November Thankfulness - Installment 2

I'm back for the second installment of November Thankfulness!

Day 3:

I'm thankful for the opportunity to attend graduate school for my MBA with the support of my family.  Wrapped up in this are so many things to be thankful for, not the least of which is my husband who is so encouraging and supportive of what I'm doing and picking up extra work at home to help out too. I wouldn't be able to do it without him. I'm thankful for the financial resources and the ability to fund my schooling. I'm thankful for the intelligence and skills to be able to complete the program. Although, I suppose I could be getting a little ahead of myself there as I haven't seen my first semester grades or made it far enough to be certain when I'll finish; regardless, I'm thankful for the opportunity to try.

Day 4:

Today I'm thankful for TJ Maxx. Strange? Perhaps, but today, it's true. A good college friend of mine, Robin, introduced me to it a few years ago near her home in New York state. After that I found some back home and when I travel, and I love them! They've introduced me to dresses, which are much easier to shop for than pants. Now, especially in the summer, I'm a big fan of dresses. I've never had a store where I can shop for so much in one place that I've liked so well; I leave with a smile on my face and less money in my bank account.
Tonight, I will spend some time there with a friend for an evening of spaghetti and shopping. With a quick stop at another favorite, Target.
Stay tuned for the next installment!

November Thankfulness

For the month of November, I was thinking about making a list throughout the month.  I hadn't mustered up the motivation to put it down on paper screen.  Then I read this post from Melissa, and here I am. 

So, because it is unrealistic for me to remember to write a post every day about what I'm thankful for the whole month.  My goal is to write them semi-regularly with a few items in each post.

Day 1:
I spent the first day of November as a vacation day.  Keith and I both took two days off over the course of the month.  We picked separate days, and each of the days will be spent with one of the boys.  That's right, one will stay in day care while we have solo time with the other.

Yesterday was Caleb day for me. 

I'm thankful for Caleb time, and the ability to take time off to spend one-on-one with my kids. 

We started out our day dropping Caden off at school and saying hi to his friends and teachers at his request.  Then we headed into Medina for Main Street Cupcakes!  My champagne and berries cupcake was amazing.  We spent the rest of the morning at the library before heading to lunch at a local drive-in, where our car battery died and my mom had to come rescue us with jumper cables.  After that excitement, we spent the afternoon at home in the basement watching movies and cartoons. 

Day 2:
Today I'm thankful for a job that is flexible enough to allow me to work from home on days when we have sick kids.  The kids both have awful colds, and Caden had a fever last night, so we kept them both home today for some extra rest to kick this cold to the curb.  I'm thankful my job is flexible enough to allow me the freedom to be here for my kids when they need me without loosing precious vacation time!

I'll be back soon with more thankfulness!

First Day of Preschool - 2011-2012 School Year

Better late then never right?

September 9, 2011

Caleb, Daddy and Caden

Caden, Mommy and Caleb

Things sure have changed in a year!

Halloween & Christmas

The boys have already started asking for things for Christmas.

While I'm home working on a paper for graduate school today.  Hubby took the boys into town to run errands.

I received and email from hubby while I'm working away.

Subject: "This is what Caleb wants for Christmas."

Content:

A year ago this costume terrified both of those boys.  We were at a Halloween party last year that scared them so much we couldn't be in the same room as the werewolf at the part.  This year, they want to be the werewolf.  Time sure does change things!

Question from a 5 Year Old

Driving home tonight, Caden asks: "Daddy, how does God keep our eyes from slipping out?"

Pumpkins 2011

Caden drawing/tracing his happy face pumpkin.

Caleb drawing/tracing his scary faced pumpkin.

Caleb making the cut.

A happy pumpkin and a scary pumpkin.

'

Two very happy boys with their "lighted up" pumpkins.

It's a good thing we took pictures the day we carved them, because they are already rotting!

Spirit Day 5K

My employer sponsored a 5K today.

There were about 40 participants, and I finished second in my female age group.  I was 10-ish seconds behind the top finisher in our female age group, who happens to be a good friend of mine. 

I started out with a friend, that top finisher, who I knew would be faster. After roughly a half mile, I fell back a bit and ended up running with a new team members to our department.  We hung together really well through it. 

My first mile was at 8:44. 

My second mile was 10:00. 

My last 1.1 mile was 8:14.

And it was a personal record 5K time!