Day 7

Take a picture of one thing, person, place or specific moment that makes you feel grateful. Share it with your social network.

I did this, but I will have to come back to post.. my computer has been acting up thanks to Spidey! But, the picture I took is of my family. Hubs, Spidey and Diva. I couldnt be more grateful for them in my life. I get love, support, and a little bit of craziness haha.

Days 5 & 6

Day 5:Take five minutes to write about how grateful you are for all of the wonderful things that you currently have in your life. Don’t long for what you don’t possess—instead, take stock of all the blessings you already enjoy.

I kind of did this yesterday (well 2 days ago, but it was for day 4 haha). I am grateful for my wonderful family and friends, and all of the blessings in my life.


Day 6: Take a few minutes to call someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Tell them how much you appreciate them.

Its a little late for this, but I plan on doing it tomo (its 1130pm). Ill call or go visit GG. Timing is perfect cause its what would have been her and my Grandfathers wedding anniversary. I love hearing stories about my Grandfather. Although I do remember him, I was only 5ish when he passed. So hearing stories about him is always nice. Hopefully we dont get TOO much snow tomo, but if we do, it is what it is! Night guys :)

Catching up...

Gratitude Challenge days 3 & 4...

Didnt get on much yesterday so I have to catch up! :)

Day 3: Write about something you feel grateful for in your life today.

Today I am grateful for my friends and family. They stand by me through thick and thin and regardless of the choices I make, they never judge me. Today I got to hang out with one of my bffs Nicole. Love that girl! Shes like my other sister, I swear. No matter how often we get together, we always have such a great time. My family, I can call anytime day or night, and they will do anything they can for me. Im very lucky to have them all! (even the crazy ones! haha)

Day 4: Write a short message of thanks for some of the “negative” things in your life.

Im going to kind of cheat on this one, cause my answer is very similar to the last time.

I am grateful for the arguments Jay and I have. It has made us so much stronger as a couple over the years. I know no matter what, we love each other and that our fights are just tests of that. We always get through it and we always stick by each other, through all of our faults, because we love each other. You cant ask for any more then that! I am also grateful for spideys yammering. The kid does NOT SHUT UP! lol. He talks from the second he gets up til the second he goes to sleep and then even in his sleep sometimes! haha. It drives me crazy, but I am lucky. I will tell you why in just a second. Also, he loves his sister TOO much sometimes. Always in her face, always talking to her, always getting on her nerves. Which leads me to the Diva. Her sleeping patterns of a newborn still. STILL getting up 3+ times a night. STILL not napping. This mama is TIRED!

But I realize that I am lucky. I am lucky that my children talk. That they cry, that they BREATHE. So many mothers and fathers long for those simple things from their children. And I am lucky enough to have them. I tend to forget that when I am trying to talk to Jay or watch something and Spidey is making lots of noise (usually trying to make his sister laugh!). I yell at him, and then, almost immediately, remember that I should be grateful for his craziness. So I need to be. I need to appreciate the crying, the yelling and all the inbetweens. Cause at the end of the day, when that little boy tells me he loves me, or that little princess gives me a big gummy smile, this life is REALLY worth it. And how can I not be grateful for that?

Resolutions

So every year we all make up our "resolutions" for the year. Whether its to eat better and get fit, quit smoking, be more organized or save money most of us start the year off with at least one (or if youre like me, multiple!). But how many of us actually follow through with those resolutions? I know I usually dont. This year I thought (like many past years haha) "Ill really do it this year, Im gonna kick ass!"

The problem is is we get wrapped up in work, school, familytime, etc etc an either forget or give up on those resolutions. Well this year, to try and motivate me to keep them, I thought Id set small goals, and then reward myself at the completion of each. Whether it be a manicure, pedicure, night out with the hubby or friends, something to make me want to accomplish my goal moreso then before. What are everyones resolutions? Here are some of mine..

1-Lose 30 lbs by Jalyns birthday (6-14)
2-Get to church at least once a week
3-Say at least one nice thing to Jay a day. Its not always easy, but trust me when I say that even just one nice thing said to someone, can change their entire way of thinking that day.
4-Save money, pay off debts.
5-Find a job
6-Get more organized
7-Spend more time with family


I have more written on a list, but Im pooped out from playing "Just Dance 2" on the wii all night. Id love if you linked me to YOUR resolutions this year!

Gratitude Challenge day 2

Use the alphabet as a fun and quick format for making a list of things for which you feel grateful. Share this list with your social network through email, a blog post or a Facebook or MySpace page.

I remember doing this one last time, and it was a bit difficult. Hopefully I have better luck this time :)

A- Aaron, Autumn. Amazon.com (haha)
B- Being a mommy, blogging, bedtime, baking, Blackberry Sangria! mmmm
C- Chapstick, cooking, clean laundry and house, Christmas time!
D- Days with family, dad
E- Energy to play with/chase after the kidlets
F- Faith, Family, Facebook, Friends, Food
G- God (without him we'd be nowhere) Groups, cause Ive met some of my very best friends there :),giggling
H- Home. Whether its my parents or mine.
I- The Internet (lol) Im a dork I know! Ice Cream
J- Jay, Jaylyn
K- Kristin- thats me!
L- Laughter (esp the kidlets), Love, Life, the Library (I love to read!)
M- Movie nights, Motherhood, Marriage
N- New friends, Neighbors (love them, even naked santa! haha)
O- Old friends
P- Parents, both mine and Jays, Photography, Photos of family no longer around
Q- Quiet time. Thought few and far between lol
R- Reading, rice balls (Im fat I know haha)
S- Sleep. Oh how I miss thee!
T- True Friends, TWILIGHT! Taco Bell
U- Undisturbed time, understanding from the people who love me
V- Vacation - when we get them!
W- Wine! White Zinfendel!
X- Xmas (a bit of a cheat but X is hard!)
Y- You, for reading my blog :)
Z- Zebra's, specifically Marty from Madagasgar, ziploc bags (totally serious on that one too, they are a great invention!

Whats YOUR list of things youre grateful for?

The Gratitude Challenge!

Ever hear of The Gratitude Challenge? I did it on my old blog, but I figured with the new year, why not give it another shot?! read about it here:

With a hopeful outlook, I, Kristin, promise to fulfill the terms
of The Gratitude Challenge. Over the next 21 days, I pledge to complete the
activities on my gratitude calendar, including writing journal entries, taking
photos and connecting with friends. I promise to take note of life’s little blessings
and to give thanks for the relationships, experiences and opportunities that make
my life unique. From this day forward, I commit to living on the brighter side of life.

Signed, Kristin! :)

Day One: Today you start The Gratitude Challenge. Sign the contract and make a commitment to take note and give thanks for the next 21 days. Express why you accepted this challenge and what you hope to achieve from it.

I accepted this challenge because as I said in my earlier post, life is too short to live with regrets. One of this years resolutions is to be more grateful for the people and things in my life. And more importantly, start showing it!

2011!

Well first off, HAPPY NEW YEAR! Im sad to see 2010 go, but more excited then ever for a New Year! And as a great friend of mine said, 1/1/11 is like a reset button, total fresh start! Our year ended with a bang with a lot happening this last week. I got a call about a job in the city that would be a GREAT oppurtunity for us. I went for an interview on Thursday and I am really hoping to hear back from them this week. It would really help us get back on our feet and start saving! So any good thoughts/prayers are MUCH appreciated :)

2010 brought us alot of heartache, we lost some dear friends and family and it was the year of health issues for both our immediate and extended family. It went from hubs gallbladder in Feb, then back in the hospital for pancreatitis, bedrest for me, to Diva coming almost a month early with a NICU stay, to my gallbladder and subsequent hospitalization for pancreatitis, back to Diva in the hospital for a week and then me being laid off! And thats just with the four of us! However, 2010 was also filled with lots of blessings. Diva WAS born, and healthy at that. My little nephew was born, all 8lbs 11oz of him! I got to spend lots of time with Spidey and Diva because of that bedrest and job loss, and although it made for some tough times financially, I wouldnt trade it for the world. And we had the greatest Christmas weve ever had since Jay and I met. Weve grown tremendously as a couple, especially over the last month, and for that I say we are TRULY blessed!

Today marks 7 years since my Grammy died. She was such a wonderful woman, and I wish that both Jay and the kidlets were able to meet her. I wish that I wasnt so "busy" all those years she was around, and that I spent more time with her. I know that her, Titi, Grandpa, Vinnie, Uncle Mike and all of our other lost loved ones are walking beside us in our journey. Happy Anniversary in Heaven Grammy!

Last night we were able to spend some time with my other (and between Jay and I our only living) Gram. The kids had a great time and so did we. Good food and great company.

Its funny, growing up, I used to hate that my dad would always make us stay home New Years. I thought it was so dumb. Yet, now that I have my own kidlets, I see his reasoning behind it. You dont know how many more "New Years" youll have with the ones you love. How many times have you told yourself, "Ill call so-and-so tommorow, or Ill visit whats-her-name next week"? Dozens? Hundreds? Well let me tell you, life doesnt always give us tommorow, or next week. How would you feel if tommorow or next week when you called or visited it was too late? Yes, sopmeone might be young and healthy, does that mean their life is infinite? Nope. Ive know way too many that have died too young. So start living like your dying! I know thats my top resolution this year!

Happy New year! May it bring you health, happiness, and if theres still room some wealth :)