Thursday, August 18, 2011

Thursday Thanks Tank #162



Each Thursday I try to make a list of my thankful thoughts. Sometimes I jot it down on paper, sometimes I share that list here, and other times I just highlight one or two things that I am thankful for. This is my Thursday Thanks Tank...

I spent the day thinking about what makes me smile. And then, the day got away from me.

I am thankful for:

- Being a complete family. I've done separation a few times due to military assignments. This last separation was job related. It feels so good to be a family day in and day out. I love how complete it feels.

- Coaches. It's interesting how a good coach can have a great impact on a kid. All three of my boys have good soccer coaches. It's great to see them work hard and try their best because they want to please their coach. I'm thankful for coaches and the volunteer hours they put in.

- Air conditioning. The A/C in the van is still out. My husband is sweet to drive it. In the meantime, I'm still loving driving his truck. I also love the air conditioning in our home.

- Cool nights. The nights are just perfect. They are cool enough to leave the windows open overnight. Sleeping to the sounds of the outdoors (crickets instead of frogs!) is something I missed. (We couldn't really manage that much in the NW because my son's allergies were so bad. He is doing wonderful here.

- Changed Attitude. I'm excited about school starting. This is a big switch. Last week I had a really bad attitude. Not sure why I was so surprised, but I have some work to do at the new school to keep my food allergic kid safe. I had a wonderful talk with a nurse that's in the district and now I am looking forward to doing all I can to make the school a safe place for kids with food allergies.

- This: "I love you even when I am grumpy." My daughter has said that twice to me this week. I melted both times. (She's three. She can do grumpy quite well.)

- Outside lights. The lady that we are renting the house from left some decorative outside lights for us to enjoy. They hang in the trees in our backyard. They are set on a timer. It's a simple pleasure but I love them.

- The patio. We have a covered patio. Every morning I get my coffee and sit on the patio. It's cool in the morning. The sun is just coming over the hills. The wind blows and leaves rustle. I watch the birds eat plumbs off the plumb tree or play in the bird bath. I admire the flowers. This is my peaceful place. It is brings me joy... so much so that I wake myself up early (who am I kidding? I get my husband to wake me up) so that I can enjoy it before the kids wake up. I am thankful -oh so thankful- for this peaceful spot.

Those are my thankful thoughts tonight.
Life is good. We are still in the middle of transition- lots of boxes yet to unpack- but we are happy.

6 comments:

Pam said...

So glad you took the time. I loved reading this, Jane Anne. So glad you can leave windows open. Looking forward to that again one day -- just not at this address. : )

The lights sound marvelous, and I am SO glad you have a "peaceful spot". It is essential to a mama's sanity to have a place to call her own.

My heart is full reading of your own thankfulness. Yes, this exercise is "beneficial" -- both to the writer and the reader. Hugs to you, friend!

RLR said...

Oh, how I need to resume this thankful process again! I love all of your list, but especially the outside lights! It's one of my favorite things about Christmas (I love to sit in the light of the tree with no other lights on), and I'd *love* to have some lights on our porch. Perhaps I'll do that once we are done cleaning/staining it.
So glad that you are all back together and your new location suits you so well. Thinking of you as you navigate the new school system/allergy issues.

Cinderella said...

You do have a lot to be greatful for and you are so smart to bring it to the forefront of your consciousness Jane Anne.

Sometimes people forget in the midst of all they have to do, how much good they really have in their lives - and you don't - you see it and cherish it - good for you:)

Happy Thursday and Happy Friday and Happy all:)

Honey said...

So happy that y'all are a complete family again. That house sounds great...I was able to sleep with the windows open when I visited my daughter in California. I slept like a baby...once home my sleep issues reappeared....Happy to read that you are feeling better about school. Aren't three year old little girls great! Our 3 year old granddaughter, about ten ays older than your little doll said the other day after a busy day...when her mom said they were going home and she could take a nap, Juliana said, "thank the lord"...still laughing.

sharon said...

Love your peaceful place and your daughter's comment!!I I love reading your thankful list.

Cinderella11pm said...

Good Sunday to you Janne Anne. Hope all is going well with unpacking the boxes:)

I wanted to come back and respond to the comment you left on the jobless with america political cartoons - some issues are really serious, like that one is, and isn't meant to be humorous at all.

I just think that the cartoonists do a brilliant job at highlighting the distress with such an important issue with just an image and a few words.