The Day I Was Grateful for Dates

No.2 and I often meet up with Mr. when we run errands near his workplace.  We enjoy various places (Indian, Mexican, American...).  Today, we did a little Mexi/Merican at Taco Bell/KFC.  No.2 loves chicken and asks for it almost daily (it's not often granted, pbj all the way, man).

I love these little dates with my men.  I don't know that my boys will remember these little outings with Daddy, but I hope that they lay little foundations of love and joy.

So, here's to more dates.

Here's to more chicken.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Diva

My friend got me started on this show a few seasons ago.  It is so girly, so nothing like me, but for some reason, I really enjoy it.  This is it's final season.  I'll be sorry for my Sunday night Mommy's break time to be gone.  Guess I'll need to fill it with another mindless show, or activity, or maybe I'll read another book.

So, here's to simple vegg time.

Here's to periodic mindless activities that keep me sane.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Women

Tonight, my friend and I drove to the Stake Center for the General Women's Meeting.  This is the first year it has been a combined meeting for Young Women and Relief Society women as well as all girls 8-years old and above.  In the past, they'd have a YW Meeting and a RS Meeting (one at each semi-annual General Conference).  The messages shared were beautiful and focused on being a better covenant keeping sisterhood of women.  I had a split second thought race through my mind while singing one of the congregational hymns that I am so thankful to be a woman.

So, here's to taking joy in womanhood.

Here's to always being better than I was yesterday.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Newlyweds

This is not my picture, but one from his facebook page, but Mr. and I were blessed to attend his wedding reception.  I despise large gatherings, but was thrilled for this couple.  They were married in the temple this morning and have started their eternal lives together on the right path.

I am grateful for temples and the sacred and eternal ordinances performed there.  I wish I went more often.  One of the more recent times Mr. and I went, we were able to do sealings for families who have passed on.  It was, quiet simply and in the most complete meaning of the word, beautiful.

So, here's to the newlyweds.

Here's to more temple work.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Pie

Today I hosted book club.  My friend offered her home as we have sickies here (will this stomach flu ever end?).  We read the book Shooting the Moon about a girl who's brother goes off to Vietnam.  I made a Vietnamese dessert and an typical American dessert from the 1960's:  Baked Alaskan Pie.  I'd never made it before and it was perfect!

I'm grateful that I am willing to try to recipes and that my friends and family are willing to try them.

So, here's to trying new things.

Here's to making the best.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Cuddles

Tonight, No.2 fell asleep in my arms.  I held him as long as I could.

So, here's to holding tight.

Here's to holding close.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Meme's

This beauty really put a smile on my face.  It's sarcasm is perfect.  Just to fill you in, we had snow this morning.  It was only a dusting, but it was snow nonetheless.  I love snow, but it's getting rediculous.  35* one day, 75* the next.  Ah well, it is what it is.

So, here's to laughing a little more.

Here's to taking things as they are.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Snuggles

No.2 had his favorite lovey, Bacon, but tonight I guess Elmo was feeling lonely.  So sweet.

I love when my boys still do things that remind me they are still little.  I don't want them to grow up.  No.1 has permanent teeth growing in and No.2 is talking so much.  I can't keep them in their little boy shells forever, but for now, I'll try my best to cherish every moment.

So, here's to taking it slow.

Here's to snuggling them a little more.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Silliness

Tonight as I put No.1 to bed, he peeked over the bed and just looked so cute with just his eyes visible so I tried to take a picture.  Well, he wouldn't have it.  Instead, he just dodged the flash until I climbed up his loft bed and snapped this one.  I love the how happy he is here.  No.1 is one of the silliest kids I know (sometimes during unwanted times causing me to have to bite my lip to stay firm), and I love him for it (every time).

So, here's to more giggles.

Here's to more laughs.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Books

 No.1 doesn't always like to read (he'd rather play Minecraft), but I love it when he gets excited, and even asks to go to the library (we went yesterday).  I'm not the best example of reading.  When I do read, it's after the boys are in bed.  I love reading their books to them, but as far as them seeing me quietly read a book, it rarely happens.  I have so much to do each day, I feel the only time I have to read is when it's all done.  I suppose I need to start setting a better example in this area.

So, here's to more reading.

Here's to more books.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Stars

I was watching my littlest one playing in the front yard with sand/beach toys in the little bit of snow left from our "no"-man from my door while directing No.1's piano practice when I saw No.2 pick up a star mold and throw it into the air.  It didn't go very high, he's 2, but I knew he wanted the star to go up.  I walked down the front steps and asked him what he was doing.  "Star world so high!" was his reply.  After a couple more sentences, I understood that he was trying to put the star back into the sky.  I think he really thought he could do it.  After several more unsuccessful (obviously) attempts, he asked me to help him.  He directed me to pick him up and take him up to the house so he would be closer to the sky and the star could more easily reach.  I more than willingly gave into his desires and put him on my shoulders at the top of the stairs.  He reached as high as he could, but the star did not stick in the sky.  I eventually put him down, and he packed up the sand toys and called it a day.

I love that he really believed he could make that star shoot into the sky.  I hate to think that this was his first failure.  I love that I encouraged him and didn't try to explain to a two-year old that the sky is so far away and that even if you did reach the sky as we know it, you have to go even further to get the star to where the other stars are.  I hate that he's growing up so fast and will one day have someone stomp on his dreams.

So, here's to swinging on stars.

Here's to wishing we may and wishing we might have our wishes come true.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Birthdays

Yes, we celebrated the anniversary of the Relief Society today, but we also celebrated all the women in our ward.  I am so proud of the work that several of our sisters put into this party: 5 cakes (not including mine) from 5 sisters, decorations, white elephant exchange, and a beautiful talk buy my Enrichment counselor, man power for set-up by my presidency, and take-down by, well, everyone!  We really had a blast and got to know each other a little better.  It's a relief to have one of our three big events over, but I'm sort of sad, too.  I feel like I did after the final show when I was on stage.  I know we did a great job, but I'm sad to see it end.

So, here's to you, Happy Birthday!

Here's to fulfilling callings.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Cake

Our Relief Society birthday party is tomorrow, and I've made one of the 6 cakes for the centerpieces on the tables (I really need to work on my butter cream dirty icing so my fondant isn't so bumpy [to be honest, though, the shadows make it worse than it was]).  I'm grateful for cake, but really I'm grateful for what it represents.  The Relief Society was officially started on March 17, 1842.  The organization foundation was and still is service.  I'm the president of our ward's Relief Society.  I'm not sure, even now after serving for 2 years, that it was the right calling for me, but I do know that I have learned a lot about service and I really have a strong desire to serve the community and women of our ward.

So, here's to charity.

Here's to chocolate.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Lincoln

I am really struggling with this post tonight.  It's all I can do to keep the tears from falling.  Tears of gratitude and sadness.

My cousin, J, (one of the girls closest to my age) who I reconnected with through facebook after many years of no communication (she's the daughter of my biological father's sister and with my "real" parents getting divorced when I was 8-months old, loads of moves, and just never being really close, but still full of love, to that side of my family, we never really stayed in contact - until now).  Anyway, J has two children.  A little girl about No.1's age and a little boy a year and a half older than No.2.  Her son, Lincoln, was born with a partial deletion and duplication on chromosome 1.  This resulted in mysterious syndromes and developmental delays.  But otherwise, he was a healthy, happy boy.

Two years ago on March 10th, just 9 days before his 2nd birthday, J went to check on him near the end of his nap and found him unresponsive in his crib.  Lincoln had fulfilled his life on this earth.

I did not know Lincoln, but I've followed J's blog about him and am thrilled that J is expecting twins (boy/girl).  She and her husband have been so open about their emotions and how they keep going.  Things are going good for them, but this month undoubtedly brings heartache.

An annual memorial day has been organized for people to place pinwheels (Lincoln loved them, they were the centerpiece of his beautiful funeral, and friends littered J's yard with them for months following his death) and to spend the day making someone's heart spin, eyes twinkle.

Today, No.2 and I got a head start on Pinwheel Day.

I am grateful for that sweet little Lincoln who I never knew in person.  I am thankful to know that I will know him one day.  I am thankful for technology that brings family together.  I am blessed to be the mother of two wonderful, healthy boys.

So, here's to hugging a little longer.

Here's to more kind words.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Green

Who wouldn't love a day where everything is decided for you:  What to wear, what to cook, what activities to do?  I love it!

Today a crazy leprechaun tracked green footprints from the backdoor, up the front of the play kitchen where he set up a snack of peas on a play plate, then back on the floor around the peninsula and up the dishwasher onto the counter, into the sink and back out again onto the counter to the Lucky Charms we were saving for breakfast where he took out all the marshmallows and hid them in the cabinet, then along the stove top, across the fridge, into the fridge where he colored our milk green, then back onto the floor and out the front door.  I started all this at 1am and went to bed at 3 (I knew we wouldn't have school today - snow).

The boys woke up to the t-peed kitchen a footprints and had fun tracking them.  No.1 found the hidden marshmallows and poured No.2 and himself a bowl (he's so good at getting his brother breakfast!).  We drank green milk all day and enjoyed a dinner of corned beef and cabbage and Irish soda bread.  Our dessert was Irish lemon pudding (not really a pudding, more like a cake).

What a day.

So, here's to fun traditions.

Here's to encouraging make-believe.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Sisters

This is a picture from this summer when the boys and I flew home for a visit.  My sister lives across the country and today is her birthday.

My sister is an incredible mother to 7.5 children.  She manages a currently 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom (currently because they're finishing an addition with will provide another bedroom and bath) on a teacher's salary.  Her budgets would put Suzie Orman to shame.  She is a peacemaker, a homemaker, a babymaker (sorry, couldn't resist :) ).  She is awesome!  I pray my boys will have a great memories of each other as I do of my sister and me.

So, here's to a Happy 38th.

Here's to many more.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Hunting

We don't hunt, but several of my friends do and one of them posted this on his facebook page.  Even if we did hunt, I wouldn't take my child with me, but the message is what really matters.

So, here's to more screen-free time.

Here's to making lasting memories.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Lincoln

No.1 has been working with his TAG teacher on a "play" (oral report) about Abe Lincoln.  They had planned to present it around President's Day, but with all the snow days, it was pushed off until today.  No.1 and I worked together to get him ready.  He read a book about Lincoln, he practiced with note cards, he presented to me, then I received an e-mail from his teacher this morning saying that he's been really emotional today (he broke down in tears, sobbing tears, because he had to fix some worksheet).  He had been out the day before because of vomiting late Wednesday night, and she wondered if he just wasn't feeling well.  No.2 and I immediately got in the car and went to check on No.1.  He was in lunch and was acting just fine.  I really thing he was tired and just feeling some unrecognized apprehension and nervousness about his presentation.  I talked to him and he was good to go.  No.2 and I went home.

Mr., No.2, and I went back to the school at the end of the day to watch him present.  Another TAG student (2nd grader) did his report on George Washington and No.1 did his on Abe Lincoln.  They performed for both classrooms (first 2nd grade, then No.1's 1st grade).  I was so proud of the job he did.  He's given talks in church before, but this was off of notes, not full sentences.  He really did a good job.

So, here's to my little Abe.

Here's to great performances.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Smarts

Mr. is so good with electronics.  He's a computer scientist by degree and trade, but if he doesn't know how to do something or doesn't understand something, he'll read up until he does.  Today he was doing something with the internet cables (we switched providers) and I was just in awe of his understanding of it all.  My job was to pull the cables through the wall, he did everything else.

So, here's to learning.

Here's to mad skills.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Happiness

Once again, I didn't take this picture, but I tried to.  I was washing dishes, trying to reclaim my kitchen, when I looked out the window above my sink and saw a bluebird.  A BLUE bluebird.  He was searching for leftovers on the ground below an empty bird feeder.  I tried to run and get my camera but he had flown away by the time I got back.

I went back to work washing and looked up again and there he was.  I watched him for a couple seconds then again tried to retrieve my camera, but he was gone.

One of my favorite Shirley Temple movies is The Bluebird.  The little girl is always looking for the next thing to make her happy and is told that the bluebird will bring happiness so she and her little brother, dog, and cat, go out to search for the bird.  Their adventures teach that simple things bring true happiness, not luxury or material things.

When I saw that bluebird in my yard, it caused me to pause, it calmed my frustration with the state of my house, and I smiled.  I was happy.

So, here's to taking a moment to find happiness.

Here's to realizing I'm always happy deep down where it counts.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Uniqueness

He knows what it is, but insists on wearing it like a crown/headband.  I'm not going to tell him it's a stethascope and it goes around the neck, because to him, today, it might just be a crown.

So, here's to allowing imagination.

Here's to a good laugh.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Dentists

I LOVE the dentist.  I know.  I'm weird.  But I do.  I have this strange obsession with teeth (even dream about them).  So you can imagine my joy when I take my boys to their dental appointments (No.2's 1st) and they have wonderful visits.

I really believe that children can sense their mother's apprehensions.  When I'm somewhere and I see a stressed out mom and the kids are crazy, I think, "If she could just pretend to not be stressed, the kids would settle down."  I believe that my ease around doctors and dentists keeps my children at ease as well.

So, here's to setting the mood.

Here's to no cavities :).

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Fish

Mr. has a fish allergy.  He actually had to have his mission call re-assigned from Bulgaria to stateside NYC because they discovered the allergy at he MTC and it caused such a weird reaction, they kept him stateside just in case.  But, every once in a while, I'll make fish (like this avocado bacon salmon - Mr. had his minus the avocado).  And the crazy thing is that Mr.'s reactions are becoming less and less pronounced.

At the MTC, his mental status was actually altered, his tongue and throat swelled, and he suffered sever headaches (there was fish liver oil in the MTC issued vitamins).  After we got married, he would get bad headaches and a bit of swelling.  A few years ago, he got headaches.  Now, he seems to be fine.  HOORAY! because I love fish (well, some fish, not fishy-fish).  Fish is so healthy.  The boys like it.  And it gives us more dinner options.

So, here's to growing out of things.

Here's to growing into new things.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Soda

I don't drink soda.  Haven't since 5th grade.  I prefer milk and water to anything (though I'll get flavored lemonade sometimes at restaurants).  I know how terrible soda is for our bodies.  The occasional can every now and again isn't bad, all things in moderation, but one or two ever day like Mr. does just drives me bonkers.  It's like nails on a chalkboard.  I get ill watching him pop that top and pour it down his throat.

BUT

Today I'm grateful for it, because it gave me this wonderful laugh.

So, here's to looking for the good in the bad.

Here's to laughing it off.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Attention

No.1 has his good (attention) days in karate, and his bad (attention) days in karate.  Today was a good day.  He did great!  When he is focused, his technique is so much better.  I told him after class that I was proud of his efforts today.  He was proud of himself.

Sometime I attend karate with the cell phone and spend my time reading on it, but sometimes I have good (attention) days at karate and notice when No.1 is having a good one, too.

So, here's to paying attention.

Here's to giving praise.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Healing

So, the other day I sat down on a sled at the top of our front steps preparing to slide down as I had several times before.  The difference was this time it was a sled, the other times it had been a disc.  I said to Mr. right before I went down, "I don't feel right about this."  I should have trusted myself, but I went down.  I went down right into the railing.  Our front steps have two sections of rail and I took out every baluster on my way.  I hit the bottom post and flipped myself out onto the ground.  (I could have continued on down the track, but I was in pain!)

I laid in the snow for about 30-seconds before hobbling into the house.  Mr. and I laughed and laughed, but inside I cried - I was hurt.

So, this is the result of my accident.  I didn't go to the doctors, of course, but I'm pretty sure I have a deep muscle bruise and hematoma on my upper thigh.  I can't sleep on my left side (my usual side).  I can't sit Indian style.  I can't roll around on the floor with the boys.  It hurts.  But I know it is healing.  I know it's healing because the bruising is changing.  It's massive (about the side of my hand) and swollen, but it's healing.

I'm grateful for a healthy body.  I hope I am an example to my boys of maintaining a healthy lifestyle (I could exercise, I guess...).

So, here's to getting better.

Here's to being better.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Osmosis

This little man cracks me up.  He has an established bedtime routine:  Books (either while sitting on his bed on my lap in the rocking chair), Bacon (monkey lovey) and water bottle, books to read on his own in bed, and the hall light on.  Oftentimes, he sneaks out of bed, but he always reads before he finally falls asleep (no matter how many times we put him back to bed).

I love that he loves books.  I hope he's retaining some of the things he sees and hears as we read and even when he "reads" on his own.  Books are so important and I wish I had more time to read myself so my boys can see me reading and know it's important (unfortuately, usually when I have a spare moment to myself, I'm making dinner, cleaning the kitchen, or folding clothes).

So, here's to learning from the best books.

Here's to loving reading.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Playdates

Still no school, but plenty of play.  The boys are so fun to play with.  No.1 went sledding over and over and No.2, who's not so much into sledding, kept me laughing running around in the snow.

So, here's to more outdoor play.

Here's to enjoying the moment.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Mr.

Remember I said we were pretty sure we wouldn't have school today?  Well, this is why.  They even closed the base, so Mr. was home with us all day.  He was so great with the boys out in the snow.  No.1 wasn't having the best time (I think he stayed up much later than when we put him to bed), but Mr. was patient with him and had fun in the snow with both boys.

I have been a mess emotionally these last few months having been on Clomid, and Mr. is my anchor.  He's so forgiving of my moods.  He never calls me out on them.  He just lets my mood slide right off like water on a duck.  He warns the boys to be good when he notices my mood is crazy (and it can change in a snap - I hate losing control of my emotions, but if it gets us No.3, I'm okay with it).  I'm just grateful for Mr.'s example and patience.  Makes me want to be better.

So, here's to my rock.

Here's to learning control.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Popcorn

We're pretty sure we're not having school tomorrow, so we all cozied up together in the basement and watched Tangled (No.2 got it for Easter last year, but it was just opened tonight) and ate stove-top popcorn.

Growing up we rarely had microwave popcorn.  My mom would either use her air popper (when she had a working one) or make stove-top popcorn.  I remember my dad experimenting with different seasonings:  lemon pepper, garlic salt, herbs.  Sometimes my mom would make caramel or candied popcorn.  It was all so yummy.  With my brother and I on the floor lying on our huge rag pillow, my sister on the couch, my dad in the chair, my mom massaging his feet, we'd watch great movies together.  This isn't a memory that often comes to mind when I think about family activities, but as I type, I am so grateful for the memory homemade popcorn brings.  Hopefully, my boys will have similar memories.

So, here's to making popcorn fresh.

Here's to making fresh memories.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.

The Day I Was Grateful for Yumminess

Pecan glazed pork loin, cucumber-tomato salad, and couscous.  Tonight was a meal for royalty.  It was the boy's first experience with couscous and it was a fun hit.  This was another one of my experimental recipes from Pinterest and it was a hit!

So, here's to following recipies.

Here's to happy eaters.

And here's to a Better Mommy Me.