Day 22 {Year of Gratitude}

Today hubby comes home from almost two weeks away, with single nights home here and there a couple times. I am so excited to welcome him home for six nights in a row!

Today I am grateful for:

1- 6 nights in a row 

2- phone calls with good friends miles away

3- one little boys growing confidence 

Day 20 {Year of Gratitude}

Today

1- alone time

2- the help of other moms, especially ones who know how to do little girl's hair

3- cell phones 

Day 19 {Year of Gratitude}

Today was a good day--- we met some great homeschooling families that live somewhat close by (we're considering homeschooling as one of many options and have starting easing into it)

Today I'm grateful for:

1- internet for networking

2- time to lay in bed and rest because kids are I worn out from playing at the park

3- the chance to start exercising and feeling the strength of my body increasing!

Day 18 {Year of Gratitude}

Today I am grateful for-

1- community coming together

2- cuddles on the couch

3- a peaceful mass again

Day 14 {Year of Gratitude}

Today:

1- back up for when things break

2- time alone, even 30 minutes

3- Netflix, so my husband and I can watch tv together even when apart

Day 6 {Year of Gratitude}

Boy, today has been a doozie, the house has come down with strep for the second time in three weeks. My husband came home with a migraine and we had some banking issues. Not to mention a run in with the NYS DMV. So, I had to take a deep breath and search myself for some gratitude. Today I am thankful for:

1- Texting, it's helped me stay in contact with those in "quarantine" while with the kids and keep up with promises I made to friends

2- A warmer day so I could take the kids out of the house for some exercise and play in the yard

3- Leftovers, while I generally like cooking it was great to reheat and eat on a day like today

Day 4 {Year of Gratitude}

Today I am grateful for

1- Good acoustics, especially in large halls, like churches

2- Reconnecting with those important to me

3- Being home to watch little ones grow 

Day 3 {Year of Gratitude}

Today I am grateful for

1- Quiet Saturday's at home, even with a house full of home

2- Popcorn to snack on while watching Star Trek after bedtime

3- A husband who enjoys grilling on days he's home 

Day One: The Big Plan for our Year of Gratitude

Gratitude to Change Our Attitude

That's the name of the game. But how? 

I'm the kind of girl that needs a plan. Some kind of guidance, a framework to come back to when I fall off course, because I always fall off course. I'm human and my free will gets the best of me most days. Free will, and small children, interesting recipes and messy projects, and cute pictures of cats and dirty dishes and you get it.

Which is why when I moved last April I found Thank You cards from our wedding I never sent. And sample birth announcements I never ordered. And stacks of cards/gifts I meant to reply to. 

My number one excuse for not showing gratitude? Time.

Hello, my name is Vicki and I'm a mom. In case you didn't know, I have no time. 

That's so wrong. Not in the I have to be "Super Mom" kind of way, but the "I can do this if I set my mind to it, don't give up" kind of way.  There's a quote I used to have pinned up in my dorm room somewhere about how all the awesome people that did great things ever also only had 24 hours a day. Including moms.

So, I need a plan and so far (because this is still a work in project, aka: my life) here's what I have:

Step One: Prioritize Gratitude 

Number One Excuse of No Time, I've met you before. Like when I had an early copy of the 4th Harry Potter book shipped to my house and I had no time to go to my job or leave my bed. Or when I first met my husband and I had no time to talk to other human beings (yes, we were that couple). Or when I had my first baby and I had no time to wash dishes, or shower, or breathe.

And then, I learned how to prioritize. And now I know things can get done. It might take extra work, you will have to sacrifice preferable activities, possibly sleep, but they can be done.

So - I will state three things I'm thankful for everyday and post them under the project day on this blog. (More on this in another post) 

Also, I'm going to give myself attainable goals with defined time limits. (Because that's what job coaches and the such day to do) 

Step Two:Organize My Space

My second excuse, is always, I don't know where anything is. Including the box I packed last year with all the unsent thank you cards.

So, I will, by the end of January 2015, clean and organize my room and office space into a functional work/relax area. 

Step Three:Gather Supplies

Like I said, over the past, well basically 28 years, I have accumulated a lot of things to be grateful for. And I haven't been very good at showing that. So, I have a lot of thank you cards/letters/packages to send and it's going to take some supplies. 

On my list: cards, envelopes, stamps, flat rate boxes, decent pens and a binder to keep track of where I'm at. It ties back to organization, but what doesn't? This should be completed by February 14th, 2015.

Step Four:Compile List and Send Thank Yous

In said binder, I plan on compiling a list of all those people I need to show gratitude to and what for. Hopefully in the end it will be a reminder of my many blessings and to keep going.

This will begin with the procurement of the binder and hopefully never end. 

Throughout this year we should send at least one Thank You a week once the other steps are completed. I say we, because my husband is in on it, too!

That's the master plan (so far) and here's to a Very Happy and Grateful New Year!

A Year of Gratitude

This past year has been, to say the least, rough. We've had debt up to our eyeballs, two small kids, a cross country move, moving in with family, news of an unexpected pregnancy, followed by a miscarriage, a new job, extended days of travel for my husband and most recently holidays away from my family for the third time ever.

Tonight, I'm sitting in my in-laws living room while my hubby is three hours away working out of town for all of this week. Ending in his birthday, on which he will hopefully be able to leave early enough to be home for dinner. Tonight is the first major holiday we've been apart since we met. But at least we had him home for Christmas.

All of these things, along with the issues, mostly of a particularly bright and precocious four year old have not made much easy.

I have spent many days feeling alone, sad and pretty awful about myself.

All of that said, I want next year to be different. I'm not a New Years Resolution kind of girl. I do believe in constantly improving myself however. And while we've actually had many good times, smiles and happy memories this year there's been something missing. While things are improving, it often feels like it's getting worse. Mostly, positive movement is just slow and it takes patience. 

Patience, we believe is our big lesson right now. Our big message we're trying to listen to right now. Have patience and slowly but surely you'll see yourself where you've been trying to go.

To help us get there, gratitude. This is the big plan for the next year, gratitude to save us from our own bad attitudes.

Stick around, see how it goes.