 25 (November 25, 2011)

Today I am thankful for leftover pie.  Man oh man, leftover pie!  Calories don’t count the day after Thanksgiving right?  It is as if your body knows it’s a holiday so it says, “Ok, today you get a free pass.  So go ahead, have that third piece of pie! Eat your heart out!”  This is how it works right? Oh it doesn’t?!?!  Crap.  Well I am thankful for it anyways. 

Today I am thankful for leftover pie. 

Day 23 of Thankfulness: Elena’s Infectious Smile

Today I am thankful for my Elena’s sweet smile.  It is somewhat amazing that at three months old, I can already tell what a kind spirit my dear daughter carries.  She smiles with her whole being.  She has one of those infectious smiles that make everything in the world seem right.  You see strength in her smile.  My sweet girl is destined for great things.  I can tell.  She will change lives with her kindness.  I know this, because she has already changed mine. 

Today I am thankful for my Elena’s sweet smile.  

Days 19, 20,21, and 22 of Thankfulness: The L.A. Freeway

Wow.  The last few days have been a whirlwind of emotions.  Twisting and turning in every direction like the Los Angeles freeways.  They have been filled with sorrow, laughter, fear, and peacefulness, and have been busy.  Thank you for bearing with me as I have been gone from my “Days of Thankfulness.”  I will catch up on them now…

Day 19 (November 19, 2011)

Today I am thankful for my Uncle Dan.  Today I celebrated the life of my Uncle Dan Berry.  It had been a long time since I had seen him, too long, and now he is gone.  It was so strange looking at his slide show and remembering and mourning my sweet uncle that looks exactly like my dad.  Made me appreciate my dad a little more.  My Uncle Dan was many great things.  Famous softball coach, single father to his three teenage girls after my dear Auntie Ruthie passed away, older brother who took on the role as a father to his siblings, and my uncle.  One of my favorite memories of my uncle was his humor.  He had this way of teasing you that made you somehow feel better about yourself.  Like him making fun of you, meant he really loved you.  I miss that.  I will often look back on that and remember, and smile. 

Today I am thankful for my Uncle Dan. 

Day 20 (November 20, 2011)

Today I am thankful for Franklin’s health, and family support.  I have never felt fear the way I did tonight.  While visiting with my family in L.A. Franklin was enjoying playing with his cousins.  The best part of “cousin play” is that they tend to entertain themselves while us “big kids” can sit and chat with one another.  The scary part, however, is that anything can happen in an instant.   One moment Franklin was happily playing and the next he had fallen off the couch.  I went over to check on him and saw my sweet baby boy lying there.  Still.  Eyes closed.  I screamed and he woke up startled.  This lead to Franklin’s first trip to the ER.  Since my newborn, exclusively breastfed baby was already asleep; I had to stay behind while Nick, my cousin and my dad took my baby boy to the emergency room.  I frantically checked my phone every 10 seconds awaiting a message that my baby was all right.  He was.  He is happy. Healthy. Thriving.  He is fine. I am fine.  I am blessed.  I am so thankful Nick had my family there to be with him during this terrifying time. 

Today I am thankful for Franklin’s health, and family support. 

Day 21 (November 21, 2011)

Today I am thankful for some much-needed time with family.  Although my time in L.A. was an emotional roller coaster, it was good to be with family.  It was wonderful catching up with my Dad’s side of the family who I had not seen in over a decade, reminded me of my childhood, and reminded me of my grandmother who I miss dearly.   It was also great staying with my mom’s side of the family as it always is.  We played games, ate good food, and were just together.  My mom’s family, although a little loud and crazy, feels like home.  I had the privilege to grow up with my cousins.  In every way.  They were my childhood playmates, my best friends through adolescence, and continue to be my brothers and sisters through adult hood.  Some of us have moved away.  Some of us see each other much less often than I would like.  However, they are still my rock.  And for that, I am grateful. 

Today I am thankful for some much-needed time with family.  

Day 22 (November 22, 2011)

Today I am thankful for a day of rest.  After a very crazy couple of days, I am now home, and had a completely uneventful day.  And sometimes uneventful is everything one could hope for.  Uneventful is what I needed.  I even just made pancakes for dinner.  See? Simple.  Uneventful.   A day of rest.  A day to be thankful. 

Today I am thankful for a day of rest.

Days 17 and 18: Stacy, Clinton, and pumpkin lattés

Day 17

Today I am thankful for my family’s plentiful clothing.  As I folded endless loads of laundry I realized how blessed we are to have warm clothes for our children and our selves.  An abundant amount.  Even if Stacey and Clinton would suggest we down size our wardrobes for a few higher quality versatile pieces like a dark pant, or black boot (where do they get off referring to these items of clothing in singular form anyway?).  I am thankful that my children do not have to wear the same dirty clothes day after day.  I am thankful they have adequate warm coats (even if Frank refuses to wear his on occasion).  Not all families have this basic need.  As I look at the closet full of coats and sweatshirts that we have to chose from, I feel compelled to do some winter cleaning and donate them.  Because I am far too blessed not to. 

Today I am thankful for my family’s plentiful clothing. 

Day 18

Today I am thankful for fall.  In California, fall weather generally just means slightly cooler than summer.  However, the last week has felt a little like the Fall I know and love.  Brisk. Cloudy.  Colorful leaves.  Fall has always been my favorite time of year.  I love the rain and cooler weather (yes, I am that person).  There is just something about scarves, pumpkin lattés, and cold noses that is comforting. 

Today I am thankful for fall. 

Days 15 and 16 of Thankfulness: Oma and new life

Day 15

Today I am thankful for “Oma” (Nicks grandmother).  There have been a few times over the years when she just seems to know when I need a little encouragement.  Yesterday I was feeling a little burned out and overwhelmed with all the chaos that comes with being a mama.  Please understand I know how blessed I am to have my little ones, but sometimes it is just hard.  I was feeling defeated and frustrated with myself and my lack of patience lately.  As I was getting ready for bed last night, I received an encouraging e-mail from Oma reminding me that I am doing a great job, and that I do not have to be perfect.  Her e-mail reminded me that we tend to be our own biggest critics.  No one makes us feel like we are not living up to our expectations more than ourselves.  She reminded me to be kind to myself.  

These words of encouragement rang loudly in my decisions today.  I felt rejuvenated.  Ready to take on the biggest of toddler tantrums.  I remembered to take lots of deep breaths, choose my battles, and that my main job is to love these little ones as best as I can.  Sometimes this means letting the messy things go and choosing to embrace the little special moments of spontaneous dance parties and toddler potty humor.  

Today I am thankful for Oma. 

Day 16

Today I am thankful for new life.  This morning my neighbor gave birth at home to a baby boy.  The feeling of new beginnings and life filled the neighborhood as we chatted with excitement about the new baby.  I could not help but be reminded of the day my babies were born and the new love that was born in me as a mama.  

I am thankful for new life not only in the literal sense of a newborn baby but also in the new life that I am continuously being born into.  Each challenge I overcome, each time I am given grace.  

Today I am thankful for new life. 

Days 13 and 14 of Thankfulness: Pigeons and Growth

Day 13 (November 13, 2011)

Today I am thankful for our day trip to San Francisco.  We are so blessed to live right next door to San Francisco.  It really is a beautiful city.  We are also blessed to have a friend like Andy who is patient enough to spend the day in this beautiful, yet busy and hectic city with our family that includes a VERY curious 2 ½ year old.  When he suggested the 6 block walk to the Bart station from his house, I am sure he never imagined this would take over an hour.  We had the brilliant idea of letting Franklin walk (she says sarcastically).  He stopped at every pigeon, every item he found on the ground, at everything.  As crazy as this day in the city was, it was great seeing how happy it all made Frank.  He was running up and down the street with almost as much excitement as he had while trick-or-treating this Halloween. 

Today I am thankful for our day trip to San Francisco. 

Day 14 (November 14, 2011)

Today I am thankful for growth.  I love being at home with my babies.  I do.  However, can I admit that sometimes it is really hard?  Can I be that vulnerable for a moment?  Sometimes it can be so overwhelming I need to take a step outside and take a deep breath of fresh air before walking back in to deal with the baby who is crying, most likely because the toddler attempted a somersault over her head.  And in those moments, I am less than who I want to be.  I raise my voice, or give in to winey demands.  I am not perfect.  I do not need to be.  Nevertheless, I want to be better.  More patient.  I’ve prayed for it.  Yet, it doesn’t come easily.  Sometimes, like today, this frustrates me.  Isn’t praying to be better a good thing?  What is the harm in making this come easily?  Perhaps there is no harm in things coming easily.  But, perhaps there is benefit in stretching myself.  Even when it is the harder way to go.  Perhaps actively practicing patience during those hard moments is what makes me a better person, not just better in the moment.  Perhaps.  I hope so anyways. 

Today I am thankful for Growth.