I wrote a journal entry for each day of November, but never finished it. So, I'm posting it now even though it is incomplete and a few months late :)
November 1st:
Today I am so grateful that Jonny took me on a date! The last time we went on a date without any kids with us was on Valentine's Day! I am also so grateful for our good friends Jake and Jessica Workman for watching our crew :) We had a fabulous 2 hours that began with super delicious burgers at Red Robin, and ended with a really fun little shopping visit to the 6th floor of Macys (all 75% off clearance!) Jonny let me get 2 new pairs of pants, and I love them so much! I am so grateful that Jonny is my man and especially that he is my best friend. I love spending time with him, and I just wish we could have date nights more often!
November 2nd:
I had the sweetest experience today. My little Aliyah sure wanted to cuddle a lot, and today was the perfect day for it because I could take the time to just sit and hold her. I didn't have anything pressing that I was trying to get done, so when she asked to snuggle I could say, "Yes! I would love to!" This semester has been such a challenge, because I simply can't keep up with all the demands. My calling in scouts has been extra busy lately, but today I set everything aside. One of the times that we were cuddling I wrapped her up in Cozy Red, and after a few minutes she fell asleep. My little baby doll fell asleep in my arms! It was heaven. I miss the days when she and I snuggled for hours. I didn't want to put her down, but I knew Isaiah would need my arms to be free, so I enjoyed it for a little while and then laid her down. She looked so cozy and beautiful and oh, I just love her so much! I am so grateful for that tender experience.
November 3rd:
I am grateful for a miracle we witnessed today. We decided to break down and turn on our heat for the first time this fall. I dread the utilities bill we'll be receiving, but at least it won't be so painful to emerge from the blankets! Well, shortly after getting home from church our little Zay Man must have stayed too close to the heat vent thing for too long and burned his left ear. It took us a few minutes to figure out what had happened, but when we saw how red and swollen his ear was we put it together and sprang into action. I put lavender all over his ear and his cheek (which also looked super red) and then I put frankincense all around the area as well. Jonny gave him a blessing and I just kept praying for our little man. He was miserable, I mean really really miserable, and it was so heartbreaking. After a very sad hour or so he fell asleep and took a good long nap. When he woke up we couldn't believe how good his ear looked! There was no sign of the burn, and he was a happy baby for the rest of the day! I am so grateful for the gift of healing, and for wonderful essential oils that have blessed our family countless times!
November 4th:
I am grateful today to be one step closer to figuring out what is wrong with me! I have struggled in so many ways as I've recovered from my pregnancy with Isaiah, and I am so tired of the struggle. I just want to be a happy, healthy mom so that I can keep up with day-to-day demands and give my amazing kids and husband the love and care and attention and support that they deserve. I've been putting off calling the doctor for a number of reasons, but thanks to an inspired conversation I had with me dear friend, Wendy, I called and set up an appointment! Tuesday morning at 7:00 I will hopefully have some direction and at least the beginning of some answers.
November 5th:
Hallelujah! Isaiah slept through the night. We're talking 9:00 to 7:00, a full 10 hours! I went to bed shortly after he did, so I slept for a little more than 9 hours in a row. Do you realize how long it has been since I felt rested?! The little man used to sleep so great. He slept through the night from the time he was about 6 weeks until he was 5 months and then it seemed that one thing after another made him wake up and oh it has been a really rough 2 month stretch. I woke up this morning feeling great. I didn't have to pry myself our of bed to groggily meet the needs of 3 little people. I felt ready to face the day...and I went for a run! It's been 3 weeks since my last run, which is so frustrating, but I am so grateful that I was able to go this morning. Now let's just hope he keeps it up :)
November 6th:
I am grateful that I was able to cross another scout task off of my list today. I am the cub scout committee chair, and I often feel like scouts has taken over my life. And...I don't like it. I am working on having a better attitude about it, but today was sure a challenge. I have a hard time with the hours and hours it takes away from me taking care of my kids. I also really have a difficult time handling the stress that is always there. In my current emotional state, stress is a really bad thing! On a positive note, after a very rough day I am grateful that I was able to take my little darlings out for ice cream and enjoy that bonding experience :) They are so fun!
November 7th:
I am grateful today that I have the blessing of being home with my kids. I am especially grateful to be there to comfort them when they get hurt, to see and share the excitement of their accomplishments, and to watch the joy that they experience from the simple treasures of nature and life around them. It is so fun to see life through the eyes of a 7 month old, 2 year old, and 4 year old! Even though we have had a lot of challenges, I feel like this is such a special time and I am so grateful for the numerous parts of motherhood that fill my heart with so much joy. I am also very thankful for the aspects that teach and challenge me and cause me to consistently turn to the Lord for guidance as well as forgiveness for the many times I fall short.
November 8th:
Today I am grateful for the Carter's store! Haha, that sounds like a silly thing to be grateful for but it's true! It is probably the only store I can go in with all 3 kids and not have to worry about keeping the kids entertained and safe. They have a lego table toward the back of the store, (by the clearance racks, which is perfect since that is basically all I look at) so Kaleb and Aliyah run to the table as soon as we walk through the door and play happily until I say it's time to leave. I also love the store because they have super great clearance selections, and I love getting great deals! Today I got a darling little t-shirt for Aliyah for 2 dollars. A little retail therapy for momma and play time for the kids :) Perfect!
November 9th:
November 10th:
Today was nearly perfect. Ok, now that I think of it there could be some definite improvements but overall it was just absolutely wonderful. We began with an uplifting morning at church. I was able to get some things crossed off of my scout to-do list, so that felt great! We came home and after eating lunch, Jonny got to work on his law review assignment, while I snuggled the kids and watched a sappy Halmark Christmas movie. I can only think of one other time during our law school experience that Jonny had to work on school stuff on Sunday. I am grateful that he has set Sunday aside as our family time. Sundays are so special because of that. Today was necessary though, and I am so grateful that he was able to conquer the task that he finished this evening! After the movie, the kids and I tidied up so that the room would be ready to get out our Christmas decor. Next Kaleb, Aliyah and I made some amazingly delicious chocolate chip cookies. By then it was about 6:00, so I got to work on making dinner while Jonny and the kids began the decorating! Kaleb waited so patiently all day and he was so excited that the time had finally come. The best part was definitely when Jonny plugged in the lights. The kids kept "oohing" and "aahing" and looking up at the tree with the sweetest expressions. At one point Aliyah stood next to Jonny, hugged his leg tight and said, "Mmmm...it smells like Christmas morning!" Aah! She is so adorable :) We ate our most favorite meal, enchilada pasta, for dinner and then Jonny took Kaleb and Aliyah over to the Meservy's to share some cookies. We ended the evening sitting in the glow of the tree's lights as we went through our bedtime routine. Our little wall of Christmas looked so perfect and our living room truly felt like a magical place! I am so grateful for the rare times when we all get to be together and enjoy such sweet conversations and make very special memories. I am so grateful we are an eternal family, blessed with such precious little spirits in our home. Tonight I stand all amazed as I count my blessings.
November 11th:
Today I am so grateful for Isaiah. He makes me smile basically every time that I look at him! And he makes me laugh so often throughout the day. He is such a cheerful, delightful baby and his personality is so good for me. I love the excitement he shows for something as small as opening and closing a drawer (over and over and over) and it makes me so happy to see his reaction whenever he gets to consume food, formula, etc. He really really loves to eat! Isaiah is such a busy baby. He's been crawling for a while now, and he can really cruise. I love that he loves to explore every nook and cranny of our apartment. He is so eager to learn and move forward to new things. Holding my little IZ babe is literally healing to my heart and my spirit. He has such a wonderful, special spirit and the tenderness and love he has brought to our home just make me forever grateful that I've been so blessed to be his mother. Today I felt my mood and my perspective on life be lifted as I cuddled my sweet little man. Even just watching him sleep brings peace to my often troubled heart. I'm so grateful for the blessing of Isaiah!
November 12th:
Today I am grateful for the time that Jonny and I have together at the end of each day. After we get the kids to bed, we look forward so much to cuddling up and watching whatever we have recorded for that evening. Some of our favorites are Matlock, the Cosby Show, I Love Lucy, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Cedar Cove, and whatever talent show is currently running. Tonight we watched The Voice, which is definitely our favorite talent competition show. We get so excited for our Monday and Tuesday night Voice dates :)
November 13th:
I had such a productive day today, especially this morning, and it felt so good! I am grateful for the times when I become very motivated and energized, and finally tackle projects that have been hanging over my head for way too long!
November 14th:
Today I am so grateful for story time. Kaleb, Aliyah, and I love going to the library and choosing a huge stack of books, and then taking them home to have story time. We snuggle up on the couch with a cutie pie on each side of me, and we read and read and read...usually until I can't keep my eyes open anymore (for some reason I get soooo tired when I read to them!) So, today we had story time and we read 20 or so books and it was just so wonderful. I love the interactions and conversations that take place when we are cuddled up together :)
November 15th:
I love taking the kids to a store when we have no time constraints and we can just take our time looking around. I took the kids to Toys "R" Us today (I needed to check out some toys I'd seen online, because Aliyah is stumping me a little when it comes to Christmas) and it was so fun! Kaleb and Aliyah were in heaven, and I love watching them have so much fun. We just went from aisle to aisle, taking in all the awesomeness, and we spent all the time that we wanted to. I think I got a little better idea of what to get for Aliyah. If only we had $80 to spend on her and get her that beautiful doll house :) then the decision would be easy. I am so grateful that I have 3 of my best little friends to spend each and every day with. They are so fun!
November 16th:
Today I am super grateful for a clean bathroom! Scrubbing the bathroom has definitely been the most difficult household task to complete regularly since Isaiah was born. I generally do a portion here, another there, and just try to keep it from getting too out of hand. Well, today I scrubbed it so thoroughly (and I did it while all 3 kids were awake!) and it just feels wonderful to have it all sparkle :) I am also very grateful for evening trips to Walmart that are easily the highlight of the day, because we finally get to have Jonny with us. Someday, I hope, we will get to see him more and have him more involved in our daily activities. For now, we will just really cherish the hour or 2 at the end of the day!
November 17th:
Today I am grateful for the fact that I enjoyed a very rare, but amazing Sunday nap! Oh my it was wonderful! I am also grateful for good friends. Bowen and Ashley Fraser invited us, along with Joe and Julia Meservy, over for dinner and it was so great to spend the evening with them.
November 18th:
Today I am so grateful for my mom. She is the most selfless, loving, supportive, fun, creative, talented, beautiful mom that has ever lived. Somehow she knows just when to call and brighten my day and talk me through my struggles. It has been a hard year for her, yet she continues to serve and watch out for each of us. She is also such an incredible grandma for our kids. She spoils them so much and has such fun ideas of ways to spend time with them and create precious memories. Kaleb, Aliyah, and Isaiah love her so much and so do I!
November 19th:
Today I am so grateful for my dad. He is such a great man, who lives a life of hard work, sacrifice, and integrity. Every day of his life demonstrates his love of his family and shows what a priority each of us is to him. I feel so blessed to know that I can always turn to him for love and support and words of wisdom. So often, when I am faced with a decision, I want to get his input because he is such a smart, thorough, and very wise person! His life experience is a blessing to all of us as we follow his example and learn from him. He has a way of being so loving and tender with all of us girls :) which has always been so perfect for us throughout our lives. It has also been a hard year for him health-wise, and I hope and pray everyday that he will be able to get relief from his pain and look forward to a long life of good health and comfort!
November 20th:
I am excited to say that Aliyah got her cast off today! I am so grateful that we no longer have to wrap it and bag it before a bath, and that we don't have to try to stretch her sleeves over it, oh and that she can't hit anyone with it! I'm also grateful that we survived a trip to the scout office...and that I don't have to go back until January!
November 21st:
I am grateful today that the semester is almost over. We are near the end, which means I am a single mother. Jonny has so much that he has to get done in such a short amount of time...so we don't get to see him. I'm really looking forward to December 13th!
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