Gratitudes 12/17/14

Today I am grate*full...

1. for my Everybody Can Play Supporters.
2. for my students.
3. for their parents.
4. for the gifts I received last night.
5. for a special intention.

Love~
Elizabeth

The only failure is the failure to begin again

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone." ~ Gladys Browyn Stern

I have been really out of touch with my gratitude practice yesterday. So I am taking my own advice, and making September 23, 2014 my personal January 1 and starting my 365 days of gratitude over again.

Today, September 23, 2014, I am grate*full...

1. for a husband that cooks, cleans, and does laundry.
2. for the opportunity to be home and watch Rachael grow, to have early morning and post-school snuggles with Marc, and to help Melanie with her homework.
3. for the expanding opportunities I'm able to offer in my nonprofit.
4. for 24hoursofhappy.com (thank you so much Andrea for turning me on to it!)
5. for my friend JoAnn Thomasson who continues to post her blessings to our Facebook group.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes 9/1/14

“Gratitude is nutrition for a living relationship.” ~ Steve Maraboli

Today I am grate*full...
1. for a new month and the ability to buy food.
2. for the people who donated at Muddy Fingers so people like me can have low-income shares.
3. for FlyLady.
4. for Adobe Acrobat Pro PDF Creator.
5. for Everybody Can Play.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes for August 31, 2014

“Most days I live awed by the world we have still, rather than mourning the worlds we have lost." ~ Paul Bogard

Today I am grate*full...

1. for naps.
2. for the beautiful baby who gave me the pulled muscle I have in my arm.
3. for new friends.
4. for how awesome the people at St. Mary's Southside are.
5. that we got to be part of Danielle and Adam's special day yesterday. Their wedding was absolutely beautiful :)

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes for August 26-30

“Life is a whirlwind of many opportunities. Choose to embrace all of them in deepest gratitude. Learn to forgive yourself and honour the heart that beats within you, as well as the head that rests on your shoulders. Learn how to believe in people again and not be judging or cynical to various beliefs.

"We are all of one light on this one Earth, and loving humanity makes all the difference.” ~ Michelle Cruz-Rosado

“Today I will find something beautiful.
Delicate pink blossoms on a cherry tree.
The dove resting near the lemon buds.
Sunbeams smiling from sky to earth.
Smiling on me.
"Creating" in BREATHE IN” ~ Eileen Granfors

“Appreciating what I have is my medicine.” ~ Betty Jamie Chung

“To live a life of gratitude is to open our eyes to the countless ways in which we are supported by the world around us.” ~ Gregg Krech

Today I am grate*full...

1. for this blog post from Momastery.
2. for Nutella and jelly sandwiches.
3. for Everybody Can Play.
3. for FlyLady.
4. that Melanie is getting close to being able to tie her shoes.
5. for warm weather. I love shorts weather, and the days that it will be warm enough to wear shorts around here are dwindling.
6. that we have enough food to eat.
7. that we have clean water to drink. I cannot emphasize this enough.
8. for a bed big enough to fit four of us since we seem to end up with Melanie and/or Marc in the bed every night.
9. for enough sippy cups that Marc and Rachael can fight over them.
10. that Marc liked his school.
11. that we had enough money left over after paying the rent to get some much needed snack food.
12. for fans.
13. that we're going to Danielle and Adam's wedding today!
14. for my friend Kelly buying ten raffle tickets for the Collective :)
15. that I can be a typing frog (Marc just took one of Melanie's toy magic wands and turned me into a frog.)
16. for how pretty Melanie and Rachael look in their dresses.
17. that Rachael is such a good napper.
18. for the power of routines. (Every day, sometime between 11 and noon, we put Rachael down for a nap, and usually, she recognizes it's naptime and goes right to sleep.)
19. for the cutie patootie outfits that our friend Ellen gave Rachael for her birthday!
20. for our little house. I really love our little house.

Love~
Elizabeth

Catching up the Gratitude 8/14 - 8/25

“I know what it is to have nothing and plenty. Always count your blessing and be grateful.” ~ Lailah Gifty Akita

“When the Altitude of Gratitude grows in Multitude with Certitude the World will perceive Beatitude” ~ Musab Faiyazuddin

“Be thankful for what you have. Your life, no matter how bad you think it is, is someone else's fairy tale.” ~ Wale Ayeni

“[I] never talk about gratitude and joy separately, for this reason. In 12 years, I've never interviewed a single person who would describe their lives as joyful, who would describe themselves as joyous, who was not actively practicing gratitude.” ~ Brene Brown

“A sincere attitude of gratitude is a beatitude for secured altitudes. Appreciate what you have been given and you will be promoted higher.” ~ Israelmore Ayivor

“Let us never be afraid of innocent joy; God is good and what he does is well done; resign yourself to everything, even happiness; ask for the spirit of sacrifice, of detachment, of renunciation, and above all, for the spirit of joy and gratitude.” ~ Henri-Frederic Amiel

“It is not what happens to you or for you that makes you grateful. It's how you respond to what is happening, that shows your belief about gratitude.” ~ Sumner Davenport

“When we maintain a conscious connection with Gratitude, our presence will naturally radiate a certain beauty and undisturbed, inner tranquillity. Such individuals glow. All such individuals look beautiful and seem irresistible to those who value goodness. They have an attractor field of loveliness which, likewise, tends to bring out the beauty in other people.” ~ Donna Goddard

“Take note and give thanks for all the good things present in your life.” ~ Amey Hegde

“Only unconditional grace can transform a hardened heart into a grateful heart. Only a free gift can demolish any notion of quid pro quo. Only an utterly merciful act of love can fashion a new creation capable of love. As theologian Karl Barth puts it, 'As the beloved of God, we have no alternative but to love him in return.” ~ Mark Galli

“Gratitude bestows reverence.....changing forever how we experience life and the world.” ~ John Milton

“I may not be where I want to be but I'm thankful for not being where I used to be.” ~ Habeeb Akande

“You were formed inside a borrowed womb—a nourishing safe haven for months—then delivered through painful effort and sacrifice by a woman willing to give you the precious gift of life. That truth alone deserves your gratitude and respect.” ~ Richelle E. Goodrich

“Embracing an attitude of gratitude is nourishing to the soul. When we allow ourselves to be engulfed in gratitude, this abundant soul nourishment overflows to your relationships, careers, and day to day lives. Act in gratitude today… If you are grateful to those you love, show them. If you are grateful to those who have helped you, show them. If you are grateful to your creator, to your family, to your friends, and you want it to be known, let it be shown!” ~ Steve Maraboli



Today I am grate*full...

1. for plenty of food to eat.
2. for clean, safe water to drink.
3. that my children are all with me and safe.
4. that my husband is alive and with me.
5. that I was able to sleep using just Valerian root last night. (I was good and tired. Giving the kids their baths definitely wears me out.)
6. The ability to sleep in while I'm unemployed.
7. The work I'm doing with the Collective. It feels like my true calling.
8. That it looks like we're going to be able to make rent this month. Yes, we should definitely make rent this month
9. for my pampering routine.
10. for my idea (inspired by FlyLady) to break my tub/shower into 5 zones for cleaning.
11. for the amazing tossed salad we had the other night with the fresh vegetables we'd gotten.
12. for the yummy sweet corn we got on Friday night.
13. that Mame is OK after the earthquake.
14. for my ability to write.
15. that John William Shook the Younger is doing laundry today.
16. that the tape on my laptop cord seems to be holding for now.
17. for the outing we had yesterday at Eldridge Park with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Athens-Sheshequin.
18. that the house is cool this morning (it's going to be HOT later).
19. for the extra two hours of sleep I got this morning.
20. for Friends (aka Joey Show) on DVD.
21. for the Today show.
22. that my three-year-old told me about the mess in his pants before it got too gross.
23. that it's supposed to be dry for the next couple of days.
24. for smart kids who amaze me and make me laugh every day.
25. for the life of my sister, Linda, who celebrates her birthday today.
26. for how she inspires me.
27. that I saw my friend Kevin for the first time in MONTHS today...maybe even over a year.
28. for the pleasant surprise I got today when I opened up my NYSEG bill! (Those are HIGHLY unusual LOL.)
29. that I took Melanie to the doctor to get to the bottom of her knee pain.
30. that I got a promotion at one of my oDesk jobs!
31. for my precious baby Rachael Evalyn Courtney Shook, on her first birthday, which was last Thursday, August 21.
32. for the roof over my head.
33. for our electricity.
34. for the idea for the First Wednesday Potluck.
35. for coffee.
36. for the song "Good Morning" by Mandisa.
37. for the song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams and its many and varied covers.
38. for the song "I Believe in You" by Amanda Marshall.
39. that I had a job interview last Thursday.
40. that I got the Everybody Can Play applications mailed out yesterday.
41. that we're going to get this company incorporated by the end of September.
42. for Steve Seaberg, who inspired the First Wednesday Potluck
43. for the Wellness Self-Management Personal Workbook.
44. for fans.
45. for warm showers.
46. for cortisone.
47. that I have now gotten both my cortisone shots and I'm good until December (or for a couple of weeks, who can tell? But I'm good for now, and my knees feel decent and I'm not in ridiculous pain).
48. for the job interview I had last Monday.
49. that by the end of this week (I hope), we'll have enough money for the rent (this one bears repeating).
50. those moments when I get so lost in the music I turn into a transdimensional space goat.
51. for my friend Toe who posts this wacky shit like transdimensional space goats.
52. that I'm getting my cortisone shot tomorrow (this one was from August 17).
53. that I already have an appointment to get the other knee done (also from August 17).
54. for my oDesk jobs.
55. for Google searches for prayers.
56. for my printer.
57. for Valerian root.
58. that I got to work for Alameda yesterday (this was from August 14).
59. that Savannah's baby is here!
60. that we got all three kids to bed by 9:00 last night (also for August 14).
61. for my ladybug toes.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes 8/8-8/13/14

“It's Wednesday. I am alive. I am breathing. God has given me another today. I am thankful. I am blessed. God is Good. Just for today ... I will look for joy in all things. I will enjoy what is beautiful. I will listen. I will learn. I will believe.” ~ Lori Homeyer

“Give and receive with gratitude. Do the former, without expectation of, the latter.” ~ Jaeda DeWalt

“Perhaps gratitude and love are one and the same.” ~ Erica Goros

“People are complaining of having rags and not riches, but I find it a blessing just to have rags, to wipe away the dirt and dust that may come in the course of life.” ~ Anthony Liccione

“Saying thanks to the world, and acknowledging your own accomplishments, is a great way to feel good and stay positive.” ~ Rachel Robins

“Today I am so grateful that God knows my heart.
Others may misunderstand my good intentions,
judge my words or deeds, find fault,
or blame what they truly do not understand.
But God knows my heart.
He knows I am learning, trying, endeavoring,
to be all He created me to be.” ~ Lori Nawyn

Today, and for the past several days, I am/have been grate*full...

1. for an automatic deposit from oDesk.
2. that my unemployment payment has been released.
3. that even though I've been out of work for over a month, I'm only on my fourth week of unemployment because of working the oDesk jobs.
4. that John shut off the second alarm (usually, if I get up after the first alarm, I'm the one who has to go back and shut off the second alarm, because John either doesn't hear it or chooses to ignore it).
5. for coffee.
6. for the drive through pharmacy at Rite Aid.
7. that I got to see Kristina yesterday.
8. for getting stuff for the students of the Everybody Can Play Music Collective.
9. for a good night's sleep.
10. for Joey Show on DVD (that's Friends).
11. that this sinus business seems to have passed.
12. that it was nice out Monday to clean my comforters.
13. for the ability to be flexible with plans.
14. for Nutella and jelly sandwiches (or Nujelly and sammich as Marc calls it).
15. for coffee (two different days, it counts LOL).
16. for "breathe in gratitude, breathe out negativity."
17. that Rachael Evalyn Courtney Shook takes her medicine so well.
18. that she seems to be doing so much better.
19. for the ability to begin again.
20. that I found a highlighter last night to work on my Arts Management reading.
21. for my to-do list.
22. for my husband - that he does laundry, cooks, and cleans.
23. for 750 words.
24. for hot showers.
25. for the roof over my head.
26. for my oDesk jobs.
27. for the interview I have this week.
28. for my iTunes gift card.
29. for my printer.
30. for clean, safe water to drink.
31. and to John Shook, Jr., for fixing my glasses so they don't fall off my face every time I bend or nod.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes August 4-August 7, 2014

“Today you will envy the blessings of another, or you will bask in the wonder of the amazing grace you have been given.” ~ Paul David Tripp

“To express gratitude is to put into words a beautiful sense of wholeness. Recognizing the people, the experiences, and the extraordinary gifts of life which feed our souls.” ~ Anna

“Gratitude shouldn't be an occasional incident but a continuous attitude.” ~ Anthony Nyuiemedy-Adiase

“Living in love, gratitude and forgiveness, is peaceful and spiritually rejuvenating. Living under the emotional constraints of anger and resentment is draining and toxic to heart and soul. It can be difficult to let go of past hurts, but it can also be freeing and uplifting. More and more, i choose to live in love, gratitude and forgiveness.” ~ Jaeda DeWalt

Today I am grate*full...

1. that I got the interview with the school district!
2. that Rachael Evalyn Courtney Shook is feeling better!
3. that John William Shook the Younger made breakfast for the kids.
4. that John William Shook the Elder's colonoscopy was uneventful.
5. that I found an article that I thought was lost!
6. that Monica did an awesome job on my nails.
7. that Lethia helped us take care of the kids on Sunday so that I could work.
8. for coffee.
9. that I had a job interview Monday morning.
10. for Mary-Ann's messages.
11. that the 599 program is able to re-send me the paperwork that needs to be filled out by my school.
12. that my request for an advance of my excess financial aid got where it needed to go.
13. for Kathy at the pediatrician's office for being so awesome with Rachael yesterday.
14. for Dr. Odife reassuring me on the phone last night.
15. for goodreads.com, which is where I am getting the majority of my gratitude quotes lately.
16. for the Bright Red Bookshelves all over town.
17. for Nutella and jelly sandwiches.
18. that Marc calls Nutella and jelly sandwiches "Nujelly and sammich."
19. that I can get another copy of Marc's birth certificate.
20. for my address labels.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes from 7/31-8/3/14

“Petronius was surely right in saying Fear made the gods. In primitive times fear of the unknown was normal; gratitude to an unknown was impossible.” ~ JM Robertson

“An ancient cornerstone of prayer is that our desire to thank God is itself God's gift. Be grateful." ~ Richard Leonard

“Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic.” ~ John Henry Jowett

“In life, as in knitting, don't leave loose ends. Take the time to thank the people who matter in your life.” ~ Reba Liker

Today I am grate*full...
1. that the Mets won last night.
2. that Jacob DeGrom is an awesome pitcher.
3. that the Giants play tonight. FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA.
4. for warm drinks.
5. for my Keurig.
6. for Brandy Malone.
7. for my amazingly awesome new pixie cut.
8. that I got to give Melanie a piano lesson yesterday.
9. for mantras such as "Breathe and Pray." and "I am a magnet for miracles."
10. for the seven years I have spent married to my amazing husband.
11. that I'm getting ladybug toes today!
12. that I have my two oDesk jobs (for the moment.)
13. that my time in the red tent will soon be completed for another month.
14. that we got to spend an amazing day with friends yesterday.
15. that I got to hold an 8 month old identical twin baby yesterday.
16. for Rachie snuggles.
17. for amazing marriage examples like those of John's parents, my parents, my mom's bff, my godmother, and many, many friends.
18. for the constant reminder that I have to set good examples for my kids.
19. for how funny Marc is.
20. for Rachael's sweet baby open-mouth kisses.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitude from 7/25/14 forward

“Gratitude makes you a better, stronger, wiser person. Ingratitude makes you a negative, angry, miserable person. Which person do you choose to be?” ~ Comic Strip Mama

“Find gratitude in the little things and your well of gratitude will never run dry.” ~ Antonia Montoya

“We have so much for what to be grateful and if we thank for it, we will have even much more.” ~ Victoria Vorel

"Keep a gratitude list." ~ Steve Maraboli

“Of course gratitude should be expressed...But that does not mean to kill your self-esteem.” ~ Deepika Muthusamy

“Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies.” ~ Charles W. Jefferson

Friday/Saturday I was grate*full...

1. that the Mets won last night (Friday).
2. that John cut Marc's hair and it looks so handsome!
3. for open-mouthed super-slobbery Rachael Evalyn Courtney Shook kisses.
4. that the Skype interview went well yesterday.
5. for how cute Rachael looks in her little swimsuit.
6. for the anticipation of a fun day spent with good friends.
7. that the weather seems to be cooperating.
8. for the people that kept me updated on the game via Twitter.
9. that we were able to brush Melanie's hair this morning with very few tears.
10. how handsome John in his An Evening of Song t-shirt.


Today I am grate*full (and I owe twenty...how have I gotten so far behind?!)...
1. for Rachie snuggles.
2. for not having a job to go to so I can take time to recover from being sick.
3. for the interview I have on Monday.
4. for Monica and Lethia helping me with the kids in the store tonight.
5. for them coming over tomorrow to watch them while I work.
6. that the Mets won 11-2 today over the Phillies.
7. that I'm starting to feel better.
8. that I was able to get my Prilosec
9. and I was able to get gas for my car.
10. for ice cream.
11. for clean water to drink.
12. for a life free from religious persecution.
13. for the services offered at Workforce NY.
14. for Edna, who knows why.
15. for a solution to a problem that we came up with yesterday.
16. for finding a lost article.
17. for FlyLady.
18. for Maria, the secretary at my daughter's school.
19. for my to-do list.
20. for my husband, to whom I do not give nearly enough credit.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes for 7/24/14

“Those who really can receive bread from a stranger and smile in gratitude, can feed many without even realizing it. Those who can sit in silence with their fellow man not knowing what to say but knowing that they should be there, can bring new life in a dying heart. Those who are not afraid to hold a hand in gratitude, to shed tears in grief, and to let a sigh of distress arise straight from the heart, can break through paralyzing boundaries and witness the birth of a new fellowship, the fellowship of the broken.” ~ Henri Nouwen


Today I am grate*full...
1. for cooler weather. Cooler weather means cooler heads and cooler heads prevail.
2. for Rachael smiles.
3. for amazing Rachael snuggles last night.
4. for the date night-ish dinner that John and I got to have last night with our loganberry wine from Knapp Vineyards.
5. that the Mets won yesterday.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes for 7/23/14

“Gratitude begins in our hearts and then dovetails into behavior. It almost always makes you willing to be of service, which is where the joy resides. It means that you are willing to stop being such a jerk. When you are aware of all that has been given to you, in your lifetime and the past few days, it is hard not to be humbled, and pleased to give back.” ~ Anne LaMott

Today I am grate*full...

1. For great feedback from my oDesk job.
2. That I got a canvas for a Secretary I position in Chemung County.
3. That Melanie got a good report at the dentist.
4. That the hygienist said that she "was a pleasure to work with."
5. That we got Marc a dental appointment.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes 7/21-7/22/14

“To receive, you must be active. Keep in mind your purpose. You will receive in direct proportion to your clarity of vision, your definiteness of purpose, the steadiness of your faith, and the depth of your gratitude.” ~ John-Roger

“Grace begins with gratitude, and the thankful heart flows abundantly while the spirit soars.” ~ Rita Said

Today I am grate*full...

1. that I'm getting to go to my knitting group again.
2. that I don't have to be pregnant again.
3. for the hilarity that ensued last night.
4. for fans. It's sooooooo hot today.
5. for Marc kisses.
6. for Dwayne Johnson. OMG that dude is hot.
7. for Valerian root.
8. for the TV in our bedroom.
9. that my work for Corning-Painted Post is now complete. Officially.
10. for my oDesk job.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes 7/20/14

"Everyday gratitude sweetens what appears flavorless and brightens all that appears dim." ~ Amy Leigh Mercree

Today I am grate*full...

1. for the ability to type with my fingers crossed as I watch the Mets play a close game.
2. for naps.
3. for the $20 donation that Everybody Can Play got today.
4. for a husband that lets me nap after a stressful morning.
5. for the progress I'm making on my homework.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes 7/17, 7/18, and 7/19/14

"Gratitude makes blessings permanent." ~ Raheel Farooq

“When we saw a destitute-looking man trying to sell worn flip-flops, I vowed never to complain about a job again. When I considered the steady paycheck and quality of life it provided, my past gripes - primarily boring meetings, back-biting office politics and pantyhose - were just whining.” ~ Kristine K. Stevens

"Gratitude is the experience of our true self." ~ Gina Lakes

Today I am grate*full...
1. for the music at the Farmers' Market Thursday.
2. that I got to see many friends, including Casey and Jordan, Juan, Judy, Susan, and Xavier, and Danielle and Ady.
3. that my vacation accrual check was more take-home than I thought it would be, enabling us to pay our cable bill (which includes internet, which I need to do my oDesk job), and get Marc his big-boy underpants.
4. that the raffle tickets are all cut apart and ready for distribution.
5. that I got to go to my knitting group yesterday.
6. for Marc quotes of the day.
7. that, for today, my family and I are together and safe.
8. that John helped me cut apart raffle tickets last night.
9. that I was able to get my cotton yarn out with relatively little problems.
10. that I have a pattern where I don't need a bunch of extra yarn to make dishcloths.
11. for the couple that gave their waitress $20 toward our bill at Pietro's last night, because our kids were "so well behaved".
12. for the man that took their place at that table and was super nice to the kids and us.
13. that we got to see Lethia.
14. that Monica is over here today.
15. for an additional day to work the oDesk job.
16. for the Bible quote my friend Jackie shared on Facebook this morning.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes 7/16/14

“As we learn to give thanks for all of life and death, for all of this given world of ours, we find a deep joy. It is the joy of trust, the joy of faith in the faithfulness at the heart of all things. It is the joy of gratefulness in touch with the fullness of life.” ~ David Steindl-Rast

Today I am grate*full....
1. that we were able to get Marc some of the milk he needs (he's lactose intolerant and needs Lactaid).
2. that we got farmer's market coupons at WIC today.
3. for watching Harry Potter with my girl.
4. for the extended playdate the kids got with Ezra and dinner with Jen.
5. for positive feedback from my freelance job.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes 7/15/14

“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life.” ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Today I am grate*full...
1. for my oDesk job.
2. for my unemployment payment.
3. for the stinkface. (for those who haven't read before, the stinkface is a funny face that Rachael makes)
4. for my little house.
5. for my electric and natural gas.
6. for my cable and internet.
7. that Marc is getting so good at peeing on the potty. We need to check him and see how he does with pants today.
8. for my friends who have birthdays today, but mostly for my friend Brandy, who has been my friend since kindergarten! I still remember her calling our teacher and saying, "Mr. Marks!" (even though she was a Mrs.)

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes for 7/14/14

Happy Bastille day friends!

"My prayer is an attitude of pure gratitude for having the opportunity to experience life on this earth with all its pain, heartache, worry, and turmoil; coupled with this gratitude is the thankfulness for just having the opportunity to have lived. That is fairly easy on good days but difficult when life puts rocks and boulders in the road.” ~ David W. Earle

Today I am grate*full...
1. That I was able to help my father-in-law with some stuff he needed help with.
2. That Marc is peeing on the potty!
3. That the Pregnancy Resource Center has some Pull-Ups for us.
4. that I found the other Juicy Living Card.
5. for the roof overhead.

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes for 7/13/14

"Gratitude is the heart's first language." ~ Joey Garcia

Today I am grate*full...

1. that we seemed to have turned a corner with my son's potty training. He went pee on the potty three times today, two of them without being prompted.

2. for this face Rachael makes that we call the "stinkyface." She scrunches up her nose and huffs a few times. It's hilarious.

3. that my FIL bought food for our dinner.

4. for an unexpected visit from our step-granddaughter Kristina.

5. for the Potterhead Weekend on ABC Family.

6. that the Mets won another game!

Love~
Elizabeth

Gratitudes 7/12/14

“Sometimes, we wait on God for special things to happen extraordinarily in our lives before we understand that "God is working". Meanwhile, there are "super-special" things that fill our life barrels in minute drops, but they go unappreciated!” ~Israelmore Ayivor

Today I am grate*full...

1. for the amazing moment I had with my son after I had to put him in time-out. He had been messing with a lamp and I had asked him twice to stop. I put him in time-out (a chair facing the corner) for three minutes, and then when he got up before the time-out was over, I added another minute. When his time-out was up, he came to me completely apologetic for what he had done. He cried and told me, "Mommy, I so sorry I touch that lamp." It turned into an incredibly tender moment between us with lots of hugging and snuggling, and me telling him I loved him very much, and felt like a huge parenting win. I don't get many of those, so I'm so grate*full for it.

2. that we got to watch my friend Niki's kids, Hannah and Lily, today.

3. for the donation we got to the Everybody Can Play Music Collective today from my friend Rebecca. Three composition notebooks and $21 to purchase lesson books for three students!

4. that the Mets pulled out a dramatic come-from-behind victory against the Marlins, tying the game twice and going ahead for the first - and last - time in the bottom of the 8th. Beautiful game!

5. For the amazing response of my friends to a post yesterday that I put up on Facebook.

Love~
Elizabeth