31 Days of Appreciation: Day 31

Today and this whole month, I am appreciative of...

...my camera.  Because of my commitment to posting a picture everyday for 31 days, I have had my camera with me more often than normal.  I have captured some great things.  Things that have made the blog and things that haven't.  I have enjoyed coming up with new ideas each day and showcasing my life in pictures.

I walk away from this 31 Days of Appreciation with just that...Appreciation.  Thanks for following along and I hope you enjoyed it half as much as I did. 

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 30

Today I am appreciative of...

...a start.  We are throwing our annual dessert party in November this year because the thought of throwing it so close to baby's due date is just daunting.  So this year we are doing it in November and calling it "Celebrate the Harvest".  It's 2 weeks away and I just started baking today.  I got 2 things done today (Pecan Pie Bars and Chocolate Ginger Twists pictured above) and a plan.  While the 2 things are a good start, the plan is more important.  I am glad to know everything I am making and now it's just checking them off the list!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 29

Today I am appreciative of...

...an extra glimpse inside the womb.  Because of our earlier scare in pregnancy, we have been on a track to get extra ultrasounds to monitor growth.  They still think that the baby is fine but are just making sure that baby is growing properly.  No problems there.  Baby is measuring a full week ahead of schedule and is in the 74th percentile.  They are estimating baby weighs 3 lb 6 oz already.  Yikes!  This baby from what we can tell, looks like Ryan and is very active.  I must say it makes me pretty excited to see these last 11 weeks (or less) go by!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 28

Today I am appreciative of...

...a whole day with this little girl.  Yesterday was so much better of a day.  And today I get to spend my day playing with her.  Fridays are one of the greatest parts of my life.  I work part time and don't work on Fridays.  I love what it allows me to do with Ainsley.  We go to gymnastics in the morning and then out to lunch.  We always find fun adventures to get into.  I can't wait to incorporate a little baby into this fun day.

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 27

Today I am appreciative of...

...new mercies.  Yesterday was a hard day.  Lots of things happened that made me realize our need for His Faithfulness.  Today is a new day and with that new day comes new mercies.  Even if today ends up worse than yesterday, I know there is tomorrow. 

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 26

Today I am appreciative of...

...the greatest Mother In Law.  What a blessing it is to have a fantastic mother in law who lives exactly 2 miles from us.  She helps us out so much with the care of this goofy kid.  She helps us out so often at a moment's notice.  Her love for Ainsley runs deep as any grandma's love does.  What a gift to us and to Ainsley.

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 25

Today I am appreciative of...

...that feeling that there is no place like home.  While I had a great time with my sisters, there is still nothing like being at home with those that you love most.  The greeting I received when I walked in the door was priceless.  Oh how I love my family!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 24

Today I am appreciative of...

...my sisters. I just spent 4 incredible days with them in Cancun. We laughed, we slept, we ate. We had so much fun. And I thought that I was going to be able to post from there and keep my 31 day promise but the wifi was $17 a day so I took the opportunity to unplug. Sorry. But it was worth it and now I can come back and finish the month strong. Anyway, a fantastic time was had with my sisters, Jill and Wendy.

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 21

Today I am appreciative of...

...a beat up old suitcase packed for 1.  I am leaving today for Mexico.  My sisters and I are taking a girls weekend away in Cancun at an all inclusive resort.  Ryan and Ainsley are staying home to play and have speacial Daddy/Daughter time.  I must say that I forgot how easy it is to pack just for yourself.  All my stuff fits in this small suitcase with room to spare!  And just because I'm off to drink fruity drinks with umbrellas in them (virgin of course!), doesn't mean I'll abandon my 31 days.  You may not get fancy formatting and it may be later in the day but as long as the wifi works in the lobby, I'll be posting from my phone!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 20

Today I am appreciative of...

...the tenacity of a friend.  This is Roger.  He and Ryan have been friends for years and years.  And while I am part of the 31 Days movement here in the blog world, he is part of his own 31 days movement.  He quit smoking on October 1st.  That means we are both on Day 20.  I have never had an addiction like that to conquer so I can only imagine how hard these past 20 days have been for him.  But he's doing it.  And I am proud.  As Ainsley would say...Go Roger Go!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 19

Today I am appreciative of...

...fresh sheets and a clean house.  Not quite a year ago I started getting my house cleaned every 3 weeks.  As a working mother and a small business owner, keeping up with the house was just getting to be too much for me.  Throw a miscarriage and another pregnancy in there and you get a cleaning lady.  Our side business pays for it so it doesn't feel like a big hit to the budget.  I tend to gripe about our side business quite a bit, but on days like today I love it!  And I will say that coming home on days that Cindy has been here makes me smile.  A LOT!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 18

Today I am appreciative of...

...the Birthday Boy!  I've already given you some good qualities on here and I could go on forever about how wonderful it is being married to this man.  I am blessed beyond messure to walk this life with him.  Happy Birthday Ryan!  I'm glad you were born!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 17

Today I am appreciative of...

...teachable moments. Ainsley has too many toys. Her stuff is taking over our bonus room. We decided that we were going to donate some of her toys. We explained to her that there were kids out there that didn't have any toys. I picked some of the ones we donated and she picked the rest. Some of her decisions actually surprised me. I was so proud of my little girl as she carried that doll high chair up to the truck today.  Life lessons start early. 

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 16

Today I am appreciative of...

...fine motor skills.  I have talked on here about Ainsley's gross motor skill delay.  What I haven't mentioned is the fact that she is way ahead in fine motor skills.  She eats without making a mess.  She colors and paints very well.  And now she is learning to write her name.  I wrote the sample at the top and I only helped her with the S and the E but other than that, this is all her.  I can't tell you how I impressed I am with this little girl.  I can't wait to see what she is going to do with that fine dexterity!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 15

Today I am appreciative of...

...small moments.  Ryan is going to a funeral today for a guy he graduated high school with.  The guy was 500 yards shy of finishing a marathon when he collapsed only to die 1 hour later.  His wife and high school sweetheart probably never imagined that morning that she would say goodbye to him one last time as he left for the starting line.  She probably never imagined the man she had spent her entire adult life with would never come back.  She probably never imagined being a widow and a single mother of 2 young children at the age of 34.  And yet it is her reality now.  So today I am definitely appreciative of the 2 most important people in my life.  We aren't guaranteed tomorrow or even this afternoon.  Make the most of those small moments.

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 14

Today I am appreciative of...

 

...Ainsley's teachers at gymnastics, Miss Elena and Mr Alexi. They are a husband and wife duo that used to be gymnastists in Russia. They really do have a lot of patience with my 3 year old and have helped her in so many ways. They not only make sure they are having fun but they are teaching them technique, even at 3 years old!  I really think they are helping her catch up from her physical delay quicker than we would have expected.

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 13

Today I am appreciative of...

...the whole growing a person inside of myself thing.  It's crazy to think there is a 2 + pound person living inside of me right now.  Baby is doing great and for the most part so am I.  Heartburn that turns into nauseau is my worst complaint.  But it's so worth it.  And it's hard to believe that my due date is exactly 3 months from today.  I think I have a lot to do to get ready for this baby.  I better go get busy!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 12

Today I am appreciative of...

 

...young love. 15 years ago an 18 year old girl went on a camping trip with a 20 year old boy.  There was a kiss.  The rest is history.

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 11

Today I am appreciative of...

...a long growing season.  It's October 10th and I just made fresh tomato sauce out of roasted cherry tomatoes and local garlic.  My dinner cost me all of $5.00 to feed our family due to garden vegetables.  I grew up in Connecticut where the growing season was closer to 2 1/2 months.  We have had fresh tomatoes for 5 months now and have been able to store enough to make it through the winter.  Oh how I love my garden!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 10

Today I am appreciative of...

...a mother who taught me how to make a house a home.  My mother is a true homemaker.  She taught me more things about running a home than I could have ever read in a book.  One practical thing she taught me was how to sew.  Even though I just picked it up again after many many years, the knowledge is still there.  She gave me the idea for these valances and they turned out exactly as I wanted them.  They make this room look more homey and finished.  And I must say, I am proud of the pretty!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 9

Today I am appreciative of...

...creativity.  I was working on sewing curtains today and and wasn't really paying attention to Ainsley.  When I checked on her, this is what I found.  While some mothers would get mad at this, I thought it was a great expression of creativity.  It helped that she didn't get it anywhere else!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 8

Today I am appreciative of...

...my little girl who is growing up so fast. She's my little helper and is starting to love some of the same things that I love. What a joy to share my kitchen with her.

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 7

Today I am appreciative of...

...the dog that still fills our life.  This is Tucker.  He has lived with us since 2001.  That's 10 years of pure pug love.  If you are wondering how he is doing since Libby's passing, I have to say surprisingly well.  He's back to being top dog and loving it!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 6

Today I am appreciative of...

...Steve Jobs.  I know the world is talking about Steve Jobs and the influence he had on technology.  I personally wouldn't have the job that I have in the field that I have without his innovation and drive.  While I don't have a Mac and my only Apple product is my iPhone, I do work as a computer programmer.  I must tip my hat to him and thank him for all he did so that I can do what I do.  RIP and Thank you Mr. Jobs!

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 5

Today I am appreciative of...

...pictures that you have forgotten you have taken.  I miss this dog and her crazy teeth.  This picture was taken in early June before the tumor went away and eventually came back. 

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 4

Today I am appreciative of...

...family dinners and the things that just kind of happen when you are together as a family. 

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 3

Today I am appreciative of...

...a stable job.  I rarely talk about it on here, but I am gainfully employed, be it part time.  My boss has been more than generous with me over the past 5 years as I have transitioned from full time employee to part-time working mother.  That's a lot to be thankful for.

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 2

Today I am appreciative of...

...new life for good friends.  We met baby Caleb last night for the first time.  What a sweet little guy.

31 Days of Appreciation: Day 1

There is a movement going on in the blog world.  It's called 31 days.  Basically it's a commitment to blog everyday for the month of October.  I wasn't going to do it.  I thought I was too busy.  But then I decided that everyone is too busy and yet there are so many people who are involved in this movement. 

So I decided to join in.  And then I thought about what can I possibly write about for 31 days.  It felt daunting and huge.  So I have decided to make my 31 days a montage of pictures and maybe just a few sentences to describe my daily picture.

I'm calling it 31 Days of Appreciation.  It will be my way to stop and appreciate my life through images. 

So without further ado...my picture for the day.




Today I am appreciative of....



...a coupon that allowed me to buy what I am hoping will be my last maternity clothes for this pregnancy.