Thankful for Day 16

Last night we learned that this lovely young lady

is now engaged to this young man..

And most important...

our  dear friend is now officially the Father of the Bride...

Congratulations to you all!

I'd say this pretty much sums it all up....

Thankful for Day 15

Parent-Teacher Conferences:   wondering who dreads them more, the parent, or the teacher?

We heard mostly good things about Thing 2...which really isn't that big of a surprise.   He's a good kid, respectful and sincere, maybe not as focused as some of the other kids, but all in all a great kid.

And for that I am thankful...it is hard enough raising kids, I'm grateful that for the most part, my boys are good kids.   I'm not sure I'd have the patience to deal with so many of the kids I encounter at work...Heavy sigh...

Thankful for Day 14

This sight greeted me as I entered campus today....for the past several years, to honor our veterans our school lines the street with flags.  This year they coordinated with the middle school and the flags stretched from both schools, and interspersed where tribute signs completed by the middle school students.

   It's a pretty impressive sight and does indeed leave me with a bit of a lump in my throat as I see the flags flying in the Colorado breeze.

I am indeed thankful that my employer really makes a sincere effort each year to recognize veterans.   One of a host of things that makes me really thankful for my place of employment!

Thankful for day 13

That he's stuck with it...

Thing 2 first started viola when he was in 5th grade.   With a ho-hum teacher and program that required him to get up and get to school an hour early, he came so close to giving up on it.  But instead he agreed to give it a chance in middle school...where orchestra was part of the daily schedule and we had heard awesome things about the teacher.

During the concert last night (yes, I'm a day late)...I found myself enjoying the performance and giving thanks that yes, he stuck with it....

Thankful for Day 12

 Thankful that after 18 years

Not only is the rose (or roses) still in full bloom

But the man still appreciates that sometimes simple is the best way to celebrate...

Happy Anniversary Honey!

There is indeed nobody else I'd rather take this adventure with than you!

xoxo

*and nope, I skipped the 12 on the 12th...a girl can only handle so many challenges in one stretch, so tune in next month for the return of 12-on-the12th

Thankful for Day 11

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it remains the home of the brave  E. Davis

Today is Veteran's Day....a day we pause and give thanks to those willing to serve in our nation's Armed forces.   

I am thankful for the many youth today, who choose to continue the proud tradition of serving in one of our Armed Forces.    It is not an easy decision to make:   as it requires certain strengths and attributes that well, let's face it,we don't associate with the youth of today. 

  Commitment, patience, perseverance, and of course bravery.

I am so thankful that our nation continues to produce young men and women who have this desire to serve our nation!    

Thankful for Day 10

As an adult, I have been so fortunate to make friends along the way that have become like family.  Now granted, I am a social person which of course helps, but the ease at which I welcome others into my home and my personal family life, is something I learned growing up.

Yes, my parents had plenty of extended family that they were close to.    But they also opened their hearts to their neighbors.   With the simple act of starting a friendship, sharing a cup of coffee (or since this was Wisconsin, more than likely it was a beer...or two), inviting strangers into your world, we have all enjoyed a lifetime of friendship from these great families.

So my first gratitude is to my parents, for showing my sister and I through their example, the lifetime of benefits that come with making friends with your neighbors.  

And of course, I also give  thanks to these wonderful people....The Waukesha Crew... Tom and Una, Miss Carolyn and Barb and Obie.   After my mom passed away, these women stepped in and made sure that my sister and I were doing ok.   In ways that only a friend can do.

  I will never forget how Miss Carolyn came to visit when I was expecting my second Thing.    She cleaned my house!   It didn't necessarily need to be cleaning, but as she says "I know how it is when you are pregnant".   Through Barb and Obie, we have continued the friendship to the next generation.  For me,  no trip to Wisconsin is complete without a visit to Auntie Kelly...their daughter!  And Tom and Una:   have this wonderful knack for showing up when we really needed them to be there...and wonder "how did they know?".

Family memories....are more than just the ones you are born into!   

Thankful for Day 9

Perhaps it is a t.m.i. gratitude, but boy these signs that tell you what to expect at the next exit sure were a big help to me this afternoon.

Backing up a bit, Hubby and I took a little road trip...

The kind folks at Unique Rides in Ft. Collins spent the summer trying to help Hubby sell this spare side car rig (anyone in need of a side car?  call us, we'll talk).   However, with winter arriving, they figured it was time to send Yoshie home and we'll re-evaluate the plan next Spring.

Since we were up in Ft. Collins, I decided to take Judy's daughter, Allie out to lunch.

  While I love being a mom to boys, there are some things I miss out on:   and  one of those things is lunch-and-shopping.   Boys not so into that, but Allie was of course very willing to serve as my stand-in daughter.    We had a lovely time...chatting, laughing and eating.   We both commented that while the restaurant we chose was pleasant enough service, the food itself was ho-hum.

About 30 minutes into my drive ho-hum decided to talk back...thus the need for a quick pit stop.   Oh thank heavens for those signs that tell you what services to expect at the next exit!    

But all silliness aside, I am most thankful for having had a chance to spend the day with this young lady....With Allie, I always get  a little dose of what it's like to have daughter (if even only borrowed for a few hours), and I know her momma would be so proud to see how well she's working through some challenges, showing us all what strength and grace she really has!    

Allie, your mama loves you...and so do we!

Thankful for Day 8

Thankful that the presence of the bomb squad unit at work today was not a worrisome event.

Seems they were just visiting.  Ok, more like guest presenters in one of our "you and the law" classes.

I try not to think too much about the school violence situation that continues to plague our nation.   But even I will admit, my heart skipped a beat when my own son, Thing One, stopped by my office to inquire why is there a bomb squad vehicle parked out front?

And well,  my double gratitude is I had the resources to learn what was the situation, vs. a couple parents that received similar texts from their kids.   I cannot even begin to express the gratitude I feel knowing that I have access to the inside scoop on so many things my son may encounter at school.  
It really does give me that added peace of mind, that I consider a "priceless" perk to my job.

Thankful for Day 7

Perhaps tomorrow I'll have something less materialistic for which to give thanks.

But tonight, just thankful for one of life's little things....Flannel sheets.

Yep, toasty warm, cozy and soft.   Helps me get a good night's sleep...which is where I'm headed right about now.   Yes, I know it is just a little bit after 8 pm, but I'm weary and figure why snooze on the couch when the bed is so much more comfortable.

Good Night to all...

Thankful for Day 6

Thankful for Birthdays...

Your birthday:   That one day out of the year that you are indeed the center of it all.   A day where it really is all.about.you!

  Friends and family send you birthday wishes.   Maybe a gift or two is exchanged.   And but of course, cake, a birthday must always include cake.   (unless you are my boys:   one prefers pie and the other is  happy with a tub of frosting with a candle stuck in the middle and the hubby is more into creme brulee than cake).

There will come a time in all our lives, when those we love are no longer here to receive our birthday well wishes.   Take a lesson from Judy's playbook of life:   Choose Joy, especially on your birthday!

Happy Birthday Judy...we love you, we miss you, and we are forever grateful to have been a part of your life..

Thankful for Day 5

Thankful that myself, my husband and more importantly my children are what society considers mentally healthy.   Ok, I admit,  we've all got a touch of crazy and quirky going on, but nothing that gets in our way and impacts our lives on a daily basis.

This is the time of the school year, when the mental health starts to crumble for many of our kids.   The approaching holiday is often a trigger, coupled with we're far enough into the school year that if they don't have healthy coping mechanisms, that delicate "house of cards" starts to crumble when it comes to anxiety and other issues.  New kids hoping that this school year would offer them that "fresh start" start to realize that their anxieties and other issues are still causing them to struggle.  

  Today, we seemed to be running a special:

 along with all the Pooh Corner ailments

And so while I am weary, in the end, all I can really do is give thanks...that my day ends, and I head home to a family that seems to be well adjusted.   For so many of the students I helped today....it just isn't that easy.

Thankful for day 4

A shout of thanks to the fella (or maybe lady?) that invented band-aids.   I've got the mother-of-all blisters on my foot and tonight, about all I can muster is  giving thanks for the comfort that comes from Epsom Salts and band-aids!

Thankful for Day 3

Thankful for the extra hour...

I feel like I made good use of this extra bit of time: with an unseasonably warm Fall Day (probably the calm before the storm)...Hubby and I elected to walk to the library vs. taking the car or scooter.

 I'm still in awe of how long we've enjoyed Fall colors this year....is it because of the record rainfall we had in September that resulted in a protracted Fall?   Like the warm weather, I'm not questioning Mother Nature's decisions to treat us to this extra long burst of color....instead...I'm thankful for the day's beauty for..

Winter will be here soon enough...

Thankful for Day 2

This morning, the boys and I drove across town to visit our good friend, Terri

 *she's the one in the purple...

Each year, her church hosts a huge Holiday Food Drive...

 Collections are then turned over to a local elementary school...

where many families rely on the school-run Food Bank to meet the shortfalls in their own family food budget...

Yesterday, I filled up my basket  at Super Target with a wide range of  seasonal favorites, and donated these items to the Mile Hi's church Fall Harvest food drive.

And now, I look at my own pantry...perhaps a bit messy with more junk food than I should be openly admitting to...but I am thankful that we have the means to feed our family on a regular basis, and that we had enough extra to help support another family enjoy the upcoming Holiday.

Thankful for....my pantry...even with two hungry teenagers, it is almost always filled with choices~

Thankful for: Day 1

Goodbye October!   Hello November....

It's time to dust off the keyboard, surf the 'net for a few appropriately themed images, and celebrate a month of being Thankful.

So, here I am, Year 6 of committing to daily blogging and reflecting on what it is I'm thankful for.

Today, November 1st:   Well, I'm thankful that Halloween is behind us.

  Recently, I've given myself a new challenge.  Something I'll likely share more of as I get further along in the journey, but yeah, I"m thankful that the Halloween candy displays will soon be packed up and replaced with turkey and all the trimmings.    And no, I won't miss the zombies either!

I hope you'll join me this month in answering this daily question....

 

12 on the 12th: October edition

Ah...only a day late this month, not bad at all.  I had the pictures all taken yesterday, but instead of spending the evening updating the blog, I decided to spend a little quality time with this guy...

 The trick to getting him to smile?   Catch him mid-laugh...

And while we sipped a little vino...we spent time watching this show.

If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend it...a little of Hanibal Lector with a dash of the guy from White Collar:   creepy and humorously helpful..

 Ok...so now that we know how I spent my evening, I'll back up and start out the day...
Started out with some good home cooking...trust me the eggs tasted way better than they appear in this picture...

In typical House of Chang style...we were going to have a his-and-hers type of Saturday...

Hubby spent his morning tuning up Valencia...

 Once his garage chores were complete...He was headed out to test out his new camera...

Looks good to me...

Meanwhile...it was a big day for Thing One and Thing Two

(circa 2004)

A new Pokemon game was being released and they were over the moon with excitement.

They convinced me to leave early, knowing that there would be a line...

 And a line there was indeed....with my guys being not the oldest and far from the geekest in the crowd waiting patiently for the store to open...

Then.... Pokemon Center, New York City, August 2004...

And Now....9 years later...still as fascinated with catching them all!

Motherly obligation fulfilled, it was time for a few errands...

 A quick run for bread took longer than expected when I ran into 2 good friends (Hi Donna and Tracey!)

And while the guys all spent their afternoon finding their own happiness, I took to the bed...

with a good book and a plate of cookies...

and yes...it is quite possible a nap happened somewhere in between...

 All in all...a darn near perfect day!

(update:   I finished the book.   It turned out being better than I expected.   I predicted the Husband's secret early on, and though, is this author going to drag out the very obvious secret?   Nope, she too disclosed the secret about 1/2 way into the read, and the rest of the book dealt with the element of "Now what happens?".   A bit predictable, but pleasantly written.  )