A Month of Gratitude: Day 30

I am grateful for all my blessings and a chance to count them. It's easy to forget how good I have it. Life can get stressful. Life can be hard -- even in the best of situations. But things can always be worse. Many people have suffered great losses in the past year -- to natural disasters, to unnatural circumstances and to just plain old bad luck. I know that I am lucky to have the things I have. I am especially lucky to have people in my life that would support me and help me if I lost those things.

This exercise of a month of gratitude has really made me see how wonderful my life is. I need to carry this feeling forward throughout the new year and beyond.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 29

I am grateful for a wonderful Thanksgiving.

The food was good -- always grateful for someone else cooking. The food was plentiful -- grateful that we always have enough to eat. The company was good -- always grateful for the love of my family.

And the faces were silly. I'm always grateful for laughter.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 28

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am grateful for my family. We're a little bit of a mixed bunch and we've had some losses that hurt pretty badly. But also some recent additions that have brought a lot of happiness.

Maybe becoming a mom myself has made me appreciate my family a lot more. Whatever the reason, I'm glad that I have gotten closer to them. I can't imagine not having these wonderful people to spend the holiday with.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 27

I am grateful for rest. I am grateful for relaxing days filled with laughter and the people I love. I am grateful for deep, restful nights in a comfortable place.

This picture has nothing to do with rest. It's just a cute smile.

I am grateful for a restful visit with my family. They are totally worth the long drive.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 26

I am grateful for helpful people -- whether they are friends, family or strangers.

There is plenty of ugliness in the world, so I really appreciate people who go out of their way to be nice. It may sound overly simple, but it seems like it's easier for a lot of people to be mean or at least indifferent.

From little gestures like a warm smile or holding the door to really big favors and gifts, there's nothing quite like true kindness.

A Month of Gratitude: Days 24 and 25

We’ve been on the road for the past couple of days. I am grateful for hotels with indoor pools. Milo loves the water. We need to get him some swimming lessons again. He took lessons way back when he was 9 months old, but I don’t think he remembers anything from that time. He’s confident in the water but can’t really get the hang of floating or swimming. But he sure has fun trying.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 23

I am thankful for the interstate highway system. Without it, getting back east to see family would be a long and arduous trip -- think covered wagon train.

"Although the Interstate System accounts for about 1.1 percent of the Nation's total public road mileage, it carries 24 percent of all highway travel. " - The Eisenhower Interstate Highway System Web site Interstate Fact of the Day

Sure, we could fly. But it's pretty pricey to fly the three of us, especially now that Milo needs a seat of his own. And we wouldn't get to see other family along the way.

Traveling with a 2-year-old is always an adventure, but thank goodness for clean rest stops and safe roads.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 22

I am grateful for my dad. I know I don't always appreciate him. And we don't always see eye to eye. But he's my dad and he worked hard to earn money to raise four kids. And we four kids turned out OK. We all have great kids ourselves so we must have learned something from him.

Daddy's girl

He had a stroke several years ago. I think it changed him in inexplicable ways. I often forget what it was like before. I do remember we had a pretty good childhood -- with both parents around. It was a pretty traditional - "normal" - family life. And for that, I'm grateful.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 21

I am grateful for today's snow. Yes, really. I'm sure in a few months, I'll be complaining that I'm sick of winter, the cold and the snow. But today, I'm thankful for the snow. Our area really needs the moisture. And, besides that, it's awful purdy.
 

It can totally go away by tomorrow though so we can drive to see my family.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 20

I am thankful for the ease of my life. I may complain a lot but I know I have it pretty good. I live in a country that doesn't imprison or kill people for their race or religion. I personally haven't had to endure a major storm or other catastrophe (knock wood). I have good health -- for the most part. I have a healthy child. The S.O. has a good paying job, and we have a good relationship.

Sometimes I forget how good I have it. I'm not saying people should never complain -- you can't just bottle everything up and be a Pollyanna. But counting our blessings is a good exercise. We all have things -- big and small -- for which to be grateful.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 19

Today, I am grateful for family movies that aren't awful. I know I will watch many terrible kids' and family movies over the course of Milo's childhood. So, I am extremely grateful for the likes of "Monsters University."  Which we watched over the weekend and all thoroughly enjoyed -- with the exception of one scene that proved a little too scary for a 2 1/2-year-old.

Up until recently, the S.O. and I have been able to pick out the shows and movies we watch with Milo. Lately, the boy has been insisting on certain TV shows -- some much better than others. At least with the TV shows, they last 20 minutes or so. Movies can go on and on. I am grateful for the ones that try to entertain kids and parents alike. I am grateful for the ones that don't rely solely on poop jokes and the ones that assume kids and parents are somewhat intelligent even if they don't always share the same tastes.

There are certainly worse things in the world than bad movies, but a good movie is one of life's true pleasures.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 18

I am grateful for my gym and the time to go there.

I hurt my back at the very beginning of summer. It's been a long, slow recovery, and I still have to be careful of how much I do and how I do it. I have been getting to the gym about four or five days a week. It's great to feel almost normal again but I miss the classes I was taking. Still, I am grateful that I am able to work out at all. I'm glad I wasn't hurt so badly that I'm still laid up. I've been getting stronger and am starting to feel more like my pre-back-injury self.

The last few months have been stressful for several reasons. Having the gym to escape to has been wonderful. Milo gets time with friends. I get time to myself. And I've even made some gym friends at my aqua Zumba class.

I don't know if I'll ever get back to the fitness level I was before Milo came along but I sure appreciate the opportunity to try.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 17

I am thankful for easy Sunday mornings. I am grateful for a significant other who will let me sleep in while he takes care of our son. I am grateful for that same guy cooking us breakfast and cleaning up the mess. I am truly grateful for a break. I love my son more than words can say but it's so nice to get some time to myself.

My adorable little handful.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 16

I am grateful that I get to spend Thanksgiving with my family in Illinois. It's been more than a year since I've seen most of my family back "home." My lovely niece was out here to visit this summer. And I got to go back to see my nephew graduate from high school last May. That was the last time I saw two of my brothers and their families. And it's been longer than that since I saw my brother who lives in Michigan. We haven't seen him and his family since Thanksgiving two years ago. We need to remedy that.

I don't think Milo really remembers his aunts and uncles because he said, "I can't see Uncle Jim. He's mad at me." What's that about?

It's been too long since we've spent time with my side of the family. I'm thankful we get to see them soon. They are all going to get big ol' bear hugs.

"I'm strong!"

A Month of Gratitude: Day 15

I am grateful for many things we don't often think about. It's easy to take conveniences for granted, but today, I am thankful for grocery stores. I'm especially thankful for pre-cooked meals at the grocery store. The leftovers I planned to cook last night turned into a disaster. I guess some things are not meant to be refrigerated and reheated. Never mind what it was supposed to be, it came out a gloppy mess.

The S.O. ran to the store and bought chicken and mashed potatoes from the deli area at the grocery store. We added a vegetable, and dinner was ready in a few minutes with no tears (well, just a few).

I am really thankful I don't have to grow my own food and butcher my own meat. I could if I had to but I am so glad I don't have to.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 14

I am grateful for our public library system.

I have loved books my entire life. I am trying to instill a love of book in Milo too. It seems to be working. The library is such a big part of that task because it would be silly to buy every book we read to the boy. Some of the books we check out are big hits -- big enough that we do end up buying him the book. Some are huge flops and only get read once before being returned. We have discovered new authors and rediscovered books that the S.O. and I loved as kids. We have learned that Milo especially likes books about dinosaurs, aliens, robots and any kind of transportation. (He's such a boy!)

Without the library, we would probably be stuck reading the same books over and over and over. I think even a 2-year-old gets tired of hearing how a dinosaur loves his dog after a while. Or, we would have invested a small fortune in buying books -- many that would just collect dust. The same goes for the S.O. and me. We check out at least a couple books each every month, some enjoyed, some returned unread.

We often take the library for granted but I really am grateful for it.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 13

I am grateful for the people who are helping me raise my son. No, not my family members -- although I am extremely grateful for them -- but the people outside my family who help out all the time. Mainly, I'm talking about the people at The Little Gym (especially Lisa, Valerie and Caitlin) and VillaKids, the kids' club at my gym.

We've been going since Milo was a wee babe, and the folks at these two gyms have helped so much in his development, both socially and physically.

The Little Gym has given both Milo and me a place to make friends and burn off energy. It's also taught Milo how to follow directions and work and play with other kids.

Milo accepts a medal on "show day" at The Little Gym

VillaKids gives me time to work out and recharge while giving Milo a place to play without Mommy hovering over him. They also teach songs and games and give him a chance to socialize with other kids -- again, without Mommy supervision. One of the best parts is that the folks at VillaKids continually tell me how well behaved Milo is. Something I don't always see.

I'm pretty sure The Little Gym and VillaKids have helped me be a better mom -- and allowed Milo and I time away from each other so our time together can be more relaxed.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 12

I am grateful for my friends.

Some of my friends I have had for a very long time. We may not see each other all that often -- hardly at all, in some cases -- but when we see each other or chat, it's just like old times.

Then I have some of my friends I've known just a short time. Still, sometimes it feels like we've know each other forever. It's great to make a new friend who really gets you -- or at least let's you be yourself around her.

I count myself extremely lucky to have a handful of friends who feel like family -- people who know they can call or text any time and I'll be there for them because I love them that much. While I am most grateful for those friends, I am thankful for all the folks in my life I call friends.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 11

Today is Veterans Day. I am grateful for people who have served in the military and for those who are currently serving.

My dad was in the Air Force long before I was born so I have no idea what it's like to grow up in a military family. But I have friends and extended family who do. I remember hearing about my cousins who lived in Germany. They probably weren't there all that long but it seemed like I never saw them until they were grown up. I have friends who spend long months away from their spouses and children in service to our county. I know plenty of people who have made big sacrifices to be in the Army and Air Force -- or to be married to people serving. I am grateful for them because I don't know if I could make the same sacrifices they do. And until the people of the world can figure out how to get along and stop blowing each other up, some of us will have to make sacrifices and fight for our country.

A Month of Gratitude: Day 10

I am grateful to have had the mom I had. I miss her constantly and wish she could have met Milo. I wish Milo could have known her the way my nieces and nephews did. Still, I'm grateful for the time I had with her. I am grateful for the things she taught me about being a mom. I am grateful for the things I learned just from knowing her and watching her. I am grateful for the how she raised my brothers and me -- the values she instilled in us. I am grateful I had her as a role model for the kind of mom I want to be.

Mom and the S.O. on my 40-something birthday