Today I am thankful for awesome neighbors and cul-de-sac living!
We have the best street ever, full of kids with fun parents.
(okay, if you know us, you know we have a few odd balls on the street too)
We bought this house 10 years ago and there were only two young kids on the street...our Samantha and Bailey. Now there are 15 kids ranging in age from 18months to almost 18!
Most evenings there are kids riding bikes, playing ball, or just running around. And every kid knows the #1 rule for playing on our street: The first person to see a car shouts "CAR!" and everyone runs/rides for the closest piece of grass to get out of the way.
We have genuine worries about moving somewhere without the West family.
There is something really special about our friendship. We don't know near everything about each other, but we know enough, and we still like each other anyway.
I am so thankful for our neighbors across the street.......you know who you are.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Sunday, November 6, 2011
November 6th
On the sixth day of November the good Lord gave to me......
The gift of a la-zy Suuundaaay.
I love Sundays. The older I get, the better the chance, that Sunday is going to replace Thursday as my favorite day of the week! Seriously.
Every Sunday morning at our house starts at 8am with the musical trumpets of CBS Sunday Morning. Andy and I love that show. It entertains, it educates, it gives me a reason to sit still in the morning and say "sshhh" to my kids.
Then the Martens 5 start the process of getting four girls and one boy ready for church. This time of year our biggest fashion dilemas come when trying to decide which shade of pink leggings (pronouced legguns at our house) to wear with the Sunday dress.
Church is just "aahhh" time. Time to relax, recharge my mind, and rejoice in worship.
We get home, eat lunch, throw the dishes in the dishwasher and then throw ourselves on the couch.
Delightful. Simply the best.
Today I spent the majority of my afternoon telling the girls to "sshhh" while I checked my eyelids for holes.
I am so thankful that God created this 7th day for resting.
The gift of a la-zy Suuundaaay.
I love Sundays. The older I get, the better the chance, that Sunday is going to replace Thursday as my favorite day of the week! Seriously.
Every Sunday morning at our house starts at 8am with the musical trumpets of CBS Sunday Morning. Andy and I love that show. It entertains, it educates, it gives me a reason to sit still in the morning and say "sshhh" to my kids.
Then the Martens 5 start the process of getting four girls and one boy ready for church. This time of year our biggest fashion dilemas come when trying to decide which shade of pink leggings (pronouced legguns at our house) to wear with the Sunday dress.
Church is just "aahhh" time. Time to relax, recharge my mind, and rejoice in worship.
We get home, eat lunch, throw the dishes in the dishwasher and then throw ourselves on the couch.
Delightful. Simply the best.
Today I spent the majority of my afternoon telling the girls to "sshhh" while I checked my eyelids for holes.
I am so thankful that God created this 7th day for resting.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
November 5th
Tonight I am thankful for steak....
The steaks Andy grills at our home are without a doubt better than any steak from a resturaunt.
The steaks Andy grills at our home are without a doubt better than any steak from a resturaunt.
Friday, November 4, 2011
November 4th
Mother's Intuition. Either you have it, or you don't.....and chances are if you don't, it's because either you are not a mother(yet) or you are a boy.
Tonight I stopped at Kohls to pick up a quick gift. I was on my way to the check out when I saw this young mother, carrying a toddler, with "the look". I walked passed her and then turned around to see her quickly scanning between clothing racks walking quickly.
Yep, she was looking for her child.
Then I heard the familiar soft scream, "Maa-son!" said softly to not induce panic in others, or in the herself.
I know this scream because I HAVE BEEN THERE. Probably why I recognized "the look". Anyway,
I knew this lady needed help, and I just could not walk away.
Did I mention, I HAVE BEEN THERE.
So I turn around, set down my purchase, and fast walk to catch up with her.
Long story short, it took two MORE moms to surround, wrangle, and hold Mason while his mother caught up with us. She dropped to her knees, hugged the boy and did the sob-scold..."you scared me! Please don't ever do that again!"
She thanked us profusely as we offered to help her to the car.
Did I mention Mason thought running from mom was fun?
She called her friend who was shopping in a different area of the store while we each held onto Mason.
Friend came, mom thanked us again while wiping the tears from her eyes.
The other mother and I both said "Don't mention it..... WE HAVE BEEN THERE."
I am thankful for mother's intuition. I knew the expression on that mother's face was not "where is that rug I saw in the ad?"
It was "My child is gone. I cannot belive this is happening to me."
Been there, done that.
Tonight I stopped at Kohls to pick up a quick gift. I was on my way to the check out when I saw this young mother, carrying a toddler, with "the look". I walked passed her and then turned around to see her quickly scanning between clothing racks walking quickly.
Yep, she was looking for her child.
Then I heard the familiar soft scream, "Maa-son!" said softly to not induce panic in others, or in the herself.
I know this scream because I HAVE BEEN THERE. Probably why I recognized "the look". Anyway,
I knew this lady needed help, and I just could not walk away.
Did I mention, I HAVE BEEN THERE.
So I turn around, set down my purchase, and fast walk to catch up with her.
Long story short, it took two MORE moms to surround, wrangle, and hold Mason while his mother caught up with us. She dropped to her knees, hugged the boy and did the sob-scold..."you scared me! Please don't ever do that again!"
She thanked us profusely as we offered to help her to the car.
Did I mention Mason thought running from mom was fun?
She called her friend who was shopping in a different area of the store while we each held onto Mason.
Friend came, mom thanked us again while wiping the tears from her eyes.
The other mother and I both said "Don't mention it..... WE HAVE BEEN THERE."
I am thankful for mother's intuition. I knew the expression on that mother's face was not "where is that rug I saw in the ad?"
It was "My child is gone. I cannot belive this is happening to me."
Been there, done that.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
November 3rd
Really thankful for forgiveness.......
A few days ago I forgot about a mother that was sitting in our waiting room. She had come to the office over her lunch break to pick up a script for her son. Her really sick son. I was notified of her arrival by the front desk, finished a task I was doing, and then went to lunch.
When I got back from lunch, like a whole hour later, there was a voice message waiting on my phone from her saying she had waited as long as her job would allow and would I please mail the script because she can't leave work easily to come back up to the office.
*sigh*
After I realized what an ass I had been, I called her and had to leave a message for her.
I apologized. Totally owned my mistake. Said that I was so very sorry and asked for her forgiveness.
About an hour later I got a message from her. .......she has the thickest southern drawl.......saying "everyone makes mistakes Sarah. You have always been so good to my son, that this is just no big deal. I forgive you..apology accepted."
Forgiveness is a big deal.
I'm going to make an effort to try it more often.
A few days ago I forgot about a mother that was sitting in our waiting room. She had come to the office over her lunch break to pick up a script for her son. Her really sick son. I was notified of her arrival by the front desk, finished a task I was doing, and then went to lunch.
When I got back from lunch, like a whole hour later, there was a voice message waiting on my phone from her saying she had waited as long as her job would allow and would I please mail the script because she can't leave work easily to come back up to the office.
*sigh*
After I realized what an ass I had been, I called her and had to leave a message for her.
I apologized. Totally owned my mistake. Said that I was so very sorry and asked for her forgiveness.
About an hour later I got a message from her. .......she has the thickest southern drawl.......saying "everyone makes mistakes Sarah. You have always been so good to my son, that this is just no big deal. I forgive you..apology accepted."
Forgiveness is a big deal.
I'm going to make an effort to try it more often.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
November 2nd
I am thankful for nice co-workers. I love my job and I really love the people I work with. Easily the most fun place I have ever worked and it is largely due to my peers.
Today I received an award, the "Tag Team" award, given to an employee that has gone above and beyond (in the nominators opinion) and deserves special recognition. Multiple people are nominated, usually around 15, and the entire agency votes on the winner.
This month I won.
The cool thing is that this is the third time I have won this award in the whole year and a half I have worked at Tri-County. The super awesome part is that each time it has been for something that did not seem "above and beyond" to me at all, just me trying to be a good human.
Getting the award is humbling, and I really wish the person I had nominated had won. I personally thought she was an extra good human this month.
Instead, the people voted for me.
So I graciously accepted my certificate and my sweet parking spot for the month.
A fun work environment is really something to be thankful for.
Today I received an award, the "Tag Team" award, given to an employee that has gone above and beyond (in the nominators opinion) and deserves special recognition. Multiple people are nominated, usually around 15, and the entire agency votes on the winner.
This month I won.
The cool thing is that this is the third time I have won this award in the whole year and a half I have worked at Tri-County. The super awesome part is that each time it has been for something that did not seem "above and beyond" to me at all, just me trying to be a good human.
Getting the award is humbling, and I really wish the person I had nominated had won. I personally thought she was an extra good human this month.
Instead, the people voted for me.
So I graciously accepted my certificate and my sweet parking spot for the month.
A fun work environment is really something to be thankful for.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Thanks and Giving...November 1st
I want to try something not that unique. For every day of November I am going to blog something I am thankful for. I also hope to throw in some blogs about giving, which I am thankful for the ability to do.
Some posts may be a sentence or two, and some a paragraph explaining why a particular item is worth mentioning. I hope to even put a picture or two, or twenty, with my thoughts.
If this isn't something you care to read, I will see you again in December.
I am so thankful for books.
Books, books, and more books, please.
--I am really looking forward to cold nights, warm blankets, and a hot drink.......and a BOOK.
--These days I pretty much only read non-fiction. It seems like I have read most fictional story plots anyway and I don't get excited by sci-fi or fantasy. The real world is thrilling enough for my suburbia brain.......
--When I go to the library it is a scheduled event, and Andy knows not to expect me home for an hour. I leave the library with at least 10 books, so if a book doesn't catch my interest, I have another to start reading right away......my time is too precious to waste on a dull book.
--What a JOY that my girls love to read as much as I do. I have to scold Tess to turn off the light at night and stop reading. Kate is working on a chapter book with few pictures(in Kindergarten!)
--I have decided not to read a book based on its poor taste in covers, whether it was offensive or simply boring, or weird.
--I read the entire Twilight Saga in a little over a week. It took over a week because I had to put the final book on hold at the library and wait for it.
*disclaimer* I was(and still am) not into the whole Twilight hysteria at all. Ask my teenagers. They had to MAKE me watch the first movie, about a year after it came out. After seeing that movie I was told the book was better and decided to give it a go. OMG....I was hooked on that lady's writing and became a reading zombie. Pretty sure I neglected the husband and kids that week, and I did read way into the wee morning hours a couple times.
--I have never read a Harry Potter book and don't plan to.
--I found the name of my first born in a book. I believe the name of the book was "Birthright"
--My special bedtime routine with Kate is lines from three of her favorite books. EVERY night I say "I love you my wonderful child"(I Love You Stinky Face) and "Good night Ladybug girl"(Adventures of Ladybug Girl) and "Bon Appetit"(Fancy Nancy) to her....in that order. If I forget any of them, she calls me out.
--Jane loves books about underwear. She has at least three.
--I can't read in the car for very long...I get motion sick.....totally is a great way to pass the time
--I belonged to a book club once...and it was more to get the free bag than to purchase books cheap. I cancelled as soon as I met my quota.
--I fantasize of a vacation where I am on a beach and get to read for MOST of the trip
--I don't think that guys that read are sexy.
--I prefer paperback over hard cover and I rarely purchase a book. THEY ARE FREE AT THE LIBRARY!
--I wish I could say I had read all the "classics" but I have not....that is on my bucket list for sure
--The movie is never as good as the book. period.
--I am on TEAM EDWARD
Some posts may be a sentence or two, and some a paragraph explaining why a particular item is worth mentioning. I hope to even put a picture or two, or twenty, with my thoughts.
If this isn't something you care to read, I will see you again in December.
I am so thankful for books.
Books, books, and more books, please.
--I am really looking forward to cold nights, warm blankets, and a hot drink.......and a BOOK.
--These days I pretty much only read non-fiction. It seems like I have read most fictional story plots anyway and I don't get excited by sci-fi or fantasy. The real world is thrilling enough for my suburbia brain.......
--When I go to the library it is a scheduled event, and Andy knows not to expect me home for an hour. I leave the library with at least 10 books, so if a book doesn't catch my interest, I have another to start reading right away......my time is too precious to waste on a dull book.
--What a JOY that my girls love to read as much as I do. I have to scold Tess to turn off the light at night and stop reading. Kate is working on a chapter book with few pictures(in Kindergarten!)
--I have decided not to read a book based on its poor taste in covers, whether it was offensive or simply boring, or weird.
--I read the entire Twilight Saga in a little over a week. It took over a week because I had to put the final book on hold at the library and wait for it.
*disclaimer* I was(and still am) not into the whole Twilight hysteria at all. Ask my teenagers. They had to MAKE me watch the first movie, about a year after it came out. After seeing that movie I was told the book was better and decided to give it a go. OMG....I was hooked on that lady's writing and became a reading zombie. Pretty sure I neglected the husband and kids that week, and I did read way into the wee morning hours a couple times.
--I have never read a Harry Potter book and don't plan to.
--I found the name of my first born in a book. I believe the name of the book was "Birthright"
--My special bedtime routine with Kate is lines from three of her favorite books. EVERY night I say "I love you my wonderful child"(I Love You Stinky Face) and "Good night Ladybug girl"(Adventures of Ladybug Girl) and "Bon Appetit"(Fancy Nancy) to her....in that order. If I forget any of them, she calls me out.
--Jane loves books about underwear. She has at least three.
--I can't read in the car for very long...I get motion sick.....totally is a great way to pass the time
--I belonged to a book club once...and it was more to get the free bag than to purchase books cheap. I cancelled as soon as I met my quota.
--I fantasize of a vacation where I am on a beach and get to read for MOST of the trip
--I don't think that guys that read are sexy.
--I prefer paperback over hard cover and I rarely purchase a book. THEY ARE FREE AT THE LIBRARY!
--I wish I could say I had read all the "classics" but I have not....that is on my bucket list for sure
--The movie is never as good as the book. period.
--I am on TEAM EDWARD
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