Author Archives: Amanda

Gratitude ~ Day 25

Posted on by

I stood at the counter completing my transaction, both kids standing nearby enjoying the remnants of their lunch as an after-school snack and sneaking peeks at the stickers there were given by the clerk.

Glancing around, I noticed that “flash-blind” feeling was still there – like I’d just had my picture taken and couldn’t quite see clearly yet.  I remember thinking it odd having not recalled looking up into the bright winter sky.

It wasn’t until the teller handed me my receipt and we headed through the doors, that the shimmer and blur became clearer and I knew what it was.  An aura.  I’ve only had this happen one other time, in the middle of an 8-mile run when I was training for the Detroit Half-Marathon (2010 maybe?).  I drove cautiously and we made it home without incident.

The kids were awesome helpers – taking out the dog, picking out clothes to pack, and other odd jobs.  I made dinner (nothing like strappin’ on a headlamp to see the grill in the 20-degree darkness to help the onset of a migraine!), and the steak, potatoes and veggies were delicious!  Seneca needed only a few snuggles before drifting off while Calder stayed up a little later given that he didn’t have school the next day!

Garth arrived home from his basketball game, and after getting the report from how things went, I climbed into my PJs and snuggled on the couch.  I was out like a light by about 8:30!  Thankfully, things never got really bad, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had something like that happen, and for that I’m thankful.

I’m also thankful for timestamp – which lets me post this on the right day, just to keep things simpler in my little blogging life! 🙂

GratitudeButton300x300

Gratitude ~ Day 24

Posted on by

I spent the morning, with lovely ladies in our church nursery.  There’s something fabulous about snuggling sweet babies and playing peek-a-boo, especially when it seems like just yesterday that my own kids were that age, instead of studying spelling words and practicing phonics!

Following the morning, we enjoyed a potluck and good conversation with friends before taking a literal Sunday drive through town as a family.  Calder told us about the luminary bag he colored, we waved hello at friends’ houses, and finished up with a trip to Biggby, prior to the afternoon’s big event.

Meeting back at the church, a friend and her son went with the kids and I to see a nearby high school performance of Beauty and the Beast.  I’d always heard great things about this school’s productions, and this was my first experience.  Even from our occasional obstructed view from the balcony, we were so impressed with the talent, the set, the costuming, and the all-around experience of the magic!!  I love that my kids enjoy the theater.

I love the feel of their weight leaning in as they attempt to climb up on their seat or my lap in order to see better, and the feel of their hot breath as they attempt to whisper questions or point out things they notice on the stage.  I’m grateful for friends to share the experience and for the momentary chance to be transported to another time, another place.

GratitudeButton300x300

Gratitude ~ Day 23

Posted on by

I love:

  • books that beg to be read
  • movies that bring those books to life
    • (even if the book is always better!)
  • afternoon matinées with cousins,
    • (even if they should still be 6 instead of 16!)
  • Saturday mornings spent lounging
  • and toting tubs of holiday decorations from the attic

GratitudeButton300x300

Gratitude ~ Day 22

Posted on by

Today, I had the privilege and pleasure of joining my kiddo on a field trip to learn about pioneer life and Native Americans.  Despite the light rain, it was a fabulous day and I learned a lot.

We had a great time running around trees, jumping over puddles, shaking cream to make butter, and creating our own bead bracelets.

FieldTrip1 FieldTrip2 FieldTrip3 FieldTrip4 FieldTrip6

Perhaps, the funniest part to me though, was finding Calder’s lunch in my pack when I got into the car.  I quickly jumped out of the van and waved down the third bus which was about to follow the other two in line to head back to school.  Thankfully, I caught him and left the lunch with the driver!  A quick text to Calder’s teacher and I knew he would be set to eat, while I finished up a few errands in town.  Crisis averted.

GratitudeButton300x300

Gratitude ~ Day 21

Posted on by

This week has been a bit of a blur.  I can scarcely believe it’s been four days since I drained my cell phone battery to post from my phone since we’d lost power in the midst of the crazy weather!

There’s so much that’s happened, and I’m planning to make up for lost time by recording the past few days.  But today, I’m infinitely grateful, once again, for the opportunity I’ve been given this year to stay home.  Yesterday, the school called to say that Seneca had a rash on her face and neck.  I picked her up and took her in.  No strep.  No real idea about what it might be.  The best guess is a viral infection that’s presenting with hives.

She came home and was be-bopping around most of the night.  We laid low and gave her some Benadryl before bed.  This morning, she got up and around, but really looked pretty pale and all around exhausted.  While I certainly don’t want her to be sick or get into a habit of staying home with Mom, I am so thankful for the fact that she was able to sleep in until 7:30 this morning, and then she was able to come home and sleep for another two-and-a-half hours.

I’m thankful that she could sit at the table coloring while I washed dishes, prepared homemade soup, and for the feel of her hand squeezing the measuring spoon steady as we added ingredients for homemade bread.

As embarrassing and funny as it was to hear the edge to her in voice as she berated me for having a dirty toilet.  And the number of times she kept after me to clean it, all the while never noticing that I had yet to sit for even a moment.

And don’t you now, when it came time to clean the bathroom, she was right by my side.  Sitting by and watching me clean wasn’t enough.  She wanted to know what cleaners we used for which jobs, and she wanted to do it.

There will come a day, when I ask her to clean the bathroom and the request falls on deaf ears, which is precisely why I’m so thankful for this day.  This day, when cleaning a toilet was with her mom was the highlight of her day.  Go figure!

GratitudeButton300x300