Thankful Twednesday

Yesterday was Thankful Tuesday but I was so worn out I just couldn't make it.  It's okay.

Here's my thankful list this week:

1.  Presents that are nearly priceless
Last week my friend Mary Annelle alerted me to a way to get a new board game for $1.  I got two.  I also used my $10 Kohl's coupon to buy Adam a Christmas present.  This morning I started my vistaprint.com holiday shopping.  I ordered notecards, postcards, notepads, a mousepad, and magnets, all with my kids' pictures on them, all for the cost of shipping only.  We're doing Christmas on a budget.

2.  Just Between Friends Consignment Sale
This sale is where I purchase most of my kids' clothing.  If you ever see Claire in a gorgeous, expensive looking dress, you know where I got it.  I take the kids twice a year and basically say, "Whatever you want, you can have."  They love it just as much as I do.

3.  Day in the District
Last Saturday, every museum in Fort Worth had free admission.  We were able to take the kids to two art museums and teach them art appreciation in the process.  Each kid was thoughtful with their comments, telling why they did or didn't like a work of art.  I was impressed at the depth of thought they put into it. 

4.  Last minute babysitters
We had a friend having a birthday party on Saturday.  We were going back and forth on whether we wanted to go, but when we finally decided, we were able to secure a great babysitter.  The kids played in their tent and didn't even miss us.

5.  Trips down memory lane
Before we went to the party on Saturday, we stopped by the Half Price Bookstore that I used to work at.  One of my friends was still there and caught me up to speed on the latest news.  Then Adam and I drove around UTA and reminisced about our college days. 

6.  Calm
Yesterday we had a busy day.  This morning Paul and I rode the Forest Park mini train together, snuggling, half-dozing, and just enjoying not having to be anywhere but where we were.

7.  Reconnecting with an old friend
My friend Jo is elderly and dying.  I have taken the kids to see her several times lately but her nurse said it was a bad time. Finally on a whim on Saturday, the whole family rang her doorbell.  Success!  We all got to give her the hug we've been wanting to give her for a while.

8.  Empty laundry hampers
They mean I at least have all the clothes washed.

9.  A computer found
Yesterday I was so proud of Paul's cowboy outfit, I was showing him off.  Unfortunately, my focus was on him and now carrying my computer to the car.  I got home and was afraid I had lost my laptop.  Thankfully, I just left it in my office and it is locked up until I can retrieve it.

10.  Swings in the backyard
Nothing makes the kids happier than me to push them as high as possible on their swing set.  Nothing makes me happier, either.

Thankful Twednesday

Yesterday was a full day from the time I got up at 5 until my head hit the pillow at 10:30.  I absolutely didn't have time to type this up, but that doesn't mean I wasn't thankful!  I almost wrote this on Monday, and actually restrained myself to wait.

Here's my thankful list today:

1.  Rain
There was actually wetness from the sky more than once in the last week. 

2.  Flowers that say "Thank you."
The morning after the rain, I was pushing Paul in the swing and I noticed several flowers in our yard that weren't there the previous day.  We have blooms on several plants in the yard, one of which I didn't even realized bloomed.  Also, an indoor plant bloomed for the first time ever that day.  It was as if all the flowers reached up to the sky to offer their gratitude.

3. The ability to turn a bad day into a good one.
Last Wednesday I sitting in the recliner at 5 a.m., drinking my coffee, praying and journaling.  Paul woke up and wanted to snuggle, so he snored on my lap as I continued.  Then he had an accident in his sleep.  Normally that would make me grouchy and set off a chain of events for the whole day.  This time, I decided to bite my tongue and carry on.  By intentionally not being grouchy, I was able to have a great day.

4.  A tongue that is slower than my brain.
My Bible study assignment last week was to find five different ways to pray.  One day I attempted to pray aloud.  Something I discovered during this exercise is that my brain works twice as fast as my tongue.  I am grateful for this because I hadn't realized I did have that much time to filter my words.  I'd hate to listen to myself if I actually voiced every thought. 

5.  A truck that keeps on going.
Adam's Toyota Tacoma crossed over the 200,000 mile mark this week and he is still proudly driving it with no problems.  We have taken that truck to Key West, Niagara Falls, the U.S./Mexico border and seemingly everywhere in between. 

6.  Being at the right place at the right time.
Sunday morning, I was in a bit of a rush.  I was going to drive my friend Ann-Marie to Dallas to go to her daughter's baby shower.  We were trying to leave church, but we just couldn't get out.  Every time I thought we could leave, I was approached by another friend that needed a hug or wanted to talk.  I finally got free and went to the bathroom only to run into another friend who just received bad news and was crying.  Had I been 30 seconds earlier or 30 seconds later, I would have been unable to give her the hug she needed at that moment.  I was at the right place at the right time.

7.  Parades
When I was driving Ann-Marie back to Fort Worth, we stopped for coffee.  We were getting frustrated because we were having a hard time finding coffee in downtown Dallas.  We waited in line at Whataburger, only to get to the window and hear that even though we ordered it, they couldn't give us any coffee.  However, as we were leaving Whataburger, we ran into a Gay Pride parade.  It was fantastic and totally worth the Whataburger disappointment.

8.  Freedom for flexibility
Yesterday when Claire came home from school, she wanted to play with Paul.  Every day I document her school story, but yesterday she wanted to put on a birthday party for her baby doll instead of writing.  I was happy to oblige and happy that my kids get along so well and that we have the freedom to be flexible.  I've got freedom of flexibility, too...I'm writing my Tuesday entry on Wednesday.

9.  Cooler temperatures and open windows
The weather has been so beautiful this week that I've driven everywhere with the windows down.  This results in a giant frizz ball head, but I don't mind.  Adam has also been opening our windows at night and I've been enjoying the nighttime sounds of the neighborhood.

10.  Productive play dates
On Monday, my friend Mary Annelle asked me if Paul wanted to come to her house to play.  I dropped him off at 9:52 and was able to do all my shopping at Costco and Wal-Mart and be back at her house at 11.  It was amazing how fast I can shop when there is no one underfoot.  I was so productive that I wanted to return the favor.  I brought her son over here and was able to do my laundry and work around the house while he and Paul played happily.  The boys had fun and the moms got our work done.  I am grateful.

Thankful Tuesday

Hello!  I am writing in a cushy chair in an air-conditioned house in the best state of the best country in the world.  If that wasn't enough to be thankful for, here's more:

1.  Clean Public Restrooms
I've always been grateful for the opportunity to use a clean public facility, but when I had kids, my gratitude multiplied.  You never know what the little hands will touch next, so I am grateful when that surface is clean.

2.  My live-in copy editor
Besides my blog, Adam edits nearly everything I put my pen to.  I always have issues with commas, and he gets his red pen and stops any errors from leaving the house.

3.  Meaningful memorials
Sunday was the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.  Instead of going to early service at church, we opted to go to the Museum of Science and History to be a part of the Fort Worth memorial service of the tragedy.  Everyone in the crowd had a flag, and another giant flag was suspended from two fire truck ladders.  The crowd was sprinkled with uniformed soldiers, police officers, and firemen.  Inside the museum is a steel beam from the World Trade Center.  It was an easy way to explain to the kids the importance of the tragedy and its aftermath as well as personally thank those who risk their lives daily to protect us.

4.  Having a platform for our voices
If you don't know yet, Claire has a blog.  Every day when she gets home from school and changes her clothes, we sit at the computer and she dictates to me her adventures of the day.  I type word for word what she says.  It's been an entertaining and informative way for her to express herself.

5.  Meerkat Peekaboo
Yesterday I took Paul to the zoo.  We were talking to the meerkats and they appeared to be listening.  When one went in a hole, I told Paul, "He's trying to play hide and seek with you!"  So Paul would cover his eyes and say, "1-2-3-4 Ready or not, here I come!"  It was hilarious.

6.  Easy volunteering
Yesterday morning Paul and I spent about an hour and a half at Claire's school volunteering in the library.  It was a breeze.  He played on the computer while I shelved and labeled books.  We actually finished all our work in time to be at the zoo for opening.

7.  Happy endings
This past Lent, we raised some ducks.  Adam bought them at a feed store when they were three days old and we raised them in a coop in our kitchen.  We did the best we could for them, and then when they were too big for us, we took them to the local pond.  The problem was, we didn't realize that even though there were a variety of ducks there, our ducks were still outsiders and wouldn't be accepted.  We came back the next day and they were gone.  We saw a few that we speculated were ours, but we weren't sure.  Recently on a trip to the duck park, we talked to a lady who lives across the street.  She found our ducks the night we released them and took them home to live with her.  They currently are fat and happy swimming in their own private pool and pond.  Every night they sleep on a raft.  We were delighted they were rescued and not, we feared, eaten by a fox.

8.  Quiet time that's quiet
A few mornings this week I was able to crawl out of bed without alerting anyone but the dogs.  I was able to drink my coffee in peace and read my Bible and journal.  I do this every morning, but I am grateful for the mornings I'm able to do this without a kid in my lap.

9.  Quiet time that's not so quiet
For every day that I get a quiet quiet time, I also have one that is interrupted by a tired kid who wants to snuggle.  I know the kids won't want to snuggle for long, so I just scoot my books over and try to soak up the love.

10.  Craft drawers
We have two drawers at our house that are crammed full of craft supplies.  I never know what will be created.  Yesterday I asked Claire to get Paul a pair of socks, so she got in the craft drawer and made him a pair from construction paper.  Currently the kids are making me "gifts" that consist of homemade cards and wrapped up Hot Wheels.  I am grateful.

An Evening in Sundance Square

Last night we didn't have plans and Adam had to work, so the kids and I went to downtown Fort Worth to see what kind of adventures we could find.  We found a lot, mostly expressed in pictures below.

First we went to the Central Public Library.  We stayed until closing and checked out many books.  We kept hearing closing announcements over the PA system, to which Paul kept saying, "We're going to get trapped in here!"

Then we stopped to look at a partially demolished building, shown below.

We found this interesting because it seemed incomplete.  It looked like the demolition company started their job and then punched out at 5 p.m. on Friday, regardless of whether or not they were finished.

After staring at the building for a while, we rode Molly the Trolley, a free shuttle around downtown.  We met many interesting people, all with wineglasses in their hands, all celebrating one gentleman's birthday.  We also sidled up next to a car of newlyweds, still in their gown and tuxedo.  They waved cheerfully and we clapped for them.

We got off the trolley and started walking around downtown, looking for more adventure.  We met this lady below, who had a bad day and decided to reverse her mood by standing at a street corner with a sign.  We gave her several hugs throughout the evening.  As we toured around, we kept ending up at her street corner to give her more hugs.  She said she turned out to have a great day.

After hugs, we enjoyed some gelato before returning for more hugs.  I warned the kids that their gelato might get on her pristine white outfit, so in this photo, they are keeping their distance.

We saw several people marching in protest of Palestine's lack of recognition as a country.  I didn't explain all that to the kids, but Claire recognized the word Obama, so I said they didn't like his job.  We called this a parade...These people were marching through downtown with their banner, singing, "Give Peace a Chance."  We only saw them for about ten minutes and then they disappeared, so I wonder if they didn't have parade permit.

There were many carriages downtown, but Paul's favorite was the one pulled by Michelle, shown here.  The horse owners were friendly and let us stand talking to and petting their horses for a while.  Claire pet a horse named Bucky.  The kids were also highly entertained that behind the horses was a special sack to hold their poop. 

After all this excitement, we headed home, but not before riding an escalator and waving and folks from a sky bridge.  The entire evening cost me $17, but the fun we had was priceless.

Thankful TWednesday

I know I'm a day late, but I absolutely did not have time to post yesterday.  I'm still thankful and I'll be back on schedule next week.

Here's my thankful TWednesday list today:

1.  Loose teeth
Claire has a loose tooth and it's a hot topic at our house.  Every little bit she says, "Is my tooth still there?" 

2.  Open and honest conversations
On Sunday Paul rode to church with Adam so Claire and I rode in my car and talked.  She told me all about her fear of the cafeteria monitor at her school.  We talked for a while about what she doesn't like at school and I was proud that she was willing to tell me.  I hope I was able to ease some anxiety and put some light on some situations.  Right now her worries are small, but I hope that she continues to feel she can share them with me.

3.  Beautiful Weather
Just when it was so hot for so long that even the lovers of summer were giving up, we got some cool weather.  Yesterday Paul told me he thought it would definitely snow.  I doubt that, but we are loving the lower temperatures.

4.  Family Uno games
Both kids love to play Uno Attack and are pretty good at it.  Saturday we had family over and the kids showed no mercy in playing Uno.

5.  Good teachers
Paul started preschool yesterday.  Last week when we went to church to meet his new teacher, several of the boys started to make a huge mess with some dried beans.  I asked her if that bothered her and she said, "No, it's developmentally appropriate.  When they develop their motor skills more, they'll stop doing that."  I would like to now label my house as developmentally appropriately messy.

6.  Storytime in the recliner
I can still (barely) fit both kids in my lap at one time to read a book.  Nothing makes me happier than sharing a good book with them while they snuggle down and listen.

7.  Compliments about my kids
At Claire's open house, her teacher said that she was a pleasure to have in class.  She said Claire is very "intuitive, caring, and mature."  She also said she was proud of how smart she was.  I'm grateful.

8.  Tag team parenting
Often when Adam and I are at church or another large, busy place, we have to tag-team with the kids.  It's easier to keep up with one in a crowd than two.  Whenever we get in a situation where that's appropriate, we don't have a discussion, we just tell one another which kid we have and move on.  It's so nice to just know the drill and do it.

9.  Color Blindness
Claire kept coming home from school talking about her friend Bailey.  I kept hearing about Bailey's birthday and how every time Bailey spoke in class, Claire would say "Birthday girl."  When we went to open house, we got to meet the infamous Bailey and found out she was African-American.  That's not a big deal.  What was a big deal to me was that didn't even occur to Claire to tell me.  I was amazed and pleased that her friend's race was so little on the scale of importance that it didn't even bear mentioning as a descriptor.

10.  A life saved
Last week we were riding our bikes home from school and Claire almost got hit by a car speeding through the school zone.  Claire swerved and kept honking her bike horn, but I honestly don't know how she didn't get hit.  I'm working on pulling some political strings to get a speed bump put in there, but that won't lessen my gratitude for her escape from a speeding car.  She could have been killed or confined to a wheelchair.  Every time we cross that street now, I saw a prayer of thanks for her survival.