225. Feeling like I'm coming home to myself as I sit here to remember and feel my gifts, my gratitudes.
226. Realizing in a tearful goodbye Saturday morning how much Andy, Lily, Emmy and I really do cherish our time together. We made the decision that Andy and Lily would go North to meet up with the rest of the family for our first Polar Express adventure without me, Emmy and Molly because Emmy woke up in the wee, dark hours between Friday and Saturday with a fever. It was in that lingering goodbye that I was able to SEE the bond we are building with our daughters, they with us, and the two of them together - that bond that up until now was a hope in the back of my mind that I thought wouldn't appear until years down the road, the hope that maybe, just maybe, we're doing something right.
227. Deciding last minute to join the family up North despite the fever. I will forever cherish our Polar Express experience - nothing like seeing my children's and niece's faces light up with anticipation and wonder at seeing the glow of the lights of the North Pole fly by through steamy train windows. Thank you Rose/Nonna for giving us this gift to share together as a family!
228. Snow, snow, and more snow on our way to Polar Express. Real live snow and the dip of the thermostat that accompanies. Thank you Donny for getting us there and back safely!
229. Beautiful Arizona landscape in a blanket of white topped with low, misty clouds.
230. Andy, Lily, Emmy and I sitting at the dining room table after dinner Sunday night, each of us showing off our best "Chubby Family", one of Emmy's favorite things to do. You know, squeezing your cheeks between your palms and saying, "Hi, my name is chubby. My mom is chubby, my dad is chubby, and even my doooog is chubby..."? Andy taught me the whole thing, because I had never heard it until hearing the girls do it, then demonstrated for me this joy that he said his mom used to do with him that always made him crack up. I laughed to tears, the best kind of laugh to share together. Emmy was laughing so hard she was shaking. We all took turns and shared chubby laughs.
231. Spending three hours together with Andy working on our budget on Sunday. Okay, so the process wasn't fun, but still something to be very thankful for because we did it together. When I wanted to give up, he was there pulling us through. When Andy wanted to give up, I was there pushing us on. We have quite a long way to go, but the commitment to each other and our financial future that surfaced during the process is worth this difficult start.
232. Saying goodnight to Molly. It is odd that she goes to sleep before we do, but she was crashed out on Sunday. I went over to her bed to say goodnight and she opened her eyes just enough to see me, hardly slits, and whimpered softly as I held her warm, furry head in my hands, massaging the top of her head between her ears.
233. Lily and I sharing some time together before bed, naming all the words we could that start with different letters, laughing at what each other came up with.
234. Receiving a gift of thanks from my family. I cried at the sentiments mom, dad and Jake mailed to us to share on our Thanksgiving "Give Thanks" board. Thank you all for welcoming Andy so loving and wholeheartedly into our family - just as much today as the day he and I got married nearly ten years ago, and for supporting us in all we do. We love you!
235. A boss who gives me the flexibility, without question, to be home with a sick child when I need to be.
236. Getting excited about omega three's and nutrition from my knowledgeable, compassionate Aunt Barb. So excited for Barb to launch her nutritional consulting business soon - you are amazing Barb!
237. Tackling our debts, understanding every penny of our expenses, and the freedom I feel from canceling our cable yesterday. Ahhhhh.
238. Seeing stars on the top of all the papers I pulled out of Lily's backpack las week but that I didn't go through until last night, indicating that she put in more than 100% effort.
239. Being able to stay home tomorrow with Emmy who is still not well. Maybe she needs a day of snuggling with momma just as much as I need that time with her to feel like I'm doing everything I can to get her better.
240. Most addicting, do-it-yourself, inspiring, fun, get-your-creative-juices-flowing website I've ever seen http://www.pinterest.com/. And thank you Kat for sharing this with me!
241. The results of my first biometrics screening today, all within ideal range numbers for blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, good fats, bad fats, and blood glucose. I feel like this is a gift to me and to my family. I'm thanking myself for making healthy choices most of the time, and grateful that my indulgences of late have not caught up with me too badly.
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