30 Days of Gratitude (& trying the blogging world again!)

After only a year and a half of absence, I'm going to try this blogging thing out again. Imagine how flattered I was when I ran into someone who I adore and haven't seen in at least a decade (you know who you are, Jeanette Weaver) this summer and found out that she had been checking my blog and didn't even know I had 3 kids. I told myself right then that I would get back to blogging and here I am. How did it get to be November already?

I thought it would be a good way to get back into blogging by having a goal, SO. . . I'm going to try to document my 30 days of gratitude.

#1 - Sunshine

Today I'm grateful for sunshine. It was unseasonably warm today and the kiddos and I enjoyed a nice afternoon at the park. Sunshine makes me a better person! I smile easier and complain less when I can see the sun. Kind of makes me wonder why I live in Chicago, but for right now I'm going to soak in this beautiful fall and its sunny days!

#2 - My Dear Mother

Today one of my friends suddenly lost her mother who was way too young. It made me remember that life is short and unpredictable and I have taken my own mother for granted.  I think it took becoming a mother myself to fully appreciate the sacrifices she has been making for the past 34 years!  In fact, my mom and I are closer now than we probably ever have been.  Living so far away has only made me appreciate her more.  I talk to her at least once (ok, maybe twice - or multiple times) a day and have been known to panic like a school child who left her lunch at home when I can't get a hold of her.

I'm grateful for a mother who is who she is and makes no apologies for it! She is full of life, creativity, kindness, energy, spunk, and generosity. I love that she stays young by golfing as much as she can. I love that she is humble enough to take nothing for granted. I love that she loves my dad. I love that she raised us to be independent.  I love that she loves birthdays and Christmas and makes them special.  I could go on and on.

As much as I love the mother that she is, I have been completely overwhelmed by the grandma she is. My kids are truly blessed to have her as a grandma!

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR GRANDMA LAURIE!