Daily Gratitude

CHAMPIONS!

St. Johns 42

Phoenix Christain 17

Daily Gratitude

Ugh! I've been awful about keeping up. And today isn't going to be much better. But this past week, I've been grateful for my family and friends (of course), and for a few days off of work. But my big one is. . . Drum roll. . . Doctors and Insurance. Yep, my dear child, Cade has kept the doctors in business this football season. This time, he sprained his big toe-also known as turf toe. According to the doctor, it will take about 4 weeks to heal, and two months before it feels like new.

He's not sure how it happened during the last football game, but those who have watched the game film swear that it was the result of the other team twisting ankles when they tackled Cade. Who knows. But the result is a painful and swollen foot. However, he is a tough kid who kept on playing. He had a great game (166 yards rushing and two touchdowns). And now-they will be playing for the State Championship tomorrow! YEA! Cade didn't practice this past week, and is pretty nervous about the condition of his foot. But I'm sure he will give it all he has.

GO REDSKINS!


*A note about the picture-the boys have a team bonfire each week before their game. A reporter from the AZ Republic took this a couple weeks ago.*

Daily Gratitude

On a light note (or heavy, I guess, if you are counting calories. . .) I'm grateful for Olive Garden. I don't get to go there much, but when I do, I always enjoy trying new dishes. The girls and I ate there on Tuesday, and I tried the Chicken Carbonara. Move over Ryan. . . I think I'm in love. . . Actually, why I thankful for it today is because I ate leftovers for dinner, while I fed my family Hawaiian Haystacks. And I didn't even feel bad for them.

Daily Gratitude

I'm having to skip the picture today, because my subject lives thousands of miles away-in Alaska. Today, I'm thankful for my youngest sister, Cortney. Today is her birthday. Soon she will be having her own baby boy. I think of her every time I try to take Lauren to bed. When Cort was little, she would fall asleep on the couch. Nobody could take her to bed without Cort throwing a fit. But if I was the one to lift her up and carry her to bed, she would go happily, with her arms around me. It made me pretty darn proud. Lauren's been doing the same thing lately. She freaks out if Ryan or I pick her up, but as soon as Cade holds her, she wraps her arms around him, and mumbles happily until he puts her in bed. From those times to now, when we are as much friends as sisters, I will always be grateful for her.

Of course, when we are talking about sisters, I can't leave out Kellie. We grew up together-being less than two years apart. She was the spitfire of our family. Where I was the oldest, "try to please everyone", Kellie was the wild one who said and did what she wanted. I loved her for it. She would do anything to get a laugh. She was always up for whatever excitement we could concoct. Now, she amazes me with her creative talents, her love for her boys (and all the kids around her) and her strength of character. And she is one heck of a traveling buddy. (We went to Washington DC together a few years back).

I am grateful for all of my sister-in-laws. Meri, Lori, Miranda, Michelle, Felicia and Gina. I love all the things we have in common, and all of the things we don't. I'm honored to be a part of their families.

Finally, I'm grateful for the idea of "sisterhood". Being a woman can be tough, hard work. But I am so thankful for the beautiful, intelligent, faithful, strong, poised women that inspire me everyday.

Daily Gratitude

Today my Grandpas have been on my mind. They both were Veterans of World War Two. Richard Esplin, my mom's dad was a Marine who served in the South Pacific. Cleon Jackson, my dad's dad, was in the Army. He served in the Philippines. Also, my Great-Grandpa, Lawrence Esplin served in Europe during WWI. And now, my nephew Brock is serving in the Army. I'm so grateful for these men, and all the other men and women who have served our country. One day a year is not enough to honor their sacrifices. Even so, today, I offer a special prayer of Thanksgiving for them, their safety, and their loved ones. God Bless the USA.

Daily Gratitude

One of the greatest blessings in my life is Ryan. I sometimes think that we prove the point that opposites attract. When I was in high school, I just KNEW he was "the one" because we both liked sports and we both held our pencils awkwardly. (OK, there may have been a few other reasons). But when it comes down to personalities-we are very different. Yet, I'm so grateful for the differences. When I'm anxious and overwhelmed, he is the calm, steady one. When I can't focus on priorities, he's the one who reminds me of what's important. He makes me laugh, (A LOT) and even tolerates the few times I cry. Just being around him makes my heart happy.

PS He won't let me take his picture, so I"m left with sneaky, around-the-corner shots.

Daily Gratitude

A friend once told me that if you hear an idea, see a person, etc. THREE separate times, its a real sign that you ought to address the issue. Well, in the past week, both Heidi and Kellie have posted about gratitude, and then both speakers in church talked of gratitude. So, I think its a sign that I better lighten up and look at the many bright things in my life.
Heidi Udall is taking a picture and writing about something she is grateful for each day in the month of November. What a great idea. Even if I don't post everyday, hopefully, I will be more aware of the blessings that I have as I actively search them out.

So, for day number one: I am grateful for my kids' friends. One of the greatest blessings of living in St. Johns has been the friends that my kids have found. They add a richness to our whole family. At the same time, I'm grateful for those other parents who have welcomed my children in to their homes.

Eight Things

Felicia tagged me. . . so here goes. .

8 things
8 television shows that I watch......in no particular order
1. That 70's show reruns (its my bonding time with Cade)
2. Cold Case (bonding time with Syd)
3. FOX News (bonding time with Ryan)
4. ESPN (no real choice there, it's just on ALL THE TIME)
5. Without a Trace
6. Law and Order
7. The Unit (are you sensing a pattern)
8. This summer I watched Charmed reruns for a while

8 Favorite restaurants......
1. Any place that cooks for me, serves me, and cleans up after me. Actually, Ryan refuses to eat out most of the time, so my list will probably just be places I've actually eaten at-no matter if I liked them or not. And for your information, the number of times I've actually EATEN at these places.
2. Texas Roadhouse (1 time)
3. Outback Steakhouse (2 times)
4. Chilis (a lot, but only with my kids)
5. Olive Garden (about 6 times)
6. Panda Express (way too often-but by my own choice)
7. There's the best Chinese food restaurant in Anchorage out by Merril Field (3 times)
8. Any place that Spence and Kirstin talk Ryan into trying.


8 Favorite Singers/Bands
1. Lifehouse
2. Fall Out Boy
3. Johnny Cash
4. 3 Doors Down
5. Hinder
6. Tanya Tucker
7. Taylor Swift (corny I know)
8. Matchbox 20

8 Books I have read-heck, I could have a list of 8,000, but my some of my favorites are:
1. Gone with the Wind
2. The Outsiders
3. Where the Red Fern Grows
4. Tuesday's with Morrie
5. Lisey's Story
6. The Time Traveler's Wife
7. The Secret Life of Bees
8. Boy's Life

8 things that happened today:
1. Went walking at 5:00am
2. Installed military rule in the 7th grade.
3. Drove a kid home to his mother in the school car so that I wouldn't be accused of abuse. (ha). Actually I told his mom that I wouldn't put up with fits out of an 8th grader, and then sent him home.
4. Ate Wilbur's Chinese Food for lunch (don't ask)
5. Went to Syd's volleyball game.
6. Told the kids to eat brownies for dinner (luckily they chose yogurt instead).
7. Went to Primary Inservice
8. Sat in the car with Michelle in her driveway and tormented her kids by cell phone

8 things I am looking forward to
1. High School football play-offs start tomorrow
2. The weekend
3. Eating at Honda Casino for Thanksgiving. (Ryan and I are rebels)
4. Veteran's Day (aka a day off)
5. Climbing into my warm bed and reading a book until I fall asleep
6. A magic fairy cleaning my kitchen overnight.
7. Cortney's baby-due in January.
8. Going to Alaska with Ryan in July.

8 things I wish for
1. World Peace
2. Honest Politicians
3. I could control my sarcasm
4. That one day I would win the *&^&%Wilburs "Win what you Spend" contest.
5. The magic fairy would clean my kitchen AND do my laundry
6. A genie with three wishes.
7. I could get it together-which would involve the following: Looking like an 18 year old, having FHE regularly, a year's supply in my basement (first I would need a basement), sharing times would be prepared a year in advance, laundry would be done, I would even have the desire to do visiting teaching, my house would be paid off, the kids would happily clean their rooms each morning before scriptures... am I missing anything? Oh yeah, healthy, nutritious meals would be on the finely set table at 6:00 each evening, where we would sit as a family to share the events of the day.
8. Clean underwear for all of us on the same day.

Happy Thought #2

I learned something new. It is possible to email your cell phone pictures to yourself. You probably all knew this, but I'm a little technologically disadvantage. I was fretting about the fact that my only picture of Lauren at the North Pole (Alaska) was relegated to the tiny frame on my phone. Luckily, Sydney came to the rescue. Yea for the teenage girl!

Happy Thought #1

This past weekend, we (minus Cade) spent a few days in the Valley. Lauren didn't get to go trick-or-treating, so we paid her off by going to the zoo. She loved it. As a matter of fact, so did Syd. Ok, so did I. I got to pretend that I was a big game photographer. That explains all of the pictures. . . He may try to deny it, but I think Ryan even enjoyed it. A little. Maybe.

And my two VERY FAVORITE animals "monkeying" around.

Revelation!?

So, right after I posted my complaints, the Primary song "If you chance to meet a frown" came to my head. I don't know if I should laugh or swear.

A moment of self-pity

OK, you have to forgive me for a moment. I'm just going to rant for a minute, and then hopefully be able to move on. I'm just going through one of my-life-is-great-but-I'm-still-mad-at-the-world- times. I'm worn out, tired, discouraged, etc. etc. Nothing specific to point out, but still. Personally, I'm going to blame it on:

1)Laundry. Really girls, you all know it never ends. It's just a sick joke.
2) Politics. Enough said.
3) 7th graders. Phew. What a group we have this year.
4) Politics of a school district. As in, we don't have any solid answers for the problems of item #3. I mean really, it is turning me into a shrew. Or my new favorite word-a harpy.
5) We don't have a lounge in our building. Like we have anytime to "lounge" but it's the principle of the thing. One day I am going to do a whole expose' on the subject.
6)I had the flu over the weekend-so I just slept and threw up. Not the best way to spend your days off.
7) A general sense of "why am I worrying about all of this, I should be spending my energy on more important things, but I'm not".

All right, when I type it all out, it doesn't seem so bad. I think. I do have to add a bright note. Ryan did massive amounts of laundry while I was sick. Yea for Ryan. He is a bright spot in my day. So, really, I can't complain about the laundry. It's just a problem that is on the top of all my lists.

Now, don't fear. Tomorrow, I am promising myself that I will turn my attitude around. I just have to spit out all the venom first. Look for a new list soon. Full of all the good things in my life. (So I can prove I'm not a complete shrew/harpy).

In case your wondering, here's the definition of "harpy":

1. Gr. Myth. any of several hideous, filthy, rapacious winged monsters with the head and trunk of a woman and the tail, legs, and talons of a bird
2. a relentless, greedy, or grasping person
3. a shrewish woman
*Pick your favorite-I could resemble any one of them*