Monday, July 27, 2009

Summer Fun - July 09


Wichita Zoo with cousins


Kansas Cosmosphere - looking into the tip of the SR71 Blackbird


enjoying the lake with her dolphin

Gratitude 7/27/09

Today I am grateful for:
*evening walks with my daughter. Tonight we spent the entire walk discussing the possibility of life on other planets, and the scientific views about that versus the religious views about that. I love having uninterrupted time devoted solely to exploring interesting topics.
*bats - we've seen them flying around the past few nights on our walks. They are L's favorite animal, so she is THRILLED beyond belief.
*having playdates for L - it is such a productive time for me. It forces me to clean my house - I'm always in need of motivation in order for that to happen. And then once the playmate is here, it is still more productive for me, since I am no longer L's playmate, and can focus on chores or homework or cooking, etc. Today I cleaned my house, make rice krispie treats, worked on my scrapbook a bit, and finished a book that I wanted to be able to talk to my class about when school starts. More than my typical lazy summer day lately, that's for sure!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Gratitude 7/18/09

Today I am grateful for:
*geocaching with L. Today, while walking to find one, she told me that she loves when we get to walk and talk together. One of my favorite blessings!
*aspirin - I have a toothache, but I'm trying to hold out until Monday.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Gratitude 7/15/09

Today I am grateful for:
*friends who have seen what I looked like in high school and are my friends anyhow
*living so close to my job - it's so nice to be able to put in a few hours at a time during the summer as I work towards getting my classroom ready
*my in-laws, who are amazing people, fabulous grandparents and thoughtful role models in every interaction I have with them. I thank God for the relationship that Lauren has with them, and anticipate what a blessing that will be for her in the future, too (I'm thinking the "my parents don't know anything" teenage years) As we left their house today, Lauren was laughing and laughing in the backseat at Grandpa, who was prancing around the flower beds in the front yard, pretending to be Lauren wearing the new dress Grandma had just made her, holding his overalls out like they were a skirt and dancing around!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Gratitude 7/14/09

Today I am grateful for:
*the health of my family - we are so blessed
*cable television - how else would I learn about all of the Dirty Jobs that exist and also see the interior of King Tut's tomb in one day?
*air conditioning on days with 105 degree heat - can't imagine life without it!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Gratitude 7/5/09

Today I am grateful for:
*books - and the time I have in the summer to immerse myself in them.
*chocolate peanut butter brownies
*fleece blankets

Friday, July 3, 2009

Gratitude 7/3/09

Today I am grateful for:
*the relationship I have with my husband. After almost 10 years of being married, there is still no one else I would rather spend time with. I love his sense of humor, his moral compass, his sense of community and family.
*living in a community that rallies to support a local family in crisis. Working at the Fire/EMS fireworks stand today to benefit the Ledbetter family, we saw a steady stream of community members coming in to support Charlie's family.
*drives in the countryside. The perfect way to wind down our day today.