It's that time again!!

The month where I fill my blog full of 30 Days of Thankful and National Adoption Month posts...

If you want to get in on the 30 Days of Thankful goodness...you're welcome to join this FB group that created just for that purpose!  I will be posting my 30 Days of Thankful on the group as well as on the tab at the top of my page. 

And as for National Adoption Month, I will post some things on here...but I would ask one thing of you, my faithful blogland friends.  Find one chance this month to help spread the POSITIVE word of adoption.  

Whether you share a video:


Or Miles' adoption story: Found HERE.  

Or use any one of THESE fantastic posts.  

Or find your own way to spread positivity.  

There is so much negative stuff out there, let's work together and swing the pendulum to the positive side!

30 Days of Thankful: 2011 Edition

Nov 1 - My parents.  Today is their wedding anniversary.  If they hadn't met, fell in love, gotten married and decided to start a family - I wouldn't be here!  (and what a sad world that would be!)

Nov 2 -I'm so glad when daddy comes home.  No...seriously.  Cute, adorable little Miles has been a stinker today.  As soon as daddy walked through the door??  Not so much.  He sure loves his daddy and for that I am grateful!

Nov 3 - Stay at home mom - I am happy to have the opportunity to stay home with our sweet Miles.  Today is rainy and dreary and I've always loved to stay home those days...in jammies, snuggle my babies...I love that I can stay home with them.

Nov 4 - Adoption Friends - We had a Girl's Night Out tonight with my adoption peeps...it's so nice to hang out with ladies that just get it. 

Nov 5 - Beautiful Fall Days - We took a nice, long walk outside today...and we didn't even need coats!!  In Chicago!!  In NOVEMBER!!!  Wahoo!!

Nov 6 - Patience - Enough said. 

Nov 7 - Healthy Marriage - I am thankful for a healthy marriage.  It's not always sunshine and roses...and we've had our rough patches.  But overall our marriage is healthy.  After hearing and seeing some friends who are struggling horribly in not healthy marriages...it makes me VERY grateful for ours. 

Nov 8 - Considerate Doctors & Nurses - I had a doctor's appointment this morning.  My doctor called in sick and her nurse was nice enough to call and let me know so I didn't drive all the way in (40 mins) to the base.  Nice people make the world so much better!

Nov 9 - Heat - All of a sudden it got cold here in Chicago...and knowing I could simply flip a switch to make our house warm (instead of having to build a fire like in Pioneer times) was awesome.

Nov 10 - Supportive People - I am the Enrichment Leader for our Ward and we have our Super Saturday coming up...it is ONE HUGE project...I am so grateful to have awesome assistants to help make the load easier to carry. 

Nov 11 - Veterans in my life - My grandfather who served in WWII in the Army's 13th Armored Division, my old neighbor George Sant who also served in WWII.  And most of all my sweet hubby who currently serves in the US Navy. 

Nov 12 - Friends - I am so blessed to have so many people, near and far that I am lucky enough to be able to call my friends. 

Nov 13 - Church Family - We really lucked out when we moved into this Ward.  We've had our share of bad, mediocre and good Wards...this one is awesome.  I think it is NO accident that we are here now...and that we were here when we went though what we went through the first part of this year.  Today while I was sitting in church I got teary thinking we only have a few short weeks left with these wonderful people. 

Nov 14 - Schedule - I'm grateful for Miles and his sleeping/eating schedule.  It makes him happy...and a happy baby means a happy mommy. 

Nov 15 - Washer & Dryer - I am so glad to have a washer and dryer in our home.  I love the smell of clothes right out of the dryer...something I will no doubt miss when in Italy (no dryer...we will line dry everything)

Nov 16 - Adoption - Today I am grateful for the MIRACLE of adoption. Six months ago today our sweet Miles was born and his wonderful birthmother mad the choice to place him in our arms.  Adoption rocks. 

Nov 17 - Kind Comments - I'm always thankful for kind comments from strangers/lurkers on my blog...they are definitely better than mean comments.

Nov 18 - My Family - I was overwhelmed today with love for my boys...Nathan, Miles & Winston.  I am so blessed to have the sweet little family that I do. 

Nov 26 - Little Things - Today I am thankful for the fun things we get to do now that we finally have a child.  We took Miles to see Santa at the mall today...standing in line I got all teary.  It was one of the things I had looked forward to doing for SO LONG.  Yay for kids and Santa!!

(I missed a few days near the end...we were preparing for our international move)

National Adoption Month & 30 Days of Thankful

It's that time of year again...30 Days of Thankful AND National Adoption Month.  

Last year I think I overdid it a bit...posting every day.   It made me tired...and I'm pretty sure it made some of you tired!   I'm still going to post about adoption...but it will be less.  On Wednesdays it will be a post about something adoption related and on Fridays I'll spotlight some of our friends who are hoping to adopt.  I might throw in another adoption post here and there...should I feel so inclined.  If you wanna get in on the National Adoption Month goodness...you can!  Here are some EASY ideas of how you can spread the positive message of adoption:

• Write a blog post featuring someone's adoption story or a couple hoping to adopt
• Tweet about adoption
• Do a Facebook Status raising awareness about adoption
• Read an adoption themed book in your child's class at school
• Ask your local library to create an adoption related book display
• Make a donation to Blessings in a Basket or Birthmother Baskets
• Attend a local adoption event (find them here)
  

And as far as the 30 Days of Thankful...I'll be putting those up...they'll be in the '30 Days of Thankful' tab up near the top.  At the end of the month, I'll post them all (in case you missed them...I know you'll want to read them...cause you love me)  You wanna join in on the Thankful good time?  I'd love to have you!

If you're going to participate in either National Adoption Month or 30 Days of Thankful...leave a comment with your blog address or Twitter feed and I'll link you to my side bar!

30 Days of Thankful: Recap

So whilst I've been bombarding you with adoption related posts, I've also been doing my 30 Days of Thankful.  Throughout the month you could find it on the 30 Days of Thankful Tab on the top menu...see up there?...to the right a little more...there you go.   But just in case you missed it here are my 30 Days of Thankful 2010:

Nov 1 - Adoption.  I'm grateful that I live in a day and age where adoption is a widely accepted practice.  In years past Nathan and would have probably not had the chance to raise children.  Yay for modern times!

Nov 2 -  Drugs.  The legal kind.  I've been battling a nasty bug for over a week and without the decongestant I think I would have just given up and stayed in bed for a week. 

Nov 3 - Free Pie Wednesday.  Baker's Square is a restaurant that offers a free slice of pie with the purchase of anything on their menu...the offer is good Wednesday evenings.  Guess where we were tonight??  Yep...you guessed it.  I got pumpkin, Nathan got apple.  Yummy!

Nov 4 - My friend Christy.  A year ago we had this big idea to plan Chicago's 1st ever Walk for Adoption.  It has been quite the undertaking and we've grown to be good friends through this planning. Tonight I spent the evening at her house stuffing swag bags and chatting about life and adoption.  I'm grateful to have a friend that "gets it".

Nov 5 - Early Days.  I work 6 days a week...which I am NOT thankful for, but two of those six days I only work a half a shift so I get off early and today is one of those days!  Hooray!

Nov 6 - Good Weather.  The Walk was today and I had been praying, hoping and crossing fingers that we would not have a snow filled day.  It was chilly today, but the sun was out and it was beautiful!

Nov 7 - Mom.  Today was a rough day.  I was up late last night doing stuff for Primary and had to get up early to finish it.  Then my printer was giving me problems and I was running 40 mins late for church.  I got a couple upsetting emails and by the time I got out the door I was teetering on the verge of an emotional/physical/spiritual/mental breakdown.  I called my mom and she calmed me right down. 

Nov 8 - Time in the Kitchen.  We had some friends over for dinner tonight so I planned a nice, big meal.  I cooked a Portobello roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, acorn squash, rolls, a green salad, pumpkin pie and apple/cranberry pie.  Oh, and homemade whipped cream.  Yummy. 

Nov 9 - Uneventful Work Days.  Today at work nothing broke.  Nothing caught fire.  There was no yelling, no hair pulling, no major drama.  It was boring...and terrific!  [[knocks on wood]]

Nov 10 - Christmas Candy.  I know, it's shallow.  But I LOVE Christmas candy.  Lindt Dark Chocolate Peppermint truffles, Wonka gummy sweettarts, Danish Butter Cookies, mint M&M's, you name it...if it's red and green and sweet count me in!  I think I might be over indulging in the Christmas Candy because we won't be putting up a tree this year because of the move.   I gotta get the holiday spirit in our home somehow. 

Nov 11 - Veterans.  I'm grateful for those brave men and women who have served and are serving our country.  I am especially grateful for my hubby, my grandfather Parley and my late neighbor George Sant. 

Nov 12 - Supportive Hubby.  I had an appointment downtown today and after it was all over I got to spend the day with my hubby.  It's been a tough week and when I told him I wanted to drive to Aurora (about an hour and 15 mins) to go to the Lindt outlet he didn't try and talk me out of it (which is what he usually tries to do when my desires involve candy and treats...he's the voice of reason).


Nov 13 - Goodwill.  I love to read.  But buying books new from Borders or Barnes and Noble can add up really quick.  So I love that my favorite Goodwill has a large book selection...and they are $0.89!!  I'm grateful I have an option to get books for so cheap.  I scored today - I got five books I've been wanting to read.  Can't wait to dive in!

Nov 14 - Afternoon naps.  Even though I had to work today and I hate working on Sundays...I got home early enough to sneak in an afternoon nap with Winston.

Nov 15 - Feeling Appreciated.  This week is Employee Appreciation Week at my work.  The owners of our company are having lunch catered every day...and some days breakfast too!  There will be contests and raffles and lots of snacks.  It is always good to feel appreciated. 

Nov 16 - Opportunities to be creative.  I got to design a crazy hat to wear to work today...and I won second place in the competition!

Nov 17 - Perspective.  I have been looking forward to today for a while...well, since last year's November 17th actually.  I got my hopes up and when our miracle didn't happen I was admittedly very sad.  I posted on facebook about my mood and a friend commented and helped me keep faith by offering her wonderful perspective. 

Nov 18 - My hard working hubby.  Today Nathan was honored for all his hard work.  He was selected as Sailor of the Year.  I'm grateful that Nathan works so hard so that we can enjoy the life we do.

Nov 19 - Date nights.  We went to see Harry Potter tonight.  Mom also treated us to dinner in celebration of Nathan's award.  We tried out a new place called Stir Crazy and it was excellent!

Nov 20 -Deep Fryer.  A couple months ago Nathan and I got a new deep fryer.  We've been trying out different things and tonight we made Cajun Garlic Fries (like Five Guys has) and they were awesome...and SO much cheaper than Five Guys' Fries!

Nov 21 - Speaking in church.  Nathan and I were asked to talk in church today because we're moving soon.  I was asked to speak on Faith and it was EXACTLY what I needed to study the last few days.

Nov 22 - Winston.  He always seems to know when my mood is just not quite perky and he'll do his best to lift it by snuggling to me.  Love that little gray fluffer. 

Nov 23 - No Snow.  Friends and family got snow today and while I would love to be stuck at home with a cup of cocoa and a book during a snowstorm...that would not be my reality if it were to storm.  I would be stuck behind the wheel of my car, for likely near two hours, fighting idiot drivers all the way to work.  So I'm glad that the snow stayed away...at least for now.

Nov 24 - Red Box.  I mean seriously...$1!  to rent a movie?!?  Nathan and I are converts to Red Box (former Blockbuster movie renters...now I cringe to think we paid THAT MUCH to rent movies)...we saw the light shortly after we moved here and have been in love ever since.  If you haven't tried out your local Red Box...you should give it a whirl!

Nov 25 - The Hardys.  We live far from family so holidays are always tough.  Our friends Jason and Kat Hardy invited us to spend Thanksgiving with them and Jason's parents, which we were very grateful for because it meant we wouldn't have to spend the holiday alone.

Nov 26 - Black Friday Deals & a shopper hubby.  Today I drug Nathan out Black Friday Shopping.  We didn't do it for people on our gift list...we did it for us.  Now wait before you call me horribly selfish.  There have been some things on our "wish list" for quite a while, but they are usually so expensive that we couldn't justify getting them.  So we took advantage of some wicked sweet deals today and picked up some of the things on our list.  So what'd we score?  THESE sheets...for $44 (regularly $179!) and THIS down comforter for $30 (regularly $169!).  We also picked up a 6' ladder for $14 bucks and a slow cooker for $10.  I am also grateful that I have a hubby who is willing to spend all day with me fighting crowds and waiting in lines.  He also let me go to TWO Jo-Ann's Fabrics stores AND DSW.

Nov 27 - Hubby with a strong stomach.  We hit up IKEA today...looking for a stand for our TV and while we were there we took advantage of their (previously always awesome) meatball and mash  potato lunch.  It wasn't within only an hour or so I was violently ill.  The muscles around my stomach and ribcage were so sore the next day from all the heaving (sorry if that's TMI).  While I was having my one-on-one date with the porcelain, my sweet hubby stood watch over me...rubbing tiny circles on my back.  I know I could never have done that for him...my gag reflex would have had me down on the floor with him.  That simple gesture showed so much kindness and made a yucky situation a little better.

Nov 28 - Hope.  Over the weekend I heard good news from two friends.  They are both getting their wish come true...and hearing that from other people in situations similar (in some ways...and very different in others) to ours gives me hope that someday our wishes will also come true.

Nov 29 - Dinner with Friends.  Tonight we hung out with our friends Joseph and Alison (who incidentally we probably would have had Thanksgiving with...but they had to up and desert us for the Florida Keys...can you believe them?!?).  We went to this cool place called Flat Top Grill for dinner.  It's a "make your own stir-fry" type of place.  And my oh my do I love stir-fry (I swear I didn't mean for that to rhyme) so I was in heaven.  We will DEFINITELY be eating there again!

Nov 30 - Sleeping in.  I know I mentioned it once before...but I'm extra grateful for it today.  It's cold and rainy outside and I got to sleep in a bit and spend an extra hour or so all snuggled up to my kitty, in my new sheets and under my new down comforter.  My work schedule is crazy and a lot of the time I really don't like the games it plays on my poor internal clock...but today I was grateful to be scheduled for the late shift so I could sleep in!

November is gonna be busy

Ok, so November is National Adoption Month and it is also when I typically do 30 Days of Thankful.  So I decided to put the 30 Days of Thankful in a tab (look up...little more, little more...wait, down a bit...to the right...yep.  There you go!)  and accept a challenge from a fellow adoption blogger to post about adoption everyday.  (Thank heavens for post scheduling!)  Adoption is a wonderful option but still not one that many think about as a valid option.  The statistic that I see floating around the adoption world a lot is this one:

4% of non-marital births are placed for adoption. In the U.S. this is about 50,000 non-related adoptions a year compared to 1,500,000 babies aborted.

While adoption isn't right for everyone and subsequently everyone isn't right for adoption...when it IS right it can be an AWESOME thing.  If you don't normally post about adoption I'd challenge you to to do an adoption related post JUST ONCE during November.  Don't have any ideas?  Here are a few:

• Spotlight a couple hoping to adopt (you can find some here: itsaboutlove.org  or www.parentprofiles.com)
• Post a link to an adoption related article (you can find some here: www.adoptivefamilies.com)
• Do a book review of an adoption book (I know some awesome ones!)
• Post a video about adoption
• Go here for a calendar of ideas for the entire month.

If you also want in on the 30 Days of Thankful goodness...just click on the image below, it will make it bigger and you can save it and use it.

 

I am excited for the month! Being focused on gratitude and adoption...what a way to spend 30 days, right?! 

29, 30

29: Laughter - My SIL Janus shared this one with me...watch it. It is a quick 40 seconds and I promise you'll laugh.




30: Visiting Teachers - I had my VT come tonight. First time in almost 2.5 years. It feels good to know someone is aware of my existence and would notice if I disappeared. :)

28

28: New Look - Change can sometimes be refreshing. It was about time for me to retire the pink and brown. I am quite fond of these cute little birdies. You like it?

26, 27

26: Good weather - We made a 6 hour drive up to Minnesota to spend Turkey Day with Nathan's sister and his parents. It made the trip a lot less stressful that the weather (for the most part) cooperated.

27: Close Family - My Friday started super early...5am to be exact...waiting for Joann's Fabric to open so me, Janus and Alice could score some $1.49 flannel. I spent the rest of my day playing games and hanging out with fam...and napping. :) It is nice to have some family within a reasonable driving distance.

(Alice and I waiting in the frozen-ness of Minnesota)

25

25: Muscle Relaxers.

No explanation needed.

24

Sure my car is smashed and sure my neck feels like crap and sure the muscle relaxers make me dizzy...but guess what I get to drive for the next week or so??




24: Swank Rental Car

Aren't Mondays just the best??!? (...23)

This is how my Monday started:


I was on my way to work and some young kid slammed into me. I got to ride in an ambulance and everything.

So for 23?? I am thankful to be alive. If I had been a second faster, he would have hit me right on the driver's side door. He didn't even see me until he hit me...he didn't brake at all. I'll know more tomorrow after I hear from his insurance company. Right now I am in serious need of painkillers.

20, 21, 22

20: Fridays - Need I say more??

21: Christmas Decorations - I know, I know...Christmas is still over a month away, but we just couldn't help ourselves. We started putting up all the decorations Saturday and finished them up Sunday after church. I'll post pics once we're all decorated. It is amazing the affect a lit Christmas Tree has on my mood. You just can't help but smile when you see it. :)

22: Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner - I made a big, yummy meal and had some of our friends over for a Pre-Thanksgiving Dinner. We played Disney Monopoly again...I didn't win this time. :( It was nice to spend the evening with friends.

19...a.k.a. Flashback to the 70's

This past week was Employee Appreciation week at my job. Today was 70's day. You better believe I JUMPED at the chance to get my hippie on. I altered some jeans, made a matching sash, and accessorized. The sad/funny part? I didn't have to buy any jewelry...I had it all back from my hippie phase. Good thing I'm a hoarder and never throw anything away. :)


There was a costume contest for the office and I won second place!!! The lady who won 1st place totally deserved it too...she's in her sixties, and she wore a sparkly, rainbow body suit - then she added an afro and a pound or two of glitter. A woman after my own heart. :)

So for the 19th, I'm grateful I got to play dress up - and that I won fifty clams to do it. :) I seriously love those bell bottoms...I wonder if I could wear them every week.


OH - and I almost forgot. We had our adoption intake interview this morning (which went fantastic!)...and I wore my hippie get-up to it. Yep, yep, I did.

16, 17, 18

16: Motivation - For some reason this past weekend (and Monday) sparked some motivation in Nathan to want to clean up our second bedroom...and the motivation was contagious. We made some great headway on that room - hopefully we can get it set up soon. I'm thankful that Nathan caught the motivation bug and that he passed it to me.

17: Cool new Knife Block - I got this in the mail on the 17th. Coolest knife block ever. Thanks mom! I can now be civilized and keep all our knives in a block and not all stuffed in a flower vase.

18: 4th Floor Living - If we didn't live on the fourth floor I might not ever get any exercise. I try and take the stairs whenever possible and most days it is the only form of exercise I get. I'm grateful that I have the ability to walk and to climb stairs and for those 57 stairs I hike up and down every day.

13, 14, 15

13: Movie Night - Friday night Nathan and I made Muddy Buddies. mmmm... add popcorn and a Diet Coke and you've got perfect movie treats. :) Movie nights with my schnookums and my fur children are the best.

14: Goodwill - I made a trip to Goodwill with a couple close friends and I am always amazed at the deals we find there. I have found many treasures there...remember this? And this? And these? Not to mention the clothes...I've scored a pair of jeans from GAP, a pair of Tommy Hillfiger Khakis, a DKNY long denim skirt, many shirts and a couple dresses. All in awesome condition, most brand new. (Goodwill tip: find one in a 'ritzy' area...they tend to have nicer stuff) Yesterday I scored an armload of Disney hardback books ($0.89/ea), another pair of GAP jeans ($4.99...brand new), and three shirts ($3.99/ea). It has been nice to have Goodwill as an option for us, with a tight budget new clothes seem a bit out of reach, but you can't pass up brand new GAP jeans for $4.99!

15: Sunday Night Football - Pats v. Colts baby!

12

12: My Sweetie :)

On November 12, 2001 Nathan and I went to dinner. During the whole meal he was distracted - the Utah Jazz were playing and the game was being shown on the TV over my shoulder. After dinner he wanted to take a quick drive up to the foothills and check out the beautiful views...I almost said no, I was pretty ticked about being ignored during dinner. We drove up to the foothills in North Logan, and while we were admiring the view, he gave me this:


Eight years later I'm still grateful I said yes.

11

11: Veterans - My husband is currently serving our country as a Navy Musician. My grandfather was in the Army in WWII. I am grateful for those who voluntarily put their arm to the square and serve our great country...whether they are playing a horn, guarding a fence line, swabbing the deck or crunching numbers.
(I'm also grateful for those who love veterans...Nathan got to eat free tonight at Applebee's)

9 & 10

9: Leftovers - We don't usually have leftovers, so my lunch is PB & J...which is totally cool, but it gets old week after week. Friday night I made a huge wok of jambalaya (mmm..) and I still had a little left for lunch on Monday. My lunch was the envy of the lunchroom.


10: Pre-made cookie dough - A few weeks back I bought some frozen cookie dough (Otis Spunkmeyer!) from one of the ladies at work...her daughter was selling them for her school. I had completely forgotten about it until she brought it to me today. I'll give you one guess what we had for dinner. :)


(I think it is funny that both of these were food...)

8

8: Beautiful Weather - We have seen unseasonably warm weather the last week here in Chi Town. According to the weather forecast it is about to come to an end. I'm glad we got it while it lasted...Saturday was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

4-7

4: Fireplace - it was chilly tonight, and boy have I loved having a fireplace to warm my toes.

5: Sleeping in - Thursdays I usually work the 12-8 shift at work, which means I gget to sleep in...and anyone who knows me knows how much I love my sleep. :)

6: Bruce & Sara - We had the Fishers over for dinner tonight and they are fantastic people and excellent friends. We laughed so hard tonight...you should have seen us...four thirty (ok...Sara's not quite there yet and I got a little over a year) somethings playing DISNEY Monopoly.

7: FSA Illinois - Our conference today got me all excited (more to come on this)