35 Gratitudes

I’ve missed listing my gratitudes, after having done it almost weekly for an entire year in 2014.  I’m coming up on my 35th birthday, so I thought it would be fun to think of 35 things for which I’m grateful.

Yesterday, I went and had a crepe and a cup of coffee after getting a new crown and thought I would take that time to write down a list of 35 things.  I tried not to think too hard, just to write whatever came to mind.

Today, as I type it up, I will add some thoughts and reflections on the 35 things I thought of yesterday.

1. Jesse. This one was easy and obvious.  I am so grateful for my husband and the 15 years I’ve had him in my life.  He is such an incredible partner.
2. Alma. My sweet four-year-old who is becoming cooler and cooler every single day.  I am grateful for her affection, her stories, her laughter, her light.
3. Harriet. My funny 2 1/2 year old who is seriously hilarious.  She knows it, too.  One of her favorite things to do is to do something funny, then say, “Me nunny!” which obviously means ‘I’m funny!’  Her personality is really coming out and it’s a wonderful mixture of hilarity, organization, adventure, and affection.
4. Mom and Steve. These are two of the greatest parents and grandparents on this planet.  Mom is my best friend and I know I can always count on her.
5. Dad and Deena.  Two more of the greatest.  Watching my dad with my kids is one of my favorite things to do.  He always had the best advice and has always been someone I can lean on.
6. Dave and Maureen.  Two more fantastic grandparents.  Maureen always has fun ideas and projects to do with the girls.
7. Alma’s relationship with my Grandma. I am so happy that Alma got to spend time with her great-grandma.  She’s been gone for almost 3 years, but Alma still talks about (and to) her.
8. Cousins. My cousins, my kids’ cousins.  All cousins are fun.  It’s such a unique and precious relationship.
9. Coffeeshops. I have such an affinity to coffeeshops and the hours they provide me to think and write.
10. Preschool.  We are lucky to have such a fantastic preschool that values play and exploration.  As I look toward kindergarten, I get anxiety about the expectations, but I know that our girls are in a good place right now, with the right expectations and values.
11. Subbing. I love my time with middle school students.  I love going to a class, seeing kids I know, learning with them, then leaving them.  I love not having papers to grade or standards to worry about.  Subbing is the best.
12. Eugene. My hometown is the best.  We have museums, concerts, restaurants, nature, it all.  I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.
13. HearthStone. My guilty pleasure.  A super nerdy computer game and time suck.
14. Church. Our church community is practically perfect.  And not at all, which makes it even more perfect.
15. Sunshine in February. I have always loved having a week of sunshine right around my birthday.  It’s like a cheerful reminder of springtime.  But then it change back to:
16. Rain.  During the summer, I start to get seasonal affective disorder, but it’s because all the sun is ugly and overwhelming.  I long for rainy days to wash all the summer dust off everything.  I like the February sunshine, but we better get some more rainy days before summer starts (not like last year!).
17. Snow. We get far too little snow in the valley.  More trips to the mountains are needed.  I’m excited to get the girls on skis in the next couple years.
18. Flowers.  I love how every flower seems like a beautiful surprise this time of year.  It’s not like we don’t know they’re coming – it’s just such a blessing when they pop up.
19. Bikes.  Alma is all about her balance bike these days, and Harriet is all about the stroller, so we get to go on lots of walks.  The February sunshine helps.
20. Language.  I love watching the kids pick up on the English language.  Alma loves trying out big words and I love it when she gets them wrong.  It’s so fascinating.  Harriet doesn’t have a whole lot of words, but she can sure make herself understood.
21. Peace Corps.  In general, and specifically my experience.
22. Azerbaijan.  My home on the other side of the world.  I think about it daily and wish we could go back.
23. Jefferson Memorial.  The words on these walls are what our country is all about.
24. Hamilton, the Musical.  If all American history could be taught through musical theater, I would be an expert.  Now if only I could find a way to get to New York, and my hands on a ticket…
25. Friends.  Not the show, the people.  We just had a weekend with some of the best.  We are surrounded by some of the best people in the world.  I love my friends.
26. Our House.  It’s perfect for us.
27. Fresh eggs & produce.  Growing my own food is so great.  Cooking eggs from our chickens can’t be beat.
28. Instagram.  Sure, it’s a time suck, but it is so inspiring.  It is like a huge creative community.
29. Writing.  Taking the time to write has been so special to me.  I have ideas and dreams of writing books, but for now, getting my ideas down on this platform is wonderful.
30. Reading. I am in the best, most enlightened, book club on the planet.
31. Gel Pens. Love ’em.
32. Music. Couldn’t live without it.
33. Patience.  Mine, and from others.
34. Hobbies.  My hobby is sewing.  Jesse’s is brewing.  I love that both of our hobbies create things out of nothing.
35. Obama.  I’ve seen the stats.  He’s been a successful, inspiring president.