Thankful Thursday (Sunday edition)

I am at a point in my life where everything has fallen into place.

My kids got into Monticello Academy for school next year and I am absolutely thrilled.  Ashleigh got in right away after the school's lottery process but Jackson has been on the waiting list. I checked my email before bed a couple nights ago and saw the magic acceptance letter sitting in my inbox. I was so excited, I couldn't sleep. It's a charter school right down the street from my work, with small class sized, motivated and talented teachers who really help their students to succede. Ashleigh wasn't particularly thrilled to move to a new school, away from friends, and having to wear uniforms but Jackson is excited after being bummed out when he didn't get into the school right away.

All my hard work from my garden over the last month had paid off. I couldn't be happier with what I was able to accomplish from a pile of scrap wood. I just pray that it produces an abundant amount of food for my family this summer.

Finances are on track and that's always a good feeling. For years I've thought of getting into the stock market as a day trader and I am finally going to do it.

Russell is doing great and enjoys work a lot more after being promoted to a different department last month. He's been so supportive and helps me out with my crazy projects. He is able to take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to go to Hawaii for a week long drill camp in July. I am very excited for him, it will be an unforgettable experience.

There's always ups and downs in life and I'm fortunate to have everything 'up' right now and I'm going to enjoy every minute of it.  Just last week I was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. It's amazing how fast things can turn around. It just takes patience and faith.

An extra dose of patience please

This is what I came home to after a karate class last week. 4 berry bushes, 2 tomato plants, carrots, lettuce, and flowers, all gone. I cried a little. Most of those I had been growing since last summer. I babied them all winter long. Who knew I would end up loosing them at the paws of a bored puppy.

I have a print from my favorite artist which happened to break from someone not paying attention. The glass is shattered and it's currently sitting on my dinning room table.

Copper ate a ball point pen.. Broke it wide open.. On my new couch... Ink is not covered in the fabric stain warranty. Go figure.

I'm feeling a little down, now would be a good time to reflect on some of my thankfully Thursday posts for a little pick-me-up. But I'm thinking an evening of relaxing with something good to drink and not having to cook (read that as clean up from) dinner might be better. Especially if I can talk Russell into a back massage.

Thankful Thursday

Of the many blessings I have, here are a few things I am thankful for today:

• My son trying new foods now (especially veggies!)
• Tweezers - for those nasty splinters
• Wheelbarrows & shovels
• My garden
• Home grown fruits, veggies & herbs
• Having the next four days off from work
• How hard Jackson has been working to get ready for his next Karate tournament (5+ hours a week at the dojo and time practicing at home everyday. He is competing in seven different events)
• Video recording/cameras
• Magic bullet - makes the easiest smoothies ever
• My kids not complaining too much about me removing the microwave (as an experiment) and I am loving the extra counter space.

Thankful Thursday

I saw this picture on Facebook (thanks Char) and thought it would be perfect for my Thankful Thursday post. The picture is adorable and I think it puts things into perspective.

First and foremost I am thankful for my family and all of their individual personalities that make them unique.

I am thankful for being brought up in a household of acceptance which has allowed me to grow up appreciating diversity and, in turn, pass that to my children.

I am thankful for patience. Lots and lots of patience. (especially pertaining to one certain puppy)

I am thankful for a roof over my head. (Which does not leak *knock on wood* like the picture above)

I am thankful to have been able to build a treehouse with my kids in the backyard last weekend. I have always wanted my kids to have a treehouse, ever since Ashleigh was a baby, so the project was very near and dear to my heart.

Holi - Festival of Colors

I could look at these pictures all day long. They are breathtaking. As we know, pictures usually don't do the real thing justice. In person, not only is it stunning but there is such a fantastic feel of unity from everyone. Last year it was just the kids and I but this year Russell came also and it was so fun! Ashleigh's best friend, Kylee got to come with us. My friend Cinnamon came also and her boyfriend with her two boys, and one of her friends and her boys. 

We got food from Taste of India who had a booth set up again this year but the kids actually liked the food this time! We ended up getting three orders of vegetable pakora by the end of the afternoon. I'm sure if they knew it was made with cauliflower, cabbage, and spinach, among other things, they would have already decided it was gross before even tasting it. But they had no idea what it was made with and they thought it was delicious!  The Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple was beautiful and the weather was fantastic. I'm looking forward to going back for the festival next year.

Before & After

You know the saying, a picture is worth a thousand words. So, I will let my pictures do the talking for this post.

 

 

  

 

  

 

    

Dancing, playing, eating, loving, singing, I had a blast! Until next year...

Unpleasant Surprise

Be forewarned, the following post is not for the squeamish. (What in the world are you about read?) I'll tell you, it has to do with my kitchen. In order for this to really make sense I have to fill you in on the fact that I very rarely use my microwave. I will use it on the rare occasion I need to defrost something in a hurry or warm up a drink that has cooled off too much.

I was cleaning the kitchen the other night, and as I wiped down the counter tops I noticed some grimy fingerprints on the front of the microwave. Some people, obviously, are messy cooks around here. I wiped down the front of the microwave, the digital keypad and the button to open the door. I figured if the outside was dirty that surely the inside could use a little wipe down as well. I was not prepared for what I saw inside. Oh my, it looked like a kill room from Dexter. If you are not familiar with the show, Dexter, the main character is a serial killer, enough said. I would be lying if I said I wasn't slightly disgusted.

After school snacks. Chili. Ravioli. Soup. Pot pies. Oatmeal. You name it, it was not so carefully spattered on all four sides and especially the roof of that microwave. Nasty. I tried to remember the last time I had cleaned the microwave. It had been at least a week and I was staring at the proof that no one covered a bowl or cleaned up a mess in a while. Apparently we need to have a little family meeting about using the microwave and wiping down the inside will be added to the daily chore list.

Luckily for me, I learned of a super easy way to clean the microwave last year. Rather than scrubbing I steamed it clean. I added some baking soda to a bowl of water plus and I like to add a couple drops of essential oils (tea tree which is a natural disinfectant and lemon just because it smells nice and fresh) and 'cooked' it for three minutes. Afterwards, I effortlessly wiped everything down with a warm dishrag. I should have let the kids do it but they were already in bed.

So, lesson learned. My kids use the microwave because it's quick and easy when they don't feel like really cooking something, so there's really no surprise that it's too much effort *rolls eyes* to clean up any messes they leave behind. They are officially busted though, no more microwave messes.

Thankful Thursday

I thank god for all I have been blessed with. 

Here are just a few things I am thankful for today:

• The Salt Lake County Animal Services, who took great care of Copper today when he got neutered & the pain medication they provided to help him feel a little more comfortable for the next couple days (all at no cost through their free Pit Bull Spay & Neuter program).
• Family. It was nice to have my kids, boyfriend, brother, sister-in-law and mom visiting and enjoying a great dinner around the table. (Thanks again mom for the Pei Wei, I am still full and not having to do dished after dinner is always nice!)
• Photography. I am able to freeze a moment in time and save it forever
• Finding cool looking clouds with my kids, especially ones shaped like fun objects or animals
• Being able to cook with the eggs from my mom's chickens