November Gratitude: Day 13

On this "where the heck did winter come from?" day, I am grateful for:

• protection from the cold. Tonight, so many people are trying to sleep on the streets, in their cars, or in homes with unsafe or inadequate heat. It's snowing in November in DC. Some people will freeze to deaths tonight. I am grateful for our heated apartment, weather-appropriate attire, my cozy flannel sheets, and our ability to protect ourselves from the elements.
• new recipes! Especially the courage to try new things and the deliciousness when a new recipe turns out perfect the first time!
• friends I can be silent with. I try to be a good listener and I'm an introvert, so odds are I won't be doing most of the talking if we have a conversation. I'm grateful for friends who are comfortable enough with me to not feel the need to fill that silence and are as content to just be with me as I am to just be with them, enjoying being in the moment.

November Gratitude: Day 12

On this gorgeous day, I am grateful for:

• my wonderful colleagues. In addition to challenging me and pushing me beyond what I think I am capable of, they are supportive, kind, and generous. I'm so grateful to work with people who are passionate about their work and show compassion for the people they work with.
• a company with generous leave and benefits. By the end of the year, I will have used every sick, personal, and vacation day available to me, and I am so grateful I have them!
• flowers. I don't know anything about growing them or what different types are called, but I think they're so pretty and they always make me smile.

November Gratitude: Day 11

Today, I am grateful for:

• moisturizer! I wash my hands over 40 times a day-- moisturizer is essential to keep my skin from chapping. Today, I couldn't wear moisturizer at all and I wanted to burst out of my skin.
• women and men with the courage and passion to break down barriers. In so many areas of life, we see roles and professions that are typically filled with one gender or the other but I am grateful for people who make their own paths and pave the way for others.
• advances in medical science. If not for medical research, I would be dead. If not dead, I would certainly be miserable and sickly. Thankfully, treatment has enabled me to recover from my major medical conditions and an understanding of how my flawed body works is helping me cope with the others.

November Gratitude: Days 9 & 10

Yesterday, I was grateful for:

• People who go above and beyond to create an experience and provide great customer service. We were at our local Home Depot picking up wood for a project. We live in an apartment, so all of our tools literally fit into one tool box, so cutting wood blocks is something that needs to happen elsewhere. The associate was so friendly! Not only did he cut two 16' long boards into 7", 8", and 9" pieces despite their policy of no cuts under 12", he didn't charge us, and he was eager to involve Logan, giving him eye and ear protection and handing him the blocks to put in the cart. What could have been a more tedious experience became a memorable learning experience for all of us. 

• A girl's night in. I love doing projects and I don't always like to do them alone. A craft night is the perfect way to gather girlfriends who might not know each other in a no-pressure situation because you get to know each other while working on a project This is the perfect way for an introvert to be comfortably surrounded by the people they care about. Plus, I love being the hostess! Everyone had a fun night and we created some awesome holiday decor.

• Sweet friends who have offered over and over to lend a hand and a prayer this week. Without family nearby, I don't know how we would get through the week without our wonderful friends!

Today, I am grateful for:

• The random perks that come with living in the nation's capital. There are so many amazing free and fulfilling things to do here on a daily basis. It's great to always have something fun to look forward to and new to learn.

•  TV. Yes, I love TV! I love that Ryan and I have favorite shows we look forward to watching every week and I love learning from TV. Without "Extreme Couponing" or "Doomsday Preppers" we would be so unprepared for life's little emergencies.

• My ability to comfort Logan. I think all moms worry they aren't doing a good job. Sometimes we need to watch for the signs our children give us every day. When Logan's scared he comes to me. When he's frustrated, I am generally able to help him understand why. When he's angry or upset, I know just what to do or say to soothe him about 75% of the time. I often worry I'm not doing enough, but these wins remind me I'm doing just fine.

November Graititude: Day 8

Today, I am grateful: - for time spent with my sister, brother-in-law, and adorable precious nephew Elijah. No matter how much time passes between Dani and I each other, it's always like we saw each other yesterday. And, my little nephew is so delicious, I just want to eat him up! - for real conversations on the phone with Logan. Sometimes, I think I take for granted everything he is already able to communicate, but as I was boarding my second flight today, we had a full conversation over the phone about what he had for dinner, what I had for dinner, the fact that I was going on two airplanes today and needed tickets, about the museum he went to with Emery, and how much he missed me. I am so grateful to see him develop. My baby is growing up so fast! - for my home and my own bed. After a whirlwind trip, there's no place like home.

November Gratitude: Day 7

Today, I am grateful: - For the chance to see my best friend marry the man of her dreams. He makes her smile and that makes me smile. - That this was my last California wedding! All of my California based friends are married now. :-) The next time I'm in California, it will be for vacation. - That my Dad is retired. He drove for three hours yesterday just to have breakfast with me and it was awesome!