Day 232 - Thankful for Landry's ENT Check-Up

I am so happy that Landry's ENT check up with the surgeon at Children's was a positive one! He doesn't need another set of tubes and his hearing is perfect! It is the little things such as this that can really make your day.  So happy that he doesn't have to go through another surgery, and thankful he's only had a few ear infections this year.  Blessed.

Day 231 - Warm Weather and Ice Cream

Thankful that today was 80 degrees and sunny! I am thankful we were able to eat outside, grab our first Spring frozen custard, and watch the kids run around at the park on campus.  Thankful to have spent an evening with friends.  Looking forward to having more warm summer nights like tonight.

Day 230- Sunshine and Coffee With a New Friend

So thankful that today was warm and beautiful and lots of sunshine! After the lovely experience of my first MRI this morning, I was able to enjoy being outside.  It was so nice to just be with my kids outside watching them play and having our first meal of the year on our deck!  I am also incredibly thankful for a 3 hr. coffee date with a new friend.  I have mentioned how blessed we are to have found a wonderful small group from church.  We all seem to really connect and are real with each other.  I was so excited that I received a text from Erin to have a coffee date.  I think a lot of times especially as a person gets older, it becomes more and more difficult to be open and be real.  It seems it takes months, years, and maybe never to achieve that level of talking about the real stuff, that hard stuff that we deal with in our personal lives.  However, there are those rare times when you meet someone and you just "click".  You are a little apprehensive of how things will go, but then after a few minutes you just feel comfortable and you start talking.  Before you know it, it has been hours and you realize you have talked and shared things that you haven't shared with perhaps your own family or friends you have known for years.  I am thankful for these rare friendships, thankful for having discussions that you truly feel that person "gets" the things you struggle with, friends that listen, really listen.  Tonight was definitely good for  my soul, incredibly thankful.

My first flower that Landry picked for me

Day 229- Friday

What a long long week. So thankful for the weekend.  Thankful to hear my babes laugh tonight.  Thankful to celebrate my mother in laws birthday tonight. Thankful for sleep tonight.

Day 228- Singing

Singing can most definitely help bring some peace to my soul.  It has been a crummy few weeks and after a crappy afternoon, I decided to crank Pink in the car and sing.  I love to do this while driving but rarely get to with the kids in the car (listening to Pink or my music that is), but when I listen to Pink it just really helps release anger and frustration.  She is such a talented singer and songwriter and I just love that she holds nothing back when she writes her songs.  She doesn't care what she says, she just writes what she feels based on what season of life she is in.  I am thankful for the five minute drive by myself and being able to turn the music up loud and sing.
I am also thankful that I had worship band practice at church tonight.  Singing songs that talk about God's love, grace, and forgiveness immediately fills my heart with peace.  Worship songs have always been a huge part of my life whether I am listening or singing them, and I am so thankful that I can find God's peace and comfort through those songs.
Thankful for music and the power it has.  Thankful for the peace it brings.  Thankful I can meet God while singing these songs.

Day 227 - When My Husband Can Wipe Away the Tears

There truly is no one like my husband who can wipe away my tears.  I had just gotten home from yet another doctors appointment, I believe this to be the 6th appointment in a span of two weeks, and I had just reached my limit of holding it together today.  Each time I see a doctor I hear the same things: lets do more tests, blood work, refer to a specialist, well it could be this or that, and a new one today:  "You don't look well at all, you are not yourself."  Normally I may be a little offended if a doctor said this, especially if  I barely knew them, but this doctor has known me for a few years, so I just nodded my head in agreement.  I am growing weary of having different speculations of what is going on with me each time I leave the office without any answers.  I am tired of feeling the way I do, tired of it getting in the way of life, I am just tired.  As I was explaining what the doctor said today to Josh I just broke down because I simply can not keep going like this and I am tired. And without a beat, Josh was there to hug me and wipe away my tears.   Even though after having my crying session today did not "fix" me, it simply comforted me.  I am so thankful I have my husband by my side every day, to wipe away my tears, and to gently say, "We are in this together, I am here for you." God is so good.  Thankful for my Josh.

Day 226- Celebrating My Birthday in April

As I was walking through Kroger's with my tired-no-nap-three-year-old-son, and so ready to go home and sleep, my sweet hubby called and surprised me.  My birthday is just a few weeks after Christmas, four days after New Year's and usually falls on the weekend of my husband's company Holiday weekend party.  That in translation means, we usually do not get around to having a "family birthday dinner."  Josh always has amazing intentions for he and the kids to either take me out or cook for my birthday, but life happens and we move on to the next family member with the birthday.  So tonight was a very nice surprise when I found out that I didn't have to cook and we were going to my favorite place - Casa!  Not only did we get to enjoy a nice dinner as a family, but I was showered with a beautiful card made by my sweet Hadley that said, "Happy Birthday in April Mommy".  My sweet husband purchased a gift certificate for a "day of beauty" at a spa!!! I am so stoked to have my nails done, hair cut, massage, and a facial! He is amazing and I am so thankful for him! I am thankful for a great dinner with my family!