Day 30

I'm thankful for day 30, for Fridays, for pay days, for 60 minute massages, for good music, and great friends.... And even more thankful when ALL of those things are a part of one awesome day!!

Day 29

Today I am thankful that I have a choice... I have a say in how I live my life... And that I can choose to learn how to live with the values I appreciate.

It's easy to say you should do this or that, you should live this way or that way. But no one ever tells you how, or lets you in on the secret that life has a learning curve.

So I'm thankful that I can choose how I want to live and choose to learn how to get there... And that there is a grace in relaxing in the process of arriving.

Day 28

I am thankful for diversity. Different people have different ways of seeing the world, various perspectives and beliefs that challenge and sharpen my own. It really is through the clashing of differences that people can find common ground. It's also how we refine ourselves and become more and more comfortable on our own skin.

Day 27

Today I am thankful for flowers (especially when they are given to me by someone special :D ) ... I've always loved flowers; from the rose bushes in the backyard where I grew up, to the flower shop where I got my first job. Flowers make people smile, make a room more alive, make happiness visible.

Day 26

Today I am thankful that the day doesn't have to end the way it started.

I had a rough morning, dragging myself out of bed and off to a busy day at work. The thoughts of a million troubles cluttered my head.

We have this white board at work that we've written our "power of positive" quotes on. I was reminded that my motto for the upcoming year is "choose to be happy today."

I laughed... The thought "See, there you go... Smile a little... Just because. Why not?"

It ended up being a productive day and although none of my problems have disappeared, that negative weight on my shoulders I woke up with, got a whole lot lighter.

Day 23, 24, 25

I am thankful for a long weekend away... Finding new places, making new memories, and having fun together... Just me & the BF.

Day 22

Today I am thankful for the holiday season....

For old traditions passed down from generation to generation. For new traditions started.

For memories made that are never forgotten. And for the memories I'll make today.

For the family I grew up sharing them with, and the family I surround myself with now.

The people. The love. The laughter.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Day 21

I am thankful for patient love.... When it is shown to me, when I can extend it to others, when I realize it doesn't always have to be perfect right away.

Day 20

Today I am thankful that tomorrow is a new day.

Day 19

Today I am thankful for good, quality old school ghetto music. Mmmhhhmmm...

Day 19

Today I am thankful for 3 day work weeks!

Day 18

Today I am thankful for lazy Sunday mornings.

Sleeping in. Drinking coffee. Working out. Watching football.

Day 17

Today I am thankful for exercise and the friends who motivate me to get off my lazy butt. Though its hard to motivate myself to get there, I'm always better for having shown up.

Healthier. Clear minded. Focused. Happy.

Day 16

Today I am thankful for FRIDAY'S!!!!

Day 15

Today I am thankful for Peppermint Mochas and Holiday Cheer!

Day 14

Today I am thankful for the quiet moments... For the times when you can escape everything and everyone, and just be.

Still. Calm. At peace.

Day 13

Today I am thankful that my work team's theme for 2013 is "power of positive". Being surrounded by people every single day with the vision of being positive in all things, is going to make for a great year in so many ways. Bring on the positivity!!

Day 12

Today I am thankful for the perseverence, endurance and strength I have gained over the course of my life. Every mountain climbed gives me the confidence to take on the next and has taught me that all the mountain peaks and valley lows are beautiful things to be embraced. I might not always enjoy the hike, but I sure do love the view.

Day 9-11

I spent the weekend in Sunriver with my co-workers for our annual planning conference. There were many things to be thankful for; a generous boss who puts a ton of effort into making it a great weekend for us, co-workers who love to have dance offs, and a beautiful setting!

There's nothing better than a quiet morning with a cup of coffee, watching the snow fall slowly to the ground. Then looking toward the future and dreaming of greatness with a great group of people. Ending the night with belly aching laughter and good times we'll remember for years to come.

I am thankful for weekends away!

Day 8

Today I am thankful for the little things that make my day a little brighter; like donuts at work in the morning, good music to relate to, the new UGGs on order that came in today, and a dozen long stem roses from the boyfriend delivered to my office. It's the things that put a smile on my face that mean so much to me!

Day 7

Today I am thankful for coffee!

Day 6

Today I am thankful for the struggle.

“No one ever said life was fair.” Said every mom, everywhere. And they’re right.

It sucks and it’s lame and it’s…….. not fair. It’s difficult when you get blindsided and you have to fumble around in the dark to find your way again. But you do find your way again, somehow, at some point. There is always another day.

That is the beauty that is life. The beauty that is the struggle. And I am thankful for that.

Day 5

Dear Day 5,

I didn’t forget about you! I might be late, but I’m totally here.

Sometimes I just get wrapped up in life and forget that I still have so much to be grateful for. Like the friend you can say anything to, at any time of day or night, or just show up at their door step… the ones who can be silent with you and know exactly what you’re thinking, the ones who can make you laugh when you want to cry, the ones who hold you together when you need it, and let you fall apart when you need that, too… and the fact that those type of friends aren’t hard to find in my life.

Day 4

Today I am thankful for my sweet organizational skills. That OCD sure came in handy when taking care of four kids with incredible social schedules. Sunday evening at 4pm and the house is clean, dish washer running, back packs & lunch boxes lined up ready for school in the morning.... Pretty sure I could only keep this up for three days at a time though. Props to all you moms who keep this for 18+ years!

I'm also thankful for my bi-lingual upbringing. Earlier today I grabbed one of the kid's shoes, looked at him and said, "Siéntate aquí." He cracked up laughing, "What you sayyyy?!" So I have him a quick Spanish lesson and I think I finally got some serious street cred with the kid. 

Bet my parents never thought I'd be grateful for growing up on the poor side of the tracks. That 3rd grade ESL class wasn't in vain, mama! 

Day 3

Today I am thankful for Day Light Savings time!! I love my sleep and absolutely cannot wait to cherish every minute of that extra hour!

Day 2

Today I am thankful for the opportunity to do something for someone else; to do something that forces me to forget about myself and focus on the betterment and well being of another person.

I'm watching my friends kids for the weekend so they can get away for a while. Some would see this as all the benefit being theirs. But it's enabled me to experience some awesome things.... like watching four little kids run outside at sun rise to watch in awe as the sky turns from bright pink to orange... reminding me to look around and admire life a little more.

Sometimes it helps to be reminded that it's not all about me.

Day 1

Today I am thankful that I have a job with co-workers who love to do ridiculous things like shopping card derby in the parking lot, for no reason whatsoever. We work hard, we play hard, and aren't afraid to make complete fools of ourselves to have a good time.

It is so easy to get caught up in the little things I don't like about my job, when truly I am lucky to have a job in the first place. To have one with great co-workers, a generous boss, and the ability to laugh at ourselves, makes me a very lucky lady; something I need to remember more often.

30 Days of Thanks

In honor of Thanksgiving, I am (again) taking the 30 Days of Thanks challenge. Although I took the challenge last year, I didn't exactly hit 30 Days. Hopefully I do better this year, because honestly, I have so much to be thankful for. So here's to a 30 day adventure of thanksgiving! Tune in each day to see what I come up with and feel free to join me in my thankfulness. It will definitely change your perspective! Happy Thanksgiving!!