Today was another enjoyable day. We took a trip to Target and found out our gift card was $50 instead of the assumed $25, so that was awesome. We all had lunch after that and went down to a local art museum, the McNay museum, since it was free. As we all toured the Impressionist art, and looked around the permanent art, we also found out that they had children's activities down in the basement. We took Ellie down there, and we all participated. After the museum, we went out to dinner at one of Tom's and my favorite restaraunt. Its a german place called Friesenhaus. Absolutely wonderful food there.
So, there was plenty to be grateful for today. So many pleasant things happened. What I actually am the most proud of though is something I didn't mention earlier. I haven't really paid much mind within this journal about my weight loss journey. I'm just now starting it, and have had numerous struggling moment, but I haven't caved in yet. Today I noticed that I was making this a permanet facet in my life. I was making healthier choices and noticing the difference in how I felt. I've realized the importance of my health, and my weight plays a large role in that. I've taken an active role in my weight loss, and I'm proud of that. I'm grateful that everything that I've been hearing is finally sinking in. I know that losing weight is much harder than gaining it, so I'm keeping that in mind when I do have set backs. I have another weigh in tomorrow, but if I've only maintained, or even gained, I know that the mental aspect of this battle is starting to be won.
"Habit is habit and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time." --Mark Twain
Good night.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
February 6, 2010
After seeing post after post on facebook about all the snow from my hometown, I need to say that I'm grateful I'm not going through it. I'm also grateful that my family has all that they need to weather the storm. I know that my brother-in-law is stuck at work, sleeping in his office, but at least he's safe. Their safety is a high priority for me, and knowing that all of them are taken care of is a weight off my shoulders. No matter how much I love to look at snow, that area has been hit really hard this year. I like winter, but not that much. So, with that being said, I'm going to enjoy our chilled air and sleep soundly knowing my family is okay.
"And thank you for a house full of people I love. Amen." ~Ward Elliot Hour
Good night.
"And thank you for a house full of people I love. Amen." ~Ward Elliot Hour
Good night.
Friday, February 5, 2010
February 5, 2010
Today was an enjoyable day. It ended with Ellie having a fever, but with the miracle of medicine, the fever was down within half an hour. We went to the "Casing of the Colors" ceremony today for Tom's unit. I always enjoy watching the traditions unfold in military ceremonies. I never really cared for standing at attention while I was in the military, watching the traditions unfold... big difference!
At the beginning, we all "saluted" the flag during the national anthem. Ellie asked me what we were all looking at. I pointed out the American Flag and she said how pretty it was. Of course she didn't understand the significance of it, but at least she recognized it. She even put her hand over her heart (after I asked her to). It was so cute!
One of the things I wanted to say to her, but knew it was above her comprehension, was that that flag is what Daddy is protecting. Its because of that flag that Daddy has to go away for a little bit and help everyone stay free. So tonight, I want to express my gratitude for my husband's patriotism (as well as my own, in a way). It takes a true self-sacrificing patriot to join the military. It doesn't matter what branch, or if you believed you only enlisted for the college money. You knew the risks of being a service member, and only a patriot would sign on the dotted line.
Americans have taken so many things for granted. Watching this ceremony, and hearing what the distinguished guests had to say about the unit and the soldiers in it, renewed a sense of pride within me. I know that there are going to be difficult times ahead of me because of Tom's choice career, but it because of him and people like him, that our nation has been kept free. We are able to believe in whatever we choose. We vote for the members of congress and senate. We vote for our president. We are able to choose our own professions. We are able to deny military servitude. America is a great and unappreciated country. The soldiers need more recognition, and yet, I'm happy that I'm still connected to it through my husband. The soldiers, and their families, are the ones who truly show real appreciation for what this country, and the men that fought before us, have given us.
"Patriotism... is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." ~Adlai Stevenson
Good night.
At the beginning, we all "saluted" the flag during the national anthem. Ellie asked me what we were all looking at. I pointed out the American Flag and she said how pretty it was. Of course she didn't understand the significance of it, but at least she recognized it. She even put her hand over her heart (after I asked her to). It was so cute!
One of the things I wanted to say to her, but knew it was above her comprehension, was that that flag is what Daddy is protecting. Its because of that flag that Daddy has to go away for a little bit and help everyone stay free. So tonight, I want to express my gratitude for my husband's patriotism (as well as my own, in a way). It takes a true self-sacrificing patriot to join the military. It doesn't matter what branch, or if you believed you only enlisted for the college money. You knew the risks of being a service member, and only a patriot would sign on the dotted line.
Americans have taken so many things for granted. Watching this ceremony, and hearing what the distinguished guests had to say about the unit and the soldiers in it, renewed a sense of pride within me. I know that there are going to be difficult times ahead of me because of Tom's choice career, but it because of him and people like him, that our nation has been kept free. We are able to believe in whatever we choose. We vote for the members of congress and senate. We vote for our president. We are able to choose our own professions. We are able to deny military servitude. America is a great and unappreciated country. The soldiers need more recognition, and yet, I'm happy that I'm still connected to it through my husband. The soldiers, and their families, are the ones who truly show real appreciation for what this country, and the men that fought before us, have given us.
"Patriotism... is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." ~Adlai Stevenson
Good night.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February 4. 2010
Today I had a wonderful conversation with my mother-in-law about the spiritual side of a person. I'm grateful that I was able to do this without feeling uncomfortable, and the coversation was free flowing. It started, I believe, when we were talking about a moment shared between Tom and me. I had bought a card for a young girl dying of cancer who lives in PA. I hadn't made it out to the store in a couple of days, but felt really good about what I was doing. I happened to check the website for the girl later that day, and she had, unfortunately, passed away. I had only known about her for a couple of days. Its really sad, but God has his reasons, and she is no longer in pain. I told Tom about the whole thing, and he got really quite. And then he chuckled to himself. When I asked him what he was thinking, he told me, "I just realized I was praying."
That was huge for me! Through our conversations, Tom has started accepting his spiritual side. I have been very nervous about what would happen if I passed away. Would Tom be willing to raise Ellie to believe in God? I've never asked him to believe in the same god as me. I've asked him to accept his spiritual side. To accep that there is a balance in life that requires a person to acknowledge their spiritual side.
That was essentially what the conversation between my mother-in-law and me consisted of. We both agreed that there is a God out there, and we happen to believe in the Christian God. For us though, accepting your spirituality is just as important as accepting your personality. Your spirituality helps balance your life. It should be what calms and comforts you. It was nice being able to have that conversation with her and know that I'm so much more accepting and comfortable with my faith.
"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." --Denis Waitley
Good night.
That was huge for me! Through our conversations, Tom has started accepting his spiritual side. I have been very nervous about what would happen if I passed away. Would Tom be willing to raise Ellie to believe in God? I've never asked him to believe in the same god as me. I've asked him to accept his spiritual side. To accep that there is a balance in life that requires a person to acknowledge their spiritual side.
That was essentially what the conversation between my mother-in-law and me consisted of. We both agreed that there is a God out there, and we happen to believe in the Christian God. For us though, accepting your spirituality is just as important as accepting your personality. Your spirituality helps balance your life. It should be what calms and comforts you. It was nice being able to have that conversation with her and know that I'm so much more accepting and comfortable with my faith.
"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude." --Denis Waitley
Good night.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
February 3, 2010
Tonight I'm grateful for my family arriving safely from Washington. They had a very long day today and had a long drive home from Austin. We were lucky that Ellie behaved herself with Grandma in the back to entertain her! We are very fortunate that our family was capable to get tickets to come see us. With us being a military family, we can't depend on our family to come to see us. We can only hope. With the deployment so close, I'm really looking towards my family for support. I'm planning on making a few trips to see them, but it is very pleasant to have them here. I know how hard it is to step away from their jobs, so it really does mean something for them to be here.
With today's economy, there are so many families out there that never get to see far distant relatives. Our life revolves around those far distant relatives. We enjoy moving and seeing the various sites of the city, but there is definitely a piece missing. We miss having family around, especially for Ellie. She loves her grandmas and grandpas, and unfortunately, will not have the opportunity to really grow with them. When we are able to travel to see them, its such a nice treat. And vice versa.
There is nothing stronger than the bonds of family, and whatever time brings, the families always remember that. The effort is made on either side to have a positive connection to one another, and for that, I am grateful.
"Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions." — Peter Hoeg
Good night.
With today's economy, there are so many families out there that never get to see far distant relatives. Our life revolves around those far distant relatives. We enjoy moving and seeing the various sites of the city, but there is definitely a piece missing. We miss having family around, especially for Ellie. She loves her grandmas and grandpas, and unfortunately, will not have the opportunity to really grow with them. When we are able to travel to see them, its such a nice treat. And vice versa.
There is nothing stronger than the bonds of family, and whatever time brings, the families always remember that. The effort is made on either side to have a positive connection to one another, and for that, I am grateful.
"Traveling tends to magnify all human emotions." — Peter Hoeg
Good night.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
February 2. 2010
Happy Groundhog's Day. Another 6 weeks of winter... again. LOL I honestly can't remember the last time that Puxsatawny Phil DIDN'T see his shadow!
Anway. I was opeing up the journal, and checking the other blogs I read, I started thinking about what I would write about. And for a change, my mind was flooded! I started thinking how I'm grateful that I'm not stuck in the snow like my family on the East Coast. I grateful that my in-laws are able to come visit with us for a week and half and offer us their support as we get ready for the deployment. I'm grateful that Ellie has started sleeping through the nights again. I'm grateful that even though Ellie has potty accidents every now and then, she was VERY easy to potty train. I'm grateful that I've got so many friends I can count on, both local and long distant.
Like I said, my mind was flooded. I could go into detail, but honestly, I really enjoyed just listing them all. It was all coming so freely, so today must've been a good day.
I hope tomorrow is just as nice.
"All things are difficult before they are easy."
--Thomas Fuller
Good night.
Anway. I was opeing up the journal, and checking the other blogs I read, I started thinking about what I would write about. And for a change, my mind was flooded! I started thinking how I'm grateful that I'm not stuck in the snow like my family on the East Coast. I grateful that my in-laws are able to come visit with us for a week and half and offer us their support as we get ready for the deployment. I'm grateful that Ellie has started sleeping through the nights again. I'm grateful that even though Ellie has potty accidents every now and then, she was VERY easy to potty train. I'm grateful that I've got so many friends I can count on, both local and long distant.
Like I said, my mind was flooded. I could go into detail, but honestly, I really enjoyed just listing them all. It was all coming so freely, so today must've been a good day.
I hope tomorrow is just as nice.
"All things are difficult before they are easy."
--Thomas Fuller
Good night.
Monday, February 1, 2010
February 1, 2010
I've been doing this for a month, and I can't believe how much it has helped me calm down and put things into perspective. There were many MANY nights that I really felt too tired to write anything. I persevered and kept writing. Some entries were exceptionally long, some were pretty short (my sleepy nights). Some were devotional, some were to external forces within my life.
Quite simply, this was a very good choice for me. I enjoy taking the time to get some thoughts down on "paper," and reading the comments from friends and family is a huge perk for me. It encourages me to write more.
This evening, I'm grateful for the choice I made to stick with my Gratitude Journal... and my bed.
"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday." ~Author Unknown
Good night.
Quite simply, this was a very good choice for me. I enjoy taking the time to get some thoughts down on "paper," and reading the comments from friends and family is a huge perk for me. It encourages me to write more.
This evening, I'm grateful for the choice I made to stick with my Gratitude Journal... and my bed.
"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday." ~Author Unknown
Good night.
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