Bless Her Heart

:: 30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 20 ::

Day 20 - Stolen quiet moments...

Like it is for everyone at this time of year, the days are full the the top with hustle and bustle.  It feels like there are people EVERYwhere.  I'm loving the holiday prep *in* my house, but as soon as I venture out it feels like the volume has been turned way up inside my brain. Tonight I am grateful for a nice, mellow decompression with the family, first with family dinner and then with a little TV time (Top Chef).  After all the family had made their way to their rooms, jobs, and/or houses,  I retreated to my room to spend 10 minutes collect and center myself. Dark room + deep breaths + hot cider leads to a refreshed and peaceful mama.  I just need to find a way to do this about 10 times a day. I'll be practicing tomorrow, that's for damn sure.

:: 30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 19 ::

Day 19 - Holiday Excitement...Better late than never right?

We pulled out all of the holiday boxes and trimmed out the tree last week.  As fun as it was to see the kids getting amped up and decorating the house, I hadn't been bitten by the bug...until last night.  The one thing I know is that you can't force holiday cheer...that only makes things feel more pressure filled. You're either feeling it, or you're not.  Now my brain is going a thousand miles a holiday minute.  How many different types of cookies and ornaments can we possibly make in the next four days? How many gingerbread houses can we decorate? How many puzzles can we finish? I'm so glad my holiday spirit showed up...I was starting to get a little worried. :-)

:: 30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 18 ::

Day 18 - This Day

This day that started out like any other day and left me swept up in this wave of sweet gratitudes across Facebook, email, Twitter and some of my favorite blogs. I realize that I'm cheating a bit since I've already blogged about this little gratitude project, but today was truly something special for me.  So many kind words, so much sweetness, so many tender-hearted friends. Thank you for sharing, thank you for this feeling, for this smile I can't wipe off my face, for the many good, sweet tears shed today. Just thank you.

:: 30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 17 ::

Day 17 - A clean kitchen...

I know it seems silly to be grateful for a clean kitchen, especially when more often than not I'm the one that gets it back to the way it should be...but I really, truly love walking into my kitchen when it's clean. As my sister puts it, it seems like the possibilities seem endless.  I supposed if I really think about it, I'm really grateful that winter break has started and I have had the time to give the kitchen a good scrubbing. Now I can't wait to dirty it up. :)

:: 30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 16 ::

Day 16 - The locals...

Last night the (direct) family gathered together for my sweet niece's birthday dinner. I was once again reminded what a blessing it is to have my entire family near enough that we can gather together for celebration. I love that The Girl and my niece are close enough that often times, their relationship looks more like sisters than cousins.  I love that my kids are growing up with the opportunity to really get to know my siblings and vice versa.  I love the convesations that extend long into the night.  That we are all so different from one another, but we share many common interests and when we come together we have so much to share and learn from each other.  I love that our children have these conversations to weave in and out of while we sit around my mother's dinner table. I have massive amounts of gratitude this morning that even though we are all relatively near one another, it still feels special when we call come together.

:: 30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 15 ::

Day 15 - Anonymous Kindness

Some sweet someone has been leaving me notes on my desk at work.  They seem to appear at exactly the moment that they need to. 

There have been several stories about anonymous kindness in the news this week. Perhaps you've seen this one about someone slipping big money into Salvation Army red kettles? Or this one about the intricate book sculptures that have shown up around Scotland? Or this one about people paying down strangers' layaway balances at Kmart? I am so moved by people who share kind words, warmth, money and encouragement, no matter the size.  Thank you all you good people out there.  You rock the world.

:: 30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 14 ::

Day 14 - This sister of mine...

This one who used to be this eensy sprite, a lark, a little beaming light of a thing has spent a lifetime becoming this most incredible human being.  A warm glowing force of a woman, dear friend to me and many others, a true listener, crusader for the neglected, under-priveledged and disadvantaged. Awesome aunt extraordinare, even-keeled sister-voice of reason, two-stepping wonder, from scratch pie crust maker and resident beautiful badass.  She moved away to Mexico and we missed her terribly. We have her back and the wider world might have to wait a little longer this time before we let her go. She inspires us all to shine brighter.  Thank you sister....

:: 30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 13 ::

Day 13 - Birth Choices

The other day I found myself recounting my two labors to a dear friend.  After all of these years, the memories still bring me to tears. Both of my births were such powerful and pivotal experiences for me. My babies were born at home, as I and all of my siblings were. My mother is a midwife here in Texas and she has been most of my life.  Birthing at home is what felt the most comfortable and true to me and my family. I feel firmly that a healthy mama and baby should be able to labor and give birth where she feels most comfortable whether it be at home, in a birthing center or in a hospital. Growing up as a midwife's daughter, I often took for granted that would be the case. As the years have gone by I've realized that safe and caring prenatal care is a gift that rather than a right. What I feel most grateful for is that I live in a state that allows women the choice to birth where and how they want to. If you have a moment to read about Robin Lim and the work she is doing with the mamas and babies in Indonesia, please do. 

"Every baby's first breath on Earth could be one of peace and love. Every mother should be healthy and strong. Every birth could be safe and loving. But our world is not there yet," -Robin Lim

:: 30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 12 ::

Day 12 - Time in the Kitchen...

This time of year, when I spend more time in the kitchen cooking and baking for those that I love is so fulfilling to me.  I find myself counting down the days until our winter break, not because I'm tired of work, but because my mind is swirling with all of the things I want to make in the kitchen while we're home for the holidays. I'm grateful that my mama instilled a love of creating beautiful food in me at a young age, and I love that there is always more to learn.

PS.  This is a White Peony Tea GInger Cranberry bark inspired by the winter issue of Imbibe Magazine.  I made this batch for a holiday party. It's super incredibly yummy. If they grant me permission, I'll post the recipe here.

PPS. Today is a double post day.  Lots of gratitudes stacking up around here. :)

:: 30 Days with a Grateful Heart - Day 11 ::

Day 11 - The little ones...

Oh, man...these little dimpled fingers, these squinty, squinchy smiles, the warmest hugs, the simplest and most astounding questions all at the same time. Some days I can't even believe that this is what I'm greeted with when I go to work each day. Dearest littles, thanks for refilling my cup. It sure feels like it's running over lately.