What's Your Favorite...

Friend. You have to go check out the new challenge that TAAFOMFT posted. And the prizes are so fun... make sure you head over to check out who won the Favorite Memory Challenge and see the Favorite Friend layouts from the design team. Here's mine:

This one was such a pleasure to do... because every day I hear Rainee say, 'Mommy, you know you're my best friend!'... could life get any better than that? Rainee always tells me how much she loves me and how no matter how old she gets... I will always be her best-est friend! What a wonderful thing for a child to say... I love how sincere she is... I love that even though she now has several friends at school... I'm still her favorite. I feel privileged to be her first best friend...

When it came to picking the photo for this layout, I had Rainee help me. We pulled out disks and sat down at the computer, then went through a ton of photos... but when we got to this one... she said - - 'That's the one, mommy! That's me and my best friend!'

Well what she didn't know, and I told her, is that this is photo is a favorite of mine... this photo was taken on Mother's Day! Because it was such a gorgeous day, after our Mother's Day lunch, Steve decided we were going to do something fun and took us to Tom's Farm. I love that place, besides having the best fruits and veggies... on the weekends it's hopping with live music, horsey rides, a farm animal petting zoo, balloon animals, magic shows, face painting and fun craft booths... it's such a fun way to spend an afternoon.... it was the perfect choice for our day. Anyway, I always make sure, Rainee and I take a Mother's Day photo together and when we got to Tom's Farm it hadn't happened yet, but when Rainee saw the giant chicken she decided it was the perfect spot for a photo with mommy. So there we are standing in front of this giant chicken... and Rainee making cluck-cluck chicken sounds... it was just too cute!! I love this photo, I love that she picked it out for the favorite friend layout and I love the memories it holds.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you all come up with for this Favorite Friend Challenge at TheseAreAFewOfMyFavoriteThings. Have a lovely evening.

PageMaps Layout...

After reading about the contest PageMaps from my friend Sarah at Red Oak Lines. I decided to join in, and this is the sketch they provided. I used a lot of scraps for this layout... I did turn and flop the sketch... but I love how it turned out... the contest ends today... so if you have a few moments to get a layout done... you should enter.

For the layout, I decided to use a cute photo of Rainee from our South Dakota Trip. I just loved this one of her.... I love her cute smile... I love the green green grass in the background... and I love the memory... we left Rapid City and had been driving a few hours when we got to Pierre, on our way back to papa's (my dad's) and decided it was break time... and we went to the Missouri River where where was a lovely park... we had our Dairy Queen ice cream... and enjoyed our few moments there, before we had to get back on the road. Rainee had such fun... skipping rock (for the first time), playing frizbee, and of course there was the ice cream. It was such a beautiful day... so peaceful... our time there was short... but it was the best way to spend a break on a long drive. When I showed this to Rainee, she knew exactly where we were... it was a very unforgettable moment....

More CHA Layouts & Cards...

I thought I'd share more Creative Imaginations layouts and cards from CHA. I had such fun doing this Western Theme. Rainee loves dressing up as a 'cowboy' any chance she has... so it was really fun using the Cowgirl & Buckaroo Collections by Debbie Mumm. I loved the colors, the patterns, all the fun run-ons and stickers... but along with these great collections, I was able to use their newest and hottest product... REAL WOOD!!!

I have to tell you about the new product from Creative Imaginations... it's making a lot of people's hearts go pitter-patter... it's their new wood grain paper... made with actual wood. It comes in two different woods, two different thickness and multiple sizes. You can cut it, emboss it, die cut it, punch it, stamp on it, use rub-ons with it AND put it through your laser or inkjet printer... this stuff is amazing... I had so much fun using it for some CHA samples.

If any of you are like me and you've tried to recreate the look of wood grain with pattern paper and with rubber stamps. And I love both, but they don't hold a candle to this Real Wood!!! Did I tell you it's amazing??? I fell in love with it the moment I saw it.

It's actual wood... it looks like wood... feels like wood... even smells like wood.
I used a lot of rub-on with it... I loved how it took the embossing on the Cowgirl Round Up layout... I loved how well it took punches on the Howdy Card. I also wanted to see how it did with my Cricut... and it cut like a dream when I made my wood buttons on the Cowgirl Roundup layout. It's so great that there are two different thicknesses too, the thin is great for punches, the Cricut, and the thick was so nice, it's really substantial... yet you can still cut it. All in all it's just awesome product!!! So if you're looking for something fun to use on your next layout or card... you might just want to try... Real Woods!!! They're a dream!!!

At Home With Dad...

When we were out to see my dad last summer in South Dakota I made sure Steve took a picture of me with my dad... the 2 of us together. We had a wonderful time. I always enjoy going home... I haven't lived there since I was a child... but the Midwest states will always be home... It's were my family lives... it's where my roots are... all my aunts, uncles and cousins... and I have a slew of them... it's where my grandparents lived... and now where my dad has lived these last couple of years... it's been nice going back... It's nice being home with my dad.

When I was going through photos to scrap from our trip, I knew I had to do this one. I remember it was our last day there... the last moments we would share in each others company, until our next visit... and in that moment... I was already missing him... I love my dad!

If you have a photo of you with a parent(s)... I encourage you to scrap it... it's important to remember your time together... Thanks of stopping by... I hope you have a lovely Thursday...

i♥u...

It's nearly the end of the month and I realized I haven't posted my Creative Imaginations layout with the February sketch...

I enjoyed doing this layout. As soon as I saw the sketch, I new exactly what I wanted to do... I made this really simple... I knew exactly which picture... which paper. I love it when that happens... when things all come together. I know the sketch was for 6 photos... and I used only one... but isn't that what a sketch is for... so do with it as you like??? You still have time to do a layout and post it on the Creative Imaginations gallery and possibly win a prize...

Also don't forget you still have time to post your favorite memory TheseAreAFewOfMyFavoriteThings... love to see what you come up with.

Weekly Gratitude...

Quiet Time. I've noticed over the years that for me to be a good wife... a good mother... friend... daughter... sister... scrapbooker... well, let's just say... good at anything... I've needed my quiet time. Time when I can do whatever I need to or want to. It makes me a contented and happier person.

When I was single... I seemed to have a ton of it... I enjoyed those quiet times... when I got married, I noticed I had less... so I adjusted... when I became a mother, there was even less... and I adjusted. But now, as a stay-at-home-mom, you would think I'd have an abundance of this thing that helps keep me grounded... but it's not true.... if anything I've had less. But over time, again I've adjusted...

My husband thinks I'm seriously crazy... because every day, I get up early... usually 4:30 or 5:00 am. In his eyes there is no reason to. But what he doesn't understand, is that it's not just for me... it's for him, Rainee and all I need to care for.

It's in those early morning hours, before the sun is up and the house is filled with voices of... 'can you do this'... 'can I have that'... I am able to escape. I am able to plunge myself into the quietness of... a new day. I am able to forget about what the day has to offer, what I have to or need to do... it's in this time I am able to exercising, reading, praying, scrapping, blogging... whatever I want for those few short hours, I am able to use the time to rejuvenate myself for the beginning of a new day. Those few hours, make me a happier person. I am filled with a sense of accomplishment for how I've spent my time, but also that I've taken care of me. Because I know for me, if I let the things 'I have to do' and the things 'I need to do' overwhelm me... I am not good to anyone...

I wish it could be stored it up... to use when I need it... when I'm stressed and full up with life... I wish there was a way to pull from 'the reserves of quiet time' to get me through a day... a week... an hour... a moment... but it doesn't work that way... not for me anyway... I've learned over the the years... that I need to take care of myself... daily.

The thing I love about it, is that it doesn’t ask anything of me. There are no expectation, no requirements... it's time for me to use it how I'd like. To enjoy the pleasure received by being there, which are not just in those moments... but they are carried on throughout my day... because I've taken the time to care for me. It’s good for my soul... my family... every part of my life. I'm better for having taken the time. So this morning I will enjoy it's delightful pleasure, and hope you will have some quiet time to call your own... we all need it.

Sarah, Needs 50,000...

Sarah at RedOakLines... is having a giveaway. Check it out & you never know you might win!!!

Valentine Layouts & Cards...

Well I had to show you what I've been up to with all the Valentine festivities we had around here...
This first one is my favorite I think out of this bunch... because it shows Rainee with her cute little love bug cupcake she made at her class party. Besides... she my little love bug!!! I love the cupcake paper from Creative Imaginations... too much fun. The letters & hearts are from K&Co... some of my last year Valentine stash... which I adore and since it was a cupcake, I had to use some fun cupcake paper liners... they're from EK Success... Martha Stewart.

This next layout, I originally thought I'd put some cupcake photos on it with Rainee... but after going through all the photos of our cupcake party... I loved these of the three girls... with a couple little exceptions, everything on the layout is from the Sweet Shoppe line by Colorbok. I love this the first time I saw it and of course had to buy it... it's been sitting waiting patiently for me to do something with it... I feel in love with the huge cupcake die-cut it is just too adorable to cover up too much... the cute little cupcake stickers are from Recollections. I love how it turned out, it may not have a bunch of cupcake photos on it, but it has some pretty cute little girls on it.... very sweet.

Next.... I've been wanting to do a layout with this little series of photos of Rainee and Steve together... I love how happy they look together... I love how you can see how very much Rainee adores her daddy and vice-versa... and then of course that cute little kiss... too sweet. I love these photos.... did I say that already??? Well, it's true... As for the layout, I used some polka dot paper... my favorite little heart stickers from K&Co.... some favorite glitter letter stickers from Making Memories... and a doily... which sponged around one, then used a new one. Oh and I antiqued the photos because the pink and reds didn't match with what I was doing...

These are the cards I made for Valentine's Day for Rainee & Steve. They're both done with my scraps...

That's it for today... As always thanks so much for stopping by and for your lovely comments... they're always appreciated!!! I hope your day is filled with wonderful everyday moments!!!

What's Your Favorite...

What is your favorite memory??? That's our challenge at WhatIsYourFaveThing. There are so many to choose from... I thought since I'm always scrapbooking Rainee I would do a different favorite. A childhood memory - which I think about every {day}.

Ever since I can remember my dad has had a cup of coffee in his hand. Even now when we visited him last summer... he had a cup right next to him... and was waiting for his refill.

Besides us kids... who I know he loves dearly... his next favorite thing would have to be his coffee break. My dad loves loves loves his coffee breaks. There isn't a specific time of {day}... as a matter of fact... it's really an all day thing. He doesn't take it with any fancy trimmings... it's always black. And when all the fancy coffee companies started popping up on nearly every corner... he stayed true to his favorite cup of Folgers. He says they don't hold a candle to it... although on that he and I would have to disagree... I'm a Starbucks girl... through and through... if you think about it, it's kinda funny that I met my husband at a Starbucks... hmmmm... interesting??!!!

So now when I have my daily cup... I'm reminded of my dad's daily ritual... and I feel as though I'm sharing a cup with him. And I have to say... I do love love love my coffee breaks!!! Thanks dad!!! Thank you for such a wonderful pleasure...

Well, like I said I chose my dad as my favorite memory... but that doesn't mean I didn't do a layout with my little one... Rainee... how could anyone have just one favorite memory... And with Rainee... she gives me a new delightful memory every {day}... I hold on to them and cherish every one. I'm blessed. On this layout I decided to do hearts... because she holds my heart... and she is one of my favorite memories...

So, what is your favorite memory? Is it from your childhood? Or when your child was born? When you got married? Your grandparents? Or maybe a favorite toy? Whatever it is we would love to see it! Remember you can show it off on a card, a scrapbook layout or any kind of project you'd like... share it with all of us at WhatIsYourFaveThing... can't wait to see it. And you might just be the winner of a fabulous prize!!! Thanks so much for stopping by... Have a lovely day!!!
(Materials Coffee Break: Paper: Bazzil, My Minds Eye, Stickers: Making Memories, Jenni Bowlin, Clock tag, My Minds Eye, Buttons: Vintage, Rub-on: Colorbok, Stamp: Laundry Line) (Materials: Paper: Bazzil, My Minds Eye, Colorbok, Little Yellow Bycicle, Stickers: Making Memories, Jenni Bowlin, Ki, Colorbok, Reminisce, Buttons: Vintage, Stamp: Ali Edwards)

Valentine's {Day}...??

Valentine's day around here isn't just one day at our house... it always seems to last for days. It started when Steve bought Rainee the Valentine Dalmatian from Build-a-Bear.... it's adorable. Rainee named him Valentine, and now carries him pretty much everywhere. It wasn't even Valentine week... but that was the start of our "Valentine's Day"!

On the week of Valentine's Day... ours went something like this...
• Monday - We had Anessa, Molly and Michael over for... Rainee's Valentine Cupcake party... they made quite yummy creations... played... had pizza... made more creations.... and played some more!
• Tuesday & Wednesday - Rainee & I worked on her Valentine Doggie's and the pencil monster toppers she gave to her class at the party.
• Thursday - Steve took me out for an early Valentine's Day lunch, because he had to work Valentine's Day. This year was a bit different... Rainee wasn't there... she was in school. It was nice having lunch just the two of us, but we both missed her.
• Friday - Rainee's class Valentine's Day Party!!! It was a very full and fun filled party. Her teacher makes centers with 3-4 kids in each and does different fun things in each... and each group gets to go around the room and participate in each center... it's a great way to keep them occupied and enjoy the party day. But I have to say the fun-est part of the party was watching them make their 'Love Bugs' out of candies and a chocolate cupcake!!! Very cute!
Oh... we're not done yet...
• Saturday - Rainee had a Birthday Party then a Valentine Party to go to. Plus, we made Valentine's Day cards for Daddy, Mommy and Rainee...
• Sunday - Valentine's Day.... I got up early and made breakfast in bed for Rainee & Steve. Steve got heart pancakes... and for Rainee I had to make heart doggie pancakes. Steve went to work... but for us 2 gals at home... we made heart shaped turkey sandwiches for lunch... for dinner used the cookie cutter again to make the slices on our frozen pizza. If our day wasn't full enough of watching movies, going to the park, making more cards and eating fun heart shaped food... we also made chocolate chip cookies for daddy to have when he got home from work.

For such a simple little holi{day}... ours was full... doing fun things all week... It may have been loaded with a lot... but it was overflowing with love. How was yours??

Weekly Gratitude...

Sleep. I've had a hard time this week with sleeping. Rainee has for some odd reason, took a liking to me sleeping with her (2 nights last week)... When this request happens, I usually put her to bed then sneak out... but this week... she noticed what I was doing... and wouldn't have it... she wanted mommy to stay... so I stayed. Which wouldn't be so bad if her bed wasn't so soft... or is it that I always get hit in the face with either a hand or foot several times during the night. I don't know maybe it's combination of the two. So as you can tell, sleeping on both occasions was hopeless. Oh, and I don't want to forget the night I slept in the tent (in Rainee's room)... on the hard floor... comfy! One night I woke up just cuz I could... and I was up for the day! Another night, completely asleep... then at 1:00am, the phone rang... you have to know I get a bit frantic when this happens.... because early phone calls means somethings going on with my dad (who lives in a rest home in South Dakota).... so here I am, racing to the phone, my heart pounding... and I'm wondering if my dad is okay???... I answer it... and on the other end is some chick on drugs dialing the wrong number.... I was shaken... and you guessed it... I COULDN'T GO BACK TO SLEEP!! Ugh!!

Sleep... I didn't get much of it last week... which can make mommy a very grumpy-bear!!! But last night... I slept in my own bed... no kicking or hitting... no odd phone calls... and I was able to sleep in until 6:30am this morning!!! Which doesn't seem like sleeping in... but when you consider I get up between 4:30 and 5:00am every morning... it's sleeping in for me. Ahhhhhhhhh!

This lack of sleep reminded me of when Rainee was a baby... the sleepless nights of being a new parent with the every 2-hour feedings... and how it was so nice to take a nap in the middle of the day... with my precious baby, to catch up on what I didn't get night the night before. So, this morning, I went digging through pictures looking for this of Rainee and I taking one of those much needed naps... a reminder of what I am grateful for... sleep.

I think, sleep is something we take for granted... or don't realize how important it is, until we don't get what we need. It's the most peaceful time of day... the time when our body rests... the time we recoup!!! I'm thankful my dear husband, took care of Rainee a couple of times so I could take a nap... because I really needed to rest!! I'm thankful for the sleep (and naps) I did get this week... and although there may will be days... even weeks like this one again in the future... I will be grateful. Grateful for the rest I do get. So, I pray for peaceful and restful slumber, as I lay my head upon the pillow tonight... and also for you! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Happy Valentine's Day

Just a wish for you to have a very lovely day!!!! From our home to yours....


Happy Valentine's Day!

Creative Imaginations February Sketch

I can't wait to get started on this month's Creative Imaginations sketch by Lori Gentile! I have ideas running through my head... I love the butterflies... but I'm thinking hearts or maybe some cupcakes!!!!

If you want to enter your lo and receive some wonderful giveaways... pop over to Creative Imaginations blog to find out the details... when you're done with your layout, post it on the CI Gallery to be entered. I'll be posting mine in a couple of days... can't wait to see what you come up with!!!

Creative Imaginations CHA... Boho Baby...

I thought I'd show you a few of the things I've done for CHA... specifically... the Boho Baby line, by the artist Christine Adolph. It has two adorable childrens collections one for girls and one for boys. Each collection includes flocked and double sided papers along with some unique embellishments! I had such fun with this line. With it, I was able to dig out a few favorite baby pictures of Rainee. I also did a couple of cards, which really aren't baby at all. I loved the tree and flower stickers... so bright & fun!

I love the colors and the fun shaped embellishments. They were baby... but a new baby... something you could use for baby to toddlers... and older. I liked that it could be used with everyday life... the zoo... even holidays.... with it's rich reds, pinks and yellows... too much fun!!! And if you like blues... well the Boho Boy has beautiful blues and greens... very fun!!!

If you'd like to see more of Creative Imaginations new products...go to their blog and check them out... I'll be posting more of my CHA assignments later.... I think you're going like all the new things... I know I do!

Doily Envelope Video

I haven't done a video in awhile... It's funny to me how when I was working full-time plus had all the responsibilities I do now, I actually got more videos done than I do now as a stay-at-home-mom/freelance graphic designer... you'd think I'd have more time somewhere??! Anyway, even though I love doing them, I guess any video getting done, when I have a chance... is better than no videos at all... right??!!??...

After showing you these fun little envelopes last year... I had so many requests to do video on these cute little envelopes... I just had to do one. So yeah, for the new Doily Envelope video!!! These little envelopes are one of my favorite Valentine, or any {day}, things. Ever since I was a little girl I've loved making them... I just love little girly things!!! Since then, I've made them for special occasions or just because... they're great to put on a wedding gift... perfect for wedding or baby showers... I've used them on projects like my Valentine Window (here)... on some of my scrapbook layouts... on cards... but my all time favorite uses are putting them in my husbands work shirt pocket and in Rainee's lunchbox with little love notes just for them!!

The great thing about these doily envelopes is once you know the basics of how they're made, you can make them with just about any kind of paper doily.... heart, square or circle. Along with the video, I've also made a download-able .pdf (3x3 or 6x6 heart doilies) for those of you who'd like it. I hope you enjoy making them and find some fun new ways to use these cute little doily envelopes...

(Materials: Doily: Wilton, Paper Insert: DCWV, Ribbon: Joann's, Glue: Elmer's Glue)

Weekly Gratitude...

{Hearts}. I love this time of year... The time when... love is in the air... and {hearts} are everywhere. I see them at the grocery store, at the coffee shop, Walmart and Target... you name the place and there is probably a Valentine {heart} around somewhere...

But my favorites are those I see every day on every picture Rainee makes for me... or others. I love it when she comes running over to me to show me the picture she's made... but more specifically... she shows me her {hearts}... in those small child like drawings of {hearts}... I see love. It's such a simple thing, a shape really... but while Rainee is still learning to write words... this simple little {heart} shape is her way of expressing her love in writing... and they're beautiful!

One of Rainee's recent homework assignments, was to bring home a {heart} and do a family project with it. As hard as we might we couldn't get daddy interested in helping, so Rainee and I did it together...when I asked her what she wanted on it... she said, she wanted to make {heart} puppies... one for each of us... our family! to make it easy, I got out the Cricut and it cut out our {hearts}... after that she was on a roll. She knew exactly what she wanted to do... where everything was going... what it would say... and what stickers to use.... {hearts} of course! It was fun watching her get all excited about her class {heart} project... she had me cut out some little bones, to put our names on. When she put the names on, she decide that although she should be up by mommy & daddy... Champy is bigger than she is so he should be the bigger puppy and she would be the smaller one. Too too cute! All I can say is...it's beautiful!!!! When she showed her daddy what he missed out on... daddy's response was... "Rainee-bear... it wouldn't have turned out this nice if I had helped... it's perfect!"... which of course made her smile...

So, even though Valentine's Day will come and go... and the {hearts} will be taken down everywhere with something new in their place... love will still be everywhere for me... when I look at Rainee's sweet little {hearts}... I know, I'm lucky have them and grateful to be loved so much!

Christmas & Sweet Beautiful You...

I know... I know... I know... It's nearly Valentine's Day... and I'm still doing Christmas... but I just can't seem to get enough of it... I'm having way too much fun doing my Christmas pictures... and just so you know... there may be more... but I'll try to hold off at least until after Valentine's Day.... well, we'll see!!! tee! hee! giggle! giggle!!!

Anyway... couldn't pass up doing a layout with this photo of Rainee... I simply love love love it! It's just too sweet...

What are you doing this weekend? Me? Going to my friend Marikay's for our scrap-day... I'm really looking forward to seeing all my friends from my job at the Los Angeles Times... It's been awhile... so there may be more talking than scrapping, but I've promised myself I'm going to finish at least 3 layouts... I have to commit... or it won't happen... so I'll let you know how that goes... Have a great weekend... scrapping... watching the game... or whatever else you do...

Ice Skating...

I just had to do a layout with Rainee ice skating for the first time. It was a moment to remember.

Every year during the holidays we go the Mission Inn... they do the most amazing light display... they use millions of lights... it's really beautiful. Plus they have a little street fair and all the fun shops stay open late.... in addition to all that this year, they had a small outdoor ice rink... and as soon as Rainee saw it she wanted to go ice skating. To which we said yes... but only after we ate dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant and then walk around a bit to see everything.

Since she saw it before we went to dinner... you can imagine what dinner was like... all she did was talk about going ice skating.... and when are we going to go. Then when we finally got there... Steve's decided it's not his 'thing'... so I took her out while he watched and took photos. Which was nice for me, because I rarely get to be in any photos with Rainee. Anyway, she did fall a couple of times at the start, but for the most part she a great job. She didn't want to stop even when they got out the Zamboni... and she, of course, was ready and raring to go when the ice was done.... she was so excited. She had the BEST TIME!!!

At one point, while we were skating, she asked me if my mommy ever took me ice skating. And it brought about a whole rush of memories. I told her about the first time I remembered... I was about Rainee's age... and how my mom held my hands as I went forward and she went backwards... I loved watching her glide around the rink. My mom loved to skate... she was an unbelievable skater. Every winter no matter what else we did during the winter season, she always made sure she took us skating. I remembered how much I loved skating... it was amazing going down memory lane with Rainee... doing exactly what my mom had done with me.... teaching a daughter to skate.

It's funny how a memory of your own childhood will come to you when you least expect it... how it will wash over you and remind you of how sweet it is... but then what is even more amazing, is that you're making the same memory with your own child... wow! Anyway, it was such a lovely way to spend a winter's evening and such a lovely way to share a memory... sooooooo I of course had to put it on paper.

Then with my little bits of leftovers I made this snowflake card.

Do you have a favorite memory you did as a child and you've found yourself doing the exact same thing with your own kids... would love you to share it. Have a lovely day!

(Layout Materials: Paper: My Minds Eye, Coredinations, DCWV, BoBunny, Laser Paper: KI, Rub-on: Creative Imaginations, Snowflakes: K&Co, Heidi Swapp, Letters: Creative Imaginations, Heidi Swapp, Glitter (behind ghost letters): Stampendous, Buttons: Joann's)
(Card Materials: DCWV, BoBunny, Snowflake Punch: Martha Stewart, Border Punch: Fiskars, Letters: Creative Imaginations, Rhinestones: Joann's)

Weekly Gratitude...

My Extraordinary Life... a miracle. If you know me at all, you know I waited for the right man... which seemed to take forever... you also know when I did get married I had no plans to have children, because of my age and the many many female issues I'd had, which gave me only a 2% chance of even getting pregnant... let alone the baby being healthy and going full term. So when I say my life, my marriage, my precious little girl is a miracle... it really is.

This last week, my nothing week... I sat with Rainee to help her with her homework and I felt such gratitude. There was nothing extraordinary about the moment, yet, it was to me. I look at my daughter and I know how blessed I am. I have a child I've waited my whole life for... and never thought it could or would happen. She's my breath of fresh air... my early morning sun... She makes my heart happy. So, in that moment, I felt thankful for little things... everything... my husband who picked Rainee up from school so I could go to the movies for a small break... I felt thankful for being able to get up, work in the comfort of my home, to be able to be home with my daughter and help her become a kind and loving person. And thankful for my husband, the man I married. I felt thankful for my everyday life.

And yet, even along with this gratitude, you can ask my sister... I also have my days when I complain about these blessings. There are days when I am tired and I don’t want to make one more meal, clean one more dish or do one more load of laundry. Days I wish it could just start over. And yet... I love my life.

There are so many wonderful things about it. Miracles which happen every day. The cute little "good morning mommy", Rainee gives me when she wakes up, her sweet little giggles, her precious voice singing around the house, her unconditional hugs and kisses to let me know I'm loved, when she says "I love you"... just for the heck of it, the fact that my husband brought pizza home, so I wouldn't have to cook... the way he can make me feel beautiful, when I know I'm a mess. These are miracles. Miracles of my everyday life.

So this week I'm thankful for our everyday life together. This is also, to remind myself to celebrate the little extraordinary moments that fill each day... which makes my everyday life a miracle.