Thankful

Ok, ok, I've been slacking on the Thankful posts.  But seriously, I have a good reason - two 13 hour work days leave no time for blogging.  And then two days off spent holding my baby to make up for said 13 hour work days also leaves no time for blogging.  So here's catch-up:

For Tuesday:  Today I'm thankful for snow!  Our first snow of the season is beautiful, cold and perfect.  I love all kinds of weather, but something about snow is especially exciting! I can't wait for Cole to be big enough to take sledding!

For Wednesday: I'm thankful for Chris' parents.  His mom watched Cole for us this week (at our house, so I wouldn't have to wake him up and truck him over there), and then also did three loads of laundry (even folded the laundry!!), took the garbage out, and unloaded/loaded the dishwasher.  It was A.MAZING to come home and have my chores already done so all I had to do was pay attention to Cole.  :)

For Thursday:  I'll go ahead and go with the obvious on this one: I'm thankful for our veterans.  To be honest, there's no way I could ever be that unselfish to give up my home, family and life to serve in the military - so I have the highest respect for those who do.  Thanks, Vets!

For Friday: I'm so so so thankful today to have my hubby home safe and sound.  I'm thankful he has a job, but having him gone for weeks on end while he's working is no easy task.  But it makes me doubly grateful when he's home!

What are some things you are thankful for?  I'd love to hear about it!

Perfect

Last night, Chris finally came home after a week and half of working in Medford. 

We snuggled together in the bed, all three of us - Cole in the middle, Chris and I on either side.  Cole kicked his feet and cooed.  I rubbed my cold toes against Chris' warm feet. 

and later, as we were falling asleep, Chris held Cole to him tightly, stroking his face, while Cole stared at Chris, trying to memorize his face and smiling big happy smiles.  And I held Chris' hand and watched him hold our son.

And it was perfect.

Thankful

Today I'm thankful that I will be able to be a stay-at-home mama to my little man in less than a month!  While I'm enormously thankful for a great job (especially in this lacking job market), I know that the best place for my family right now is for me to be home taking care of my son.  I'm so thankful that Chris supports me in staying home and agrees that raising Cole is a priceless job that is more important than any money I bring in by teaching. 

Cole and Chloe

Cole is just in LOVE with our dog Chloe.  He loves Nala too, but for some reason Chloe is just his best bud.   Just watching Chole play makes Cole laugh!  And Chloe takes every chance she gets to give Cole kisses, which of course makes him laugh hysterically!

 Cole always tries really hard to chew on Chloe - fortunately for her, she's too fast!

See what I mean?  All she did was walk by and we got a huge laughing smile! These two are going to be best friends as Cole gets older!

Thankful

Today I'm thankful for my nice warm house. 

Even if it won't stay clean.

The wind is blowing chilly outside...but inside, Cole, the puppies, and I are warm and toasty.

Isn't this face the cutest?  My little man has so much personality!

A Month of Thanks

I have to admit, I'm guilty of taking my wonderful life for granted a lot of the time.

I get busy.  I get stressed.  I worry and complain.  Money, time - there's never enough of either. It's so easy to think of the things I want, rather than remember the things I have.

But this little bloggity blog helps me keep things in perspective.  So, I have decided to do a post every day this month about something I am thankful for - little or big, doesn't matter.  What better way to celebrate the month of thanks than by taking time each day to be grateful?

Since I'm a little late (I can't believe it's the 5th of November already!), I'll start with five.

I'm grateful for this blog and the age of technology we live in.  I love being able to document my child's life and be able to instantly share it with family -whether they live five miles away or 5,000.  I love posting pictures so my family can watch Cole grow.  I love writing my feelings as a new mama, so I can look back and remember these precious days and moments.  I love documenting each small milestone of my baby.  All is possible with this little blog of mine, and I am thankful.

I'm grateful for my car.  It's silly, but as I was driving today I drove past a bus stop and watched a lady with a small child struggle to get on, bundled up against the cold wind.  I'm so glad to have a safe vehicle to transport myself and Cole - it sure makes life easier! 

I'm grateful for my job.  Although it's torture to get up and leave my little man five days a week, I really feel like I'm making a (tiny) difference in little people's lives.  I love the kids and I love that I have my degree so I can help support my family.

On that note, I'm grateful for my co-workers.  I have been soooo blessed to have always worked in places with fabulous people and Mills is no exception.  I have friends that I work with!  The thought is pretty outstanding.

Lastly, I'm super thankful that I have wonderful family to leave Cole with while I'm teaching.  Cole is blessed that he's never had to be watched by strangers - everyone who takes care of him loves him as much as I do!  Chris and his parents and my parents all take such good care of him and it's a huge relief to know that he's safe when I can't be with him.