Gratitude

My three best friends and I are in an exclusive club. We call it the Finer Things Club. I'm not going to lie, I look forward to our monthly meetings more than just about anything else. We talk books, mommy talk, wife talk, food talk, and just about every other kind of talk there is. These three ladies inspire me, help me, laugh with me, and enrich my life. Thank you Kalie, Amylee, and Whitney. I am grateful for you three!

We decided to do what we are calling the Finer Life Challenge. Every month for a year we choose a topic and make goals for the month. This month, of course we are doing Gratitude. I decided to write down three things that I am thankful for each day...and why. The why part is to really help me connect to what I write down. I'm sort of surprised to say that I have had a hard time with it. I know I have a lot to be grateful for, but I can't write something down unless I had an experience with it that day. So while it would be easy to say, "I'm thankful for nature because...," unless I had an experience that day with nature, I can't write it down.

While the month is not over, I am recognizing a few common themes in the things I write down.

1. Family: Almost every day one of my three things is something family related. Family is what life is all about. They mean more to me than anything.

2. Kindness: I am noticing the kind things people do for me (especially family, and surprisingly strangers) and I realized I need to show more kindness to others so they can feel how I do.

3. The little things: It is the funny thing Hannah says, or the random hug that Tyler gives me. Or it could be as simple as my husband making the bed. I need to appreciate more the little things. Because more often than not, it will be those little things, not the big, that make all the difference.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Be safe and remember that your life is blessed!

A Truly Happy Halloween

Yesterday we truly had a happy day. It started with a half naked Tyler waking us up asking if it was time to get his costume on yet. I can't tell, but I think he was excited!

Next we had Steve's official swearing in to become an attorney. So yesterday was officially the end of our journey for Steve to become a Patent Lawyer! Can I get a hip hip hooray! Feel free to start calling him Stephen Pulley, Esquire.

To finish off the day came my cute kids in their cute costumes. Tyler initially wanted to be a a ninja, followed by a skeleton, and finally decided he wanted to be a knight (because they have swords). I was glad I hadn't started working on his ninja costume when he changed his mind! He is quite a dashing knight! Tyler had the "Trick-or-Treat" part down, but needed reminding on the "Thank you" part. I was surprised but he willingly came home after about an hour, mostly because he was itching to eat some of his treats!

Then there is my cute little witch. After the first house, she clutched the candy in her hand and didn't dare let go of it! Her costume was my favorite! I couldn't find tights her size, so I had to fabric spray the leggings with stripes and I made her cape. The costume turned out cuter than I hoped. Hannah quickly mastered taking a piece of candy from someone and would say thank you. At one point last night as we were walking to the next house, she was whispering to herself, "halloween! halloween!" She also loved her hat, and if it fell off she would yell, "Hannah's witch,"which apparently meant her hat.

We finished off the night by letting the kids (and adults) eat a few treats and reading It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. Overall, it was a fabulous Halloween!

Family Pictures 2011

About three weeks ago we had family pictures. I always set my expectations too high when it comes to getting our pictures taken. I worry over what clothes to wear, how to do hair, if the kids will fall the night before and get a huge bruise. Stress! In a perfect world, the kids would smile (not their fake smile, but their real smile), hold still-ish and listen. I know I ask way too much. I am mostly pleased with how they turned out.

First up is Miss Hannah. She is a cute one...even if we did have to bribe her with Tic-Tacs and iPhone games. After about 35 minutes she was 'done.'

Next up is Tyler. He was 'done' after about 20 minutes. Hence not as many good pictures of him. I tried every stragey and tactic with him, but to no avail.
And last, but not least, are the family pictures. I'm just glad we were able to capture our family at this stage...and that we don't have to take them again until next year!

Let the celebration begin!

Because I am a believer of celebrating your birth week, my children are the beneficiaries of my ideals. Hannah turned two on Wednesday. We had a pretty mellow day with a trip to a pumpkin patch, a dinner out (her choice was grilled cheese) and home for presents. I wasn't expecting her to understand the concept yet, but boy was I wrong! She was ALL over the presents. Multiple times she told Tyler, "it's mine!" She gets it! I found a super great deal on a cardboard cottage for her. I think she would live in there if I let her!
To continue the birth week celebrations, we had a family party for her over the weekend. She has always loved lady bugs and monkeys. I wasn't about to attempt a monkey cake, so I opted for a lady bug. It turned out cute and even more importantly YUMMY!
She had a great time with all the cousins, opening gifts, taking a bite of the wax candles (you heard me right!), and blowing out the candles twice during our singing. She's a quick one!
Hannah is our sweet girl. I am grateful she is healthy, learning, growing, and all mine. She is smart, tough, silly, gentle and overall lovable! Happy Birthday to my Hannah!

Cardboard and Colors

Have you ever wondered what to do with all those old moving boxes? Well, wonder no more. Just make a HUGE fort in the basement. *WARNING* You will need a lot of packing tape!

And Saturday was one of those days you just want to last forever. After working hard with a run in the morning, mowing the front and back lawn, and weeding the front yard, I rewarded myself with a BEAUTIFUL hike with the family up Mueller Park Canyon. The sun was shining, the leaves were every shade of red, yellow, orange, brown and green you can imagine, and the kids got out all of their energy. In fact, Hannah fell asleep on the hike down! Walking through the forest and seeing the colors of the trees always leaves me in awe. I can't help but feel peace when on a hike like that. A wonderful Saturday indeed!

This week we are excited to celebrate Hannah's 2nd Birthday! Wish me luck on her lady bug cake. Let's hope it turns out the way I see it in my head.