Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful we are getting traffic on our house. I truly did not expect to have any interest this month, so I am pleasantly surprised. I'll be even more thankful if the right buyer comes around at just the right time.

2. That said, at the end of the day, I'm still thankful I have a house to come home to. I don't enjoy the hurry & scurry of getting the house staged and finding something to do for an hour plus. I also don't enjoy saving some of my chores until later in the night, but the fact that I'm still in my home and not a small, cramped living space is something to be especially grateful for right now.

3. I'm thankful for my girls. There are millions great kids out there, but I'm grateful for mine. I just love 'em.

4. I'm so, so thankful for Geoff. We both work hard to do right by our family. It makes my heart full knowing I'm in this with a great partner.... Thank you for all you do, Geoff!

5. I'm thankful for my co-teacher, Robin. If I could pick my perfect work partner, it would be her. What a great feeling to arrive to that every working day!

Thank You Thursday

1. I am thankful for Halloween candy.  Those bite-size little bittys are just the right amount of chocolaty goodness.  Today's nod goes to Baby Ruth.  Yumm!

2. I'm thankful for sick days.  Sad as it is, yes, I am thankful for the rare days we take a break from life to stay home and recoup.  Not that I did any recouping on this day that Lauren was off school, but my house is polished top to bottom.  Love that conquest!

3. I'm thankful for Geoff.  You're my best friend, father to my children, and provider for our family.  Your hard work is paying off in big ways and it doesn't go unappreciated.  Thank you!

4. I'm thankful for wine.  Because after I get Abby off the bus and take my shower for the day (I know, ishy!) I'll be sitting down addressing my Christmas cards & sipping on a glass of my favorite Iowa wine.  With any luck, I'll also be thankful for the ease in my cramped shoulder.

5. Last but not least, I'm thankful for unexpected inspiration.  I look forward to the great things that are around the corner for our family and hope that those inspirations can rear their little heads when they're needed most.

Thank You Thursday

1. Thank you, Mother Nature, for the rockin' thunderstorm & cooler temps.  May this be the end all to the disturbing heat of summer.

2. Thank goodness for Book Club.  I had no desire to leave my house last night.  I hadn't even read the book for the month.  But getting out and chatting with friends was exactly what I needed.

3. I'm thankful for this time off work.  I don't seem to be moving too fast these days, and I haven't been able to pinpoint why.  But it's good for me to take it easy and work my way slowly back into the hustle & bustle of our daily grind.

4. I'm thankful for the girls' innocence.  They never cease to make me smile with their young worldly perceptions.

5. I'm also thankful for their curiosity.  Seeing their tonsils was a must.  I'm sure they were disappointed when all they got was a photocopy, but I'm glad they are filled with wonderment.  I pray it serves them well someday.

Thank You Thursday

1. I am thankful that despite the record breaking flooding in Duluth early yesterday, no one was seriously injured or killed.  They have a long, broken road ahead of them.... you're all in my thoughts & prayers.

2. I'm grateful that we are afforded the opportunity to come home in the summer months, and equally as grateful for our annual two-week adventure in Washington to see the rest of our family.  It certainly makes up for the other ten months of the year when we fly solo in far away Ohio.

3. I'm thankful my grandma has successfully made the transition from life on the farm to a suitable place in town with her mind & independence in tact.

4. I'm even more thankful I still have my grandma to spend time with.  Both grandmas!

5. I am so grateful for Lauren. It is dreadfully painful to be in her presence when she is tired or hungry, but she makes up for it when she's not. The child has a kind heart and she's a good friend & loving little lady.  I thank God everyday for that girl.

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful for a successful conference with Abby's teacher. She's right on grade level, she exemplifies good behavior in school and she is focused on learning.  Her teachers seem to enjoy her as much as she enjoys them.  It's everything I could have asked for.  Her daddy will be proud.

2. I'm thankful for tonight.... The girls are in bed, so it's just me, a fire in the fire place & my shows.  I've needed a night like this for a long time!

3. I'm thankful for my day off tomorrow.  Just me.  I got my house clean today, so that's one less thing to accomplish.  I don't plan on leaving the house, getting dressed or wearing make-up.  It's just me and my To Do List.  And hopefully a big ta-da! 

4. I'm thankful for good books.  The Help.... a great thought-provoking read.  And Up North at the Cabin.... nothing comes close to making me feel like I'm there the way that book does.  It brought me to tears tonight when I read it to the girls.  It made my heart smile that the girls knew exactly why.

5. I'm thankful that my grandma is now cancer-free.  One of the best gifts in life is time with grandparents.  I'm forever grateful to have more time with mine.

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful for life.

2. I'm thankful for drinking in Crazy Days, but mostly I'm thankful for this year's only taste of a State Fair Malt.  Delish!

3. I'm thankful Abby giggled instead of crying when she had her teeth pulled out at the dentist today.


4. I'm thankful I move fast.  Unfortunately the mosquitoes still move faster.


5. I'm thankful for the comedic relief of irony.

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful for cousins.

2. I'm thankful for being in Owatonna and just being.

3. I'm thankful Geoff got our air conditioner fixed, but sorry he had to endure a night of suffocating heat.  Consequently, I'm thankful he's reminded why I want to move north & avoid south.

4. I'm thankful for the time & resources to move along with my Christmas projects.

5. I'm thankful my little ladies are enjoying life and gaining opportunities they can only have here.... it fills their minds & their souls.

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful for summer vacation, and for the memories we're blessed to make.

2. I'm thankful for the people in our lives that teach the girls about some of the best parts of life.  You know who you are.


3. I'm thankful to be back in Minnesota.  This will always be where my heart is.  There really is no place like home.

4. I'm thankful for the strength to go to the cabin on my own.  I hate being here alone, but I guess just being here outweighs the fear.

5. I'm thankful my parents & Shawn are coming up to the tonight.  The girls & I are looking forward to the fishing & the company!

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful for the fresh mountain air. Geoff & I took a drive up to Mission Ridge {Washington's highest ski resort} last night.  The temps were nearly 20 degrees cooler than 20 miles down in the valley, elevation thousands of feet higher.  Never in my life have I seen snow and been bitten by mosquitoes on the same day!  But most of all, the air was intoxicating.  The most amazing aroma of mountain fir.  If I could bottle it it would have made an endearing keepsake.

{Mission Ridge}

2. I'm so thankful for my in-laws.  You have made this trip to Washington so special for us all!

 

 

{Ice Cream in Leavenworth}

3. I am thankful I finally got to do Washington wine tasting.  Fun & delish!

{Brooke, Geoff, Heidi & David}

4. I'm thankful for my girls.  Without these lovely little ladies my life wouldn't be nearly as fun!

5. I'm thankful Abby has her aunt, Heidi.  The conversations & quality time make Abby's soul sing & smile.

Thank You Thursday

There are so many things to be thankful for this Thursday, where do I start?!

1. Thank you Gail & Dan.  Not only do you open up your hearts & your home, you make us feel as though we are at home.  I can't think of a better way to spend time with our family than living it up at the Phillips compound.

2. Thank you Geoff.  You work hard year round so that we can take these trips in the summer.

3. Thank you Kevin for treating us to The Hangover Part II today.  Just hanging out with you is enough of a treat, but we're never going to turn down a good laugh, even if it is sooooo wrong!

4. Thank you Grandma Phillips for taking the girls out for a special day, just you and them.  You warm their hears with memories that will last them a lifetime!

5. Thank goodness for Coca-Cola.  My stomach is suffering from altitude corruption.  Even at $6.99 a 12 pack, you are worth your weight in gold.

Thank You Thursday

1. Thank you, Steph, for having the kids and the mamas over for supper & a playdate last night.  We always love getting together with our Owatonna friends, but a big girls night out is in order before summer's end!

2. Thank you, Mom & Dad, for letting us come home and invade your house.  I know you appreciate all of the cookies & suppers & decluttering I do, but I appreciate you guys so much more.  Wait, you're just letting me stay because I bring the kids, that's it right?!  Hahaha.  {I'm only half kidding about that one.}

3. I'm thankful for where I grew up.  Humble, small town roots, a close, fun-loving, connected family in the Cities.  The best of both worlds in middle America.  And I'm thankful for the people with whom I grew up who show me what growing up to be a good person means.  There's a reason I love Minnesota!

4. I'm thankful for little things. Like listening to KS95 & watching KARE11 news.  Again, there's a reason I love Minnesota!

5. I'm thankful for the cool temp. today, 12° below average....  A heat-hater's dream.  Yet another reason why I love summer in Minnesota!

Thank You Thursday

1. Thank you, Brenda, for being such a good sport with the girls.  Abby loved being your assistant, and Lauren loved riding in the chair.  I'm so grateful the girls have started their dental visits on the right foot.  {And with a clean bill of oral health!}

 

2. Thank you, Papa, for getting the girls bikes to ride in Minnesota, for getting them ride-ready, and for getting Abby going.

3. Thank you, Grandma, for breakfast this morning at Perkins, and for spending time with us.  Just hanging out with you is a real treat!

4. Thank you, Grandpa, for all of the little treasures you left behind for us to discover. Lots of good finds in his shop today, but my favorite might be the Sears catalog, circa 1983.  Nothing tops a velvety gold sleeper sofa!

5. Thank you, Mom & Dad, for taking me out for supper to celebrate our ten year anniversary.  Time sure does fly.  It would have been nice if Geoff could have joined us, but it was a yummy night at Plaza none-the-less.

Thank You Thursdayish

Wow!  Big day yesterday.  First road trip in my new ride. All 723 miles & a handful of bathroom breaks in under 12 hours!  As soon as we pulled into the driveway and gave the anxious grandma our hugs & kisses, everyone pooled together to get The Beast unloaded, then it was off to pick up Great Grandma and head to town for supper.... There really is no place like home!  I'm so at home I fell asleep snuggled up to Lauren on the couch last night.  So here it is, Thank You Thursdayish....

1. Thank you to the god of travel.  Another safe and time-effective trip under my belt.

2. Thank you girls for suffering through George W. Bush's audio book, Decision Points.  They were less than thrilled when I said the words, "Okay, now it's time for George."

3. Thank you Acadia for fitting all six of us in you on our way to town last night.  It's so nice not to have to take two cars!

4. Thank you, Mom, for supper.  And to my parents and Grandma for the company.

5. Thank you Minnesota weather.  How I've missed sleeping with the windows open and breathing in the fresh air! 

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm so thankful for my kid with the big heart. Yesterday Lauren overheard a conversation I was having with her teacher about how she decided to work this summer to help replenish the savings they had to dip into when her husband lost his job last fall.  Later that afternoon she brought me a dime and said, "I am going to give this to Miss Lisa. It's for Tim."  This mama's heart swelled with pride.

2. I'm thankful for the kind and caring people I've surrounded myself with here in Ohio.  I pick on these nutty Buckeye lovers, but the truth is, they're great people to the core.

3. Thank you, Abby, for giving me a report of Daddy's behavior last night while I was at book club.  Give the little lady a job in your absence and she's happy as a clam to see you go.  Totally forgot that I'd given it to her until she brought the report to me first thing in the morning; bless her heart.

4. I'm thankful for the beautiful day we have today. Sunshine, not too hot.... great day for a school picnic!

5. I'm thankful for the humor that oozes out of our toddlers.  I'm pretty sure 99.9% of it is not intended to generate a laugh, but boy do they know how to make two grown women giggle.  Thanks little buddies, I'm going to miss you over the summer!

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful I can still pick up my children and kiss them, squeeze them and snuggle them.

2. I'm thankful for the experiences that shape me.

3. I'm thankful for my health. It seems funny to be saying that since I've been sick for over a week now, but this will pass. I'm blessed not to be facing something major.

4. I'm thankful for the laughter that fills my house. Sure, there is plenty of pollution between the screams, the fighting and spats of crying. But the laughter is what I get up for in the morning.

5. I'm thankful I work where I do. I'm surrounded by true professionals with a knack for what is right and a genuine caring for the human spirit. It's so easy to take it for granted.

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful for the kid in Geoff.  More often than I know he replays the winning goal that made the Bulldogs national champions for the first time in men's division I hockey.  It's safe to say I'm thankful the Bulldogs finally pulled that off, too!

2. I'm grateful for Lauren.

This is the bag she made to gift my Mother's Day mug & flower.  She wrote Happy Mother's Day, because Miss Lisa told her to.... her words. She also drew a picture of the Easter Bunny with some eggs.... nice touch.  The "ILMLI" means, I love Miss Lisa.... do you think she loves her teacher?!  But my favorite is her depiction of me.  That's me on the bottom of the bag, pregnant with her.... where does she come up with this stuff?!

3. I'm thankful for the random guy who told me I look like I just won the lotto.  Really?  I honestly thought I looked like a scrub as I strolled to Subway with a book in my hands, waiting for my oil to get changed.  Maybe it was the sunshine, or the prospect of finally getting new wheels, all of which I am also thankful for.  Thank you random guy.

4. I'm thankful for such a great mother-in-law.  I couldn't ask for a better one, and the girls are equally as lucky to have her as their grandma.  If only we could travel like the speed of light and see her more often!

5. I'm thankful for nudging friends.  Sometimes that's all I need.

Thank You Thursday

1. Thank you, Grandma & Papa, for introducing the girls to Tangled.  This cute, yet creepily animated movie has been the inspiration for questions from Abby like, "Are you my real mom or did you take me from someone else?"  It has also inspired some classic illustrations from Lauren....

2. I'm thankful I didn't order any of Abby's end of the year pictures.  Seriously! It's not the world's worst picture ever, but the tree is horrible and her smile isn't close to real.  The rash that plagued her that day is almost undetectable.  Still, I'm hoping by the time next fall rolls around she will have her regular smile back.  Or better yet, by the time we get our family pictures taken in a couple of weeks!

3. I'm thankful for some sunshine.  And a cool day.  I just wish people would stop complaining about how chilly it is.  It's April!  We are not meant to using air conditioners this early.

4. A good night at gymnastics for both of the girls.  And the smiles they evoke with the innocence of their movements.

5. A shower. And new episodes of my shows tonight. Even though I should be early to bed for my early to rise as I have an invitation to the royal wedding.... from my couch!  {If only I was with you to lounge and view, Shawnie!}

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful today is over.

2. I'm thankful for Abby & Isabel, for sticking up for Lauren when other friends had less than kind words for her.

3. I'm thankful for the staff at our school that makes my children feel special, even when they are less than delightful.

4. I'm thankful I don't have cancer.  Okay, I didn't really think my swollen gland was a cancer growth, but the thought did cross my mind. I have my great grandma to thank for the worry wart in me.

5. I'm thankful my girls excel at something.  Another mother commented on "that Abby girl's" handstand, and Lauren did an awesome cartwheel tonight.  I hope this is the kind of humble confidence they carry with them though life, especially the tough parts.

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful I have two very distinctly unique girls....

{Lauren & Her Scooby Ensemble}

{Abby Rides in Her New Dress}

2. Thank you, Geoff, for leaving work and taking the girls to gymnastics.  I am physically exhausted.  What's more, I really just need a break.

3. I'm thankful my children are normal, but I will be even more thankful when they are out of whatever stage they are in that is making me climb the walls.  It's mostly Abby and her constant need to be under her sister's skin, and mine too for that matter.

4. I'm thankful for the moments like this one, when she first gets home from school. When her attitude has yet to evolve from sweet to sour....

Abby: "Mom, would you like a jelly bean?"

Brooke: "No thanks, I'm not a big jelly bean eater."

Abby: "I'm a little jelly bean eater."

I truly do love that kid.

5. I'm thankful for the bus stop mom I am developing a friendship with.  I can't promise I'll be thankful after we attend a Zumba class Saturday morning, but I am thankful she passed on this place: http://www.oinkadoodlemoo.com/page6.html. OinkADoodleMoo.... the name alone just makes my mouth water for a pork sandwich!

Thank You Thursday

1. I'm thankful for a UMD win tonight.  Sure, I was at the gym with the girls and didn't see even a second of the game.  But they won and advanced to the Frozen Four championship game Saturday night in St. Paul.  Oh how I wish I was there.  I won't be, unless by the grace of God someone gifts me with airfare and tickets to the game.  But that's a long shot.  What I do have is one Tiny super-fan who is ready to cheer at her next chance to see the Bulldogs take the ice....

[Be sure to pause the playlist on the right sidebar to hear the audio.]

2. I'm thankful for my little friends at school, and the time to sit with them and just play.  They have great personalities with so much life.  They are definitely an underappreciated culture.

3. I'm thankful for the willpower to follow through with my parental threat.  I hit a mommy-low tonight, but I'm hoping to make a point to my destructive young lady.  It is not a night I am proud of.

4. I'm thankful for college friends, and for having some to hang out with to watch UMD play Saturday night.

5. I'm thankful for having a book I cannot put down.  Okay, so I can put it down to check on the score of the game, but what I'd really like to do is curl up with nothing but a blanket and this book.  And thank you to Jaime for choosing it!