30 days of thanks...days 9-22

catching up here...
day 9 | 11.9.11:  my parents.

obviously without them i would not be here.  they've taught me to be myself and not be afraid to ask for help when needed.  there are times when i get frustrated with them, but it's those same times then that i can't imagine myself not having them here.  i have several friends who have lost a parent (or God forbid, both) and i never take for granted that they are both here and a huge part of my life.

day 10 | 11.10.11:  my in-laws.

i consider myself very lucky when it comes to in-laws...with john coming from divorced parents, i was fortunate enough to marry into two sets of in-laws.  i have grown very close to my mother-in-law (john's mom) over the time that john and i have been together, and i enjoy watching her with john and our boys.  i love that she has started traditions with my kids (mainly tony for right now) of baking easter bread and i look forward to the day when she'll teach me how to make her homeade sauce!

day 11 | 11.11.11:  facebook.

i know i wrote a full post a few years back on facebook, but i just have to say that i am very thankful for this platform to be able to connect and reconnect with friends new and old.  i love being able to follow along with friends and their families without feeling like a stalker.

day 12 | 11.12.11:  aunt cathy.

she was and always will be my favorite aunt.  for reasons like this:  we planned on visiting this saturday the 12th for them to spend some time and celebrate tony's birthday.  she called me on friday morning on my drive to work to say that she called over the hershey spa (knowing we had unused gift cards for there) and booked us a couple's massage for the morning of our visit.  she invited us to come up friday after work and spend the evening and head to the spa in the morning while she, my uncle and cousins took care of the boys.  they had a great time and john and i had an amazing massage and time with each other.

day 13 | 11.13.11:  gdiapers.

never in a million years would i have thought i would be cloth diapering the bug (or any child for that matter), but when i read about these wonderful dipes, how could i not?  they have saved us a boat load of money and i can't wait to get my gmum pack so i can start spreading the word even more about gdiapers!

day 14 | 11.14.11:  cell phone.

my third hand.  when it doesn't work, i feel like a part of me isn't working.  i pay way too much a month for it, but it has truly saved my butt to have it on more than one occassion.  while i yearn for march and my upgrade to the iphone 4s, i will continue to love on my blackberry for now, so as not to make it mad until i'm upgrade eligible.

day 15 | 11.15.11:  flute teachers.

i want to take this time to thank my 5th grade band director mrs. schmidt, my jr. high band director, mr. seidel, my high school band director mr. bailey and my private flute teacher mrs. fronheiser for guiding and encouraging my flute playing over the years.  i would also like to thank my flute student marie for allowing me to share my talent with her so her talent may continue to grow.

day 16 | 11.16.11:  scented candles.

because really, who can't light a scented candle and have a bad day turn into something a little better.

day 17 | 11.17.11:  starbucks venti non-fat caramel macchiato.

enough said.

day 18 | 11.18.11:  rebecca horning.

an amazing pastry artist who created an equally amazing baby shower cake for my sister-in-law (pictures to come soon)

day 19 | 11.19.11:  sue d.

she started as a new friend who then introduced me to my now husband and by doing so became my sister-in-law.  on this day we celebrated her baby shower for my soon-to-arrive nephew sebastian.  i thank her for "waking me up" and making me realize that i deserved better than what i had and i am so, so glad she did!

day 20 | 11.20.11:  fellowship.

after a beautiful church service this morning, we got to spend the afternoon with members of our church at the thanksgiving dinner.  members of the congregation played instruments, sang songs, and played games all while enjoying a nice meal together.  i love my church family and am so glad we are taking the time to spend more time with them other than just "showing up on a sunday morning".

day 21 | 11.21.11:  teachers.

we enjoyed our first parent-teacher conference this evening.  it was an out-of-body experience listening to someone speak so highly of our son.  my heart jumped and skipped a beat hearing someone else say to us how anthony's smile brightens their day and his positive outlook changes the classroom.  it's something we say about him and think about his, as does our family, but to hear a (kind of) stranger say this just melts my heart and makes me so proud.  i am so thankful for teachers as they are truly one of the most important people in a child's life.

day 22 | 11.22.11:  my sister.

today, on her birthday, i am thankful for my sister.  there are days where i could scream at her and pull her hair (like in the old days) and there were days before when we were younger where i was jealous of my only child, non-sibling friends, but i am thankful that i have her in my life and i honestly couldn't imagine what life would have been like without her a part of it.

30 days of thanks...day 8

day 8 | 11.8.11:  my house.

i'm not gonna lie, it's a struggle to keep up with the house, both inside and out, not to mention paying all the bills associated with it.  but all the headaches of homeownership aside, i am very thankful that i have a warm house to snuggle into at night.  a roof to put over my children's heads, and a place for us to gather and enjoy each other's company.  i am thankful for my house.

30 days of thanks...day 7

day 7 | 11.7.11:  my bff.

it was only 5 years ago that i was able to rekindle my friendship with my best friend.  we had been stuck together like glue since the sixth grade.  we grew up together, however we let some stupid stuff get in the way and grew apart.  apart for almost as long as we've been back in each others lives now.  while i am so sad at the tragedy that led us back into each other's lives, i am also so thankful for the person, now an angel, who i feel brought us back together.  i am so thankful that we are now able to share our lives with each other again, the ups and downs of our lives, and that our kids will grow up together like we did.  i am so thankful for you shannon.

30 days of thanks...days 5 & 6

day 5 | 11.5.11:  my job.

i have a pretty sweet job.  i work for a product design company in the juvenile industry...baby products!  it's been a blast getting to see products designed from the ground up and then walk down the aisle in babies 'r us and see them on the shelves!  as the hr manager, i don't have a hand in the design, but i do enjoy when the engineers as for my input as an "experienced" mama.  it makes me feel like i contribute something!  i have never ever taken for granted my job and the perks that go with it, but especially in this ecomony and with numerous friends and family members unemployed at this time, i am even more thankful for it.

day 6 | 11.6.11:  my church.

i have been attending the same church literally since i was born.  i was baptised, had first communion, was confirmed and married and both my children were baptised at this same church.  also the same church that my mom was confirmed and parents were married in.  tony attends sunday school there now as well and our plan is he will too go through all the stages of his church life at this same church.  church has become more important to me the older i've become and this church, with our pastors and the congregation there truly feels like an extention of our family.  i've made wonderful friendships with people i've met through church...friendships that continue still to this day (hi rebecca!).  i am so thankful that we have a place that is so welcoming.

30 days of thanks...day 4

day 4 | 11.4.11:  my bug.

my bug.  our second son vinnie.  our miracle.

after much heartache and struggle, he's here and has truly made our family complete.  his smiles and chubby cheeks make me want to just eat him, literally.  must.restrain.myself.  and his laugh, oh his laugh...it's infectious.  as much as i don't want to give up the baby stages he seems to have breezed through, i absolutely love the phase we are in now.  he's plays well with his brother.  enjoys independent play.  loves to eat.  loves his bath.  but best of all, still loves to snuggle.  i love you bug and i'm so thankful that you were brought into our lives.

 

30 days of thanks...day 3

day 3 | 11.3.11:  my first born.

my life truly began the day i gave birth to our first son, anthony.  what better day to be thankful for him than on this third day of november, what was to have been his due date.  he had other plans though and 6 days later finally made his entrance into this world.  in less than a week, my first baby will be 6 years old.  he has taught me so much.  first and foremost, patience - remember i said he was 6 days late.  he's taught me to appreciate the small things, to laugh even when you probably shouldn't, and most importantly...how easy it is to be happy.  i love you peanut.

30 days of thanks...day 2

day 2 | 11.2.11:  my husband.

today i am thankful for my husband.  he has brought so much into my life and has really played a huge part in who i am today.  i was a much different person before meeting him. someone that i was finding i didn't like very much.  he makes me laugh, makes me cry and most of all, makes me happy.  i can't even begin to thank him for the two greatest gifts he has ever given me.

30 days of thanks...day 1

there are so many blessings in my life to be thankful for...i'm challenging myself to take note of these each day for the next 30 days in november.  i've seen this on a few blogs and thought i'd jump in on the challenge.  not to mention it will be a reminder to me of this blog and my promise to not be so neglectful of it.  i hope to sprinkle some meatier posts in in addition to my 30 days of thanks too.


day 1 | 11.1.11:  my life. 

there are so many people who are suffering from so many different illnesses with varying prognosis' for recovery.  i thank God every day that i have this life to live and i intend on living it to its' fullest.