Gratitude

During a discussion in our small group Sunday night, someone mentioned gratitude journals. A couple people said they have gratitude journals, others know people that have one. In the journal you list things each day you are thankful for, but not the same thing twice. I decided that I want to start a gratitude journal. I believe this will help me become more aware of the little things. Many times each day, I overlook the people or occurrences that God places in front of me because they might be insignificant to me. I realized I need to look at things more closely and really appreciate how blessed I am.

I spent a lot of time thinking this week, but didn't actually start my journal until today. I've been thinking about how many things I have to be grateful for. I want to make sure and focus on these things instead of worrying about the negative stuff. I have struggles, there are things I want to happen that don't happen in my time. But, I also know it's not my time that's important.... God's timing is what counts! That's something I pray about daily. :)
The bottom line is that I am blessed!!

I'm going to list some of the things I'm thankful for on my blog every now and then. Just so when I look back, I can remember that I do have so many blessings and am truly grateful...even for the little things.


"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."
~Denis Waitley

Things I Am Grateful for Today:

1. The fact that I have a student in my class that makes me laugh everyday after rest time when he says, "Wakey, wakey, eggs and bacey." He says it with such excitement that we can't all help but join in with him!

2. That my husband is a man that I am so proud of not just today, but every single day.

3. The sun came out for just a bit today after weeks of rain.


What are you grateful for today?

Paprika!!

I love Vera Bradley! I am in love with the new Paprika collection!

It is so fallish and will be great for all seasons. I just might have to order something. Hopefully at some point I can order this. Barry and I had our first appointment with our Reporduction Endocrinologist last week. We have a game plan and I am excited to be moving forward. Hopefully with the combination of Clomid and IUI good news will follow. I will post more on this soon.

I Miss This Guy!

I realize it's been 3 months since I've posted...lots going on and nothing going on. Does that make sense. Life seems to be flying by. I plan to start posting again on a regular basis soon. Until then I leave you with some pictures I took this summer of my nephew. He turned two while I was in Michigan...and to say he's all boy is the perfect description of him!

Watching the bubbles ...he's so serious

Love that smile!

He loved the sand...look at those curls! I love them!

Heading North

I can't believe it's already July! The 4th was a pretty low key day around here. We did some yard work in the morning, then Barry had to go in to work to send some guys out on a job, so I went with him. We were only there about an hour. On our way home, we made plans for dinner and a movie with friends that evening. I am not a big Johnny Depp fan, but Public Enemies was a good film. We all enjoyed it.

The next two weeks I'll spend visiting my family and friends in Michigan. It will be great to see everyone! Cooper has gotten so big since Christmas. We have talked a couple times on the phone lately...he doesn't say much...just "helllllooooo." He is also counting to five. I think that's pretty good for a guy who is not yet two. Speaking of two, we will celebrate our birthdays while I am there. I can't believe he'll be two. We are planning to do a little photo shoot on the beach for his 2 yr pictures. Probably somewhere like this...



I can't wait to see how they turn out! He's on the move constantly so it won't be easy, but I like those action shots better anyway. Unfortunately for Barry, he is staying here and working. He gets to take care of the pets. Lucky guy!

Does anyone else have any vacation plans for the summer?

Happiness

Things that make me happy...

1. Summer vacation
2. My amazingly wonderful husband
3. God's love
4. Family I love and who loves me no matter what happens
5. Friends that support me
6. Clean sheets
7. Candles burning
8. Children laughing
9. An clean and organized house
10. Fresh flowers
11. Sunshine
12. Grilling out
13. Dinner on the patio
14. Thunderstorms

What makes you happy?

Calling All Readers

Summer vacation is just around the corner and this teacher is ready!! 6.5 days left!!! I'm ready to sit by the pool and do some reading. I love to read just about anything from autobiographies to psychological thrillers. NPR has some good suggestions and I'm going to check those out. I'm also hoping some of you can suggest some good books or an author I haven't read before. Leave me a comment with your suggestions!
Thanks!

Rain, Rain, GO AWAY

I woke up this morning and went to let Sam outsie and the first thing that popped into my head was, "Not another rainy day!" It seems like it's been raining forever! OK...maybe only for just about three weeks. We've had a day or two of sunshine, but not many.

As a kindergarten teacher, this makes my job tough. My kids really enjoy their time outside for recess. They not only enjoy it, they NEED it!! Who am I kidding??? I NEED it!! It looks like we are going to have some sun and clouds tomorrow and then more storms through the end of the week. I have 19 days of school left and I'm hoping that I might have a couple days of outdoor recess and of course some time to work in my yard. Otherwise I might look something like this: