30 Days of Thankfulness Day 29

Today I am thankful that some people are already possibly interested in our house so our lease may get taken over soon!!! Keep your fingers crossed! I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much, but it happened really fast, which means others may follow. HOORAY!!!

30 Days of Thankfulness Day 25-28

Oh, who am I kidding? This has been way too crazy a month to actually blog each day! Here we go:

Day 25: Today is Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my husband. I can never say enough about how amazing this man is. When we were dating and decided to get engaged and married, I thought I knew how wonderful he was/is and that we were perfect together. But, you know, the longer we're married and the more time that passes, the more I realize that it was God who knew we should be together and created us to be a family together. He was intervening the day that we met. Little did we know.... Nelson is a fantastic father and an amazing husband. I love being married to him and I love raising a child with him. He is the most understanding husband of a mother. He has never resented any time that I spend with Kalaya vs him. He is always willing to let me get some time to myself if I need it. He has been so supportive and understanding on all of the decisions we made about parenting. HE was the one who suggested co-sleeping and exclusively nursing, never forcing her to cry it out and always felt that we have years and years alone, so why waste time away from our kids now?? We totally understand each other as parents and were meant to be parents together. He is romantic and thoughtful, kind and considerate and there are so many things about him that other wives would be incredibly jealous of and probably not believe. : )

Day 26: Today I am thankful it is Black Friday!!! I have never done this before, this was my first year. I have several friends who do this every year, so I decided to start. I was really organized. The ads get leaked several days in advance, so I was able to plan my shopping very precisely. (thank you internet!!) I narrowed it down to Toys R Us, Target, Kohl's, Burlington Coat Factory, and K Mart. Toys R Us actually opened on Thanksgiving at 10pm this year, which my friend Sarah and I attempted to visit at opening. YIKES!! We decided to go back at 1 instead and we walked right in. They had the items we wanted (play kitchens for our girls) and a couple of extras. My husband and most of the other people I know think we were/are crazy, because it took 2 1/2 hours of waiting in line at just one store. But, I was with a friend that I can talk to for hours, so it went really fast actually and we got GREAT deals. By the time we were done at Toys R Us, Kohl's and Target had opened, so we went there. I finished off with K Mart, but she didn't need to go there. I got almost all of my shopping done for Christmas and I saved SOOOOO much money. I am totally doing it again next year, it's addicting!!

Day 27: Today I am thankful for moving day!!! We loaded up the truck, moved some stuff to mom and dad's and put the rest in storage. The move actually went really quickly and easily. I felt like I had planned and packed really well. Now as soon as we get that lease taken care of, we can start saving for that down payment!!!

Day 28: Today I am thankful for my extended family. It's so nice that all of Kalaya's grandparents are nearby and that she gets to see them often. Today we drove down to see Nelson's family to have Thanksgiving dinner. It's always a big group and lots of people, which is neat, because my side of the family is just my parents here in town. Everyone loves Kalaya and she gets lots of attention and affection.

30 Days of Thankfulness Day 24

Today I am thankful for an income. Actually 3, though the 2 that I get are not large. I find myself focusing so much on how much money that I wish we had. I need to take more time to realize just how blessed we are. We are lucky to have an income from Nelson's job that can support our family with me as a stay at home mom. We always have more than enough and can get extras when we want them. I am able to earn an income from our church and from being a nanny which allows me to be with my daughter at home. We have always been able to pay our bills on time and we have good credit to rely on for unexpected things, like car repairs or doctor's visits. Luckily, we've never had anything too major.

Today is payday and even though we complain that most of it goes right to bills, especially rent, we are lucky to be able to pay for all of those things. They provide us with a nice house, a car, insurance (car and health), food, clothes, and plenty of extras like cable, phones and internet. Hopefully, someone else will want our nice home soon, so that they can take over our lease. : ) Not a complaint, just hope.

We are rich in so many ways and have never truly needed anything. And, we are even MORE blessed, since Nelson's new job means an increase in pay and relocating to my parent's house, which allows us to pay off the (small) credit card debt we have started to accumulate (moving costs, etc) really quickly and allows us to save up to buy a house. We are blessed!!

30 Days of Thankfulness Day 23

Today I am thankful for the SNOW! It's so pretty and magical. Of course, it's easy for me to say that, I don't have to drive in it or worry about the ice. And now the sun is out and the temperature is still below freezing, but I get to enjoy it from inside my house with heating. I brought a snow ball into the house for Kalaya to see and we'll go out in it for a little while today. She liked the snow ball and didn't act like it was cold at all. She carried it all over the house and kept rubbing it on her face. Silly girl!

30 Days of Thankfulness Day 18-22

Wow, blogging every day is more of a commitment than I realized! I take that back. Blogging every day while packing for a move in only a couple of weeks is harder than I thought. There are boxes all over my house and we've taken several loads over to our newly acquired storage unit. The truck is reserved for this Saturday, so this week is full of last minute packing. We are supposed to have everything gone and clean by the 6th, so I am not worrying about cleaning. AT ALL actually. It's really hard to motivate myself to clean regular things, because I know I have to do a giant deep clean soon, so why bother?? No one can come to my house, the bathrooms and floors are disgusting. Anyway, here goes on 30 days....

Day 18: Today I am thankful for Kalaya's increasing vocabulary. I can't believe how many words she has picked up! Every day she says more and more. I can't even list them all, but some recent ones are: all done, there he is!, church, circle, apple, uncle and baby. She is such a talker!

Day 19: Today I am thankful for my Mom. My mom is truly amazing and I have nothing but respect for her. I love her so much! In the time since I left for college, our relationship has especially grown. Probably because we have so much in common now; teachers, education majors, mothers, and stay at home moms. We've had some amazing experiences to get to know each other even better, especially our 2 week tour of Europe in 2005 and teaching at the same school together in 2008. And, now we're going to be living together again, which I'm looking forward to, because we get to spend time together and walk our dogs together again. When we're together, we talk non-stop and no one else can get a word in. One amazing thing (of many) about my mom is how she has overcome, no CONQUERED cancer. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2003 and it didn't seem to phase her in the least. (though, I know it did) She did all of her chemo treatments on Fridays and was back teaching Kindergarten every Monday morning. When her white blood cell count dropped, she continued teaching with a surgical mask on every day. She never complained and has been cancer free for so long know that I honestly forget she had it. People I haven't seen in a while ask me 'how's your mom?' with that look of sympathy and I get so confused, until I remember, oh right!! She's doing fantastic. I always remember my mom at every sporting event, every recital, every play or parent's night. My mom is the kind of woman I've tried not to be (as a teenager), but am so glad that I have become so much like her. I love our relationship and I love her!

Day 20: Today I am thankful for my brother, because today is his birthday! He is turning 26. I love my brother. He will always be my little brother, even though he is now 6' 6". We don't always agree on everything and we've had some good fights over the years, but overall, we have definitely had a great relationship our whole lives. I have so many memories of us over the years. We would never have admitted we were best friends as kids, but we always were able to get along and play together. We had some great experiences that we experienced together throughout childhood; camping in the redwoods, going to the lake and on the boat at Ma Ma and Pa Pa's house, making haunted houses in the bathroom, playing crossing guard, SPUD, pretending to pack and play 'going on the airplane', Tang sales, bike riding, playing Home Alone, and so many more. As we got older, we got closer and our activities got were a bit different; shopping together, late night talks in the hot tub, cheering for each other at sporting events, brudda and sista everything! Even though he is a grown man serving in the Army and who has a 2 1/2 year old daughter, he is still my little brother that I feel protective of. It's (very) hard knowing that he makes his own decisions and that he no longer comes to me for advice for everything from girls to clothes. I've had to let him go and know that he will do the right things and that everything will work out for the best. But, he will always be that little boy with the big glasses and the 3 cowlicks. Or the awkward middle schooler with glasses, acne and braces. (sheesh, we never stood a change, I had the same traits) Or sometimes I think of him as the uber-Christian track star who started gaining confidence in himself as he overcame those glasses and acne and got those braces off and started to reinvent himself with piano and singing. I'm really proud of the man he's become and I hope he knows that I love him.

Day 21: Today I am thankful for my Daddy. Growing up, I always called myself a daddy's girl. I have always had a very good relationship with my dad, even as I've grown older and we don't always see eye to eye on things in this world. : ) We've always been able to talk openly and honestly about almost any thing together. My dad has been a wonderful provider for our family and has accomplished a lot. He worked so that my mom could be home with my brother and I, which we are all very thankful for. He taught me so many things over the years; from how to throw a softball and shoot a basket to different lessons of the Bible and help with math homework. He always worked a fair distance away from home, but he made it to so many sporting events and other activities we participated in. He exposed us to music through his participation in church choirs (and still does). He instilled the trait in me that it didn't matter what others think, maybe too much some times, since both of us get in trouble for our mouths and tempers. But, I know that my inner strength and confidence in myself was from my dad and his positive words over the years. I'm incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities both of my parents have provided for me and I love them both very much.

Day 22: Today I am thankful for Elmo and Sesame Street, both of which allow me to get 45 minutes (not in a row, but it's better than nothing) of packing and cleaning. I hate that I'm using the TV as a babysitter, but it's not as though I'm ignoring her. And, it's Sesame Street, at least it's educational!! This habit will change after the move. : )

30 Days of Thankfulness: Wife Edition

Today, I am thankful for my beautiful wife! (Actually, every day I'm thankful, but that's beside the point.) There are many reasons of course (newest reason: skinny jeans), but I had my iPod on shuffle the other day and this song came on, and every time I hear it, I think about how grateful I am for her to be willing to marry me fifteen years ago, or however long ago it was.

It's kind of a strange thought, because the song itself is about a person who is dying (note: I'm not dying; or at least I hope not) and is reflecting upon their life fondly, but wistfully. Or at least that's how I interpret it. The part which resonates with me the most is the 'chorus,' if you can call it that, because it makes me think about how I need to always remember to tell her how much she means to me. It's very short, and very simple, which not only describes me perfectly, but gets right to the point:

Did I say that I need you?
Did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see,
No one knows this more than me
As I come clean

Not even kidding, that line gets me choked up every time. Granted, I am a big sack of sappiness, but still. Sometimes it's hard for me to express any emotion, and it can be easier when someone else does it for me. So thanks Eddie Vedder (and Pearl Jam), for writing something that I could see myself saying when I'm dying of old age in the year 2100. Here's the whole song (which, by the way, is called 'Just Breathe,' if you'd like to give it a listen):

Yes, I understand that every life must end, ah
As we sit alone, I know someday we must go, ah
Oh I'm a lucky man, to count on both hands
the ones I love...
Some folks just have one,
yeah, others, they've got none, ah

Stay with me...
Let's just breathe.

Practiced are my sins, never gonna let me win, ah
Under everything, just another human being, ah
Yeah, I don't wanna hurt, there's so much in this world
to make me believe...

Stay with me...
You're all I see.

Did I say that I need you?
Did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see,
No one knows this more than me.
As I come clean.

I wonder every day as I look upon your face, ah
Everything you gave and nothing you would take, ah

Nothing you would take
Everything you gave...

Did I say that I need you?
Oh, did I say that I want you?
Oh, if I didn't I'm a fool you see,
No one knows this more than me.
As I come clean, ah

Nothing you would take...
Everything you gave.
Love you till I die...
Meet you on the other side.

(Side note: I am 99% sure Kelly hates this song...which is hilarious to me.)

30 Days of Thankfulness Day 16 and 17

Day 16: Today I am thankful for musicals! I think I have always been around musicals, especially if you count Disney movies. I remember listening in my grandfather's car to the Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack from a very young age. I've always known the songs from Mary Poppins. I wanted to be Annie, one of the Von Trapp children and Dorthy. My parents made sure we were exposed to theater at a youth and I'm SO grateful for it. We lived in Chico, California, which had this awesome 'light opera' and community theater that ran 4 shows each season and my parents bought tickets for each season. It wasn't anything fancy, but at that age, we thought it was great! I plan to take our kids to community theater when they're old enough. I saw so many shows that I wouldn't have seen otherwise: My Fair Lady, The Wizard of Oz, Annie, Jesus Christ Superstar, and so many more. As I got older, I got to see professional, Broadway level shows such as Phantom of the Opera (3 times!), The Lion King (twice, including once ON Broadway), Beauty and the Beast (same), Chicago, Wicked, Movin' Out, Peter Pan, and more that I can't remember. I've been to countless school plays and have been involved in theater productions through out my life. I really miss it and am planning to start looking back into it, once we get settled after the move and have more options available! Truly, I believe life should be one big musical. And, all of a sudden Fox came out with a TV SHOW that has a musical every week!! Fantastic. Glee, you were a few years too late, but I love you anyway!!

Day 17: Today I am thankful that we found a place to store items at a reasonable price and have the U Haul reserved. I feel like I'm on track with packing and feel fairly organized. I just have to remember to check in and around each box before taping it shut, because my 'helpful' 18 month old likes to add things to the boxes and take others out. : )

30 Days of Thankfulness Day 15

Today I am thankful for Mondays. I used to hate Mondays and dread them. I see people on Facebook every Monday morning stressed and complaining. But, now that I'm a stay-at-home-mom, I love Mondays! Our weekends are usually pretty busy and Sundays always start earlier than other days, so Monday is the day to recover. It's always nice to have Monday to recharge and (usually) catch up on cleaning, laundry and down time. Mondays are usually very mellow and pleasant. A lot of Mondays Kalaya and I stay in our pjs until the afternoon and just veg. I realize that when we have a second child, life will not be so simple. I also did not have such a simple time in Kalaya's first year. And, when she's teething or sick, I still have tough days. But, so far 18 months is a very pleasant age. She's old enough to entertain herself and play for long periods of time, but still needs a mommy enough that I feel special. I probably just jinxed it, but oh well. Today and next Monday are a bit more crazy, because I'm packing boxes and cleaning, but still nice and calm. Sorry Garfield, I like Mondays!!

30 Days of Thankfulness Day 14

Today I am thankful to be 28!! Yay for fun birthdays! I had a very nice day, starting with a birthday blessing at church, a nice afternoon with my parents, my husband taking me shopping, dinner with good friends with yummy food, a home made birthday cake and an unexpected, perfect gift in the mail from my wonderful aunt; THE SOUND OF MUSIC SOUNDTRACK AND THE BLUE RAY SPECIAL EDITION!!

And, I 100% believe that birthday wishes come true and I made a good one!!!

18 Months old

(she took this picture herself, which she loves to do)

Well, my baby is now a year and a half old! If the first year went by way too fast, this year is going at warp speed. I cannot believe we are starting to prepare for the holidays!!

Miss Kalaya had her 18 month appointment on Monday. She is a healthy girl, developing as she should! The doctor said she looked great. She is 32 inches tall (61st percentile), 21 lbs 10 oz (13th percentile) and has a head circumference of 19 inches (91st percentile). It's really weird how they slow down on growth in their second year. She has been in 18 month clothes for so long compared to all of the other sizes she's worn in the past.

Her vocabulary has absolutely exploded! She says so many words! We tried to write them all down, but lost track around 35 or 40, not counting all of the signs that she knows too. She's gotten to the point where she will try to repeat words back that we model. She has started using 2 word phrases and is attempting sentences. She says things like 'all done', 'what's that?', 'there he/she is!', and will try saying sentences such as dada?....car...bye bye if I tell her during the day that Daddy is at work. It's pretty amazing to see!

It's gotten to the point where it's hard for me to list all of the new things she's doing, it's hard to keep track! I'll add to this as I think of more!