Thankful Thursday: Momma Kisses

Today I'm thankful that momma kisses still fix things for Gabe. He has a massive crush on a little girl who was in his class last year and participates in his writers group after school. He woke up and said "I don't want to go to school today Mom" I asked him why and he just said "I don't" I finally got him to tell me what was wrong...turns out the love of his life (sweet sweet boy, this is only the start of loves of your life) has a boyfriend. (Oh the humanity)

He came to me sniffling for a hug. I patted his back and gave him a kiss and he cried a bit more, then he stood up, collected himself and said "Ok, time for school"

I only hope his heartbreaks are this easy to cure in the future.

Thankful Thursday: Friends

Tonight as I text and sit on facebook (gosh I'm exciting) I am reminded of how lucky we are to have such fantastic friends. Friends who are here for us when we're happy, sad, celebrating, moaning and complaining, just in general pretty fabulous people. Not sure how we got so lucky but here we are :) I

Thankful Thursday: School

I am so so thankful that school started this week...and so are Gabe and Bits as seen in the photo below. The only one NOT thankful for school is Betsy, also noted in a photo below ;)

Thankful Thursday: My Little Nurse

I had to have a tooth pulled today; it's been giving me issues for a while now and I finally bit the bullet and made the appointment and actually did NOT back out of it. (As I did my last one)

So Bits is very interested in teeth; if she doesn't become a dentist I'll be quite surprised. Our dentist is super sweet and explains everything and let her watch Gabe's last cleaning in depth so that she knew what he was doing. Today she told me she'd definitely be going with me to my appointment in case it hurt. She said "I will just hug you tight if it hurts too much"

Off we went to the appointment, and yes, it hurt because duh, having a tooth pulled hurts ;) She talked to me and asked the dentist questions about what I should do when I go home and was a big help.

Tonight since the numbing meds have worn off, she's been the most attentive nurse ever. Bringing me an ice pack, gauze, and anything else she thinks I need. In fact, as I was sitting here getting ready to type up this entry, she hugged me, put her hand on my cheek gently and said "I'll sleep with you tonight momma so if you need your ice pack or anything I can just get it, then you don't have to get out of bed"

Such a little sweet pea my Bitsy girl and I'm so thankful for her :)

Thankful Thursday: New Beginnings

Today I am especially thankful for new beginnings; the first of the year always brings such promise about what the next 365 days of the year can be like. This year I didn't make many resolutions; in fact, I think the only one I made was to focus on myself more. That probably seems selfish but the truth of the matter is, I can't take care of other people if I don't take care of myself. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes (which was NOT a huge surprise, but still sucks) and my doc told me it was time to start focusing on myself and my health more. I need to be around for my kids as they grow older, I need to be around for Geo as WE grow older. There's no excuse for putting myself on the back burner anymore-clearly it wasn't working that way so I'm trying something new. I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to make that change and thus it begins...

Thankful Thursday: Flowers

Today I'm especially thankful for springtime and flowers! Bits and I did a little bit of planting today which is always good for a mood boost!

Thankful Thursday: Sunshine

I'm thankful that yesterday was nearly 60 degrees and sunny. We needed a mood boost and that did it, especially since it's only about 35 degrees and overcast today. I was able to open windows and hang laundry on the line yesterday-all the blankets smell like a fresh breeze and made sleeping just a bit easier last night, with dreams of spring in our minds.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday: Hodge Podge

Hmm, I'm having a hard time focusing on just one thing for thankful Thursday. It's a hodge-podge of things, so here we go.

I'm thankful that on this day many years ago, my mother in law gave birth to Geo's little brother Joey. Even if he's not with us anymore, we still have a lot of great memories of him and it's great to see his spirit live on in his nieces and nephews.

I'm thankful for perceptive children, Bits in particular, has been really picking things up lately and amazing me with them. We had a long conversation the other night about grandparents (not the first time we've had a convo like this) and after she said "I'm sorry your grandparents got dead" (side note: how freaking cute is that?) she wrapped her arms around me and patted my back. She then told me she couldn't wait to go to the clouds because that's where her Uncle lived and she has pictures of memories of him (which I just love-what a way to describe pictures!) and he was so cute and she can't wait to meet him. I'd like to think that she and Joey would have gotten along famously, being that they are both so dramatic and used their looks to get out of trouble on more than one occasion!

I'm thankful for our neighbor's daughter who happens to be in the second grade with Gabe. They've become fast friends and today they had a play date together. Not only do she and Gabe get along well (they're pretty much mirror images of one another; she asked for an apple, told me tv rots your brain AND said she loves to read...and even likes Calvin and Hobbes-something Gabe was just in awe about) she and Bits got along very very well too. Friends are a good thing :)

I'm thankful for words being fluid; yes, yes you can never take something back once it's said, but you can make it better. The boss of the woman who was so rude last week to me apologized profusely and I feel much better. I was over it last week, but it's nice to know that we are seeing doctors who refuse to tolerate such ignorance.

and then in no particular order, I'm thankful for music, reese's peanut butter cups, new babies, diet coke (he he) and long conversations with my dad.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday: Perspective

My mom is a cancer survivor; when I was 16 she was diagnosed with cervical and ovarian cancer. It's been 15 years and she's cancer free and healthy. When I was first going through Gabe's diagnosis and so angry and just wanted to know WHY me? WHY  Gabe? Why why why why!??! My mom's answer was "why NOT you? why NOT Gabe?"

I was confused until she explained. She said "Chris, someone has to make up the statistics, SOMEONE has to be the 1 in 10 that spina bifida has to happen to and rather then saying 'why me' perhaps you ought to be asking why NOT me? When it comes down to it, things happen and that's that. Why did this happen to you guys? Maybe because you have access to excellent doctors and you and Geo are equipped to handle something like this rather than a single teenage mother. Maybe because you'll love this child regardless of his abilities rather than just having an abortion. Maybe because nothing, maybe because sometimes shit happens and you deal with it. So stop dwelling on the why me's and work on taking care of this situation. Do your research, find your support groups, stop your crying and get busy"

And you know what? She was right. Why NOT me? Does it suck to be the 1 in 10 (or whatever your statistic might be) YES of course it does...but think of all the other things you aren't dealing with...there are so many other people who are so much worse off than you no matter how dire your circumstances are. So go out there, do your research, find your support and GET BUSY!

(Thanks Mom, you really DO know best ♥)

Thankful Thursday

Sometimes when it seems like everything all at once is going kind of crappy, it's a good idea to sit back and really be thankful for what you have...

I've been to the dentist twice in three days over one stinkin' tooth, rather than dwell on it, I'm thankful that we have EXCELLENT dental care and immediate access to a dentist so that I can have it taken care of.

The trunk lock on the car is stuck shut and not only is there a brand new bottle of antifreeze in there that we need, there are three giant pumpkins the kiddos didn't get to carve because they're stuck HOWEVER I'm thankful that we have a car that runs well, keeps us warm in the winter, and cool in the summer.

Geo is working 12 hour shifts overnight, we aren't seeing him much lately but I'm so thankful that in this time of economic hardship for SO many people that Geo is working and able to provide for us.

A lot of my friends are struggling right now, whether it's emotionally, physically, financially, what have you-while simply being thankful won't make these things go away, they will help ease the burden, so I'd like to encourage you to be thankful and MEAN it-make a list of all the bad crap and then next to each awful thing, put it into perspective and say something you're thankful for.

Thankful Thursday

It's chilly out today, so I'm especially thankful for fleece blankets and sweaters. I'm also thankful for a dinner I didn't have to make myself, good company at said dinner AND a super cheap check for that dinner because of a free dinner gift certificate :) As I am quite often, I'm thankful for Geo's job providing us with such amazing insurance so that we can see the doctors and specialists we need WHEN we need to see them.

What are you thankful for today? How are you doing on the physical thank you challenge?

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a new job and thankful for our friend Kimme for telling me about the job! This week I started a new job, two days a week, at a local dry cleaning pick up place. It's a small staff and they are pretty much fabulous. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to a) get out of the house and b) have a little "pin" money.

As for the thankfulness challenge...hopefully by this point you've done your first thank you...and if not-get on it!! :)

Thankful Thursday: Cat 1 and Cat 2

It's probably silly to post about being thankful for the fur balls today, but that's what I'm thankful for today. Both kiddos had rough nights sleeping last night, not sure why, but they did. Cat 1, also known as big fat Boni cat, made a point to snuggle up with Gabe till he fell asleep and after that hopped up on top of the couch (Gabe was on the couch) and watched him for the rest of the night. Cat 2, also know as Bam Dingle Fritz Witkowski, was all snoogled up to Bits last night (The dream team, Bits and Fritz!) under her chin to help her fall asleep. After making sure she was fast asleep, he stretched out next to ME and put me to sleep. Something about a kitty purring softly in your ear and soft black ears to pet if you need to (Bam is also a black cat) are incredibly comforting. So thank you, Cat 1 and Cat 2 for putting us all to sleep last night!

*meow*

Thankful Thursday: This One Was Hard

It's been a really long and crappy week; I mean just crap on top of crap. I could list all the bad things that have happened in the last few days, but it isn't going to do me any good. So instead of dwelling on the negatives today, I've been trying to fixate on the positive and this is the list I've come up with today. These are things, in no particular order, that I am thankful for:

*The support of family and friends this week; particularly my sister, Tori, my sister in law Katie, my long distance bff, Steph, and my bb, Tiff.
*Our excellent pediatrician and her staff
*The Greats, who are in upstate NY, are safe and sound after all the rain and flooding they've had lately
*We went to the library today and got about four million books to read
*The weather at night has been perfect for sleeping
*Grampsey Johnny, while still in the hospital, is doing very very well and it looks like he'll be up and at 'em by Saturday. Bet he can't wait to be home...the kiddos can't wait to see him either.

And that's it for now...I'm sure there's more, but this'll do for now. What are you thankful today?

Thankful Thursday

I know I say it all the time, but I'm so thankful for my hunky hubby Geo. He's such a hard worker and takes such good care of us. By the time he's done working on Sunday at 3 p.m., he will have put in 76 hours this week-his long weekend for Labor Day will be well deserved, that's for sure. I envision a weekend full of grilling, cold beer, and catching up on True Blood together. I'm a lucky girl indeed, to have married such a great man. Love you HH.

Thankful Thursday...two things

Today I'm especially thankful for two things; the first is the wisdom and perspective that comes with age and the second is my kiddos imaginations and senses of humor. I have two seriously imaginative and hilarious children and it makes my days (and nights) much more interesting and fun.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday: Thankfulness

Today I'm thankful for thankful kids! Today we were getting ready for a snack and Gabe said "wait mom, we thanked you but we should probably thank God too" So the kids decided they'd say grace. Gabe said "dear God, thank you for being nice" and Bits butted in with "and thank you for grace" they both said amen and dug into their snacks. Truthfully, Bitsy was being thankful for the opportunity to SAY grace, but I found her wording completely and utterly appropriate. As the saying goes, there but by the grace of God I go, right?! What are you thankful for today?

Would You Could You In a Box? Would You Could You With a Fox?

Why yes, Gabriel COULD read in a box and he could read with a fox, also while wearing sox, sitting on rocks, and while having the chicken pox!

Gabe is a full on reader; if there is something words he is reading it. Last night we went to the gym together and he read until he walked to the front door where he left his book and raced to the car to read the book he has stashed in the car. When we're out to eat he always has the menu in front of him to read, when we're in drs. offices he picks up books or magazines, basically wherever he is he is reading. I love it. I'm so thankful Gabriel is a reader and that he enjoys reading SO much. However, I do feel my mothers' pain now; now I know what it's like to have a child who prefers to read rather than do anything else...of course, I "blame" her for that; she's always got her nose stuck in a book :)

Thankful Thursday: Gabriel

I'm always thankful for Gabe, but lately I've been especially thankful for him. He finished school yesterday and we got to spend the afternoon together, just the two of us (Bits is at camp in the afternoons) Today we spent the afternoon together as well; we sang along to the radio, shared some reese's peanut butter cups, and went to the chiropractor together. It's been great having him all to myself for the last two afternoons-I kind of miss the little guy when he's in school.

Thankful Thursday: Golden Slumbers

 

best cd ever

Sleep is always an issue with SarahAnne, but I've finally found something that puts her to sleep almost immediately. The cd "Golden Slumbers" is like kid crack; I put it on and she is almost immediately asleep. The last few days I've been incredibly thankful for this cd.