Grains of Gratitude

What a week this has been, I'm so glad that week is behind me and I can start a new week now!

I'm grateful for...

1. Today is mine and Joe's anniversary. 7 years. 7 wonderful years together. While I'm a bit sad that we can't spend this day celebrating together, I am so grateful for Joe. Grateful for the husband and father he is, the marriage we have, and secure in the knowledge that he loves us unconditionally. Unfortunately he can't access my blog over there ... the nerve to block blogs! LOL Happy Anniversary anyway honey, know that I love and miss you.

2. As I've mentioned already - I'm so grateful this week is over...and it's not necessarily because of Joe being gone (although that contributed!) but it's because I don't know how to say "no!" It actually started last Thur (yes, the Thur morning that Joe left). The week before I was asked if I could help our neighbors (2 doors down) to watch their 2 daughters (3 yrs and 17 mths). I wish I would have said I couldn't do it on Thur, but anyway. The mom is in the Guard and had to do her duty days in Alb (which is 3 hrs away) and the dad couldn't take leave...they needed someone to watch their girls all day long. I had them Thur and Fri last week. I had Mon "off" but I watched them 1/2 day Tues (I had MOPS in the morning) and then all day Wed-Fri. Needless to say my computer time was extremely limited with 2 extra kiddos in the house! I am so behind on bloglines and responding to comments/emails! I know I need to get used to having 2 kids in the house, but it's different when they are your own! This is why I have no desire to be a home day care provider - I don't know how those ladies do it! So that is why I'm so glad this week has ended! I get my house and routine back to normal.

3. I'm grateful my friend Jennifer came over on Fri to stay with the 2 girls so I could run up to Kayla's school and take her to the Scholastic Book Fair. She was so surprised to see me at school! We went to the auditorium and browsed through the books and Kayla picked out 2 books.

4. I'm grateful for the Kiddie Disco/Buffet that was Fri night. At first I wasn't going to go because I didn't know anyone who was going, but then I thought what the heck! I won't have to cook dinner! Kids 5 and under are free and my buffet only cost $6 - can't beat that! Fried chicken, ham, roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, pasta, and dessert. Kayla of course loved just jumping around and dancing to the music with the other kids. They also have a clown so Kayla enjoyed her butterfly balloon. We had been home for about 15 min while she was playing with her balloon and all of a sudden she says, "Thank you clown!" This week has totally exhausted Kayla too. After we got back on Fri she was sitting on my lap on the couch watching baseball with me and at 7:45 she fell asleep. I don't think she's ever fallen asleep before 8:00!

5. Last night was "Military Night at the Zoo" for all active duty and their families; so Kayla and I went with Jennifer and Katelyn for free pizza, popcorn, snocones, movie on the big screen, jumping castle, and door prizes. There were goody bag for the kids, but they ran out by the time we got there - which was only 20 min after it started! It was getting ready to end and there were still a lot of prizes to give away so instead of calling out anymore #s the guy decided to do some different things. He asked "does anyone have an anniversary this week?" Of course I raised my hand and so did Jennifer (theirs is the 18th) and then he changed it to anyone having an anniversary this month to come up front. By the time I got up there it was me and this other guy. They only had one envelope left. The guy said his was the 18th, I said "mine is tomorrow...and my husband is gone." Of course the guy said I could have it :) So Jennifer and I both got $25 certificates to the commissary (grocery store on base). How handy is that since I need to go shopping on Tues! Actually I'll probably save it for the holidays and get a nice ham! Nice way to end the week!

6. Grateful for feeling this new life moving around inside of me. I'm pretty sure I've been feeling some movement over the last 2 wks, but I just wasn't 100% sure. Last night before bed I was pushing and poking on my belly and after a few seconds I know I felt a response back to me! That went on for a few minutes. Not only that I could see the little instant "bump" created by a fist or knee or leg or whatever body part as baby responded back. I didn't think I would be able to see it this early, but I was reclined in bed and pulled my skin taut with one hand and that made it more visible :) I can't wait until Kayla can feel the movement!

Next week is still going to be busy - dental and OB appts for me, ENT for Kayla, soccer practice, Bunco, HEAT Expo, and Thanks Team Holloman celebration - but at least I won't have 2 extra kids and I can leave the house to go buy groceries and run errands!

I also received some bloggy awards this week! I received from Nancy the "Nice Matters Award," from Karen the "You Make Me Smile Award," and from Kathleen Marie the "Charity Blogger Award." Thank you all for your kind words, I never expected my blog to touch other people that way, I really only started it for family and friends, but I'm so grateful for the kind bloggers out there I've "met!"