Grateful

I just read a great post by Ali Edwards.  It really hit me.  Life can often be hard and messy.  We've been experiencing that around here a bit lately (who isn't).  BUT even in all that, there can and should be gratitude.  It compelled me to document my gratitude in the middle of our mess.

*Troy has been rather stressed at work lately.  Sometimes that stress comes home.  BUT we are grateful that he has a job that for the most part he truly enjoys and that fully supports our family.

*Hannah hasn't been herself for about a month.  She's had a cold and been whiny and cranky.  I took her to the doctor this morning which is the second time in a week.  BUT we are grateful that we have health insurance and a doctor I have complete confidence in.  AND we are grateful there are still moments in the day we can see our sweet little Hannah Bean shining through.

*Luke's schedule is going to be interrupted this week.  He is participating in a traveling children's theater at school and I have a feeling there may be some tiredness and crankiness because of the rehearsal schedule.  BUT I am grateful he gets to enjoy a new experience and also grateful that he wanted to try something new.  (There will be another post about the play--hopefully next week.)

*I have been struggling with being a stay at home mom and how different parts of society view that either positively or negatively.  BUT I am eternally grateful that I get to spend so much time with my children and be there for them as a stay at home mom.

*The house hasn't been staying as clean as I would like it to lately because my back just won't allow me to do some of things I used to do.  BUT I am grateful that I can play with Luke and Hannah and that my pain is only occasional at this point.  

*This huge burst of cold weather really sucks.  BUT we are grateful for a warm home and new heavy winter coats.

*It is hard to deal with the kids fighting over toys and sometimes just being together for too long.  BUT I am very grateful they each have a sibling and will come to know that special bond only siblings can share.

There are SO many things to be grateful for in our lives (my list is rather short).  And whether life is full of mess or going along rather smoothly it's always good to recognize and acknowledge our gratitude.

Final Thoughts...

There are always a few things I like to add at the end of WITL--those that just don't fit in my daily posts, overall observations, and just some random thoughts on the project.  In no particular order…

* This year's WITL project was by far the hardest for me to keep up with.  I've tried to come up with a reason for that and I haven't found one.

* I have thought several times about doing this project more than once a year.  Maybe bi-annually with one time during the school year and once during the summer.

* Not once did I get a post done on the actual day it belonged to.  I know I've done that in the past.

* Computer and internet problems this week made this much harder and more frustrating than it needed to be.

* As a result of the two above statements I wasn't able to post my link on Ali's website early in the day and in turn didn't get as many visitors to read my posts.  This really bums me out because that's one of my favorite parts of this project--connecting with people from all over the world.

* I didn't document in my blog things that I overheard.  I did write down said things on my daily sheets.

* I wanted to incorporate videos for each day but with the computer problems I decided not to stress about adding that in.  I do want to remember that idea though.

* I'm glad that I'm totally done and not making a tangible album--I don't think it would ever be done.

* Ali stressed two points throughout the week (more really but two I really picked up on).

     * The words that go with a picture are important.  They help tell the story and make the picture more meaningful.

     * It's about remembering and documenting this time in your life and what that means.  Years from now any details will be interesting not just the big stories/events.

Good-bye 2014 WITL!  I know I'll look back on you fondly.

WITL--Sunday

The last day of this project.  I have to say as I seem to every year, I'm glad it's over but I'm also super glad that I did the project.

Because of the time change we were all up early.  We're not sure how early LJ was up.  Troy got up around 7 and he got H up about 7:45 and I got up about 8:15.  We all ate breakfast together and then Grammy and PawPaw got ready to head home.  The kids requested Curious George BooFest yet again; Troy did some work in the office and I started on Saturday's blog.  Troy took a short nap followed by a shower while the kids played upstairs and I continued to try to get the blog done.  The kids had a picnic lunch and the LJ got ready for his soccer game.  Troy took Luke to his game and I put Hannah down for her nap and ate some lunch myself.  I watched "Survivor" while I ate and also started work on LJ's turkey project.  When it was over I took a shower and as I started sorting laundry the guys got back from the game (they lost).  Troy left for work (he was quite stressed about his well getting drilled) and after getting the laundry going, LJ and I worked on his turkey.  As we finished up the turkey, HB started to wake up.  I changed the laundry and then got H up and we all went outside to ride bikes.  After about 1/2 hour of bikes we moved to the backyard and then Grandma and Grandpa H came over.  We headed inside to figure out what to get for dinner and the kids had fun building towers.  I went to get dinner solo (a nice break) and then we ate at home.  The kids picked up the family room and then Grandma and Grandpa went home and I put the kids to bed.  Troy got back home about 15 minutes after I had come down from getting the kids to bed during which I had changed the laundry and done the dishes.  He ate dinner and I finally finished my blog.  Then he watched some football and ironed while I messed around on Pinterest.  Because of the time change I was pretty tired so at 9:15 I changed the laundry one last time and fixed LJ's lunch before heading to bed.  We read in bed for a while before turning out the lights.

Observations/Gratitude:

*H seems to feel better although she's still congested.

*LJ needed some alone time today.

*The time change was hard--especially for the kids.

*I love lazy Sundays at home.

*Today is the last day of this project.

Favorite Moment:

Riding bikes with the kids

Pics Taken: 106

Sleeping

Slurping

Recording

Good-bying

Loving

Leaving

Working

Playing

Snoring

Eating

Watching

Helping

Building

Napping

Posing

Cleaning

Sorting

Creating

Enjoying

Finishing

Waking

Riding

Documenting

Welcoming

Changing

Chasing

Flying

Swinging

Goofing

Talking

Watching

Paying

Brushing

Reading

Washing

Kissing

WITL--Saturday

It was a pretty normal Saturday around here.  Since H had slept with us, as soon as she woke up Troy and I were awake.  Troy was quite generous and took her to watch a show and I slept in.  Once everyone else was awake Troy came back and told me to get up.  We all hung out for a bit before we all had breakfast.  It was pretty obvious that H wasn't feeling well--so whiny and constantly asking for me.  After breakfast we all kind of did our own thing for a bit: Troy took a shower and went to pick up the lawnmower from getting serviced, LJ was playing Legos (he definitely needs his alone, down time on the weekend, H was watching a show, I was attempting to finally finish my Thursday blog, PawPaw was messing around on his computer and Grammy was very kindly cleaning up the kitchen and vacuuming glitter.  I took Hannah up to her room about 10:15 because she was so whiny and tired and put her in her crib (I needed a break from the whining and I was hoping she'd fall asleep).  I was finally able to finish my blog while listening to H singing at the top of her lungs.  I went to take a shower just as H finally fell asleep.  We all hung out some more before having lunch.  It was the perfect fall day for grilled cheese and soup.  Luke got ready for his soccer game and Grammy, PawPaw and I took him.  As we were leaving H was waking up (it was a good, long nap for her).  Troy and Hannah just hung out on the couch while we were at the game.  The boys played a great game (probably one of the best of the season) and ended up tied 1-1.  We got home about 3:45 and oddly enough we all ended up upstairs watching the kids play for a bit.  I was still exhausted so I went to take a small nap.  Grammy and PawPaw took the kids outside to ride bikes on the driveway which I was told was a lot of fun.  We all got ready to go to an early dinner at Pop's.  Thankfully the wait was short and everyone enjoyed picking out a special drink.  Once we got home the kids did bath and shower time.  H insisted that I put her to bed (she really didn't feel good).  Once she was down, we all watched the KState v. Oklahoma State football game.  Luke even stayed up late to see the entire first half (we were trying to adjust a bit for the time change).  He went to bed about 9 after PawPaw read him stories.  The adults were watching the game, blogging (me), messing around on computers and talking.  The Cats won the game--hooray!  We all went to bed late because of the time change too.  Troy and I both read for a while and turned the lights out around midnight.

Observations/Gratitude:

*Everyone seems to be a bit on edge today for some reason including me.

*The pool is finally looking normal again after getting the pump replaced yesterday.  The lovely pea green soup is now looking more normal as it is back to blue.

*LJ loves to get back rubs from PawPaw.

*Troy let me sleep in this morning.

*It was much appreciated that Mom vacuumed and cleaned up a bit.

Favorite Moment:

*Being able to take a nap and getting a bit of quiet time (it's the little things some days)

Pics Taken: 188 (several contributed to PawPaw's iPhone)

Two tired girls

My favorite breakfast (outside of Troy's french toast)

Lovin' every minute of it (he got two during the day)

Checking out the toy catalog

Love his face (me with no glasses so they don't get broken--both kids tell me to take them off when we wrestle)

Perfect for a cool, fall day

Chillin' after her nap

On the way to the game (Grammy's silver coat is just poking out)

Throw in

Attack that ball

Go Lukester!

Taking a break

Corner kick

Stopping the ball

After game pep talk

Timeout for hitting

Laughing at LJ (this is the one piece of furniture Maggie is allowed on--every single time I'm sitting upstairs she has to jump up)

LOVE!

Playing

Going fast!

Getting chased

Not my normal perspective in the car

Such concentration

Checking out the menu

Waiting for our dinner

Kisses (this pic in no way reflects her attitude or how she was feeling--she ate next to nothing and was whiny the whole time we were there)

My goofy kiddo

Sunset at Pop's

Bubbles

Good night hug

New sheets on the bed (I can't lift the mattress after I hurt my back this summer)

Cleaning away the day