Gratitude: August 2016

Another month just flew by! A lot went on, but it doesn't feel like much happened. If that makes any sense. I'm busy now with my Toastmasters volunteer duties, always busy with my son, I started FET #2, I made a lot of progress on some of my goals, and I managed my first big project at work. Not to mention my son and I were sick for half the month. I've also been getting some frequent migraines (no fun). Nevertheless, the month was "successful" in terms of GETTING THINGS DONE. I also read 6 books this month, so yay!

There was a lot to be grateful for this month, to keep adding to my  Gratitude project list. I've been trying not to *repeat* anything on my lists and to come up with new things everyday. Some days are easier than others! I'm not sure how successful I've been in not repeating things, but I'm doing my best to find new things everyday. Since I started my gratitude list in October 2015, I now have 396 items on my list. When I'm feeling down, I just read through my list and it helps brighten the day :)

Here's my list for August:

• Monsoon rains - brings the temps down 
• Starting to use cash envelopes 
• Getting a month ahead on my bills 
• Managing my first project at work! 
• Starting FET #2 
• Movie night with my son 
• Air conditioning 
• Telecommuting 
• Vicks to help me breathe when I'm sick! 
• finding fun new books to read with my son 
• Seeing my son get more independent and learning how to get dressed by himself 
• Going through my son's old clothes 
• Cinnamon French toast
• Time to rest 
• Lunch with coworkers 
• My son reading me a book 
• Gentleman holding the elevator for me
• My son pretending he's asleep and then giggling fiercely to "surprise" me
• Working on making progress to my mid-year goals 
• Making progress on my son's adoption book
• Time to fold clothes 
• Watching the Olympics 
• Help with my son when I'm sick 
• Getting compliments at managing my work project 
• Taking the first step to go to the gym 
• Feeling like I have extra energy 
• Going to the gym even when I didn't want to
• Adult conversation and company 
• Making mistakes - because I learn from them! 
• Having a job 
• Toastmasters speech contests 
• Zumba Class 

Gratitude: July 2016

Man, July didn't go as planned... at all! Really had a hard time on some days trying to find something to add to my Gratitude project list. Luckily life is still full of joy and the small things do add up. Here's my gratitude list for July 2016:

• Fresh fruit 
• Play dates with close friends 
• A clean house 
• A peaceful day at home 
• Going to bed early 
• Productive work days 
• My son’s singing voice 
• Making new measurable goals  
• Starting to teach my son about money 
• My son enjoying his friend’s birthday party 
• How happy my son is every single day 
• Bonding with co-workers 
• Greeting my son at daycare, hearing his happy voice and seeing his smiling face 
• Getting distracted by an audio book 
• Shopping with my son 
• Fun days at the zoo in the summer 
• Trying new breakfast places with my son 
• Cooking a nice dinner 
• My son playing and using different voices in pretend play 
• Hearing about my son's dreams first thing in the morning 
• Taking a long afternoon nap 
• Finding TWO new series to read! 
• Watching my son have fun and be brave at a new play place 
• Spending time with foster parent friends 
• Reading free books from the library 
• Praying with my son 
• YNAB software, helping me get out of debt 
• Easy meal dinners 
• Payday!
• Rediscovering old music that I love 
• Making progress on my goals 

Gratitude: June 2016

Has a month ever zoomed by and at the end of the month you wonder, "where did the month go?" More and more my months are going like that. June 2016 was very much like that. I felt extremely "busy." Still trying to focus on my Gratitude project, I ran into a little hinderance. I think my son accidentally deleted my recurring reminder to add to my gratitude list! I was so busy, that I didn't even notice it was gone. Oops. So, I missed a few weeks in there. But here is what I got:

• My last day with Munchkin 
• Making sure Munchkin had a smooth transition 
• Starting to get more comfortable at work 
• Getting a new cleaning schedule down 
• Being able to carpool to work 
• Making headway with my retirement planning 
• My Fitbit Charge HR 
• New work clothes 
• Taking a strengths finder test 
• Attending a team builder event 
• Learning how to deal with new toddler testy behavior 
• Cooking new easy meals that turn out yummy
• My Fitbit silent alarm 
• Going to sleep early  
• Getting new dresses! 
• Baby carriers 
• Starting a new IVF cycle 
• Going to the movies with my son 
• Not hitting traffic when driving home from work 
• Making holiday plans 
• My severance check 
• Discount on the Ramsey Smart Money Smart Kids package 
• Big Brother! It's just entertainingly addictive. 

Gratitude: May 2016

The Gratitude project is still going! May just flew by with so much going on: started my new job, Munchkin turned 1, was notified Munchkin would be leaving, gave a speech in front of a lot of people.

Here's what I was grateful for in May:

• My son helping me with chores 
• Making a new back to work house schedule routine 
• My son asking me for more good night kisses
• Giving a speech in Toastmasters about some of my foster babies. 
• Remembering the times with my former foster kids 
• New appliances to help me meal plan when I go back to work 
• Practicing meal planning for the week!  
• Foster parent appreciation dinner 
• Spending Mother's Day with the boys 
• Meeting with my financial advisor for the first time 
• Takings steps to attack my debt snowball plan
• My new food vacuum sealer, how did I ever live without it?
• Having Munchkin's 1 year old pictures taken 
• Watching Little Guy enjoy the science museum and explore 
• Getting completely lost in a book 
• Being on a reading frenzy 
• Participating in a foster parent panel 
• Watching Munchkin learn to walk 
• Getting good use out of Goodreads to find my next good book to read 
• Giving a speech on my foster kids in front of 150 people 
• Getting positive feedback on my speech and hearing other people's journey on fostering or adopting. 
• Receiving feedback on how to become a better speaker 
• Starting a new job!!! 
• Building confidence 
• Opportunities to excel 
• Learning new job responsibilities 
• Making new connections 
• Feeling so many emotions reading a new book 
• Long phone calls with friends
• Successful meal prepping for the week 
• Feeling successful that I didn't eat out at work and brought healthy options to work 

Gratitude: April 2016

April was an interesting month with lots going on -- ups and downs: the job search, a lot of interviews, my first FET, my first job offer (YAY)! As always, when I focus on my Gratitude project it has helped me make it through some of the low times.

Here are a few of the things that I was grateful for in April:

• Getting more comfortable with major changes 
• Nice sunny days 
• Moving forward with new decisions 
• 90's music station on Pandora 
• Clothes steamer 
• My son's beautiful blue eyes 
• Feeling creative and rising to a challenge 
• Having time to run practical & needed errands 
• Having time to regroup 
• Attending a baby shower for a close friend 
• Making it to a 2nd round interview! 
• Shopping for household goods 
• Walks with my son 
• Foster parent training - learn new things 
• My son being fearless in new situations - willing to try anything 
• Getting some stuff in the house done
• Relaxing Sunday's 
• Going to my favorite restaurant for dinner
• Getting another job interview 
• Having my friend go to my FET with me 
• Having my embryo "home"
• My son enjoying his first movie in the theatre. 
• Being inspired at a toastmasters contest 
• Reading other infertility blogs 
• Hugs at bedtime with the boys 
• Going back to an old toastmasters club 
• Receiving my first job offer post-layoff! 
• Completing new employee paperwork and officially accepting a job offer
• Supportive SMCers that are so kind, reassuring, and supportive through my TTC journey 
• Making Plans to go back to work! 

Gratitude: March 2016

March was a crazy/busy month for me: I found out IVF #2 was not successful, I got laid off of work, I finished Financial Peace University, my son was Baptized, Munchkin got Hand/Mouth/Foot disease, I had my first interview, I started my FET #1 cycle, and I started potty training my son.

This month especially, focusing on this Gratitude project was even more important. Focusing on the GOOD things helped me get through some really tough times. It could have been so easy to withdraw or let myself feel the immense ache or let myself sulk in the sadness or succumb to the panic of uncertainty. There were some days I had to force myself to find one good thing that I was grateful for, but I always was able to feel grateful for something.

With everything that's been going on, I still feel very blessed. My son amazes me every single day and never fails to put a big smile on my face. My friends have been extremely supportive though my unemployment and I will be forever grateful for their motivation/support/kindness.

Here is my March list of things that I am Grateful for:

• New installed security system, making me feel safer. 
• Choosing to focus on the positive in life!
• My son doing a happy dance first think in the morning
• Putting together a trampoline for my son, all by myself 
• Making the backyard a place my kids can play and have fun 
• Walmart online grocery ordering
• My son's sweet sounding voice, he can get away with so much! 
• Extra special random hugs from my son 
• A chance to start anew 
• Friends that are so motivating and supportive! 
• Finishing Financial Peace University 
• Friends that help make connections to network 
• Friends that help review my resume and LinkedIn, to make it better
• My son being baptized 
• My son spending time with his Ninong. 
• Spending quality time with my son's Ninong 
• Getting my first call back for a job posting I applied to 
• Getting my first interview!!!! 
• All the support I've been getting from friends after being laid off 
• Being goofy and playing with the boys 
• Attending church with my son's Ninong. 
• Enjoying reading an amazing book series 
• Having my first interview and feeling more confident about the job search  
• Thinking positive and looking towards the future 
• Getting ready to celebrate Easter 
• Landing a 2nd job interview! 
• Becoming more flexible and adjusting my schedule when needed 
• Praying with my son 
• Going to the movies 
• Starting to potty train my son 
• My son sneaking some extra cuddles 
• My son that wakes up at 6am - every - single -day - starting off the day at 100mph
• Seeing my son progress with potty training! 

Gratitude: February 2016

I'm a little late posting this due to all my IVF updates! But here is my February Gratitude list. I have to admit, I was really busy between normal everyday life, work, and my IVF #2 Cycle. I have a daily reminder in my Reminders app to tell me to add something to the list. Well, apparently through all the busyness - I accidentally deleted the recurring reminder. Oops. So, I missed a few days here and there. All is fixed, I re-added my daily reminder :)

I got a lot done in February: filed my taxes EARLY!, continued Financial Peace University Classes, had my IVF Egg Retrieval and Egg Transfer, celebrated Valentine's day with my boys, organizing my son's baptism - and attended baptism class (will have a post about that later this month), working on my debt snowball. Lots and lots of stuff happening.

Here's what I was grateful for:

• Grocery home delivery - saves me time 
• Taking care of taxes early! 
• Some time to myself 
• Having friends come visit from out of state 
• Having my son's Uncle's come over and play with them. 
• Playing in the backyard with my son 
• Working on my debt snowball 
• Story time with my son 
• Getting good news on my tax return 
• Being able to blog about my infertility journey 
• Feeling charged and productive! 
• Wearing sandals in February 
• Valentine's Day with the boys
• Getting the green light for my IVF egg retrieval! 
• How supportive and helpful people have been through my IVF process 
• Having 9 eggs retrieved for my IVF procedure 
• My close work friendships 
• Having a wonderful embryo transfer experience!
• Mid-day power naps  
• Having 3 of my embryos make it to cryopreservation! 
• Finalizing plans for my son's Baptism 
• Making Saturday morning pancakes 
• Getting lost in a good book/story 
• The slow cooker

Gratitude: January 2016

I've really enjoyed working on my Gratitude list everyday. I have to admit, some days are harder than others to find something new to be grateful for. Sometimes I can't think of something until the end of the day! But the great thing is, there's always something to be grateful for.

Here's my January Gratitude List:

• Relaxing long drives 
• Apps to help with meal planning 
• Creating new goals 
• Working on self improvement 
• Learning more about my faith. 
• Rainy day mornings 
• Returning back to work 
• Picking God Parents for my son
• Finding new ways to organize! 
• Being self sufficient 
• My son saying "we're here! We're home!"
• Staying on top of laundry, "a load a day keeps the chaos away!" - FlyLady 
• Watching my son play with his Legos and being proud of his creations 
• Munchkin starting to crawl 
• Changing my son's name to his new name on all documents 
• Seeing my son enjoy tumbling class 
• Creating a new filing system 
• Donating unused items 
• Figuring out the type of parent I want to be 
• My google calendars, what would I do without them?!
• Watching the boys really interact and laugh together 
• Slow cooker meals 
• A clean house 
• Budgeting Tools 
• Financial Peace University 
• Sharing my infertility story with understanding friends 
• Nice people at church that play with my son. 
• My son's big personality 
• My MacBook Pro 
• How feisty Munchkin is becoming 
• Estate Planning - putting things in order for my kids.  
• Finding peace in choosing guardians for my son 
• Google Docs - keeping things organized & accessible 
• Figuring out how to effectively use Dave Ramsey's Cash Allocation method 
• Having a financial "buddy" to help me budget and hold me accountable 
• Reorganizing my home office 
• Making my kitchen more functional 
• Watching my son play 
• Making lists 
• Making major financial changes
• Figuring out a house cleaning schedule that works for me 
• My son saying "it's Mama!" When I pick him up from daycare 
• Adoption health care coverage for my son
• Parenting books that help me be a better mama for my kids 
• Sick days from work - so I can stay home w my kids when they're not well 
• Making positive parenting adjustments 
• Waking up early and getting a lot done before the boys wake up. 

Gratitude: December 2015

Working on my gratitude list since October has helped me focus on the positive things happening in life, instead of the negative. It is true that finding something NEW every single day can be difficult at times because once all the "big ticket items" are listed, you have to really try to find something else to add. What I noticed about it is, it makes me realize how the small things really help in making me happy. I've managed to work on my gratitude list every single day since I started.

There was a lot to be grateful for in December! Here's my list:

• My happy giggling boys.
• Learning to deal with new toddler behaviors from Little Guy. Because hey, I get to go through ALL stages with him - the good, the bad, and the ugly :) 
• Sunsets over the ocean. 
• Lunch with dear friends 
• Spending the day leisurely with my son 
• Forgiveness 
• Technology to help with infertility 
• Daily Advent readings and lighting of Advent candles with my son. He likes to blow the candles out! 
• How independent and secure my son is, I hope it sticks! 
• Celebrating my son's birthday! 
• Making new birthday traditions. 
• Celebrating my son's birthday with friends. 
• Realizing just how blessed we are here with great friends. 
• Organizations that provide Christmas gifts for foster and adoptive kids. 
• Friends to lean on. 
• Conveniences of text messaging. 
• Reconnecting with old friends. 
• Having my son kiss, hug, and say "hi" to all his stuffed baby friends in the morning. They all have names now :)
• Being blessed with adoption leave from work.
• Being able to open the windows and air out the house. 
• Revisiting fond memories.
• Holiday celebrations
• Boys sleeping past 7am!!! Woohoo! 
• Little Guy looking at our Adoption/Christmas card and saying "Wow, cute." 
• Getting rid of clutter! 
• Letting go of the past. 
• Moving forward. 
• All my foster babies from over the years.
• Being productive.  
• My fostercare agency. 
• Reminders List on my iPhone/Mac - keeps me organized! 
• Receiving Christmas cards in the mail. 
• Little Guy sitting in a grown up chair at the dinner table. 
• Random acts of kindness 
• Being complimented that my kids are well behaved 
• Receiving mail with my son's new name on it 
• Celebrating the holidays with special friends. 
• My son enjoying the holidays
• Giving presents 
• Finding a church to join
• Planning my son's baptism  
• Swim class for my son 
• Baking cookies 
• Warm showers 
• Christmas Eve with the boys 
• Surviving Christmas Eve Mass with the boys by myself! 
• Putting the presents out on Christmas Eve, after the boys went to sleep. 
• Watching the boys enjoy Christmas 
• Friends that help with flat tires! 
• Learning how to change a flat tire. 
• Getting my son's new birth certificate. 
• Hearing Little Guy talk more. 
• Road trips 
• Adult conversations 
• Visiting my childhood "home" 
• The smell of the Pacific Ocean 
• The National Anthem 

Gratitude: Week of 11/22/15

It's been fun doing weekly gratitude lists on my blog.!What's better is that I'm reading my list every morning and adding 1-3 things a day. With IVF kicking up steam in Decemeber, I've decided to switch to monthly gratitude list blog entries going forward, as I'm not sure I'll remember to post or have time! So although I'll continue to add things I'm grateful for everyday, I'll only have one monthly blog entry. 

Here's my gratitude list for the week of 11/22: 

1. Watching Munchkin develop and grow. 
2. Writing the adoption Thank You cards.
3. Good friends that listen to my daily venting! 
4. When the house is quiet. 
5. My Kindle White Paper 
6. Lazy mornings with the boys. 
7. My crazy hyperactive dog who thinks he's a baby. 
8. Thanksgiving Fun Runs with the boys. 
9. Spending Thanksgiving with wonderful friends. 
10. Being a Forever Mama!!! 
11. Making plans for my family. 
12. Having time to do things with the boys. 
13. Receiving our adoption announcement/Christmas card in the mail! They turned out so good! 

Gratitude: Week of 11/15/15

Last week, I was grateful for: 

1. Calling Little Guy "my son" and not "foster son" 
2. Vacation time! 
3. When Munchkin sleeps through the night. 
4. Watching the boys play and laugh with each other. 
5. Leaning new things from friends - like baking pumpkin pies from scratch. 
6. Little Guy kissing his stuffed dog and cuddling it. 
7. Munchkin waking up in the morning without crying. 
8. Tears of joy and happiness. 
9. Little Guy going over to Munchkin's crib and saying, "Hi" first thing in the morning and petting his head. 
10. Adoption Day! Starting our Forever Family. 
11. Spending adoption day with amazing and supportive friends. 
12. Hearing the boys "talk" to each other in the morning. 
13. Starting my son's journal :) 

Gratitude: Week of 11/8/15

Last week, I was grateful for: 

1. Old college friends 
2. College football games 
3. Sharing experiences with friends 
4. First college football game for my son :)  
5. Watching my son being so social 
6. Having Little Guy call Munchkin his "butha" aka brother. 
7. The Christmas season! 
8. Starting family holiday traditions 
9. Putting up the Christmas tree! 
10. Watching Little Guy sleep so peacefully 
11. When the kids sleep past 6am!! Yay! 
12. Hectic mornings with the kids, because even when it's tough - I'm still forever grateful to have them. 
13. Getting consistent with building a budget 
14. Those that have served or are serving in the military. 
15. Our emergency response personnel (firefighters, police) 
16. Brushing my teeth with my son. He's fascinated with learning how to spit. Lol. 

Gratitude: Week of 11/1/15

Posting a little early. Things I'm grateful for this week: 

1. Conveniences of my iPhone 
2. Meeting friends for dinner and good conversations 
3. Our daycare provider 
4. October "cool" mornings 
5. The Single Mothers by Choice forum 
6. Wifi Baby Camera Monitor 
7. Listening to Little Guy practice saying words and sentences 
8. Long-time friends 
9. Friends that help with the kids, especially at the last minute when I need it most! 
10. Foster care Respite providers 
11. My Alma Mater 
12. Trips with my son 
13. Hearing my son say "good morning!" 

Gratitude List: Week of 10/25/15

This week I'm Grateful for: 

1. Agencies that help foster children, providing beds- clothes - diapers - grants to extracurricular events, etc. 
2. Experiencing Halloween through my son's eyes. 
3. Spending time with close friends. 
4. Afternoon nap time for the kids = nap time for mom :) 
5. My son asking me for a hug. 
6. Watching Little Guy be sweet with Munchkin, offering him his binky when he's fussing. 
7. Munchkin's morning coos. 
8. Beautiful sunrises. 
9. My paid off car. 
10. Watching my son use his imagination and pretend play. 
11. Being able to make tough choices. 
12. Little Guy's Laugh 
13. Toastmasters 
14. Peaceful nights 
15. Getting ready for our adoption! :) 
16. Sometimes I just look at Little Guy and think how lucky I am that I get to be his mama. 
17. Morning coffee 
18. Double digit weather

Gratitude List: Week of 10/18/15

A few years ago I was trying to focus on "positive" things and started a Gratitude List. I used to keep a hard-journal and would write a few things a day that I was grateful for. I've totally gotten away from that because I haven't kept up hand-writing for a few years now. To be honest, I miss hand-writing! But the truth is, it's very time consuming and I'm so busy lately. With my down time, I'd rather read a book -- or watch a show. I don't watch much TV, just a few hours/week. I do read almost every single day for at least an hour. These are kind of my "escape" from all my hard work for the day and my way of relaxing.

I attended Dave Ramsey's Smart Conference. When I have time, I'm going to be writing a blog entry on my experience. Also, I have a bunch of take-a-ways and things I want to implement/change in my life. I LOVED this event. 

One of the speakers was Dave Ramsey's daughter, Rachel Cruze. I have to admit, I wasn't that familiar with her prior to the conference. I was very impressed with her speaking ability and with the message that she was conveying (which I'll get into more when I write my blog about the Smart Conference). 

One of the things that resonated with me was that she mentioned she kept a "Gratitude List" on her smart phone in her Notes app. For some reason, it never dawned on me to keep my list on my phone... even though when I had another phone I did indeed keep a list of affirmations and gratitude's on there. I don't know why I got away from it! 

When I heard her speak about it, a light bulb went off for me -- I need to do this! Rachel Cruze said she kept a running list of things she was grateful for and she just kept adding to it. She would read through her list every morning and make sure she didn't have any "repeats". Rachel also mentioned that the longer you keep a list, it can be hard to keep adding to it because all the most noticeable stuff is at the top. So, you really had to think about it. 

After the conference, I started my very own Gratitude List on my iPhone in my Notes app. I thought it would be nice to share my list on my Blog, possibly on a weekly basis. Still thinking how it can all work out. I've started with adding 1-3 things a day. 

This week, I am Grateful for: 

• Little Guy 
• Sunday mornings cuddling with Little Guy 
• Baby Munchkin's smiles 
• Sleep (when I can get it!)  
• My House 
• Hearing Little Guy's voice first thing in the morning
• Hearing Little Guy say, "I lul lu" aka I love you :) 
• Working from home 
• Reading books 
• Listening to Audio books 
• 2nd Chances 
• Having the opportunity to improve my life 
• Being a foster parent
• Being a soon-to-be adoptive parent 

What are you grateful for in your life?