Day 362

Today I was thankful for the couple of hours of peace and quiet I got while the kids were gone. Alfredo's grandma's birthday was today, so Grandma Adela took the kids down to her house for a couple of hours tonight, and I was kid-free for awhile. It was nice and quiet - and a little weird. I got some knitting done, watched TV that wasn't cartoons, folded some laundry, did the dishes, and even ate something without have three kids hanging around and begging for some. And I did it all without once having to yell at anyone or put anyone in time out. It was so nice and over so quickly. Don't get me wrong, I love my kids, but time alone with no school work or anything else that has to get done is very few and far between. I loved every single minute of it.

Days 358, 359, 360 & 361

Christmas Eve, I was thankful that Alfredo got home from work early enough to not only hang out with us and watch A Christmas Story on TV, but he helped Donovan make his gingerbread house, and helped the kids decorate cookies for Santa. I love our laid back Christmases and even though he had to work earlier in the day, he was able to get home in time to enjoy some of the day with us.
On Christmas, I was thankful that we were able to provide the kids with a good Christmas. I know they're still pretty young, but since we don't always have much money, it's that much nicer when we are able to get the kids things they enjoy. I also loved the fact that we all got to hang out in our pajamas all day, playing games, relaxing, and even playing in the snow that night. The kids did not want to come in, but I was out there for more than enough time. Even Adelin, who just walked around in the snow had to be carried in kicking and hollering. I'm so grateful that the kids had a great Christmas, and I have to say it was a pretty good one for me too!
Yesterday I was thankful that I do not have to work retail any more. It was so wonderful to stay home and spend the day hanging out with the kids, watching TV, working on my knitting, and even making more cookies. I am so glad that I will  never have to work retail again, and every holiday I am reminded how much I hated having to work instead of spending the time at home with my family.
Today I was thankful that Alfredo had the day off, and we were able to go get the boys some new shoes. Both the boys are growing so fast, and right now they just have their Converse for everyday use. The shoes are fine, except that they let their feet get wet in the rain and snow. So, we were able to get shoes for Donovan and Giovanni. I was even happier with the fact that Donovan liked his new shoes so much that he wanted to wear them to bed! I'm glad that we are able to provide our kids with the things they need. Money may be tight, but I know that our kids are taken care of.

Days 355, 356 & 357

Friday I was thankful that I was able to drag myself out of bed and down to the gym by 5:30 in the morning so I could take a yoga class. It has been years since I've done yoga, and I really missed it, and I'm really out of shape. It was hard, but a good hard, and I found out I need to get my own yoga mat, because the mats they have at the gym are teeny tiny. But, I'm glad I was able to go and look forward to going again this week.
Saturday, I was thankful that I finally got the playroom all cleaned and reorganized. The kids have rediscovered toys they forgot about, and I have been able to keep them occupied with things other than TV, or the iPhone. It's good practice for the summer when we won't have cable anymore.
Today, I am thankful that Alfredo actually got home before the kids went to bed. He hadn't seen them since Friday morning because he got home after they went to bed that night, and worked all day Saturday, too. He got up and left this morning again before they woke up, but was able to get home around 5:30, so he got to spend the evening with them. He helped Donovan make a gingerbread house, and put the kids to bed while I was at the store. They miss him so much when he works, and I know he misses them. I'm glad he got home early tonight, and hopefully he will be home early enough tomorrow to help us make cookies for Santa.

Days 353 & 354

My thankfulness for yesterday is actually a bonus for the day before. Tuesday night was Giovanni's Christmas program for his preschool. It started by getting him in his costume, which was not exactly fun, but not as bad as I thought it was going to be. The next thing was getting him to keep it on, and then stay in the room with the rest of the kids. I was finally able to head out and find my seat with the rest of the family so we could watch. Giovanni began the program by crying - which was so sad, but I knew he would stop soon. And he did and then immediately made a break for the back of the group. It was really funny to watch him, and he didn't disappoint. He crawled around, went to the back of the little inn they had made, and then popped his head up to look out the little window. The poor kid who was playing the innkeeper had no idea how to handle him crawling around. Then he walked over to the drums to have a look, then he tried to make another break for it. They finally exiled him to the front on the stairs right next to a teacher. It was entertaining, and as stubborn as that kid is, I wouldn't have him any other way. It's a tough world out there, but I know my precious Giovanni is not going to take any crap from anybody and he is going to stick to his beliefs no matter what. I'm glad my mom was able to come down and witness the spectacle that was Giovanni.
Today I am thankful for my amazing husband. It is his birthday, and even though he had to work, I hope he had a good day. I can't believe we starting dating over 7 years ago, and now we have three amazingly beautiful children together. He is my rock, and he works so hard for us. I am thankful that God put him on this earth and brought him into my life. I don't know what I would do without him. Happy birthday, Alfredo. May this year be the best year ever for you, and may you spend many more wonderful years on this earth with me. I love you!

Days 349, 350, 351 & 352

So close to the end of the year, and still so much to be thankful for. Saturday was my first real day of Christmas vacation, and it could not have been more welcome. School is kicked into high gear until I graduate, and I was so looking forward to the break. I'm glad I was able to get everything I needed to done on time, and I'm so looking forward to the next three weeks off!
Sunday, Mom and Dad came down to visit for a little while and it was really nice to see them. I think the tragedy from Friday has got us all feeling a little more nostalgic for our family. So they met the kids and I at Bonefish, we got to eat brunch together, and then they hung out at the house to visit for a couple of hours. It was really nice to see them, and the kids enjoyed visiting with them, too. I'm sure the feeling was mutual. :)
Yesterday, was Alfredo's day off from work, so it was nice to just hang out and get some things accomplished. Around 7:00, we decided to get the kids in their pajamas and drive around and look at Christmas lights. My favorite part was listening to the kids talk in the back of the van. Giovanni and Adelin are really cute when they talk to each other, because I can't understand 90% of what they're saying, but they seem to understand each other. I love it because Giovanni is interacting more with Adelin and she gets such a kick out of him. They are adorable, and it was fun listening to all of them comment on the Christmas lights we saw last night.
Today, for the first time in I don't know how long, Alfredo made it to the gym with me. I have been trying to get  more regular with my gym visits, and it makes it much easier to get my bottom out of bed if I have someone coming with me. So, I'm thankful for the fact that Alfredo was able to drag himself out of bed at 5:00 in the morning to come to the gym with me.

Days 347 & 348

I know that this is supposed to be my thanfulness post, but there are other things that need to be addressed as well. It is amazing how many emotions one person can go through in one day. I began the day bright and early to finish my final project for today, then got everyone up and ready for their dentist appointment. The appointment went about as well as anticipated: Donovan and Adelin did great; Giovanni, not so much. I did find out that Donovan has his first loose tooth, so it was a little emotional for me as well.
After the dentist, we dropped Donovan off at school, then went home and I got my project together for class. At one point in time, the TV was on one of the spanish stations and I noticed they were showing some building of some sort in Connecticut. I couldn't tell what had happened, but didn't pay it much attention and finished getting ready. It wasn't until right before I left, that I got on Facebook and read everyone's posts and discovered what had happened. I couldn't believe it, and actually burst into tears more than once on the drive to school.
I was able to push the thoughts out of my head for the majority of classtime, and on the ride home I called and talked to my mom for a few minutes to tell her about the dentist appointment and talk about how Donovan has been doing in school. We briefly talked about what had happened, but soon hung up after telling each other "I love you".
The next hour or so was still pretty emotional for me. All I could think about was those poor children, and how Donovan was sitting in his own kindergarten class at the same time. While you never think something like that would happen to people you love, the events of today showed me that anything can happen at anytime. I kept thinking, "Expect the best, but plan for the worst". I wondered if the teacher had discussed with the class what to do in a situation like that. It's a difficult subject to bring up with five-year olds, but the events of today showed that it is an important one.
As I went to pick up Donovan, and walked onto his school grounds, I couldn't help but notice all the kids and how innocent and oblivious they were to the horrible things that had happened to other kids just like them. It was all I could do not to cry as I walked down the sidewalk. As I neared the area where I pick up Donovan, I could see him lining up. I know that he always scans the crowd looking for me, and as I walked up he turned and spotted me and yelled, "Mommy!" and came running over to the gate to be excused. It was almost too much for me to take seeing him so excited, and as he came out, I bent down so I was even with him and gave him a great big hug, a kiss on the cheek, and told him how much I loved him. He was telling me what a good day he had at school, and then we stopped to tie his shoe before heading home.
I held his hand for most of the way to the van, and for some reason, today he didn't seem to mind. Usually he lets go of my hand as soon as we cross the street, but today he held on for longer than usual. When we got to the van I asked him if his teacher had told him what to do if someone bad comes to the school. He was confused about what I meant and said they were supposed to tell her if someone was bad or hurting someone. I said, "No, what do you do if there is an emergency?" He replied that they go outside when the alarm goes off.
So, I told him that there was a school a long way from us, that had a very bad person go and hurt a lot of people, and I wanted to know if his teacher had told them what to do if that happened. He said no, so I told him that if someone bad comes to their school and wants to hurt people, he needs to listen to his teacher, find a place to hide, and be really quiet. Then he needs to wait until either his teacher or a police officer finds him and says it's ok to come out. Of course, my little hero said he would just kick the bad guy, so I had to explain that this bad guy came into the school with guns and hurt some kids really bad. I said I liked how he wanted to stop the bad guy and save everyone, but if someone has a gun he wouldn't be able to just kick him or throw something at him. Plus the guy would probably be bigger and stronger than him. I told him again that he needed to hide, and be really, really quiet - as quiet as he could possibly be, because if the bad guy was looking for people to hurt, I didn't want him to be able to find Donovan.
We talked a little bit more, and I cried and Donovan laughed at me for crying :) - but I told him I was crying because if someone ever hurt him like the guy hurt the kids at the other school, I would be very, very sad, so I wanted him to do whatever he needed to do to be safe. He seemed to understand, and we discussed it some more on the way home.
My heart breaks so much for the families who lost people today. As the mother of a kindergartner, I think today really hit me hard. I thought of Donovan and his classmates sitting in their room, learning, playing, being innocent five-year olds, and then to have to deal with something like this is horrible. The innocence that was shattered today, the senselessness of going after young children, knowing that I never know if someone will do this to people I love. I think of my baby boy sitting in his portable classroom at school, I think of his teacher and I think about what would have happened if that man or someone like him came into his school. It breaks my heart, but drives home so much the fact that we truly never know if or when something like this will happen.
My heart breaks for all of those parents who lost their precious babies today. I cannot imagine the amount of anguish and grief they are going through right now, and I doubt if they will ever be the same again. I pray that God is able to grant the grieving families at least some peace, I hope that we can rally together as a nation and as parents and do what we can to support these people and let them know that they are not alone.
I hope and pray that I will never take my family, my babies for granted. I hope that no matter what, I am able to see their beautifulness, to look at their perfect faces and remember to take the time to cherish them. Because even if we don't have to go through a tragedy, they are going to grow up so fast, and these days with them I will never get back again.

Days 345 & 346

Yesterday I was thankful that Alfredo had the day off. I was able to get the majority of one of my major projects done. Plus it's just nice to see his face every once in a while. :)
Today was my last day in my practicum class for this semester, and I am so grateful for the teacher and the students I got to spend time with. They were such a sweet bunch of kids, and they all gave me goodbye cards today that they made. The more time I spend in a classroom, the more secure I am with my career choice. It may have taken me awhile to figure it out, but I'm thankful for every opportunity I have now and for every door that opens for me. I am so grateful I get to have such wonderful and enriching experiences. It makes me even more excited to graduate and finally get a real job!

Days 342, 343 & 344

Well, I'm thankful that I had a day to relax on Saturday and not do much before finals week. Granted, I could have been working on my projects, but the kids don't ever let me get much stuff done. So, I didn't do much of anything and geared myself up for finals week.
I'm also glad that we finally made it back to church on Sunday. Giovanni was finally in the preschool class instead of the nursery, and from the sounds of it he gave them a run for their money. I hope they let us come back next week!
Today I am glad that I got my final paper done for literacy a day early, and that Donovan had a good day at school. He has been having some behavior issues - talking and not doing his work - for the past couple of weeks. I was very glad to hear from his teacher that he had a great day today. Hopefully it will carry through to the rest of the week.

Day 341

I know it's early in the day, but I have to say that I am so thankful that I am able to drive Donovan to school in the morning. We don't live too far, so when the weather is nice I always try to walk with him to school. However, this morning it was SO COLD. I am so glad that we have vehicles that can get us to and from his school so we don't have to walk back and forth in the freezing weather. Momma does not like the cold!

Day 340

Today I am thankful that we finished our final lesson plan at the middle school, and I had my last official class for school. I have one class to go to next week during finals week, and another meeting for my practicum class, and then I am done for three full weeks!!! I am so excited. I have so much stuff I want to get done around here. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself for three weeks, but I'm looking forward to finding out! Yay!

Days 337, 338 & 339

Monday I was thankful that I had nowhere to go and nothing that had to be done. It was weird, because I kept thinking I had to do something, because I always have something to do. But, it actually was the rare day that the only thing I had to do was get Donovan to and from school that day. It was amazing and I am looking forward to Christmas break even more now.
Tuesday I was glad that Giovanni was feeling better. He spent part of Sunday and all of Monday being sick and not being able to eat much. It was so sad to see him just laying around, which made me even happier to see him getting back to his normal self. He still wasn't able to go to school, but he back to normal and he is all ready to go for tomorrow.
Today I am thankful that our dance project for the Integrating Art class went so well. I am again thankful that I was in a great group, and I think that we did a great job tonight. Even though I wasn't looking forward to having to do a dance in front of our class, I actually had a lot of fun tonight. Although I have had "Gangnam Style" going through my head for about the last six hours now. Oh well.

Day 336

Well, not much happened today, but I was able to get some homework done so I'm thankful for that. I can't believe I only have two weeks left of school this semester. I am so excited for the time off. If I can make it through these next two weeks, and get all my assignments done on time I will be so happy. I only have one paper, a poster, and two projects left to do and I will be done! Yay!

Days 334 & 335

Yesterday I was thankful that Donovan had a good day at school. He was having a rough week, behavior-wise, so it was nice that he was able to end the week on a good note. He is a cross between my talkative-ness, and Alfredo's daydreamy-ness, and so it is hard for him to stay on task and pay attention at school sometimes. Poor thing, doesn't stand a chance, really. But I made up a behavior chart, so now he has to earn minutes of game-time based on his behavior at school. Hopefully, this system will help him to not be such a disruption in his classroom. I guess only time will tell.
Today I am thankful that it is almost Christmast break time. I am quickly running out of steam as far as school is concerned and I am really looking forward to some time off. For example, I have an assignment, a final paper, and two big projects due within the next couple of weeks. I thought about starting on something quite a few times today, but just could never get myself to do it. I will absolutely be enjoying my time off. Maybe my resolution for next year can be not to procrastinate so much. Hahaha!