Monday, November 19, 2012

I'm So Thankful - Pt. 18, 19

Nov 18th
I'm thankful for a few moments alone. One of the things I miss from my single days is the opportunity to be alone. I like my space.


Nov 19th
I'm thankful for my home. It feels good to be in my home. I like the way it's decorated, even if I always have ideas for projects (much to Brian's dismay). And, we have quite a bit of space, which is especially good during the holidays. Most holiday dinners happen at our house and I like that. I like being the hub, especially since my family is so great about helping clean up. Today, I'm very thankful for my home.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

I'm So Thankful - Pt. 16, 17

Nov 16th 
I'm thankful for my home.

Nov 17th 
I'm not a baker. However, I've discovered many ways to help me cheat the system. The box of cookies where you just add eggs? My family loves 'em. The following is my latest Baking For Dummies recipe that I scored from my super cool sister-in-law (she's a lot like me so we really get along). I'm thankful for easy baking.

Lemonade Party Cake
1 box Betty Crocker Lemon Cake (plus eggs, water & veg. oil that mix calls for)
1 can frozen lemonade concentrate
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 can lemon frosting


  • 1Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Make cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Cool 15 minutes.
  • 2Mix lemonade concentrate and powdered sugar. Pierce top of warm cake every 1/2 inch with long-tined fork, wiping fork occasionally to reduce sticking. Drizzle lemonade mixture evenly over top of cake. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until chilled.
  • 3Spread frosting over top of cake. Sprinkle with colored sugar. Store covered in refrigerator.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

I'm So Thankful - Pt 13, 14, 15

Nov 13th
I'm thankful for my car. I like a good roadtrip now and then. I like the freedom of going wherever I want, when I want. In fact, I kinda want to go on another mini roadtrip all of the sudden.

Happy Jack getting ready to eat some grub!
Nov 14th 
I am so thankful for good health insurance and quality health care. Jack had tubes put in his ears and it was a rough day for the two of us, but it's over now and Jack should be healthier & happier camper. My favorite moment of the day was watching my little, two-year-old boy in just a toddler hospital gown & diaper as he carried his pig through the hospital halls.

Nov 15th 
Today I was able to visit with my Grandma King. I haven't seen her in over a year, but this week she moved in with mom. I feel pretty blessed to have her living close. Today, I'm thankful for my grandmas.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

I'm So Thankful - Pt. 9-12

November 9th
I love getting lost in a good book. Over the past year I've enjoyed the following: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, the Stephanie Plum series, Elizabeth George's Edge of Nowhere, Jack Reacher series, and Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan series.

November 10th
I'm thankful for fellowship over football games & the chance to just chill (Go K-State!)

November 11th
I'm thankful that today Brian gets the recognition he deserves (and for his free pancakes, too).

The underside of a starfish
November 12th
I'm thankful to live in the PNW. Even though it poured rain yesterday, it's crisp & clear today. As I sit in my friend's home, I look our one set of windows and see the Puget Sound. Then, I look out the other window and see the Olympic Mountains. I even love the pungent smell of seaweed.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

I'm So Thankful - Pt. 5, 6, 7


Nov 5th
Sometimes it’s the little things in life so today I’m thankful for bubbles.

Nov 6th
As so many think about the future of our country, I find myself thinking of those who have gone before me. I’m thankful for the following women and their impact on my life.
Harriet Beecher Stowe

Susan B. Anthony & other women suffragates

Madame Marie Curie
Rosa Parks
Billie Jean King

Mother Teresa



Auntie loves you, Lu!
Nov 7th

It's Lucy's 1st birthday today and I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am for that baby girl. I was on the phone with Kirby the moment she figured out she was pregnant, and I can tell you there was some cussing tears hesitancy towards the notion of becoming a parent. 

Yet, my sister has become an amazing mother. She conscientious, self-less, patient. In turn, Lucy is becoming a pretty fun little girl. And, she is all girl - complete with shrill, happy squeals.


Sunday, November 4, 2012

I'm So Thankful - Pt. 4


Nov 4th
I'm thankful for my church.

Yesterday I participated in UPPC’s Community Serve Day. Most of the options to serve were out in the community. However, I was on a bit of a time crunch and decided to volunteer for work around the church facilities. I was reminded of how good it feels to serve (plus, it was fun to demolish some old shelving), and what great people I’ve met through my church.

Also, our church has an excellent nursery. Jack runs in on Sunday morning excited to play with his friends. He also gets to go play two mornings a week, and it’s such a relief to know he is in capable hands. And, I appreciate a couple hours to myself. 

Saturday, November 3, 2012

I'm So Thankful - Pt. 1, 2 & 3

Several friends of mine are creating a List of Thanksgiving. It's just one item a day from Nov 1st to Nov 22nd (Thanksgiving Day) to help give a little perspective as we move into the holy-day season. It sounded like a good idea so I'm jumping on the bandwagon. Here's mine, thus far:

Jack & Grandma Brenda
Nov 1st
I'm grateful for a small moment this evening. While running through Target, Jack was caught off kilter and almost ran into another couple. Without any parental instigation (because I've actually never told him to say this), Jack said, "'scuze me!" 

I'm thankful for two reasons. First, it was another example of how freakin' adorable my kid is. I know I'm slightly biased but pretty sure he is the best little man ever. Also, it made me feel like I'm doing alright with the whole parent-thing when my smart little guy sees & mimics polite behavior.

Nov 2nd
I'm thankful that my son gets excited to eat homemade applesauce. I'm thankful because it's a fairly healthy treat, especially compared to the garbage we were doling out two days ago.


Also, I've never been much of a homemaker, but since Jack I've found myself doing more homemaker-like projects. Gardening. Baking bread. Making dried fruit from apples & pears that I picked. I'm even planning a birthday party with some homemade decor (coming soon to a blog near you!). All that to say, I'm thankful for the ways I've grown being a mom.

I promise not all of these are going to be about Jack.

The Seahawks' Russel Wilson & Brian
Brian looks po'd about the last loss.
Nov 3rd
I'm thankful for my husband's job. For those of you who don't know me well, I'm not an army lover (unless it's the end of the month, as Brian likes to say). Brian works ridiculously long hours. He leaves home long before any sane person would be rousting (5:30AM), and he's lucky to be home by 6:30PM. As a commander, Brian must respond to calls and texts at all hours of the day & night. Sometimes this means late-night, last-minute treks to the base (usually because idiot soldier was arrested).

But I need to remind myself to be thankful. Brian is supposed to be deploying with his brigade this month. But last minute, the colonel asked Brian to be the rear commander, which means he is in charge of the soldiers who are unable to deploy. And like in the Bible, the ones left behind tend to be the screw ups. (Okay, so that's not how Jesus would have put it. Nor are all the soldiers trouble, but give a girl some creative license).

Anyway... back to being thankful for Brian's well-paying, pain-in-the-neck job. He may have to work a bit over the holidays, but at least he's not in a foreign country with kevlar strapped to his body. Brian will have quite a few late nights over the next month, but at least he'll be around for Jack's birthday.