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35 Gratitudes

Posted by Carolyn on February 23, 2016 1 Comment

IMG_6295I’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.

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Posted in: gave thanks., gratitude, one little word | Tagged: gratitude, Gratitudes

Gratitude – One Little Word – 2014

Posted by Carolyn on December 30, 2014 3 Comments

365 Days of GratitudeMy One Little Word for 2014 was Gratitude.  As I said in my post from last December, I’ve done a One Little Word, but it’s never been incredibly meaningful.  Until 2014, when my One Little Word was GRATITUDE.

I was very intentional with my word.  I thought about it every single day.  I wrote down what I was grateful for every single day.  The wordle above shows all those words.  The cool thing about wordle, is that the frequency of each word increases the size of the word in the final word cloud.

So, clearly, in 2014 I was most grateful for my friends.  Followed closely by my mom, my dad, Jesse, family, and home.  Then, a little smaller is Harriet, Alma, church, Eugene, alone, parents, and Autumn.  Isn’t that just lovely?

Looking back at my list of words, I am a little surprised that Jesse isn’t bigger.  I think this is because it’s obvious that I’m grateful for Jesse (and Harriet and Alma).  I probably could have filled a whole year writing down just their names, but I was trying to go beyond the obvious and think about what I was seriously, truly grateful for each day.

That was usually special time with friends – time that rejuvenated me – time that expanded me – time that filled me.  I can still feel that feeling of gratitude that comes with good time with good friends.  I’m not sure that I had ever paid much attention to the enormous amount of gratitude I felt for my friends.

Or my parents.  Sure, I have always appreciated them.  They are amazing people.  I was lucky to have been raised by my mom and dad (and my step-dad and step-mom).  This year, it is clear that they do a lot for me and my family.  They watch my kids (and love them in the process) so I can work, or get things done that would be difficult with 2 toddlers in tow.  They feed us food.  They keep us company.  They have ideas for me, and encourage me.

I have loved 2014.  I have really loved giving thanks every single day.  I think I’ll miss it.  I’ll always be grateful.

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Posted in: friday gratitudes, gave thanks., gratitude, one little word | Tagged: friday gratitudes, friends, grateful, gratitude, Gratitudes, one little word

Friday Gratitudes 40, 41, 42 & 43

Posted by Carolyn on October 31, 2014 Leave a Comment

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3: Friday
4: Traditions
5: Dad
6: Walking
7: Church
8: Love
9: Family
10: Rach
11: Autumn
12: Friends
13: Holiday
14: Friends
15: Motivation
16: Home
17: Friends
18: Art
19: Church
20: HealthFirst
21: Friends
22: Autumn
23: Bedtime
24: FitBit
25: Family
26: Friends
27: Mom
28: Church
29: Time
30: Me-Time

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Posted in: friday gratitudes, gave thanks., gratitude, one little word | Tagged: friday gratitudes, grateful, gratitude, Gratitudes, kids, one little word, Parenting

Friday Gratitudes 38 & 39

Posted by Carolyn on October 7, 2014 Leave a Comment

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19: Story time
20: Restaurants
21: Nursery
22: Jesse
23: Autumn
24: Friends
25: Home
26: Walking
27: Friends
28: Family
29: Half days
30: September
1: Friends
2: Kids

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Posted in: friday gratitudes, gave thanks., gratitude, one little word | Tagged: Friday, friday gratitudes, Gratitudes

Friday Gratitudes 36 & 37

Posted by Carolyn on September 19, 2014 Leave a Comment

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5:  School.
6: Love.
7: Friends/music.
8: Preschool.
9:  Mom.
10:  Walk.
11:  Memories.
12:  Friends.
13:  September.
14:  Shower.
15:  Courage.
16:  Mom.
17:  Walks.
18:  100,000.

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Posted in: friday gratitudes, gave thanks., gratitude, one little word | Tagged: family, fitbit, Gratitudes

Friday Gratitudes 33 & 34

Posted by Carolyn on August 30, 2014 Leave a Comment

20140817_112438[1] 20140820_115002[1] 20140821_072601[1] 20140821_123845[1] 20140821_132845[1] 20140823_111515[1] 20140823_183104[1] 20140824_122936[1] 20140824_162302(0)[1] 20140825_180907[1] 20140825_190449[1] 20140826_185439[1] 20140827_111258[1] 20140828_170549[1]Friday the 15th: Cousins.

Saturday the 16th: Family.

Sunday the 17th: Mountains.

Monday the 18th: Mom

Tuesday the 19th: Mom

Wednesday the 20th: Rain

Thursday the 21st: Hattie

Friday the 22nd: Dad

Saturday the 23rd: Celebrations

Sunday the 24th: People

Monday the 25th: Fun

Tuesday the 26th: Elsa

Wednesday the 27th: Alone

Thursday the 28th: Gymnastics

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Posted in: friday gratitudes, gave thanks., gratitude, one little word | Tagged: children, friday gratitudes, grateful, gratitude, Gratitudes, one little word, photography

Friday Gratitudes 30

Posted by Carolyn on August 1, 2014 Leave a Comment

IMG_2617 20140730_100450[1] 20140730_093302[1]Friday the 25th: Jesse. My wonderful husband came home for a couple hours during lunchtime so I could go get some things done.  Having one sick kid, and one teething kid is incredibly stressful, so I appreciated getting the break.

Saturday the 26th: Mom. Mom came over and watched the kids (Alma was finally eating and drinking again) so Jesse and I could have a coffee date and go on a walk.  It was lovely.

Sunday the 27th: Hydration.We had been pretty worried about Alma’s hydration for the past few days.  It was so wonderful seeing her drink water, and start to perk up.

Monday the 28th: Motivation.

Tuesday the 29th: Health.

Wednesday the 30th: Eugene.A hike in the morning, an all-comers track meet in the evening.  I love Tracktown, USA.

Thursday the 31st: Bounce.

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Posted in: friday gratitudes, gave thanks., gratitude, one little word | Tagged: friday gratitudes, grateful, gratitude, Gratitudes, Oregon

Friday Gratitudes 28

Posted by Carolyn on July 19, 2014 Leave a Comment

20140712_163217[1] 20140712_164009[1] 20140713_180943[1] 20140715_163042[1]Friday the 11th:  Friends.

Saturday the 12th: Umpqua.We went to an amazing going away party for my brother and sister-in-law.  They are currently driving across country with their dog on their way to Virginia for the next couple years.  Nina’s parents have an amazing house and land on the Umpqua.  It felt like Heaven.

Sunday the 13th: Sports.World Cup watching.  Baseball watching.

Monday the 14th: Bathtub.We tend to be grateful for things that don’t work, when they start working again.

Tuesday the 15th: Friends.

Wednesday the 16th: Family. My mom and step-dad watched my girls in the morning so I could get some work done.  Wow.  Then we had dinner with my dad and step-mom.  We are so grateful to have family so close.

Thursday the 1th: Dan+Nina.One last lunch and dinner with two of my favorites, before they left for Virginia.

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Posted in: friday gratitudes, gave thanks., gratitude, one little word | Tagged: friday gratitudes, grateful, gratitude, Gratitudes

Friday Gratitudes 23

Posted by Carolyn on June 13, 2014 Leave a Comment

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Friday the 6th: Weekends.

Saturday the 7th: Beer.

Sunday the 8th: Nature

Monday the 9th: Dodgeball.

Tuesday the 10th: Friends.

Wednesday the 11th: Coffee.

Thursday the 12th:  Theatre.

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Posted in: friday gratitudes, gave thanks. | Tagged: friday gratitudes, Gratitudes, one little word, photography

Friday Gratitudes 22

Posted by Carolyn on June 6, 2014 Leave a Comment

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Friday the 30th: Zyrtec.

Saturday the 31st: Ladies. I went to a ladies luncheon at my friend’s church. I am always so glad to be surrounded by lovely women. I have a bunch in my life.
Sunday the 1st: Strangers.

Monday the 2nd: Anticipation. I love schools

Tuesday the 3rd:  Allergist.

Wednesday the 4th:  Friends.  We had some beers with some great friends.  Sweet summertime is upon us.

Thursday the 5th: Steps. Still living my Fit it.

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Posted in: friday gratitudes, gave thanks., gratitude, one little word | Tagged: gratitude, Gratitudes, one little word
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If God said, ‘Rumi pay homage to everything that has helped you enter my arms,’ there would not be one experience of my life, not one thought, not one feeling, nor any act, I would not bow to. -Rumi

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