Gratitude Day #16: The Halloween Edition

Who isn't thankful for Halloween?


The orange, the black, the crispy leaves, the pumpkins, the cool air, the costumes, the candy, the dark, the spooky, and the fun. All mixed together in one holiday.

Happy Halloween!

Gratitude Day #15: The Light at the End of the Tunnel Edition

I'm in the final throes of the landscaping season. We have just a couple of weeks until *poof* it's done.

It's extremely busy, this final few weeks of work. So busy that I've been spacing things like orthodontist appointments, chess classes, and basketball practice. Just completely forgetting them! I think I've been remembering to change out of my pajamas before I leave in the morning, but I'm not entirely sure.

I'm really grateful that it's almost over and I can get back to the life I was destined to lead. You know, the one where I get to stay in my slippers all day and read and eat and drink coffee and actually feel ready for the kids to come home from school.

Ah, it's coming!

Gratitude Day #14: Overhearing Things

At Ben's birthday party this weekend, I overheard a conversation amongst the 9 year-olds that made me thankful.

The topic of McDonald's came up, and one little boy said, "I hate McDonald's, it's just so unhealthy."

And rather than gasps from the rest of his peers, they all instantly agreed. They chimed in with, "Yeah, it's not really even food." and "The only time I've ever gone to McDonald's I got sick."

They went on to express their disgust at the fact that our town movie theater (which closed down recently) was replaced with a Culver's. Agreeing that "No town needs THAT much fast food," they plotted to protest by picketing in the new Culver's parking lot.

They didn't mention doing it with lightsabers and swords, but I'm sure they have it in mind. They are boys, after all.

Needless to say, this mother's heart was happy. Imagine this group of little boys flying together in the face of millions of dollars of advertising aimed right at them. Watch them recognize at this early age that the foods they eat affect their bodies. Cheer for them as they show us how intelligent they are, and how independent of our ingrained fast-food culture.

I'm so proud of them! It gives me hope that we can turn around trends like this, maybe even in their lifetime.

Gratitude Day #13: The Joy of Benjamin Edition

Nine years ago today a joy blew into my life that had never been there before.


Its name, as it turned out, was Benjamin John.


Joy came in with huge blue eyes that, after soaking up the world for a while,


decided it was a place to smile, laugh and have fun.

Even if that fun sometimes meant trouble. Many times, actually.

Eventually you even grew into those big beautiful eyes, Ben, but the joy you bring is too big to grow into.

So you share it with everyone, people and animals alike.

You've made it your job to have fun and to make sure that everyone else is, too. Your spirit is kind and generous and it laughs a lot.

And I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing it with us.

Happy Birthday, Benner!