Snow....Yes, Snow

2012 Gratitue-Not Attitude #7

Jan. 12th - Yesterday it snowed, it finally snowed! The first measurable snowfall in Wisconsin on January 12. I knew that Grace was going to be chomping at the bit to go directly outside when I picked her up after school so I even went and bought myself some snow pants during my lunch break (on clearance for $15.00!! I might add). I wish I could have taken a snapshot of Grace's face when I picked her up from the neighbor's house after school. She was sooo happy and excited to finally be able to play in the snow-- to make snowballs, design a snow angel, and give her new sled a whirl. She normally sleds down our driveway because it is so long and sloped (and much easier to walk up than our local "killer hill"). But, daddy came home and burst her bubble right out of the gate because he was going to snowblow the driveway as soon as he got home. She was able to make the best of the front hill and side yard and we had a hard time getting her to come in. I forgot how cute she looks with cold rosy cheeks! So, yes, because of the joy it brings my kids/all kids and for the innate simplistic beauty of a bazillion snowflakes falling from the sky, I am thankful for the SNOW.

A Good Book

2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #6

Jan. 11th - I enjoy reading but I do it in spurts and it usually takes me a while to finish a book. When I do finally pick up my book to start reading I more often than not get drowsy and end up going to sleep. The current book I am reading is called The Help. It is a really good book..caught my interest from the beginning and even has me chuckling out loud at times. I enjoy reading A Good Book whether it be fiction, non-fiction, reference, or self-help. It is a way for me to relax, learn something new and interesting, or simply lose myself for a little while. I am actually reading The Help on my Xoom and to my surprise I have enjoyed it. However, I have not been able to pull the trigger on buying a Kindle or Nook mainly because we already have the Xoom and I think it would be a waste and duplicative of what we already  have. I also feel like I would have a hard time buying all of my books. I use our local libraries quite a bit and enjoy going there so I am not ready to go completely electronic yet. Time will tell as the technology advances and they make an effort to support and work with our local libraries-- or if I get tired of carring the heavyweight Xoom around. My current and upcoming reads...

Mind, Body & Spirit

2012 Gratitude-Not Attidue #5

Jan. 10th - I am thankful for my ability to have a sound MIND, BODY & SPIRIT. Without one of these, my life would be so completely different and not near the quality that I am able to enjoy each and every day presently. I will continue to try to nurture each one of these on a daily basis - striving for balance and that feeling of "life is good". Some days are better than others so I push through those unbalanced days and try to make the next day better. I will move forward in my present and be thankful for all of the yesterdays I have been afforded. Life can be cut short in an instant, I know this much is true, so we all need to focus on making TODAY a great day and being our happiest selves!

Safe Schools & Great Teachers

2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #4

Jan. 9th - I am thankful for the SAFE SCHOOLS AND GREAT TEACHERS that I entrust my kids to each day.  I believe a lot of their work and efforts go unrecognized. They really have a lot on their plate and when I go to parent-teacher conferences or go through my daughter's Friday Folder, I am in awe of all that they do with 20-some kids under their wings each day. Whew! Definitely some unsung heroes in my book.

Hotels & Dependable Vehicles

2012 Gratitude-Not Attidue #3

Jan. 8th - I woke up yesterday at a hotel in Gurnee, Illinois following the Nommensen christmas. I wake up the earliest, of course, and spend some quiet time in the lobby reading my book. All are sleeping and I am enjoying the moment of peace and quiet feeling very thankful that we have the means to stay at NICE HOTELS with all of our kids. I knew that Grace was going to wake up and want to swim and it makes me happy that we can give that to her. It also makes me happy that all of our kids are here with us, rooming with one another, spending time with another, and having a good time. We then load up the car and begin our drive home. We had the entire gang in the Pilot, all 7 of us and a lot of stuff, and as I looked back to see most of them sleeping the ride away, I felt thankful for our DEPENDABLE VEHICLE that fits our family and allows us to travel together safely and comfortably.

A Wonderful Family

2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #2

Jan. 7th - Today we celebrate Christmas with the wonderful Nommensen clan. All of our kids and their significant others/friend are going so we are able to spend time not only with our kids but the entire extended Nommensen family as well. Looking forward to a great weekend filled with a lot of fun and laughter as a very competitive clan partakes in laser tag. I am thankful today for having such A WONDERFUL FAMILY to share my life and world with. Being able to spend time with them makes me very happy! My life is so much richer because of all of them. Are they not just wonderful and beautiful?

Let's Try This Again...

Out with the old and in with the new...new goals, new dreams, new hopes and aspirations, new experiences and possibilities...the New Year can be such an invigorating moment! I am beginning 2012 with some serious soul housekeeping so that I can better focus  on living a purposeful life with a thankful grateful heart. I cannot even begin to count the blessings that surround me each day yet it seems so easy to become moody, overwhelmed, and simply too busy to enjoy even the simplest of blessings. Rather than new year's resolutions for 2012, I am going to try to begin and end each day feeling thankful...thankful for SOMETHING, no matter how little or insignificant it may be. In fact, I might even make it a family project. Why is it so easy for everyday life to get filled up with racing thoughts, time crunches, work and family obligations, to-do lists, and energy-zapping moods that lead us in the exact opposite direction of feeling grateful and able to show gratitude--for anything or to anyone? Even when we have bad days, we all have at least one thing we can be grateful for...we just need to stop, be still, and feel thankful. I am as guilty of this as anyone and it is definitely something that me and my Type-A persona need to work on...and we will! It's a New Year, anything is possible right!?!

2012 Gratitude-Not Attitude #1

Jan. 6th - Today I am thankful for THE BEAUTIFUL WINTER DAY that will make my drive to work easier, my walk with Sammy more enjoyable, my transporting of Grace to/from school less messy, and my husband a little more happy. The abundant sunshine and warmer temperatures are simply invigorating. The days even seem to be getting a little longer. Today's expected high...50 degrees!!

My Sweet 16

The day is finally here for Alexa, the day she has been counting down to for about 3 months, maybe even longer. My little girl is turning Sweet 16. She has grown into a smart, funny, pretty, lovable young lady and that makes my eyes glisten just a little bit. Not because I am sad...but because my heart is filled with joy. I am so proud of who she has become and has yet to be. She's the typical teenage girl in every way...but underneath it all, she is a sweet and caring person that people love to be around!

In true Mommy fashion, I got my kicks by going through old pictures last night so that I could make a picture collage of photos of her to put on FB for all her friends to see. She could think it's funny...she could be a little mad (more embarrassed). Could go either way. It's one of those mommy duties you know. Everyone needs to see that she has ALWAYS been as adorable as she is today! The way I see it, at least I didn't include the photos of her in just her diaper or the one of her in the bathtub making a ridiculous face. I was kind.

She wanted Funfetti cupcakes as her birthday treat for her friends so Grace and I got busy last night and took care of that. They turned out pretty cute I must say. Anything with sparkles has Grace written all over it!

So, it's a bittersweet day for the mom but that will give way soon enough. At least she's not 18 and leaving home. Whoa!!



Alexa then.

 

Alexa now.




Grace and the Sweet 16 Cupcakes!

Have a great day!

Michelle





And....it's a WIN!

The Green Bay Packers win the Superbowl! That's pretty darn cool and exciting. Even better, Dan's heart remains intact. Here are a few photos from the Superbowl Photo Shot from yesterday. Sammy boy is in a pink Favre jersey with a black "X" over the number 4. (Sorry Sammy). Dan and Grace are all smiles, of course, sporting their green and gold jerseys.

I cannot wait to scrapbook these photos!
Michelle



One Long Week

A sick little girl, a blizzard, and FREEZING cold temps makes for a long week! On the other hand, a clean house, a snow day, cardmaking time, baking time, and finishing my book The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo (ahead of schedule I might add) are the silver lining. This book was incredibly good, so good that I found myself sneaking in a few pages with my morning coffee. Yes, it was that good! Thanks to my friend I am into the second book of this trilogy, The Girl Who Played With Fire. Just as good so far. I am very much enjoying getting lost in a good book again!!

Today is the big day, Super Bowl Sunday. Daddy bought his little girl her first-ever Packer apparel, a Clay Matthews #52 jersey, complete with...hard to believe I know... BLING. He knows her so well! Both she and Daddy are quite proud of their jerseys. Dan got his first Packer jersey, Aaron Rogers #12, in November and has worn it loyally ever since. I've been advised that I never get to wash it (so he thinks). He's looking forward to a photo op today with them sporting their fabulous duds. Will share. We are looking forward to the Super Bowl party with our friends later today. Good times, good food, good friends...that has to count for something right?!?

We are into the third week of puppy class and things are going great. Sammy is a star pupil and well on his way to being whipped into a tip-top Goldendoodle. He still has his moments but I think he and Grace make each other naughty sometimes...Dan keeps asking when the child training class begins!

So, this week my 2nd baby, Alexa, turns Sweet 16. Am I ready for that? Absolutely not. Am I happy for her? Most definitely! (I remember the feeling, kind of.) She's been counting down the days since...I cannot remember when she started giving me the # of days but it's been a while! It's just so hard to believe. Another one growing up right before my eyes. Between her and Grace, I think I have this realization every other week! Our daughter Eve also celebrates her birthday this week so at least we have some high points amidst these LONG winter days. My LONG nights will officially begin on February 14th when Sweet 16 becomes a legal driver. Yikes!

So, as I wrap this up, I look outside to see it snowing...again. Just think Spring...

And remember~GO PACK GO!
Michelle