A Little Sharing...

I've been trying slowly to get ready for the Christmas season by slowly putting away the fall stuff.  When I grabbed this, part of me thought about leaving it...

Obviously it is waaaaay past Mother's Day but when your son makes this on a chalkboard, don't you just want to keep it forever??  I started erasing it but now the board itself is sitting on the counter and just the frame is in the dining room.  I waited the longest time for these fabulous Bistro Chalk Markers {expensive} and am finding out they do not erase well!!!!  Urgh.

I love having a camera phone.  I love taking pictures of things I want to buy, things I want to make and things I'd like as gifts.  Here are my most recent snapshots...{hint, hint...doesn't this make it much easier to shop for me?}

 I was at Meijer yesterday and saw these beauties and knew they would make it on my list.  I was trying to be practical so I a) didn't buy them on the spot and b)chose two different options and c)kept the pricing down to a minimum. ☺  I really like them both too much to pick a fave so they are both on my list! LOVE navy and white stripes and LOVE red so...{I added these to my mom's wish list, along with the Varsity Cricut cartridge that will be used TONS in the next eleven years!} BTW...these are pajama pants!

Next on the list...

 snow pants!  I know, I know...this one is a total shocker {surprised, K?} because if you know me you know I hate the snow.  And the cold.  I have no use for the white stuff unless it is Christmas Eve and that's really only because of my make-believe vision of the holidays.  I have even surprised myself with this one!  Now in case I happen to get these, I tried to get that tag pulled out enough so you can see at least some of the numbers...these are thin, like snowboarding pants...not the old fashioned puffy kind!  They are slick...just sayin'.

Next, I'm pretty sure I need these like I need a hole in my head but...

 Right now it is pretty hard to find high heeled black tall boots without all the buckles and slouchiness.  These are still borderline but I really need a new pair of them...unless the perfect pair can still be found somewhere!  These cuties are by Guess.  TJ Maxx is da bomb!

White is not a good color on me but I will rethink that thought if I get these for Christmas...

 This theme game I'm playing is rather delightful.  Dislike snow. Check.  Dislike cold. Check. Want snow pants and boots. Check.  Whatever.  These are cute and should keep my tootsies warm.  And a little birdie told me she may check out the Teej this morning to see if they are still there...☺{crap...just saw the tag and realized I misjudged the price...sorry!!}

As long as we're talking about holes in the head and my need for more...

 Bad pic but cute bag!  I think I like it most because it has gold on it versus the customary silver.  And because it's black.  And because it's big.  And because it's by Steve Madden.  And because it's big...Do I need it?  Who's askin'?

Thought I needed these for sure...but only on sale...

 Now I am not positively sold.  Don't get me wrong...I am adoring these frames but I am not adoring the colors.  Don't get me wrong about that either...I do like the colors...but when I saw them a week ago I was smitten with them but didn't have my camera so I envisioned them in different colors all week.  Yesterday I was like, "Oh.  Darn.  Well maybe..Oh. I don't know."  I want them...and I will paint them if I get them.  I want either three or five...cannot have an even number. {duh}  But I only want them if they are on sale.  even if I am not the one buying.

Trying again...

 I asked for one of these last year {I think} and got the wrong one.  I think I showed the desk lady at Target the same camera I bought online and asked her which card I needed to make videos.  The one she sold me wasn't the right one.  K bought me a gift card for another one {but maybe I only asked the clerk and then told K and he got it for me...either way...not our fault}but I spent that money on something else.  I am trying again, although apprehensive, to see if I can get it right this time.  I remember reading class 10 so...

A major want but not a major "sold" as of yet...

I've been eyeing this clock for months and, again, I won't want it unless it's half off but I'm not completely sold.  I love it but it is so expensive and I know it isn't needed.  But...it's an enormously awesome wall clock and I would hang it over my stairs in that crazy awkward spot of nothing!  Do I really need a clock?  It would really be more of a decorative piece.  Totally undecided!  But totally love it.  Decisions, decisions...

Other things on my list include three books, including To Kill A Mockingbird, {yay} new kitchen glasses, {we own none...only plastic and wine} perfume, new white towels {bring on the bleach} and a few other little things.  Plus there is the element of surprise.  I love stuff!  I should be relatively easy!!



Days 16-20

Seriously...

K and I spent a quiet weekend together.  It was superb.  Since we weren't home, or dining out with anyone, I chose to be thankful for the idea of a dinnertime ritual.

Day 16...Dinnertime Ritual...

 We are not all together too often so it makes mealtimes tough to spend together.  I bought new bar stools and am painting the old ones so I moved them out to the garage, {from the kitchen}which forces us to eat in the dining room.  It is a space I often take for granted and it currently is not being used for storage...just for eating in...together or alone. {I am also thankful for that money sitting there...it has made early Christmas shopping a breeze}

Day 17...Nighttime Ritual...

I cheated again with taking this on the wrong day but that's because Kyle wasn't around on the 17th but this happens each and every night at our home.  Of course the sweet sentiment was lost on this night considering I was holding a camera up in front of both of them.  I swear I have twin seven year olds!  I imagine the night will come when Kyle doesn't need his dad lying next to him to read a story...I think K may enjoy this even more than Kyle...if that is even possible.

Day 18...Favorite Quote...

 So it really isn't a quote, and some of it is missing from the pic, but this little song holds so much meaning to me and has helped me through a lot.  I'm grateful to have even been given the opportunity to share it with a couple others.  The words are simple but the meaning behind them is some powerful stuff.

Day 18...Favorite Photo...

 I am pretty sure there is no need to explain why I chose this photo.  Geesh, I love these boys to the moon and back and this picture, although not so great in instagram, tells the entire story.  I look at the bigs and see Kyle in each of them.  It warms my heart considering our family dynamic.  They are the sweetest things in my life. ♥

Day 20...Family Pet...

We don't have a family pet.  To be funny I considered taking a pic of the fur ball under my bathroom vanity but considering I am supposed to be grateful for this thing, I figure I should play nice.  Since we don't have a pet, {whew!} I am instead grateful for the freedom to make my own decisions.  That in itself is an amazing luxury and I am afforded it here in America.  The fact that I chose this to talk about may seem so petty but in real life I am finding it is still a luxury...

I super duper love this cut!  My hair is pretty long.  It hasn't been this long since after Kyle was first born.  It is not a becoming look on me but I haven't found anything that excites me in a really long time so I've just been growing it out.  Blah.  I ran across this in a holiday mag yesterday and was instantly stoked!!  I don't know if I will do it next month at my scheduled appointment or wait til the mid-winter blahs kick in but I am in serious like.♥  It's strange to say I am lucky to have a hubby who doesn't care what color my hair is or what it's length is...he likes it all.  I take for granted that I can do whatever I want with it, because after all, it is my hair!  Apparently it isn't that way for all ladies and I think that makes me mad.  Or sad.  Or maybe, just maybe, I'm offending someone who may just think that I am rude to not consult with my other half about my hair decisions.  I guess I never thought of it that way...Who knows.  Lucky for me, I don't have to figure it out. ☺{btw K..do you likey?}

Day 15...

I am totally on it today!

Day 15...Family Time...

This morning, for the fourth day in a row minus Tuesday, we had no internet at work.  The difference today is that I couldn't reset the system like I have all week.  What else do we do when we cannot blog, stalk Facebook friends or pin on Pinterest?  Cut out paper snowflakes, of course!!  My mom, seester and I spent the morning learning how to cut an appropriate snowflake.  It was a little scary at first but once we got the hang of it, it was a breeze.  I am so glad we didn't have internet so we were able to spend this quality time together.  I do not even remember cutting them out together as kids. I'm super happy we were all here, at Northland, together..♥

The Christmas Walk starts tomorrow night downtown.  We are getting in the spirit a day early to decorate our windows because Kristin will be in Lansing for a field trip tomorrow.  We need to get our act together fast.  We sprayed glitter all over our snowflakes and now, in order for us not to die from the fumes, we have our front door propped all the way open.  I may end up with pneumonia but the windows will be cute!

Basketball teams will be determined tonight.  Fingers crossed for Caleb.  I am so proud of him and will be no matter the outcome but I'm his momma so I'm hoping for the absolute best!

Days 12, 13 and 14...

I cannot seem to get this right, but I swear I have been thankful every day...not just the days I blog.  I am out of order again, though, but I think it's okay.  Originally, I switched it up because the photo I wanted to take of "I adore" wasn't an option two days ago.  I took yesterdays photo instead and then, yesterday, an opportunity presented itself and I was beyond satisfied that I was able to share something I truly adore.

Day 12...Favorite Read...

Although I read the Bible, I enjoy opening this book every night to see what God has printed there for me.  I am astounded at how often the passage directly reflects my life.  Sometimes there are even answers for me...right when I need them!  How can I not be grateful for His guidance?

Day 13...I Adore...

 Yesterday was my anniversary.  Kyle wanted to make K a card so he followed the example of K's card to me to come up with a sentiment.  Since I had to take this pic with Instagram, I took it yesterday with the camera on my phone and then opened it in Instagram today so part of the top and part of the bottom were cut off.  The first line states simply, "Dear Dad," and the "you at the top is the first word of the sentence.  I love and adore these little notes from Kyle.  Whether he is writing an apology not to a coach, a declaration of love to God or a well wishing note to his dad, that boy of mine is a sweet little love.♥

Day 14...A Comfort...

You may find this a bit strange, but I am grateful for the comfort of mascara.  I've got nothin', otherwise, for lashes!  People don't seem to take notice of the makeup I wear...until I'm not wearing any!  I don't go many places without, but if I do, I tend to at least wear mascara.  Otherwise I look like I just rolled out of bed!!  Comments have been made many times before...I must look pretty bad! lol.  I prefer to call myself  "fresh faced" but whatever, right?  Let me just say this stuff is amazing! {and so is the primer I wear under it} 

Days 10 and 11...

I have to be honest and say I was not too grateful Saturday for what I was supposed to be thankful for.  But I also have to say that I was especially grateful my display turned out for the banquet and that family members of the inductees wanted to take my displays home with them.  That melts my heart. ♥

Day 10...An Indulgence

The thing about shoes and purses is you just cannot have too many and no matter your size, they always fit!! {and check out the best-of-both-worlds indulgence...my shoe purse from my cheerleaders!}

Day 11...A Hobby...

I thoroughly enjoy this hobby and although I haven't been able to sit and partake in close to a year, {again!} I am so thankful for whomever decided to invent this pastime.  I cannot help but smile just looking at these memories.  I have already planned to take a personal day next week so I can get that mess in order and enjoy more of our past.

Yesterday, for Caleb's health class project, we participated in organized fitness as a family.  Our original plan was to spend thirty minutes, as a family, getting fit together.  We originally planned a three mile bike ride and a one mile walk. {can you guess who planned it?}  We veered off the course a bit and first rode three miles on our bikes and then played football.  I admit I only made it two miles because it was the first time on a bike since my tailbone incident and it was on fire!  I was nominated all-time quarterback...thankfully!  Our game only lasted twenty minutes so the boys could shower and head out to our next big event.

Our church family organized a Kring Sing for a long time family of our church.  The Krings have been my parent's neighbor forever and they just purchased a home this summer to move into...their dream home.  Right after, or maybe even right before, the Mrs. was diagnosed with cancer and it isn't good.  It has spread through her bones and basically everywhere.  We met near their home and walked to their yard and sang, caroling style.  It was an overwhelming moment and, as I held the song sheet for Kyle to read, I was suddenly overwhelmed with emotion and love and couldn't even sing the words...I started the crying right then.  When we finished, we, as a church, held hands and wrapped our group all the way around the Kring's home to hold them and their home up in prayer.  Wow!  As our turn came around, my heart exploded with pride, compassion, love, sadness, joy and anything else possible as first Caleb, then Keith, then Andrew prayed aloud for this wonderful family.  I was so taken aback, bawling like a silent baby, {is there such a thing?} that I couldn't pray myself, and had to pass.  I am so blessed to have my family.  They always seem to amaze me.  What a way to spend this season of gratitude.  Definitely blessed.

Day 9...

Day 9...A Food Item...

I am beyond thankful  for this one constant in my day today.  I am a water drinker, but even I have a problem once in awhile drinking the same old thing and as I get older I am having a harder time drinking cold water when it is cold outside.  Is that beyond strange?  But I only like cold water...the colder the better.  For whatever reason I can drink this super ultra cold right now and it doesn't occur to my body that it's the same temp as the cold water. {shh...don't say it too loud}  This stuff helps me get my water intake right now and that's a good thing for my body.

I am feeling pretty good about the HOF banquet tomorrow. I got a huge break this morning and I have spent the day going all over the place...my mind in one direction and my body in another for the most part...but it's all good.  I'm feeling it.  I'm really feeling it.  It's all going to work out the way it is supposed to.  And I'll get to spend the evening with friends to boot.  Life is all good.

Days 7 and 8...

I'm beginning to feel the pressure of the HOF banquet...and the fact that it is Thursday!  I have been rummaging around for a couple days now trying like mad to find the pennants I spent so much time on last year.  I know they have to be in my home but I cannot find them anywhere!!  The thought of starting over makes me slightly sick to my stomach.  The fact that Keith was going to get me a cartridge to rent to update the pennants, only to find out last night that the cartridge was already rented to someone else for the week, makes me totally sick to my stomach!  How will I pull this off in the next forty eight hours when I work sixteen, sleep for fourteen, have tryouts for two and have plans for two? That leaves me with fourteen hours, right?  Maybe if I get a driver and someone to make my meals, eat them for me, shower for me and get dressed for me I can pull it off. ☺  I guess I'm just grateful I have all this busyness in my life.  What else would I do with my time?

Day 7...A Stranger...

 This was a tough one.  How creepy to wait around to get just the right stranger to snap?  I instead used my resources to come up with a perfect stranger photo.  I am working on this display thing and thought about this man, Rex Funnell, who is a complete stranger to me.  He is, I believe, ninety six years old and still ticking away.  He was born and raised in this small community, played sports for the school, tried out for the Tigers, announced at sporting events and has family ties to our very own Funnell Field.  It's warm and fuzzy to have a small town guy be such a great asset to us.  I love this place.

Day 8...A Clothing Item...

These are clothing, people!  In Philadelphia clothes and shoes are non-taxable, being cited as necessities.  Right on, yo!  The great thing about shoes is that no matter your size, {unless you are preggo and swollen like snausages} your cute shoes always fit.  And they can also perk up your day.  And...And...And...

These are my current loves, in honor of competitive cheer and good ol' WHS.  It's dress up season now and these will be two of my shoe staples.  Well, for at least two of the weeks...I cannot let the coaches see me weekly in the same two pair of shoes...as if!  I am so thankful I have the freedom to purchase these little crutches of mine.  Don't you agree that they make my life much more rich?

Days 5 and 6...

I'm sure this isn't exactly how I am supposed to bring attention to my gratitude {by clumping my thankfulness into single posts} but I am taking the time every day to put thought into my "choices" and reflect why i am grateful for each of these people and items.  It works, people.

Day 5...Kitchen Gadget...

 Two days ago, and on most days, I am thankful for my crock pot...any one of them.  A year or two ago I received my biggest one yet from my MIL for Christmas.  It made me happy.  A couple months back, Keith accidentally dropped it in the sink and cracked it.  It made me sad.  It is hard to prepare dinner for my family when we are always on the go and never home.  I've joked before about how the bigs at least eat decent meals at their dad's and Kyle does at daycare.  Whew!  The thing with the crock pots is, with a knob, you can only cook it on high or low but you have to watch the time.  It's perfectly fine when I'm only gone a few hours but not for ten!  I picked up a new style last week at Sam's {the store will be the death of me} and I am majorly crushin' on it!  It has a digital timer {I am slow to accelerate} and can be set for ten hours...or for eight and then it goes to warm!  Plus the lid locks on tight so no sloshin' around and ultimately ending up on my van carpet on the way to pot lucks.  Hot diggity dog!  I can now be sure my family is well nourished any day of the week.  And that makes me happy!!

Day 6...Emotion...

I waited the whole day for this and almost had to cheat and take a pic today.  I had an ethics class yesterday morning {so much for throwing out the potential cheat} and then I voted.  I had one million things to do to get ready for the Hall of Fame banquet this weekend and needed to run errands and find my pennants from last year.  And that was all before three!  I got home at one, ate some lunch and promptly became sick!  Not sure if it was what I ate or if I came down with something but it was no fun!  And it prevented me from going anywhere!  Last night, before the boys went to bed, I decided to play around with one of my picture apps on my phone and took these strips.  The boys were having so much fun and I, being on the hunt for the "perfect" strips of them, had to stop and think and take in the moment.  Yes indeed...the perfect emotion to be so thankful for.  I have decided these may be the best pictures ever taken of my boys. ♥

I finally read an entire book for book club and was so looking forward to finally getting to go Thursday night.  Having been sick yesterday took an extra day away from me...one I didn't have to spare.  I will have to rethink my plans.  I am in desperate need of getting my display taken care of for the banquet this weekend.  I work well under pressure, although you cannot tell by watching me or listening to me up to thirty seconds prior to starting, but I get 'er done for sure!  I have to have it ready by Saturday morning, which means Friday night and since I want to go to a gathering of friends, it means by Thursday night, which would mean TONIGHT if I want to still go to book club.  Ha, when I put it that way...book club can wait another month!  I am in no way ready to make the display happen!  Last year I was out celebrating the night before...until pretty late, and remember sharing two bottles of champagne...I also remember talks of going to Target afterward to pick up last minute frames.  I traded that in for an early rise at seven a.m. to run to Meijer instead.  What can I say...I may be last minute {where everyone is in a panic over something not getting done...most of you can relate to that feeling with me} but I've got it handled!  No worries!

Days 2, 3 and 4...

Day 2...Household item...

 I imagine this is a strange household item but it is in my household and I am grateful this was invented.  Otherwise I would either look like a raccoon daily or I would always look like I just woke up.  Either way, love the invention!  And who knew I would be thankful for such a thing?

Day 3...Friends...

 I totally cheated on this and I got these days in the wrong order, but on purpose.  I knew I was having lunch with these ladies on day three so I kind of cheated.  I also cheated with the picture.  Yes, I am guilty.  It may have been awkward snapping a quick pic at the lunch table and besides, to be honest, I forgot to think about snapping a photo.  Instead I enjoyed spending some quality time with the ladies.  Thinking back, the last time I spent actual friend time with either of them was to see One For The Money...last year.  If I am forgetting a time since then, I am worse off than I realize. {but maybe the movie was this year}  I miss our trips to Traverse City and I miss hanging out with them at sporting events.  Our kids have taken semi-different paths relating to sports and with coaching, I didn't get to sit and socialize in the stands this past fall.  Friendships are so important and I need to make the time and put the effort into all of mine.  Kris said she was glad I was persistent in us getting together.  I am too.  I appreciate these friendships and am so lucky to have Kris and Kirsten in my life.  I appreciate you two.

Day 4...Technology...

It seems funny I should, or would, be thankful for any sort of technology.  Because of technology, my kids have never truly learned how to have a telephone conversation with another human, {"May I ask who's calling?"  "Ugh...{like duh} her best friend...!"} I no longer write handwritten notes to people and I fall prey to texting conversations to others instead of actually speaking to them.  However, yesterday I didn't have to put any thought into my choice because without this handy dandy gadget I would not have been able to take the online survey for church that I totally forgot to do all of last week.  I would have felt terrible if, during church yesterday, the pastor asked the congregation again who has taken the survey and I, again, would have made the squinty face that I did last Sunday and was called out on it for...again.  Does that make sense?  It doesn't matter, really, because I took the survey.  Thank you, MiFi.  I adore you.

Andrew received his plastic baby for the weekend.  Pat and Jen had to put up with the every-two-hour cries but maybe it wasn't so bad...at least while they were sleeping...since they all sleep on different floors.  It definitely must have affected Caleb, however, since last night he requested to sleep in the basement. Plastic baby slept in a laundry basket next to Andrew's bed.  I thought she reminded me of Moses. ☺  At four thirty this morning I heard plastic baby cry.  At first I thought it was part of my dream but then it went on too long...I hopped out of bed to make sure Andrew woke up.  Didn't need him failing at the very last second.  Of course he still may fail since, as I got ready to jump in the shower this morning, I noticed Andrew's bracelet on the counter.  I thought it was strange that it was there since he never forgets to put them on and next to the bracelet was the key to plastic baby!  The one that turns her crying off!  It was the worst shower ever because I was racing to finish so I could get the key to him!  The baby cried at four thirty, which meant she should have cried at six thirty but since it didn't, I was sure it was crying {non stop} on the bus!!!  Add to that Caleb had already called me while I was driving home from the bus stop and he didn't answer when I called him back.  I just knew Andrew was getting kicked off the bus!  No problem though...the  baby started crying at school and the teacher gave Andrew an extra key to feed her.  Crisis averted...as long as he still gets a good grade!  Andrew was sad to give plastic baby back.  He named her Jenna but I never heard him refer to her by name.  He just said he thought plastic baby was so cute.  Plastic baby {how many more times can I say it?} just kind of stuck.        

 I think this is the year I hang the boys' school pics on the wall!  Years ago I purchased these frames and since that day, They've never made it to the wall.  How horrible is that?  It's not as bad as finding out this year that I didn't even change the pics last year!  They were really terrible and I despised the company who took them.  Apparently it showed.  As you can see the color is still bad...very orangey.  Oh well.

Frying Pans...

As always I have a ton on my mind, which happens to be partly my topic today plus it ties in with my post about my action step of the week for my life group.  But first...

I had what I like to call the Frying Pan Effect happen again to me this morning.  It is now Thursday and I have been still figuring out what handful of things I can give up for God.  I know I could change something, but I was really drawn to giving something up, since that was the request.  I am an all or nothing kind of girl.  Funny, on a side note, my pastor told me in an email this week to "take small steps" toward something.  I like to go all in and give it all up at once.  Epic fail.  I have been focusing a lot this week on relationships and what I am not doing for all of mine...mainly because I am focusing on too many other things.  I decided maybe I wouldn't give anything up, but instead work on relationships.

Fast forward: this a.m.  My garage door opener is broken so I pulled my van out of the garage then ran back inside to grab a few things before shutting my door from inside the garage and heading out the side door.  Imagine my shock and frustration when I attempted to open my van door and...it was locked!  With the keys in the ignition.  And the van was running!  I checked all doors in a panic before running to check all my other doors to my house.  Locked.  The extra key to the house was in Andrew's backpack...at school.  Kyle had already been picked up so I had nobody to get help from.  My phone was in my car, as was my coat.  I started with a few choice words, loudly, circling the van repeatedly, and asked God, "Why?!" when I stopped dead in my tracks and looked to the sky.  I started laughing out loud and figured it all out in an instant!!  In that moment I realized what I needed to pay attention to in my life, what I needed to "give up" as my action step and to slow down!  The culmination of the events that happened during the week led up to me taking a good, hard look at what's going on.

I have seen on FB that people are starting their yearly thankful posts and I don't want to fall into that.  It's easy to do this time of year but life gets in the way the rest of the year and somehow those posts don't make it online.  With my "thing" this week, I have been looking for some guidance in helping me not to be grateful but to help remind me to show my gratitude.  I found this instagram thingy online and decided to use it as a guideline for me.  To stop and smell the roses, as the saying goes.  To be in the moment with graciousness and not to take life, and the people and things in it, for granted.

Day 1...A Family member...

Today I am grateful for my sister.  Thanks to her living right next door I was able to use a phone to get my van unlocked and make it to work on time.  Aside from the obvious, she is a beautiful person {also obvious} on both the outside and inside.  She is crazy, but it makes her who she is and she can handle chaos better than I ever could and ever will.  She is my neighbor, co-worker, friend and sister...and I love her.