Top 10 Things I am Thankful for...

We had our first snow Thursday night into yesterday morning. It's so effing cold! As a result, here's what I'm thankful for...

10. My heated seats!
9. My space heater for the office
8. My electric blanket
7. My electric throw
6. My underarmour running hat
    and gloves.
5. Hot peppermint tea!
4 . My sweats and hoodies
3. My rein over the thermostat at
    home.
2. My new AWD vehicle

And the number 1 thing I'm thankful for...

1. My sweet 4-year-old who is in my bed every night to cuddle up with me.

So so lucky....

To wake up to this every morning. (of course, I won't discuss what takes place the second those little eyes open. Haha)

Mission organize and declutter had begun...

I love an uncluttered workspace.

Fresh flowers

This morning when we were grocery shopping, Smith's had some flowers on sale for $3.99. We brought them home and split them into 3 small attachments. We will be bringing one to Aunt Mary tonight because she is babysitting. I do love fresh flowers in the house.

It's been a while.

I am still as appreciative as ever of things in my life, even though this blog is a complete failure. I have much to be thankful for. Yesterday I started reading Jaycee Dugard's book. I've never in my life felt so much hatred toward someone I didn't even know. Today, I woke up around 5:30 as I do every morning when the sun comes up and shines through my window. I always love this, it's actually one of my favorite things to wake up to natural sunlight. Today, however, I actually stopped to notice it. I was so thankful for sunshine in my house.

P.S. I know, I really should stop reading this book!

Clean sheets and pillowcases....

Aww, after a nice run and shower, this is going to feel so good. Something I always love!

Yummy afternoon snack

Yesterday, Alyssa and I feasted on brie cheese, flatbread crackers, berries, and ice water. Still makes my mouth water.

Uswirl!

It's been a while. I guess this is a typical new years resolution. The blogging part that is. I am still noticing the small things daily.

This makes me happy happy!

Happy Thursday.

3 days ago, I was running in 70 degree weather, sweating my butt off, and this morning it snows.  Those of you who know me well know that I HATE cold, and unless we have a snow day, the snow does not make me happy. Today, however, it does. Because tomorrow, when I land in Orlando at 5 pm, it will still be 80 degrees!

Birthday wishes

I got a TON of birthday wishes, some amazingly special and thoughtful. But the most special ones were from two small girls.

Yummy.

I just had a realization. All you people give me such a hard time about being so ridiculous when it comes to eating healthy stuff. I Have noticed that a lot of the things (ok, honestly, a good majority) that make me happy are food items, so it's a good thing I developed these habits in my early 20's!! Haha. I seriously love my whole wheat english muffins with peanut butter! Although I think the fact that I'm up before the girls, eating breakfast and drinking my tea in silence has to be adding to the euphoria.

Strawberry colada...mmmmm

Yogurt and granola...every day. I discovered this flavor and it's like ice cream to me.

A first...

For the first time in my adult life, I have a bedroom set. Facebook gave it to me. :)

Warmth!

This little heater that warms up my freezing cold office! Cold Michelle = grumpy Michelle.

Organization

I don't always have time for it, but it really really makes me happy. I spent 3 hours this afternoon organizing my pantry. The label maker even came out.

Beauty

I have never even noticed these berry bushes in back of my house. It's the simplest beauty that we often overlook.

Need I find little things??

Really.

Cinnamon rolls...

On a Saturday morning. :p Happy happy girl.

Bubble bath

Friday means getting off work early to go for a run, then picking up the girls to get home and get in our jammies. Then, when the house is quiet, a nice long bubble bath for me. Awwwww.

It's been a while.

This is my new addiction. My sister haas advised me that this is no good for my sleep problems, but it makes me happy. Haha

Big one today!

I really hate Valentine's day, except that every year I search everywhere for the old fashioned Brachs candy hearts. Not the hard ones that taste like nekkos or sweet tarts, the soft ones we ate as kids! I wasn't even looking tonight when I stumbled upon them. Happy happy girl I was!...until I ate too many and got sick. Hehe. Be mine :)

Cinnamon rolls...

On a saturday morning equals dopamine straight to the brain.

Clean car

I seriously love a clean car. I can't even describe the feeling I get. Thank you grandma for always making sure I have free car wash coupons. Love you!

One thing I decided...i am waiting until both girls are out of car seats before getting a new car. The car seats and their kicking feet have destroyed the leather.

Reusable mugs

What did we ever do without them? How did people avoid falling asleep on the way to work? Love love love my morning tea.

Medals!

Seriously, I love medals! I'm still relishing the moment of this victory. :)

Music

I love music. Period. I get so much from it. I cannot image running without it.

Downright goofiness.

(this is yesterday's blog)

Emily said I was crazy. I said, "yeah, but can you believe that some mommies don't act goofy with their kids? Like they're all serious!?" I love our goofiness. :)

Exposed Toes!

Nothing makes me happier than putting on a pair of sandals. 72 in Phoenix :p

A trip to the fire station

On Sunday, I took the girls to the fire station out in Verdi. Misty, my childhood bff, has a boyfriend who works there. He showed the girls all the cool stuff. Alyssa was more into Misty's kids, but Emily was all into the truck. She got to turn on the siren and push buttons. She asked lots of questions. The fire fighters had to go to training, so when they left, they turned on the sirens and all waved to the girls as they drove the big truck out. So cool. Thanks Misty and Brian.

Peek a boo

I am so lucky. This is the view from my office. I get to play peek a boo anytime I want. Love it!

Ok, I won't lie...

Winning makes me very happy too. :)

Saturday = bowling day.

Bowling day = happy girl!

A ring. :)

Emily and Alyssa made this for me I guess. Emily came into the bathroom this morning as I was getting ready, and she said, "mommy, you're the best mommy and the most loving mommy." And with that she took my finger and fit it on. Happy mama today. :)

Pho and Friends...

Need I say more???

(P.S. This is yesterday's blog)

A daily reminder...

Alyssa's only job in the morning is to get her lunch off the island just as she's heading out the door. This morning, the kids were dressed, suited up in their winter attire, and they grabbed their lunches and we all flew out the door. When we got to Emily's school, I turned around to say goodbye and realized Alyssa's lunch was not in the car.

The conversation...
Me: Alyssa, is your lunch in the car?"
Alyssa: "uummmm"
Me: Alyssa, please tell me your lunch is in the car."
Alyssa: "uuuuummmmmm"
Me: "Emily, is her lunch back there?"
Emily: (searches everywhere) "no."
Me: "Alyssa, where is your lunch" (aggression has clearly set in).
Alyssa: "uuummm, I think it's by the icicles."
Me: "The what?" (stress is clearly present in the tone).
Emily: "Oh, she was playing with the icicles by the door."
Me: (chuckle to syself, then smile) "Oh, it all makes sense now."

The lesson...
As I drove all the way home, a 40-minute detour, I was reminded to slow down and smell the roses, or touch the icicles. Haha. Sure enough, there her lunch sat, right next to those amazing icicles. I love the lessons my kids teach me every day. :) It's the small things that matter.

Seat heat!

As I was driving home tonight and watching the temperature gauge drop, I was reminded again how happy that little switch in my car makes me. I jack it up to 5, (which means your butt may actually start on fire), and in moments, it's like there IS a heaven. I hope to never live without seat heat :)

Back Scrubber

Today was kind of blah, one of those days where it was not as easy as usual to notice all the joys around me. I spent hours designing my course I am about to teach from scratch because I misplaced my flash drive. However, in hindsight, I think it gave me a fresh start and the course will be better because of it.

So, my little touch of heaven today came when I was taking a marathon bath with the girls. Emily did a "triple" on my back which is where she lathers it up, scrubs forever, rinses, and repeats three times. Again, heaven! Triple please! :)