Day 194...Bedtime at 9pm

I evidently was extremely thankful to lay down at 9pm, because I never woke up. I layed down just for a minute (or so I thought) after getting the kids to bed, and was intending to get back up to write my blog and grab something to eat, but that didn't happen.  I obviously needed the sleep, so for last night, I am thankful for the early bedtime and the long hours of sleep!

193...Thankful To Be A Teacher

Despite this being a very long day at work with conferences, it was a fulfulling day. I absolutely love my job as a teacher.  I have truly grown attached to each student, even the ones who are very challenging.  I am thankful for the challenges, the fun, the laughs, and that each student has their own unique personality.  I am thankful that each and every day I have the opportunity to touch a students life, not just academically, but emotionally, socially, and mentally.  My heart is full, and I am so thankful for this career as a teacher.

Day 192...Heavy Hearted Day

Remembering someone that you lost is never a light hearted thing.  Today sort of felt like this cloud looming over my head.  I was very busy all day and my day began at 1:30 am when little man woke up, then after he went back to sleep, I couldn't. My mind would not stop thinking about my mom, wondering how I could honor her today, wishing I could go to her grave.  I of course went to school, which is always insanely busy, not allowing much time to reflect or think.  After work it is always a zoo with coming home, homework, cleaning, dinner, and tonight Hadley had youth group and we had Ash Wednesday service at church.  It has been constant all day.  There is just an ache in my heart that longs to see my mom and to hear her voice, but I know that won't happen until I see her in heaven.  Today I am thankful that I am able to think about my mom.  I am thankful that my husband is one of the most thoughtful people in this world - he sent me beautiful white roses to school to let me know he was thinking of me on this hard day.  I am thankful that I get to be a mother to Hadley and Landry on this earth, and a mother to Honor someday in heaven.

Day 191...Remembering

All day I have been contemplating, remembering, and also dreading tomorrow.  Tomorrow will be two years since my mom passed away.  I have been thinking about her, who she was, memories of growing up, wondering how her last days on earth were spent since she died suddenly.  I have been contemplating how I will celebrate and remember her life tomorrow.  I wish I could visit her grave. I did this last year and it some how just felt peaceful, as if I could still be with her.  I decided not to take the day off of work and drive the 2 hrs to do so tomorrow, and now I am feeling a little out of sorts, or as if I am not respecting her by not going.  I still want to honor her in some way tomorrow, think of her and remember the good times, just not sure how yet. There is so much involved with my mom and our relationship, it wasn't the typical Brady Bunch mother-daughter bond.  However, God has been so good in revealing the joyous moments growing up, her positive qualities, and mostly how her struggles were not a reflection of her love for me as I had grew up believing.  I am thankful for what God has taught me over the past 2 yrs. I am thankful that through all of the heart wrenching pain, there is joy.  I am thankful for my mom and that I am able to remember her tomorrow.

I know that I posted this last year, but she hated to have her picture taken, therefore I do not have many. This is my favorite. She is celebrating her 50th birthday June 2009 and my sweet Hadley is just 2 yrs. old smiling at her.

Day 191...Thankful for Catching Up With My Brother

I was very happy to see that my brother was calling me tonight when my phone rang.  It had been awhile since we've talked.  We both are crazy busy with our kiddos, work, family, and just the craziness of life.  I am thankful for my brother and that we now have a relationship that is more like great friends.  Growing up we fought all-the-time! I am thankful we can talk just about anything, thankful we can pick up right where we left off.  I am thankful that I am blessed to have a brother. God is good!

190 Days of Thankfulness....Cake for Breakfast Right Out of the Pan

Eating cake out of the pan for breakfast with my girl was a great way to start my day!  I loved seeing the confused look on Hadley's face when I asked her if she wanted cake for breakfast, followed by telling her to eat it right out of the pan.  Sometimes you just have to break the rules.  I am thankful for little moments with my girl.  I am thankful for quality time with my man today as we watched another movie while the kiddos napped today.  Thankful for this day.

Day 189 - Retail & Movie Therapy

When disappointment and the overwhelming of life strikes, a little retail therapy and movie time with my man can do my soul some good.  I am thankful for the one thing I purchased for myself today, a wallet for $3.00, I don't really like it, but I needed a new one and this one was soooo cheap.  The rest of what I bought was for my kiddos; can't beat winter clothes for 2 and 3 bucks for next year.  Meandering through the stores today was what I needed to take my mind off things for a bit, and buying clothes for my kids (extremely cheap; which is a thrill to me) cheered me up.  Thankful for that time today to myself.  I am extremely grateful for my alone time with my man, watching a movie after the kiddos went to bed.  Watching a movie these days are few and far between, now I am just hoping I can stay awake through it.  Despite the bad, there is always the good in every day.  I am also thankful to have watched my girl play her last basketball game today. It has been such a joy to watch her play and how she has grown from the beginning of the season until now.  I especially loved that she had fun playing, which is all that really counts.

My girl #14 ready to play 

Landry playing cars during half time

Intently watching her team play while taking a break