Thursday Nights

I have grown over the last several years to love Thursday nights.  On a normal school week it is our "Friday".  So it means the beginning of our weekend. You can feel the stress of the week just go away for a little while.  It is also a rare night of favorite tv shows that I can watch without stressing about losing too much sleep.  It is a simple thing but it really makes me happy.

Distractions

I am more thankful on some days more than others that I have a world full of distractions.  Can you imagine if you couldn't get distracted.  What if you were stuck in the middle of whatever you were doing until it was over - no matter what.
I think that is why it always floors me when I hear or read about someone saying how bored they are at this moment.  Really?  I just don't think they are paying attention very well.

A Computer That Tops My Lap

I cannot begin to express how thankful I am to have a laptop computer.  I love that it is so portable.  It makes me think of the Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham.  I can use it on a house, I can use it with a mouse (pun unintentional but relative), in a box, with a fox, here there or anywhere. I can use it in the dark, in the rain, on a train, with a goat, on a boat. - You get the idea.  I love that I can use my computer without being strapped to a desk.  Well, as long as the battery holds out I am good to go.

Early to Bed

I love going to bed early now.
When I was a kid, a teenager, and even a single adult, I loved to stay up late.  I wasn't responsible for anyone but myself.  Not to say that I didn't have mornings that made me regret the choice to watch a movie, read one more chapter, or stay out a little longer.  But I loved the late night and that it was mine to do with what I pleased.
Once I got married and started to have kids early bedtimes started to take on such a magical quality.First it was early bedtimes for the kids.  The heavenly state of my home in complete peace and quiet and no one demanding my attention after 8 pm.  Now my kids are old enough to get themselves to bed with only a little coaxing and it is their turn to come tuck me into bed.
I hear that when you are old you need less sleep than when you were younger.  Yeah, I don't think that is going to apply to me.

A Son Who is Willing

I am really thankful to have a son that is willing to help with things when asked.  Even at home he is really pretty good about doing what he is asked.  I don't have big drawn out arguments with him over chores or most things in general.  When asked to help with scout projects or church responsibilities he is quick to be available to help.  I know I am partial, but I know how blessed I am to have him as my son.

It's Not What I Planned to Do, But This Was Even Better

I am so thankful that I am able to be spontaneous.  It has given me some of the best experiences and memories of my life so far. It has taken me down the road, up the roller coaster, to a last minute concert and on long anticipated trips away from home. It has taught me to trust my gut, trust those I love, trust my friendships, and trust that the seat belt will do what it is supposed to do.  It has given me courage, made me laugh, made me cry, made me smile, and made me think deep thoughts.  But most of all, it has made me feel alive.

New Pillow

There is something so cathartic about getting a new pillow. I don't think I realize how bad the old pillow is until it has been retired. It really makes me question how many other things I have let go too long. You know what I'm talking about - socks, toothbrushes, bath towels, mascara, undies...

TV in Bed

I know, I know, all the fancy interior designers say no tv in the bedroom. But there is just something so decadent about curling up in my own bed, in my pjs, watching my favorite show.Decadent and free. How many things can you say that about?  And when its over I don't have to get up and go to bed. Because I'm already there.

Crackers and Cheese

What a beautiful couple crackers and cheese make. Versatile too. Soft cheese or hard. Sharp or mild. Square, round, oblong, or rectangle shaped cracker. They both just make such a fabulous combination.

Man Made Bed

My favorite thing about today was when I walked into my bedroom this morning to find that Tim had made our bed.  He rarely if ever has made our bed.  I especially  loved the artistic license he took with the placement of the decorative pillows. Not as much Better Homes and Gardens, as Classic Pillow Forts for Cats. But I love that he did it. Because I know he did it to make me happy.  And he did - more than he will ever know.

Modern Laundry

I love that I don't have to leave my house to do laundry.  I love that the machines I have are simple enough to use that it takes very little training for the kids to do their own laundry.  I love the smell of a great fabric softener or laundry soap.  I love putting on clothes fresh out of the dryer.  It is a popular request of anyone sitting on the couch to have me dump the pile of clean toasty clothes on them.  I love that the hardest part for me is getting it all folded and put away.  Not to mention that I feel no guilt catching up on my favorite shows while I fold socks.

That Smells Good

I was thinking how blessed I am that 99% of my life is associated with good smells. Whether they are natural or man made. I can't imagine what it would be like to be constantly surrounded with things that smelled horrid.  I have an especially sensitive sniffer and if something smells bad it can ruin the best situation.  On the contrary though - if something smells good it makes what ever is going on 1000% better.  I am really thankful that God put so much on this earth that smells AMAZING.

Girl Power

I am thankful for being able to work on projects with other women. Especially my sisters. There is something just amazing about how a group of women  can come together and get things done so efficiently and have so much fun doing it. One of the things I love doing most is projects with my sisters. And Linda too. Who I think is an honorary Reed girl anyway.

Road Trips

I love taking road trips with Tim. We have some of our best conversations in the car. Nothing to interrupt us. Beautiful scenery. I love being stuck in the car with him.

Hot Tamales

I love cinnamon.  I love that Tim will bring me home the occasional box of Hot Tamales candy just because or like today for a specific occasion.  I love that he thinks outside the box.  I love that when he brings me flowers it has most often been wildflowers that he has picked himself. I love that I have a little white stone sitting on the ledge above my kitchen sink in the shape of a heart that he found and brought home to me.  I love that part of why he brings me cinnamon candy is because between us it has a double meaning ; ).

Cranberry Seltzer

For as long as I can remember I have loved cranberry juice.  I love that it is zingy and tangy.  I then discovered mixing cranberry juice with seltzer water.  It is such a simple drink but so elegant at the same time. (A distinction made mostly by the choice of stemware.) And last year I got a machine that I set on my counter that I can use to make my own.  Anytime I want. (Well as long as I have water.  Which I believe I posted great amounts of gratitude for earlier in this blog.)
But really.  As a kid I would never have dreamed that I would have a machine in my kitchen that would make me soda water.  I am living the high life I tell you.

Spouse Love

Today it has been 19 years married. Almost 1/2 my life with him. Another 5 years and it will be 1/2 and after that I will have been with him longer than without him.  I love being able to talk about so many different things with him.  I love that I still miss him if we are apart for very long.  I love that he can be silly, really silly. I love that he is free with the "I love yous" and the "good morning beautifuls". I love that the things he loves about me are the things that make me crazy.  I love that HE loves ME.

Sibling Love

I am so thankful that 99% of the time my kids all love each other and get along.  I have been really blessed in that respect.  I know of many other families that have daily sibling boxing matches.  Nothing makes a mother feel like it is all worth it more than watching her children love and take care of each other.

Ice Cream Sundays

No that is not a typo.  At our house we have pizza and ice cream Sundays.  When our kids were little they tried to come up with an excuse to eat ice cream everyday.  Now don't get me wrong, I love ice cream and could eat it everyday.  But there are two problems with that - one, I am trying to set a good example to my kids to eat healthy 90% of the time so that they can eat the fun stuff too and not have guilt and unhealthy habits the rest of their lives.  And two - I don't want to become roughly the size of the broad side of a barn.  So we look forward every week to pizza and ice cream when we get home from church.  Plus the bonus of that is I don't have to cook other than popping a few pizzas in the oven.  Life is good. My ice cream is calling me.

Lazy Saturdays

I love the rare lazy Saturday when no one in the house has to be anywhere or do anything.  There is the great luxury of no time table to keep.  We usually clean leftovers out of the fridge as we feel the need to eat lunch at 2 pm or dinner at 4 pm.  My kids are all old enough that no one starves if they are left to their own devices.  I will occasionally make a suggestion that someone start their laundry or finish a chore from the day before, but for the most part we are all on our own schedule and it is fabulous!

Missionaries

I am thankful that there are young men and women that put their life on hold (including two of my sisters) to teach others about the gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ.  I am so blessed to have watched as their selflessness and dedication has changed the lives of friends and family around me. I love to have them in our home for dinner and visit with them about their own families and homes they have left to come here and teach others.  It is a noble cause now just as it was in the days of the New Testament when Jesus apostles did all they could to spread his message.  It is a message of love, and hope, and happiness.

Perspective

I don't know that there has been any day in my life that I have not been thankful for the gift of perspective. Not only my own, but the effort I make each day of trying to understand the perspective of others. It helps me take a breath and step back from something that at first sight may have appeared to be really, really, bad.  But at second glance is just a bump in the road.  But the best thing it has done for me is to help me embrace the beautiful and happy moments that really matter, no matter how small.  Because perspective has taught me that those are what I will cling to and fall back on when I am trying to drive over a speed bump.

Daughters - mine or borrowed

I attended New Beginnings tonight (it's a Mormon thing for young women for those of you wondering).  It was a great program talking about the beautiful creatures that we as women, (young and and a little bit older than young) are in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.  We are reminded of the value of integrity, faith, virtue, choice and accountability, good works, knowledge, divine nature, and individual worth.  These are things the world seems to forget have value on a daily basis and tries to convince our daughters of as well.
I am so thankful for my own two daughters and for the friends they have that I get to adopt from time to time.  I am thankful for their sweet spirits in our home everyday.  I am thankful for their innate sense of nurturing and caring about others. I am thankful most for the fact that they have other people in their lives besides me that remind them each day just how fabulous they are -
 just as they are.

Unexpected Alias

I have never really thought about getting or needing an alias.  But needed or not, I have acquired 3 of them.  The one I am known by really is determined by the crowd I am in.  If they are in the 15-18 year old bracket I am known as "Hannah's mom", the Jr high crowd refers to me as "Luke's mom" and the tweens that frequent our house or see me in public know me as "Elizabeth's mom".  I don't know that I could have chosen a better alias.  I am proud to use each and every one of them.  What will throw me is when the high school crowd starts calling me "Elizabeth's mom".

Good Mood Biscuits

I have always loved biscuits. They are light and flakey and oh so filling at the same time. I love then with honey and butter, with jam and butter, or just plain butter. (I know you see a pattern here.) My mother made great biscuits, I have seen my sister make beautiful biscuits like it was nothing.  I am in the process if trying to perfect my biscuits. I think part of the secret is to sift all the dry ingredients together and not to take out any of my frustrations on the dough. You aren't supposed to "punch" down biscuit dough like you do with bread dough. You are supposed to gently persuade it to become light and fluffy. Somedays are biscuit making days, and some are definitely bread making days.

Superwha?

Today, as I have been for the last almost 19 years of marriage I am SO thankful that I am married to a man that does not follow basketball or football.  SO THANKFUL.  There are no debates over team loyalty or questionable refereeing. No half dressed cheerleaders. No money spent on team apparel. No parties with sports themed food.  The house is peaceful and quiet on a Sunday evening.  The only thing I have ever liked about the Superbowl is some of the commercials. And I can watch all commercials on YouTube tomorrow. 

That Really IS Good Medicine

I love that there is this thing that exists called comedy.  The fact that other people want to go out of their way to make me laugh.  Even little kids with their "can I tell you a joke".  And some of those are FUNNY.  I have for as long as I can remember loved the "laughter the best medicine" section in the Reader's Digest.  Other people choose to scare me, or perplex me, or just plain shock me.  But I truly appreciate someone trying to make me laugh so hard I am afraid I will pee my pants.  Laugh so hard that my face hurts and I look like I am crying.  I love that there are things I can read, or watch, or listen to that are always so classically funny that on a really bad day - can make it all just go away.

Restaurants

One of my life's luxuries is going out to eat. I love trying new foods and eating favorites again. I love having somewhere besides church to wear jewelry and my nicer clothes, and a little color on my lips. I love sitting with my husband and talking about grownup stuff. But most of all I like that I can sit  down at the table not having planned 8 hours earlier what I was going to eat. Have someone else to make it, having someone else serve it, (get to eat hot food), and refill my drink before I realize it is almost empty. Then I get to get up and leave the dirty dishes just sitting on the table.
There is no way this is as exciting to men as it is to women.