Days 175 & 176

Between yesterday and today, I am thankful for everything that I was able to get accomplished. Granted, the monkeys make it a bit more challenging because I am constantly keeping them out of things, getting them to settle down, feeding them, changing them, separating fights, keeping them from escaping outside, etc. However, between yesterday and today I was able to get 90% of the bedroom cleaned, the kids' laundry done, the playroom cleaned, the kids' rug cleaned and vacuumed, some homework done, and some of my new niece's blanket done. All-in-all it was a pretty good couple of days. Now I'm going to work on some more homework, so I don't have as much to do during Alfredo's days off and I can just concentrate on spending time with the family.

Day 174

Today I am glad that I got my mid-term paper done and turned in. It's not due until tomorrow, so I started working on it today, and was surprisingly able to get it done this afternoon. I got it turned in early and that makes me happy because that means I have no homework for tomorrow, so I can actually get a head start on next week's assignments. Now, whether or not I got a decent grade is another story, but that's something to worry about another day.

Days 170, 171, 172 & 173

Well, it's time for another multiple day thankfulness post. This week I had a two-day conference in Spokane for the 21st Century program. It was so interesting and informative and I'm very happy I had the chance to go. I'm also very happy that Alfredo and the kids were able to come along with me. Yeah, they had to hang out in the hotel for most of the day, but it was great to spend the evenings with the whole family. Plus, Donovan really liked the hotel and keeps asking when we're going back!
I'm thankful we had a safe trip up there and back, and I'm thankful that the kids got some good quality Daddy time.

Day 169

Today I have a pretty amazing thing to be thankful for: my sister and her husband just had their first baby today! She wasn't due until July 1st, but she decided to make her appearance a little early. Good for my sister though, cause I don't know if she could have gotten much bigger. :)
I am so excited, and I'm so glad I got to talk to her before all the excitement went down. I was very surprised to hear she had the baby already. Labor went very fast for her, and it seems like everything went smoothly because they were able to go home from the birthing center within a couple of hours.
I can't wait to meet my new baby niece, and I am so happy that my sister and I are now able to share the experience of being a mommy.
I love you, Amanda, Matt and Lucy! I am so happy for all three of you and I am extremely excited to welcome baby into the family. I can't wait to meet her!

Day 168

Well, with it being Father's Day and all, I'm pretty bummed that Alfredo had to work today. But, that's how it goes when you work in the restaurant business. I am, however, so thankful that my kids have a daddy who works so hard to take care of them. We are beyond blessed to have Alfredo in our lives - especially the kids cause they wouldn't be here without him!
I know how hard it is for Alfredo right now because he works so much that he doesn't get to see the kids as much as he would like to. But it is amazing that he would sacrifice so much so that he can take care of us. I can't wait to be done with school so he can take a break from the restaurant and spend more time with the kiddos.
I love you so much, Alfredo and I am so happy that you are in my life. You make me so happy and I am so proud of everything that you do. You are a wonderful dad and an amazing husband. I couldn't ask for a better partner in life and I am so happy I get to spend every day with you. Thank you so much for everything that you do for us. I know you work so hard, and I want you to know that I appreciate all of it.
I know you had to work today, but I hope you still had a wonderful Father's Day. You deserve it!

Day 167

Today I'm glad that I was able to finish the book I needed to read for a paper due tomorrow. It was one of those things where I knew it was coming up, but just realized this week that it was due now. I had to scramble to read the entire book so I can write a paper that is worth 10% of my grade, so I can't really blow it off. Oh well, I finished the book, thankfully, so tomorrow I can write my paper. Yay!

Days 164, 165 & 166

Wednesday I was so thankful that our family got to spend some time together.  With Alfredo's work schedule, we don't get to see him much so it was wonderful to have some nice, quality family time.  We took a little drive, had a picnic, and just enjoyed each other's company.  Very nice.
Yesterday I was thankful that I got to sleep in a little bit.  Granted, I should have gotten up and gone to the gym, but it was so much nicer to sleep in.  I enjoyed every minute of it and am looking forward for my next opportunity.
Today I am thankful that I got to hang out with my niece and her baby girl.  I hadn't seen either of them in months and it was nice to visit with them for a little while.  I loaded the kids up, picked up Ashli and her baby, and we all went to the park.  The boys made friends with another group of people there - mooching  cherries and sunflower seeds - and I got to visit with my sweet niece for a while.  It was great to see her and her baby and I'm hoping we get to spend some more time together again soon!

Days 162 & 163

Yesterday I was thankful for the time I got alone with Donovan before bedtime.  When Alfredo works, I have Donovan lay down with me until Giovanni goes to sleep.  Last night I got to cuddle with my Donovan and talk to him.  I love getting to spend time with him and talk to him.  He always makes me laugh and he is so sweet.  Last night I asked him to promise me he would still love me and want to spend time with me when he is a teenager.  He told me that being a teenager was dumb.  Yes, Donovan, being a teenager is dumb. :)  He also said that he wasn't going to get married until he was 55, then he asked if that was old.  Well, maybe you could get married a few years before that.  I love my Donovan, and I love getting to spend some time with my sweet little boy.
Today I am thankful for some more mommy time.  I love the playdates my kids get to have with Kriste's kids, but I love the mommy nights I get with Kriste even better!  It was great to get to spend a couple of hours tonight with her, talking and drinking some good Costco wine!  I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I love mommy night!

Days 159, 160 & 161

I hate getting behind.  Now that I don't have anything going on, all the days blend together. So let's see....Friday, I was glad that Alfredo got home before it was too late. He made it back before 9:00 I think and that was nice. I hardly get to see him now that he is a manager, and so it was great to be able to spend a little bit of time with him before we went to bed.
Saturday, I was thankful that I got to go to the gym. I have been hit and miss the past few days, and I'm glad I made it in the morning. I hate it when I don't make it to the gym, I feel so worn down and unenergetic, so it was nice to be able to make it.
Today, I am thankful that the sun was finally out. It wasn't the warmest, but it was not raining, and that is good enough for me. I'm also thankful that we made it to church for Donovan's promotion to the kindergarted Sunday school class. He got his very first Bible today, and I'm excited and happy for him to get acquainted with his Bible. I hope that I can help him navigate through it to learn more about Christ and begin a lifelong relationship that will help carry him through whatever life may throw at him.

Day 158

Today is Donovan's fifth birthday, and I am so thankful for my wonderful little boy. I can't believe how fast he is growing up and that he will be starting kindergarten in the fall.  I love him so much and am enjoying watching him grow into this amazing person.  He is so smart and funny, and he makes me laugh all the time.  Yes, he can be a little stubborn at times, but given his family that is to be expected.  He has such a sweet, tender heart and is such a great big brother to Giovanni and Adelin.  I am so grateful every day that he is in our lives.  I hope that I can always provide the support and love he needs to be confident in himself and his abilities to follow his dreams.  I know that he can do anything his little heart desires, and I hope that I can provide whatever he needs to make that happen.  I love you so much, Donovan and thank you for being the amazing person that you are!

Days 156 & 157

Tuesday I was thankful that I got to spend some time with my mom getting our hair done.  I have not even had a haircut since before Adelin was born, and I can't even tell you that last time I got my hair colored.  Mom got me highlights and a hair cut and I love them both!  Thanks, Mom.  And your hair looked great too!
Yesterday I am thankful that I finally got a chance to try a Zumba class at the gym.  It was my first time, and I felt a little lost and uncoordinated at times, but it was so much fun.  I worked up a sweat, but I had fun doing it and I felt great afterwards.  I can't wait to go again.

Days 145-155

I realized the other day that I have fallen extremely behind, and I am just going to have to do a blanket thankful entry in order to get caught up again.
A lot has happened the past couple of weeks.  Donovan finished preschool, I finished at the middle school, we had the boys' birthday, and most recently I took a trip to Seattle with my mom.  Mom, Amanda, and I went to the Daughtry concert yesterday and it was so much fun.  I loved getting to hang out with my sister who I don't get to see often enough, and it was great spending time with my mom.  Mom ended up getting us VIP tickets to the concert so we got to go early and watch the band do three songs for sound check, and then get out pictures taken with the band.  They were all so nice, and I'm so happy Mom got the chance to pose with her Chris.
I am thankful that summer is finally getting into swing, and I can't wait to spend the summer with my kids and getting ready for Donovan to start school.  I think I am going to need the entire summer to prepare myself.