Thankful Thursday - A Gorgeous Fall Sunset

While I absolutely adore the sunsets in the summer, nothing can compare to the amazing colors we see after a fall sunset. 

Thankful Thursday - Blogging (talking without forcing anyone to listen)

Yesterday I was out shopping with Pumpkin after we dropped Peanut off at school.   We walked into JCPenney just to browse since I had a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $10 or more.  As we were looking at jeans for Doc, I heard an older man say hello to another older woman in the store.  Here's how their conversation went -

Man - Hello.
Woman - Hello.  How are you today?
Man - I woke up this morning.
Woman - Well, that is a good way to start the day.
Man - Yes, I suppose it is.  Can I ask you a question?
Woman - You may.
Man - If a woman is shopping by herself and a man approaches her to ask her a question, is she still alone?

Okay, by this point I was more than a little creeped out.  I don't know if it was the tone of his voice or the fact that he kept walking toward the woman who was obviously just trying to be polite.  Either way, I had taken Pumpkin by the hand and was walking quickly between the clothes racks to a location where I could no longer see or hear the conversation taking place.   As I made my way across the store, I passed a JCPenney employee.  She greeted me as she passed by with a cart of clothes that presumably needed to go out on the racks.  She also greeted another older woman.  Here's how their conversation went -

JCP - How are you this morning?
Woman - Good.  At least I'm better than yesterday.  Yesterday I had a migraine.  All day.  I just couldn't get rid of it.  I'm not feeling great today, but definitely better than that.
JCP - Oh.  I'm glad you're feeling better today.
Woman - I am.  Still not great though.  I'm tired.  Migraines always make me tired.

Honestly, when people that you don't know ask you how you are, they generally don't really want to know.  They are just making small talk.  They are issuing a basic greeting.  We must all try to remember that.  In all fairness, I am a talker.  I blame it entirely on my father.  I sometimes catch myself explaining myself to people that probably could not care less.  I'm sure the waitress doesn't care why I'm ordering one entree over another.  Nor is she concerned that the reason I'm in such a hurry for the bill is that I have to be at a concert in 1/2 hour, for my daughter, who is in the first grade,  and happens to like the color purple, which is fortunate since that is the color of her costume . . .

See, if left to my own devices I would most definitely become one of those people that talks incessantly to anyone that will listen.  Fortunately, I have blogging.  Blogging is a way for me to talk, ramble and rant without forcing anyone to be polite and listen.

Thankful Thursday - Life is Good!

Last night, after dropping the kids off with their aunt, Doc and I came home to a quiet house. We looked at each other for a minute, wondering what we should do. "Do you want to take a boat ride?" he asked. "Sure" was my reply. With that, we took the boat out...

On a lake as smooth as glass...

The only boat on the water...

We watched the sunset...

Listened to music...

And just enjoyed the company!

An evening as simple and perfect as ours makes you thankful to be alive!

(Note: This is not a picture from last night, but one of my favorite sunset pics. I need to remember to bring my camera with me more often.)

Edit:  I came home to this sunset tonight and had to get another pic!

Thankful Thursday - A Walk with a Friend

Last night, my neighbor and I walked approximately 6 miles together.  Whenever she is around and Doc is here to watch Peanut and Pumpkin, we make an effort to go.

• Is 6 miles a huge distance?  No
• Did we walk in record time?  No
• Did I burn enough calories to make up for those no bake cookies I ate?  No

However, even with all those "no"s and the massive number of bugs that found their way down my shirt, I am grateful to have walked.  A walk with a friend is beneficial for me in so many ways:

• I feel good about myself - that I took the time out to exercise.
• We talk about everything and nothing.  It is downright therapeutic.
• It is an escape from the norm.  When I'm home with my monkeys I'm always a mom first.  When I'm walking, no one interrupts me.  When I'm walking, I'm actually me again . . . if only for an hour. 

Thankful Thursday - The Occasional Nap

I really wish I had a picture for you, but I'm not crazy!  There is no way I'm going into Pumpkin's room and risking waking her up, just so you can see how adorable she is when she naps.   Instead, you'll just have to close your eyes and imagine you're looking at your kiddos while they are sleeping (or if you're reading this late at night you can just go in and peek at them).   If your kids are older and no longer at home, you'll have to see how good your memory is.  If you don't yet have kids, just wait . . . I'm confident that you'll be smitten by their angelic sleeping faces with their cheeks all squished and their mouths hanging open.  Seriously, it doesn't sound attractive, but it might just be the most beautiful sight I've ever seen.

Pumpkin is 4, almost 5, and she rarely naps anymore.  I can tell when she really needs one though, and today was definitely one of those days.  After lunch, we crawled up to the top bunk and said prayers.  After prayers I rubbed her back for a bit while she relaxed and fell asleep.  Did I need to rub her back?  Nope!  She falls asleep just fine on her own.  Did I need to stay in her room and just watch her sleep for a while?  YES!  My babies are growing up fast and I want to cherish the memories of their napping faces, their spontaneous hugs, and their unadulterated joy.  I am thankful for all the little things that won't last forever, especially the occasional nap!

Thankful Thursday - Simple Joys

My kiddos are still young and truly appreciate the simple things in life. . . from a sparkler on the 4th of July to the first snowfall.  Just this week when I was picking Pumpkin up from camp, she was just glowing.  She couldn't have been more proud of the pet rock she made and was carrying over to show off.   I am so thankful that they do appreciate the little things.  They can find joy in the most basic items, events, and occurrences.  Each day I am more amazed at what my children remind me of and teach me about.

Thankful Thursday - The First Tiny Tomato

Coming from a family of farmers, but not much of a gardener myself, I was thrilled to see the first tiny tomato growing on my plant. The gorgeous yellow flowers behind it indicate that more are soon to follow. Not everyone is as lucky as I am to have a small garden where I can grow cucumbers and tomatoes. Not everyone knows the delicious difference between eating a tomato from the grocery store and one picked and immediately eaten, still warm from the sun.  I am thankful for this tiny tomato and each one to follow. I appreciate the space to grow them, the time spent with my children planting and watering them, and the taste that I can already imagine (which is making my mouth water)!

Thankful Thursday - My Magnificent Husband

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have decided to dedicate Thursday on my blog as "Thankful Thursday".  Each Thursday I will write about something I am grateful for.  Whether it is large or small, expected or not, all Thursdays will give you a little look at who I am and the ways in which I am blessed.  I'm hoping that taking time out, at least once each week, to think about how lucky I am, will make me a more appreciative person in general.

I decided to begin my Thankful Thursdays by expressing my appreciation for the one person in my life that I most take for granted - Doc, my husband. 

1. Doc is an amazing father.  As much as I might complain about all the little things he does "wrong" (aka - not my way), there is so much that he does right.  He loves our girls with all his heart.  After a long day at work, no matter how tired he is, he will always take time out to play with them.  Whether the girls want to play Barbies, baseball, or tickle monster, he will be right there ready to join in.  In fact, just the other day Peanut wanted to have a water gun fight.  Even though it was a little cold out, and she is the only one with a big water gun, he went out and played.  He really made her day!
2. Doc is a thoughtful husband.  On days when I am absolutely exhausted, he notices and offers to pick up supper.  He (usually) listens when I talk and remembers the little things I mention in casual conversation.  He is most often the one that will suggest that we have a date night when life seems to get in the way of our relationship. 
3. Doc is funny.  I've noticed as the years have passed that I laugh at his jokes much less frequently.  With a bit of careful thought I've decided that I can't blame it on the fact that he's not as funny anymore since other people still laugh.  When I open my heart and mind to his humor, I am taken back to when we first met.  I am smitten with his smile and his quick wit. 
4. Doc has a strong work ethic.  He works hard at home.  He works hard at work.  He is willing to work for everything he has and everything he wants.  He is an amazing example for our children.
5. Doc has beautiful blue eyes.   When I look into his eyes I see our past, our present, and our future.  I can see his love for me and our children.   You often hear that "the eyes are the window to the soul".  When I look into his eyes, I know that is true!