Day 5: Our Neighborhood & Christmas Lights

A sweet moment from Monday. I am grateful for our home, neighborhood, and of course Christmas lights! We took a little walk around our neighborhood Monday evening because the rain had finally let up a little bit. The temperature dropped, and it actually felt like winter was coming for about a minute. That's why Mila was all bundled up. She wanted to wear both her reindeer hat and her hood on her jacket. Silly girl!

Day 4: Silly Girls

I am so thankful to have a daughter with an adorable silly personality. This is Mila on Sunday, with lipgloss ALL OVER her face. She was so enthusiastic about putting it on and did it so fast we didn't even have a chance to slow her down. She had pink lipgloss EVERYWHERE on her face. Luckily I am the mom who uses baby wipes to clean everything so it wiped off, but I laughed so hard I cried. I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard, and feel so lucky to enjoy these moments with my crazy toddler girl. I am especially cherishing these last few months with her alone. 

Day 3: Family

I am so thankful for my brother and sister in law (Mike's brother and his wife). 

1. Ever since day 1 when Mike and I started dating, they welcomed me with open arms and were so friendly, they made me feel like family right away. 
2. They trust us with their kids and we trust them with ours. It takes a village to raise kids, and I am so grateful that we have them to rely on for advice, fun times, and the occasional date night. Mila loves her cousins and asks for them almost every day.
3. I am so thankful we have friends forever to spend family time with, holidays, and just a random drop by when we say "Hey, what are you guys up to?!" 
4. We're all on the same page and drama free. We all love our kids to death, and want the best for them and each other. I know not all families get along this well and I am thankful that we do.
5. I grew up an only child for a long time, and never had any siblings to share things with. Now as an adult I'm so grateful to have married a man who did have siblings because I now have the brothers and sisters I missed growing up. 

I am just so thankful for Javier and Nicki, and Justin and Brian and the joy they add to our lives.

More About My Husband

You would think one day bragging about your husband is enough. But last night, something happened that made me so thankful and humbled to have my husband all over again. 

I volunteered to host a table at our church's ladies holiday event with the intention of doing it with my mom, but she wasn't able to make it anymore. I was so disappointed (I blame it on the pregnancy hormones) that I waited until the last minute to do anything, shopping, planning, etc.. I just didn't want to do it anymore. 

So I cobbled together some decorations at the last minute, and last night went along in the rain to decorate our table. Mike had to cancel an appointment because of my planning mistake and he and Mila came with me. Even there, I thought "my table is going to suck, I don't even want to do this".

Melissa, our pastor's wife called us all up to talk about the event and pray for us, and as I turned around, I saw Mike getting a box (from the trash) and fixing the table up for me. 

He was trying to cheer me up. 

I started tearing up right there. I honestly don't even know if he thought it would affect me all that much, but it did. Just thinking about how he wanted me to enjoy the event, feel good about my table, and cheer up means so much to me. I didn't expect any of that all, honestly. All I expected was for him to watch the baby while I tried to figure something out. 

Our table turned out lovely because of his effort and imagination.. I really couldn't do things without him. I am so thankful. 

Day 1: My Husband

Starting 21 days of gratitude, 1 topic, 5 specific things. We want to me more intentional about our gratitude, and I want to record it.

Day 1: My husband.

1. I am so grateful I have a husband who is also my best friend. He is the first person I think of when I want to share anything. He listens to my crazy ideas, offers advice when I need it, and knows just when to let me have my way or have some space. I love that he knows me so well.

2. I love that Mike is a dreamer. When my feet are firmly on the ground (and sometimes my head is in the sand), he's still dreaming about ways to grow as a person, in his career, and how it would benefit our family. Even when I don't want to support ANOTHER idea, he's still dreaming up ways to make it successful. He reminds me to keep an open mind and believe anything can happen.

3. I am grateful that Mike is my biggest supporter. Even in times I fail as a wife, and don't support him the way I should, whenever I have an idea or something I want to do, he's the first one to encourage me to go for it. I want to be more like that, and I'm grateful I have his example always to follow.

4. I am grateful that he makes us laugh. Both Mila and I love his sense of humor, his silly jokes, and his willingness to look silly/crazy/absurd to make us laugh.

5. I am grateful that he's willing to do anything that needs to be done. From walking the dog, to doing dishes, I am so lucky to have someone who is willing to pick up the slack and do what needs to be done when I am tired, lazy, or just can't get off the couch. He forgives my lack of cooking ability, and so many other things.

I am so grateful to have a partner in life and love.
I can't imagine life any other way.