I am thankful for FREE SHIPPING! Today I went on several sites and got everything shipped for FREE! I like FREE! Off for more cyber shopping......

Today I am thankful for leftovers-

which make my most favorite sandwich

Mmmmmmm!

Today I am thankful for

Today I am grateful for a clean kitchen. Tomorrow it is ALL OVER! Enjoying the calm before the storm. Although I am looking forward to the storm because it will be filled with family!

Today I am grateful for pumpkin chocolate chip muffins- making them, eating them and sharing them!

Yesterday I was THANKFUL for doctors! Xander came home from a birthday party Saturday night with a 103.9 fever, horrible sore throat and then was up barfing most of the night. I took him to the doctor Sunday morning and he was diagnosed with strep.

A few hours later he broke out in hives on one of his arms. Got to the doctor again... and he sent us off to the ER because he was concerned that he had a possible bacterial infection. We spent 5 hours in the ER. It took the nurses 4 tries to get his IV in. He was dehydrated (due to throwing up all night and day), cold and nervous= poor veins. He was such a trooper! He didn't move or complain when it hurt. He just took it like my little man! They drew his blood, gave him fluids and another antibiotic IV. He is already allergic to Penicillin, then Zithromax from his hives earlier this afternoon. So they gave him another antibiotic which they said had a very slim chance of him being allergic to. WELL he broke out in hives all over his arms within 15 minutes. Cross that one off the list too! They stopped the antibiotic gave him steroids and Benadryl. By this time his arms were covered with hives!!

After a few more hours they allowed him to go home. By the time we got home his legs were covered front and back! So I called the ER spoke with the kind doctor who told me to give him another dose of Benadryl and that the hives will come and go.

The final diagnosis was acute strep thankfully not meningitis. Today he was hive free, but he had red splotches on his chin and face. It looked like he had a sunburn so off to the doctor once again.... At least this was his regular doctor which he had to see for a follow up. He was a bit freaked out that she would send him back to the ER and calmed down once she said she wouldn't do that to him. Thankfully this is just part of the antibiotics that we was allergic to working their way OUT of his system. GOOD RIDDANCE I say!

He is feeling SO much better today! I was so grateful yesterday for all 4 of the doctors who helped Xander and the 3 kind nurses. It is humbling to trust someone with one of the greatest gifts I have ever received, Alexander, and feel certain that they will help to make him well again.

Where would we be without doctors and antibiotics? That is a scary, scary question! One I am grateful that I don't have to worry about. There have been so many times that doctors have helped me in my life- 10 surgeries, 2 in-vitro babies, pregnancy with all of my complications, strep, sinus infections, collapsed lung etc.... I am literally HERE today because of their knowledge, diligence, drive, compassion and desire to HELP OTHERS. I know that they have spent countless hours away from their families so that they can help me, a stranger for the most part, make me or my family better and for this I will be eternally grateful!

Rock On!

Tonight I am thankful for LEGO Rockband and the fun time the kids and Paul have playing it and I listening and singing along in the background.

Alyssa really rocks out on the drums

Xander is a great guitar player

Paul was the singer tonight

It is fun doing this together and enjoying songs from the past and present. I love fun family togetherness!

Today I am thankful for so many strong women in my life! They have provided such wonderful examples of strength and fortitude. They have been there to support me, lead me and guide me throughout my life. Their strength has enabled them to persevere despite adversity and come out stronger, wiser and full of hope.

My 97 year old grandmother who is happiest in her garden and serving others

My sister and my mother- There is not enough space on this page to explain how much they mean to me, nor do I think I could ever do it in words. I can not imagine my life without them.

My mother in law who is such an example of courage and determination

My sister in law who has been such a great example of enduring love.

My sweet girl I know will one day be an amazing woman. She has already shown such strength. I look forward to seeing what the future holds- but not too quickly. I want to hold onto her for as long as I can before I set her free.

Home

Thankfully not today... but soon

January 9, 2009

Today I am very thankful that it was Paul's morning to take Lola out in the POURING rain! I am thankful for our home which provides us with a safety and warmth from the perils of the world. It is filled with love and a safe haven from ALL of life's storms.

It brings to mind the primary song Home

Home is where the heart is And warmth and love abound.

Home is where warm, circling arms go all the way around.

Home is where there's father, with strength and wisdom true.

Home is where there's mother And all the children too.

Home is where our Father, Who dwells in heaven above,

Guides us in the way we live And lets us feel his love.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for messages like this In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

They warm my heart and remind me that there is so many things to be grateful for no matter how big or small!

Slurp away!

Today I am grateful for awesome orthodontists! Dr. Greg and Dr. Lisa are wonderful, kind, patient and never rushed us. As a matter of fact they put Xander's retainer off for a little more than a year now and gave great advice for him to be patient and wait. It worked out great since Alyssa and Xander both got their retainers today. They have been eagerly awaiting this for a while now. You can't tell by just looking at them that they have retainers until they speak. It is quite funny to hear them talk! It is difficult for them to swallow their spit so there is a whole lotta slurpin' goin' on in this house. If you want a good giggle just watch the video!- okay video to follow....it won't upload. I am also thankful for A & A being such troopers. They have to wear these retainers ~22 hours a day. They can only have them out for eating, brushing and sports.

It will be nice when they are second nature to them. Until then.... slurp away!

Just horsin' around

Today I am grateful for the opportunity that Alyssa and Xander have grooming, riding and learning about horses. It was their last day of a 10 week course so they had a horse show. They got to bring ribbons and tie bows in their mane. I stayed and helped them with this in the stable. The horses seemed less than enthused about these bows.

It really gives you a sense of how huge and powerful horses are when you are so close to them. When they don't want to do something and pull back it was a bit scary to me, but the kids would just push them gently and show them who is boss. One of the other horses got into Xander's horses paddock and I went over to check on Xander and he is leaning against the horse with all of his body weight to keep him out.

Here is Alyssa bridling her horse. He is a tough one to bridle! I tried to hold his head and was quite intimidated when he kept bobbing it up and down and pushing me away. Alyssa says he is like a bobble head. Kim helped her get most of it on and Alyssa did the rest.

Alyssa went for the minimalist look with only one bow.

In the arena they paraded around and had a fun time. They can't wait until next week when they start the next series of 10 lessons!

I am grateful for their instructor, Kim, who teaches them how to ride and respect the horses.

Sunshine

Today I am thankful for the sunshine. Warm and sunny days make life so much happier! There is a section on my run where I turn the corner from a tree lined shady street into bright open sunshine. I usually run a few paces with my eyes closed - letting the sun permeate my whole being. At this moment I feel warmth, I feel free, I feel joy.

Sunday walks

Today I am thankful for walks, specifically Sunday afternoon ones. This tradition started somewhere back in my teenage years when my mom and I would go for walks after church. We always enjoyed strolling along and saying which houses we liked and what we would change about the house or not. It was always a great way to spend the afternoon together.

A few weeks ago when my mom was up for the weekend before she left on Sunday afternoon we had to take a nice long walk.

I am so glad that my children enjoy this tradition with us as much as I did with my mom. If you ask A & A what their favorite part of our vacation to Turks and Caicos they will tell you the evening walks that we took on the beach.

This afternoon we spent walking along a trail in Millbury- Paul, Alyssa, Xander, Lola and myself- strolling along in amazing 68 degree weather. I love spending time outside enjoying all the beauty around us, getting fresh air, exercise and MOST of all just being together. It is such a nice way to get closer and discuss whatever comes to mind. No matter what season or weather- snow walks, nature walks, walks in the rain, warm sunshine walks, walks on the beach, at the track, in the forest...these bonding walks will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Nothing??

Today I am thankful for NOTHING! Well not nothing really. Just nothing on the calendar, no plans, nowhere to be, no obligations! The kids each have a friend over and are happily playing in the house and I can catch up of things. So happy for a respite. It won't last long I know, but long enough to regroup and recharge. So hurray for NOTHING!

T.Goodness I. F.

I am thankful for Fridays! I love Friday nights with the family. We eat pizza and watch a movie or show with popcorn and dessert. Just spending time together and winding down from our crazy week. Always something to be thankful for!

Thankful for the dentist?!

Alyssa with her canine teeth

Today I am thankful for a kind and gentle dentist. Poor Alyssa had to have 2 teeth extracted today. There just isn't enough room in her mouth for the new teeth to grow in. She was an amazing trooper and was so BRAVE. This was her first experience with novocaine and she kept saying prior to the extractions, "my mouth feels puffy!" Now she just says her mouth feels a bit of pain, but the worst part is the blood taste in her mouth since it starts bleeding easily. Poor little love. It was tough watching her go through this. Thankfully the dentist was so kind and gentle with her it helped to ease her (and my) nerves!

After with gauze in her mouth

A few hours later... I hope tomorrow is a better day!

Give Thanks

Today I am thankful for so many things to be thankful for! When I focus on the little things that I am blessed with everyday it is hard to choose. I am thankful that Alyssa, Lola and I got to take a nice long walk together this morning and have girl time. I am thankful that Paul and Xander are outside doing the Christmas lights together. I am thankful for my wonderful family and spending time together. I am also thankful that Laura challenged us to do this everyday. It really has helped me focus on all the wonderful blessings in my life and to be thankful for these every single day!

Lola vs. Kleenex

Today I am thankful for- laughter, patience and the fact that kleenex are cheap and easy to replace.

Destructo dog strikes again and all I could do was laugh!

I guess this answers my question as to whether or not she can be left alone for a long time not in her crate. Paul was upstairs in his office on a conference call. The funny thing is he went down to check on her found the box on the floor and put it back on my desk- within her reach. HELLO????

Complaint BAN!

This morning as I was once again listening to the kids complain a thought came into my head to put a no complaining ban into effect! Xander has been sick for the past 4 days and has gotten into the habit of complaining about a lot of things. So the new rule in our home is if you complain or say something negative you have to turn that around and come up with a positive spin. When Xander said his backpack was so heavy due to all of his books that he had to make up work in I said, "at least you are strong so that you can carry it easily!" And Alyssa came up with, "at least you have a backpack and don't have to carry it all in your arms and drop it."

I hope this helps all of us to appreciate all of the positive things in our life. If you look hard enough even the negatives have something positive in them too! Today I am grateful for the ability to look on the bright side and find all of the positive things in our life!

DONE!

Today I am thankful that our Christmas cards and photos are DONE!

We went outside in this beautiful 65 degree weather and snapped a couple of photos in the backyard. It was quite hard to do with a puppy who didn't want to cooperate, but we made do. I am letting go and going with good enough rather than perfect!

This one isn't on our card, but I loved it.

Way to go!

Tonight we are going out to a nice dinner to celebrate Alyssa and Xander's GREAT report cards! This is their first report card with letter grades and they got all A's and B's.

The best part about dinner it is that it is totally paid for by one of Paul's bosses. Since he worked so hard this past week and was gone so long he told Paul to take his family out on the company! We are going to a Japanese restaurant for a teppanyaki dinner. So tonight I am grateful for Smart kids who work hard and care about their grades and FREE dinner!