Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 5&6:  FAMILY

So this weekend is going to come and go with the blink of an eye; I've decided to post my gratitude in a weekend bundle.  The theme of this weekend is family and friends since we are going to Paul's friend's wedding and Paul's parents' 40th wedding anniversary party tonight and . . .

I'm so thankful for family!

I've learned a lot about family dynamics as a nurse.  It's sad to hear about broken families: those who are deceiving others, stealing from one another, or have so much hate for one another.  I never knew that existed until I worked with the public.

I've been blessed . . .

I grew up  in a family of seven and I feel so blessed for all the memories and the relationships that we have built over time.  My Mom & Dad always said, "if you have nothing else in life, at least you have family."  I totally agree.  My family (and extended) loves unconditionally, lives faithfully, and laughs continuously.

I'm so grateful that I married into a great loving family, too!  Paul's family and extended family remind me of my own family and extended family.  There's a sense of joy and love that is felt when being with them.  MMmmmmm  good warm fuzzies . . .

Paul & I are so blessed to have grown up with exceptional family values and can infuse it into our family of four. 

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 4:  Thirty Days of Thankfulness

I finished reading "The Girls from Ames" (please note my book list) and I've discovered that I treasure the friendships in my life.  Today, I realized I have been friends with Karen for eight years.  Our first pregnancy brought us together and our boys' play dates as littles have sealed our friendship.  It's great to talk to someone who is authentic and accepts me for who I am.  I'm so blessed to have her in my life.

I've been blessed with all sorts of friendships.  A very dear friendship that has been going on strong for the last 30+ years would be with my younger sister.  We were only 18 months apart and we were best buddies.  We have told one another a lot of secrets, played a lot of Barbies, and shared a lot of laughs. 

We may not know all of each other's secrets or play Barbies with one another today, but we do share laughs, stories, cheer one another's babies on, and encourage each other.  Distance gets in our way physically, but I'm glad that she's just a phone call, text message, blog, or facebook message away.

Another dear friendship in my life is with my older sister.  When I was younger, age separated our interests and goals in life.  I looked upon her with much adoration (as I still do today).  I'm so glad that she tolerated all my letters I wrote to her when she moved away to college. I'm pretty sure I poured out my fifth grade heart and some interesting secrets along the way. [I'm cringing just thinking of that awkward age!].

I think our relationship really, really developed when I went to college and she was my lifeline.  My home away from home.  The friendship that I have with my two sisters and my mother is timeless and I'm so blessed to have them in my life.

I feel so blessed to have great relationships with my sister-in-laws, mother-in-law, and Paul's family; some people will tell nightmare stories about their in-laws but I have nothing BUT good things to say.  So blessed, indeed that my life is filled with good women and not maximum drama.

Finally, I'm so fortunate to have remarkable friendships with old friends.  You know the kind . . . the ones where you start up from where you left off even if it has been three years since you've been together.  Grade school, High School, College; in each  era I've been surrounded by some great people.

A good friendship(s) is necessary in one's life to ground a person.  To validate emotions and bounce off quirky ideas with one another.  Show love, support, and guidance.  Share advice, stories, and private or embarrassing events.  I love my husband and the friendship that we have but a female friendship is essential to feel whole.

Here's to all the women in my life!!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 3:  Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Today I'm so thankful for my chiropractor!  He's given me a sense of hope today that my back may actually heal and that I may be able to participate in normal activities.  Could it be coincidence that the name of his practice is Hope Chiropractor, hmmmm . . .?

I've been doctoring this back issue since the end of August (if you're really counting and following my blog, you know that I've been doctoring my back frequently for the last five years).  Some of it on my own because I'm a stubborn nurse and believe that I can help myself.  Other parties include my chiropractor, a physician from my doctor's clinic, a pain specialist, my nurse practitioner, and maybe the physical therapist office if they ever call back about a TENS unit.  In addition, I've spoke with a physical therapist at my gym regarding some one-on-one aqua therapy that they offer there.

However, today is the first day that I'm not feeling muscle spasms or that ice pick in my back [knock on wood!].  The chiropractor actually explained why I get the intermittent muscle spasms and intermittent burning and tingling sensations into my hips or toes or down one leg. 

It's so nice that he understands and has the time to explains things to me so that I understand (it probably helps that he also stood up for my husband in our wedding [wink]). 

He's going to do some intense therapy 3x/week for the next two weeks.

So, I may just be thankful on those days too!

I've realized that conservative treatment stinks and is a great test of patience, but if it can delay me from having surgery I'm all for it (until next time that I'm in pain, which could be any minute of the day . . .)

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 2:  Thirty Days of Thankfulness

 Being that this is Olivia's last year at home, I am so grateful for our time together. She is the best shopping buddy and sous chef ever! We have played some intense Zingo and Sequence games, but I think the best time together is when we're cooking or baking together. Hopefully, I'm implanting some kind of kitchen love inside of her or at least the lessons that I learned from my Mom.



We decided to make a pumpkin pie because this is pumkin season and Connor absolutely loves pumpkin pie.  We added a little pizazz by cutting tiny pumpkins in the second pie crust and added to the edges.  (We have a tiny pumpkin cutter from Pampered Chef).  It smells delicious, can't wait to have dessert tonight!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day One:  Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Being this month is Thanksgiving month, I've decided to pour out my gratitude for the next thirty days.  Not only is gratefulness good for the soul but it is nice to rehash my blessings in this life.

Today, I am very, very thankful for my husband, Paul.  He has taken on a lot tasks since I've been laid up with my back.  He does the dishes, laundry, floors, cleaning, and heavy lifting and  he does it without complaining (at least in earshot anyway).

He's handy with the tools and repairing cars.  AND he's an awesome Dad; playing, reading, joking, and staying involved in the kids' lives.

Not only am I thankful for his physical capabilities but I'm grateful for his logic and intelligence.  He's my yin to my yang, carrots to my peas, peanut butter to my jelly! (you get the picture, right?).  Anyway, he has a way of balancing out our lives together, and I hope I do vice versa.

It's all these talents that he has and his character which makes me love him everyday.  I know that Paul is a blessing in my life; he treats me with love and respect and is a great friend and confidante.  I couldn't ask for anything more!

Menu Planner

This Week's menu

Monday:  Perkins (Monday nights are busy and if I don't have anything in the crockpot, Perkins or IHOP is the next best thing).

Tuesday:  Beef & Bean enchiladas (I'm making a double batch and going to freeze a batch for future easiness).

Wednesday:  Rotisserie Chicken, corn, scalloped potatoes

Thursday:  Creamy Chicken Noodle Bake

Friday:  Dinner with Family

Saturday:  Wedding & Anniversary Parties

Sunday:  Left-overs!!

Special treat that Olivia & I are making this week:  Pumpkin Pie!