With a full week of blogging, I got a bit behind with my gratitude challenge.
Day 20 is a risk you are happy you took.
Moving to Kentucky was definitely a “risk.” Granted, Travis and I were engaged, but I just mean that I did pick up the life I knew and moved to a new place. I joke that I was “young, dumb, and in love,” but that’s not to take anything away from Travis…I just mean, I would never do that now that I’m settled in my life….if that makes sense. We have a really blessed life that I’m thankful for.
It is hard being away from family, but are in a pretty good visiting routine during the year and for holidays.
Day 21: something from your childhood you are grateful for
Growing up, I can now look back and appreciate the sense of traditions and family. Family is important to me as well as creating traditions and memories with my kids.
Day 22 3 things about your personality you love
I like that I’m sarcastic….it gets me through being with teens all day and at home. I’m an honest and loyal person too. Those traits are important to me.
Tomorrow, I will catch up with today and tomorrow’s topics.
I’m off to hopefully pick up a few Christmas gifts and get my house decorated for the holidays.
I’m getting caught up on a couple of days of gratitude.
Day 18 is something that makes you feel safe…
My house and locked doors! haha
I can’t imagine those who have had their homes robbed and what an invasion of privacy that must be.
Before I got to bed, I always make sure all of the doors are locked.
Does anybody else always watch their garage door shut just to make sure it closes all the way? I do!
Day 19 is 3 things about your body that you love…well, loveis a strong word. lol
I like my eyelashes….no need to curl them, and I get compliments on them from time to time.
My teeth…especially after my two years of Invisalign. I still find myself sometimes smiling with a closed mouth out of habit I guess. Also, my teeth weren’t bad at all before Invisalign, but that helped my bite and straighten a few teeth.
My arms and legs are ok for an almost 45 year old. I’ve still been in a workout slump, but I hope to get back in a routine soon.
While I am grateful for my health, of course, it is easy to nit pick about things I don’t like about my body. Like…what’s it like to have abs?!? haha
I do try to be a good role model for Hadley and not talk negatively about my body. And, working out is something that I do enjoy when I’m in a routine. Having a daughter puts into perspective being positive (or at least not saying the negative) things about our bodies.
The first thing that popped in my mind is my weighted blanket…haha
Truly, when we travel, and I don’t have it, I’m sleep so well when we get home and I have it. It’s an essential part of my bedding.
A warm cup of coffee in the morning is comforting….especially with the glow of the Christmas tree.
In this busy stage of life where I feel like we’re often pulled in many directions, it’s comforting when all four of us are at home. Even if we are doing our own thing, I don’t have to wonder where anyone is or what they’re doing or what time I have to pick a kid up from practice. haha
I hope your weekend is off to a great start. Today, I’m sharing my thoughts on the topics on days 15 and 16.
Day 15 is…3 books you are grateful to have read…
Three? You expect me to share only three? haha
I will stick with a few that have stuck out for me from the past few years.
The Women – to me, this one lived up to the hype!
All the Light We Cannot See (LOVED the limited series on Netflix)
The Paris Library
The Things We Cannot Say
**Clearly I love historical fiction!
Maid – This was such an eye opening read for me as Stephanie Land shared her experience cleaning houses as she raised her daughter while earning her college degree. (I also loved the Netflix series. Margaret Qualley was amazing in this role)
Lessons in Chemistry- This was another great read that sticks out to me. It was a heartbreaking, interesting and inspiring book. Elizabeth Zott and Calvin Evans were amazing characters. I loved the miniseries on Apple TV.
Day 16 is a skill you are grateful for.…I guess cooking? I’m not sure what other skills I have. I enjoy cooking….I don’t so much enjoy meal planning, shopping and putting away groceries though. I like making dinner for my family, and even better is when we can all eat dinner at the same time.
Just Thursday night, I did something I never do….and called Travis to tell him I didn’t feel like cooking…and asked him to pick something up for dinner on his way home. I always cook Sunday – Thursday, and we rarely eat out during the week. It was nice to just come relax and put up my Christmas tree instead of cook dinner!
I guess I’m officially halfway though this challenge, and I’m enjoying it.
How’s your week going? We’ve almost made it to the weekend, and I’m grateful for that.
I have a “double dose” of gratitude as I continue on with two days of the challenge.
Day 13 is the best advice you’ve ever been given
Of course, I’ve been given advice through the years…anything from “this too shall pass” to “live and learn,” but the first thing that popped in my mind was my dad saying, “The difference in “champs” and “chumps” is u.” Haha…
Just from a young age, I knew not to believe everything you hear or trust everyone you meet.
I also like the advice “Don’t let someone show you twice who they really are.” I definitely “ease” into getting to know people, and if you burn me once, that’s it.
In true “mom fashion,” I’ve passed that “sage” advice on to Hadley as she navigates friend groups. I’m really grateful that she’s really honed in on core friendships.
Day 14 is a little luxury your are grateful for.
Definitely, my monthly facials. That hour once a month is such a treat.
I’ve had to miss the past couple of months, and I can’t wait for my November appointment!
‘Tis the season for gratitude, so I’m continuing on with the fun challege.
Picking up where I left off…
Day 11 is 3 songs you love.
Y’all, I’m the worst with songs. I mostly listen to country music…channel 56, the Highway, on XM radio. Travis is always up to date on new songs.
…but…speaking of music…
It might be cheesy, but I’ve really liked adding music to my Instagram posts (still photos). This year, I’ve been recapping the month on my personal page, and the songs kind of capture the moment a bit more.
Any time Hadley is in the car, she’s turned on Christmas music. I will listen to Christmas music on the Pandora station during my planning period while I grade papers this time of the day. It’s a nice festive touch for the day.
Today’s topic is something in your daily routine that you are grateful for.
Well, I’m a broken record, but I enjoy my quiet time and coffee in the morning before everyone else wakes up.
I started getting up before the kids when they were little. I just realized that I needed the quiet “me” time to ease into my day. This time of the year is even better with a candle lit, and soon I will have my Christmas tree up.
What’s something you are grateful for in your daily routine? I’d love to hear!
It’s been a couple of days, but I’m continuing on with the November Gratitude Challenge.
I have Friday and Saturday to cover, so here we go:
Day 8 is 3 things about yourself that you love…
I’m a very loyal person. If you’re my family or friends, I have your back. Also, I can’t remember what I wore yesterday, but I will remember who wronged you (or me!), and I won’t forget.
I have a good sense of humor which I think it is a good combo of my parents. To be honest, it’s probably the biggest blessing that I’m sarcastic, or how else would I have made it with high schoolers this long?
I’m a very hard worker. People who don’t have work ethic drive me crazy. I wish I could be a slacker sometimes.
Day 9 is 3 people you are grateful for…
Well, that’s hard to do…I really could say Trav and kids…that’s three people, and of course I’m grateful for them. But… family (mine and Trav’s) and my friends….I don’t take them for granted either. I couldn’t raise these kids without my “mom gang.” Raising teens isn’t easy, so I appreciate the funny texts, advice, and carpool help.
Today, I’m reflecting on two days to get caught up.
Day 6 is…a failure or rejection you are grateful for…
Gosh – It’s probably been at least ten years ago, I applied for a job where I would be an instructional specialist and work with teachers in various buildings. I was familiar with the organization as I’d worked with them while my school was a part of a grant. At that point in my career, I just wanted to do something different. I would have been able to service schools not too far from Lexington, but I’d have to go to Louisville a couple of times a week.
It’s no fun “putting yourself out there” only to be rejected, but in retrospect, I don’t know that it would have been a good fit for me in the long run.
Only a couple of years later, I moved to my current district which provided me with a good change that I needed.
Day 7’s topic is…something in nature you are grateful for.
Definitely the ocean. As soon as my feet hit the sand and I see the water, I feel at peace.
Even this summer in Oregon, Travis tacked on a couple of Oregon coast days because we needed some days to relax and rest, but also just because he knows how much I love the beach.
Obviously, you know I also love a beach sunset. It just amazes me that we’re all watching the same sun set, but at the beach, it’s even more stunning.
Also, I love fresh few inches of snow….along with a snow day!
Sweet story from the other day…I picked Hayden up from PT, and he was talking about how they really stretched him out. Then, we went on about how he loves natural daylight, especially when the sun trickles in the window. I guess his PT room had lots of natural light, so he was relaxed during his session. He just gave me so many details which is very unlike him. haha
Today’s post is continuing on with the November Gratitude Challenge.
Day 5 is…a fear you are tackling or have overcome.
Choking has been my biggest fear since I choked a couple of years ago. I swear, I didn’t think this much about choking when they kids were little and I had to cut their food up into little bites.
On fall break two years ago, I choked on a huge bite of lobster (bougie, I know!), and I tried to swallow a few times, and it just wasn’t going down. I immediately stood up and looked at Travis and then my friend immediately knew I needed help. One Heimlich Maneuver later, and the lobster flew right out…almost comical. haha…but not the choking part.
Any time I hear someone coughing while eating, I worry that they are choking. Of course, Hayden likes to “fake me out” which I certainly don’t appreciate.
So, my fear of choking is definitely a fear that I’m trying to overcome.
What’s a fear that you have or have previously had?
Did you catch my posts on Saturday and Sunday? Friday, on a whim, I decided that I was going to try blog using the topics from…
So, I’m picking up where I left off, and sharing about someone from your past you are grateful for…
The first thing that popped in my mind are the teachers I had in elementary, middle and high school. I can remember most of them, and every year, I had at least one teacher who made an impact on me.
Who doesn’t love their kindergarten teacher? I went to PM kindergarten, and I really liked school. My first grade teacher was so kind, and I remember loving my 4th grade teacher because she volunteered at a wildlife rescue and would share her animals in class.
I had some great teachers in junior high/middle school, but those were my least favorite years of school. I do remember loving home ec and learning to cook and sew.
In high school, I had great English teachers who obviously impacted my love of English/Language Arts. I had a wonderful social studies teacher my sophomore year, and I took his zero hour class…one hour before the traditional school day started.
Shockingly, one of my teachers I connected with the most was my Spanish teacher. I think I only took Spanish two years, but then I was her teacher’s aide when I was a senior. Hey! Even all these years later, I’ve remembered enough to help Hayden conjugate some verbs for his Spanish homework.
College was a different story…while I did have great professors, I just didn’t connect with them the same as my teachers from elementary, middle and high school years.
In adulthood, I had a mentor for a few years when my school was a part of a grant. During those years, I was an instructional coach in my building and had a couple of classes for reading intervention. She encouraged me to get my second Master’s degree, and because of that degree, it opened a lot of doors for me and is how I’ve had the schedule I’ve had the past few years so I can work with struggling students.
She’s now a principal at an elementary school, and we keep in touch on Facebook.
My mom recently had a couple of former students be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the district/town she retired from, and in the programs that were passed out, both students acknowledge what a great teacher she was and how she impacted their lives.
I hope I’ve made a difference in my students’ lives through the years as well.
I guess I really covered this topic and talked about more than just one person who has impacted my life…but I guess that makes me pretty lucky to have so many to write about.
Today, was a double post day…feel free to check out my Prime Purchasespost today too.
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