365 Days of Thanks..Day 43

Day 43: I am thankful for my new little stove. 

My parents were very generous with me for my birthday this year (hey, I'm turning 30 in four days!).  They bought me a cute little stove that is a space heater type of thing so no real flames.  I have wanted one forever and it helps with the heating bills and it is cute in my little home.  I am thankful for it and my munchkin Audrey loves it too! :) 

Parenting

My mind has been thinking a lot about what kind of parent I will be one day.  I know that I will enjoy the experience but what kind will I be is something I wonder.

My brother and I grew up with an amazing set of parents.  I didn't realize until I was an adult how much they sacrificed for us.  As kids, we are blind to this.  We think that these two people are there to give us whatever we wanted but that is not their purpose.  My parents sent us to the best schools, took us on amazing journeys and spent as much time with us as they could.  My mom worked nights but she was still at every sporting event I participated in.  Dad was too, but most of the time he was there with his EMT kit too!  They supported my brother through his engineering awesomeness (I don't know what else to call it) and me when I said I wanted to go to Grad school.  Some of my best memories are in our old house on Lilac Lane.  When it snowed, dad would pull out the snow blower and my brother and I would be out there to help (well, not most of the time, but we were out there playing).  My brother and I used to draw roads with chalk on the driveway and ride our bikes up and down it all day.  We played kickball in the front yard and baseball in the backyard with the family (including my grandparents).  I loved carving pumpkins on the family room floor on newspapers.  Mine was not as precise as my brothers, but I am the artist in the family.  My brother and I never got everything we asked for and I am thankful for that.  I see too many children today being spoiled by being given everything.  I am scared of one day when they grow and they hit a hard dose of reality.  I know that I do not want to do that one day.  Some of my most precious memories are the times we had together, not the things.  Standing on a glacier in Glacier National Park in the middle of summer watching our tour guide test to make sure we wouldn't fall through.  Driving a Wrangler on the wrong side of the road in St. Thomas, even though I became extremely sunburned on that trip.  Holding flowers at the top of the Space Needle or the first time I was at the top of the Empire State Building.  One of my favorite trips was to the Grand Canyon. It is still my favorite place today.  When I lived in Arizona in 2006, my brother came to visit me.  We took a photograph at the Hopi Point sign.  When I was home next, I found a photo at the exact same spot when we were kids.  It made me smile. 

These two people created us out of love that they have for each other.  They love each other so much they decided to bring another life into this world and share that love.  To me, this is some of the most amazing love I could ever think of.  Growing up under my parents wings, they taught me so many things.  They taught me to truly be who I am, be tough, be strong, be kind, be in awe, love your life, love what you do and don't let anyone tell you that you aren't good enough. 

My parents are still these amazing creatures.  I have been through lots of ups and downs in the past decade of my life.  They have stood by me through it all.  They have reminded me to be that strong person that they raised with all those values and all the hard work they taught us to do.  I am proud of the values that they have passed on to both of us. 

I know right now I don't know the type of parent I will be.  My mom told me once that she hopes that I have a daughter one day just like me.  She meant it for the good and the bad.  My mom and I have grown very close over the years and I pray that one day I will have the relationship with my daughter.  This is why one day, I hope to be like my mother to my children, either a son or daughter or both.  We had our differences growing up but she is part of who I am. 

One day I hope, God willing, I will be able to pass on all these amazing traits and values to my children.  I hope I raise God fearing children who don't want things but crave memories.  I pray for children who respect their parents and those in their lives.  I want to be a kind and generous mother but also a shoulder they can cry on no matter what, even if they go to a party and get drunk at sixteen.  I look forward to the young years as they learn about the world around them and as they get older and learn all the amazing things that are out there for them to experience. 

I may not know what kind of parent I will be one day, but I have two amazing examples to model after.  No parent is perfect but mine were (and still are) pretty awesome.  I pray one day I can be like them and raise two (or more) awesome kids like they raised. :) 

It all starts with just a little bit of love. 

365 Days of Thanks...Day 42

Day 42: I am thankful for this gluten-free pizza. 

Almost a year ago, I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance.  It has been a hard road and I am constantly searching for foods which are close to "normal" food.  My mother sent me some white bread flour mix which I made a pizza crust with.  This was the first time I ever made it but it was so tasty. 

I covered it with pizza sauce, mozzarella and parmesan cheese, red peppers, pepperoni, black olives, tomatoes and mushrooms.  It was delicious.  Here is the recipe if anyone is interested:

1 package Toro Celiac Safe White Bread Mix
1 1/3 cup lukewarm water
1/2 tsp salt
1 packet "active dry" yeast
2 tbsp. oil

Preperation
1. Preheat oven to 450 F
2. Mix dry ingredients and add lukewarm water.  Knead to make a dough
3. Roll out dough and leave to rise in warm place for appx. 20 minutes
4. Top as desired with cheese and other pizza toppings
5. Bake on bottom shelf of oven at 450 F for appx. 15 minutes.

 

365 Day of Thanks..Day 41

Day 41: I am thankful for a walk in the snow.

We are getting some light flurries right now in Lakewood.  Snow always makes me feel just a bit better.  I walked to my mailbox to check my mail and the snow was the perfect flurries!  The mail wasn't ready yet so I will be taking another walk there later.  I do love the snow!

Put a ring on it

I was chatting with a friend last night who currently lives in Montana.  She is coming back to town next week for a job here.  I applied for a job in the same building and I am hoping that I get it.  If I do, we chatted about having lunch outside at the café they have there and checking out guys for her.  She made a comment on how they would be all looking at me, which I disagree with!   So I told her that I would wear a fake ring so they would know I am off limits. 

I am off limits.  I have been with the same amazing man for over three years and it has been an amazing journey.   I don't know where our journey is headed but I am looking forward to it.  Every so often I wear a fake ring because I don't enjoy being hit on.  I have been hit on by men and women, had my ass grabbed, heard some of the corniest pick up lines and been on the receiving end of some of the most awkward winks.  It is just another reason I wear the fake ring.  I realize that I am not the only gal out there who does this. 

These thoughts came into my brain because I have become a master of looking for the ring on the finger.  In my single days, I could pick out a married guy over a single one any day.  My friend mentioned I should teach a class or write a book or something.  But then I got to thinking, some women put so much into the engagement ring or wedding band that they seem to lose all meaning.  My future engagement ring belonged to my great-grandmother and it has an interesting story behind it.  It is not big.  It is not flashy.  It is sentimental.  When I receive it one day, it will mean more to me then a huge flashy chunk of jewelry.  I have seen women and have worked with others who think their ring defines them and makes them better then others.  It's not about the ring, it is a symbol of love and the life built together.  It also isn't about the wedding it is about the marriage. 

I guess my point is that people put too much emphasis on material things.  I have items that are precious to me and I would never want to lose.  Most of these are family heirlooms or memories from trips and journeys I have been on.  There are other things, however, that are just things.  I never wanted the huge house, the fanciest car or the biggest diamonds.  I am more into the memories and the people that are in my life.  The snapshots that show the journey I have been on, the people who have been there with me and the direction I am heading in the future. 

I always say it's all about the love! <3

365 Days of Thanks...Day 40

Day 40: I am thankful for warm weather in February.

I am a huge fan of snow but getting a couple days of warm weather in the middle of winter is always nice! I was able to run outside and enjoy a nice walk today.  I am looking forward to some snow this weekend but I will enjoy the warm weather while it is here!