Wednesday, November 21, 2012

30 Days of Thankful: Part 2

The thankulness exercise is so good for my heart.  The intentional process of recounting blessings and forcing myself to document them even on the hairiest of Monday mornings really sets a tone.  There is an awful lot in the world of Montoya to be thankful for.  More than I will ever be able to document.

30 Days of Thankful: 2012
Days 11 through 20

Day 11:
Today I am thankful for all of our Veterans and the troops and their families who currently serve the greatest nation in the world. THANK YOU for your sacrifices.

Day 12:
Today I am thankful for role models. For every troop leader, coach, teacher and room mom who spends their time to enrich the lives of my children and reinforce positive messages to them. My family never takes for granted any practice, meeting or supply request and we are very, very thankful.

Day 13:
This is a stretch, but I think the point is to remember that the little things we take for granted really aren't little things. So . . . today I am thankful for laundry. A dozen loads a week means that my family always has a warm jacket, clean socks or the jersey they need for that day. I need to remember that we are truly blessed to have closets full and stacks to put away.

Day 14:
Today I am thankful for the upside of social media. The world is definitely overexposed to "reality" but I am thankful for being able to stay connected with friends and family that I might otherwise lose touch with. Posting photos of my kids to the blog, keeping up with childhood friends on Instagram and, of course, the reach of Facebook. I really am thankful for the good that comes from being connected.

Day 15:
Today I am very thankful that I have the flexibility to work from home sometimes. Being able to drop off the kids in sweats and not sitting in traffic for an hour is a MAJOR gift.

Day 16:
Today I am extremely thankful for my baby girl. She is the wildest, loveliest, most interesting mix of E & me and impresses me every single day with who she is. She's a brilliant student, a singer, a crazy fast runner and super soccer forward, true lover of animals and candy and just the coolest little chick I know. I am so thankful that God gave me the gift of her knowing what was just right for our family.

Day 17:
Today I am fully and truly grateful for family. The rowdy cousins, the aunts that are so straightforward that you can't even respond, the uncles who sleep in the recliner after they eat, the grandparents who retell stories time and again and all the little babies. I can not imagine my life without all of these people, both past and present, and am so very grateful that I've not ever had to try and navigate the world alone. Thank the Lord for the sweet gift of family.

Day 18:
I am forever and genuinely thankful for my marriage. It is not perfect, and neither are the people in it, but it's the real deal. Some days are unimagineably happy and some are downright rotten, but they're OUR days and we are committed for better or for worse. Happy Anniversary, Mr. Montoya. You are responsible for the very best days of my life and I adore you and those precious kids of ours above everything else I know. Thank you for the first 12 years of my happily ever after ♥
 
Day 19:
Today I am thankful that God has always watched over me and protected me from any true harm. It's nothing short of a miracle that Camille and I were never thrown in jail or seriously injured. The memories are funny, but the thankfulness is deep and true. I am blessed to have never felt any serious consequences to my antics and grateful to have the opportunity to share that history with old friends and keep moving in the world to make a positive difference.

Day 20:
Today I am thankful for enough. We always have enough food, enough gas to get where we're going and laughter & love to sustain us every single day. My family wants for absolutely nothing and that will always be enough for me.


Monday, November 12, 2012

2012: Thirty Days of Thankful

We are embracing the holidays in our home and I love to walk through the family room to see our Thankful Tree.  It is such a sweet reminder of all we have in our lives and the gratitude that we should be carrying with us.  I've been posting my 30 Days of Thankful on Facebook and will document them here.  One day I WILL make all of my posts a book.  One day.

30 Days of Thankful: 2012
Days 1 through 10

Day 1:
Today I am truly thankful for my Mom. She is my biggest fan, my kids' reading coach and puzzle piecer and the most generous person I know. Everyone should be so lucky to be loved so much.

Day 2:
I am thankful for the ocean. I see it every day from my front door, when I drive to the grocery store, school drop off and the office. I can put my toes in the sand and have a picnic anytime I choose. I know that is a gift and do not take it for granted.

Day 3:
Today I am thankful for laughter. Whether it's caused by terrible jokes, great news or funny little children every day is better after a good laugh.

Day 4: Today I am grateful for experience. Every amazing memory, every joyful moment, each and every mistake and bad idea have led me to be here now. I am thankful for it all. 

Day 5: Today I am thankful for honesty. The good, the bad and the ugly is all much, much better when it's true.

Day 6: I am thankful for my dear and precious friend who's celebrating another year around the sun today. She's been there for me in some truly dark times and has boundless love and gifts to share with the world. Happy Birthday, Ame. Love you to pieces ♥

Day 7: I am thankful for home. The four walls and cozy beds are nice, but I am most thankful for how it feels to be here. The little girl humming while she ties her shoes, the dogs rolling in the floor and the sink full of dishes. It's all mine and I am so, so blessed to have this place in the world.

Day 8: I am so, so thankful for motherhood. As a mother I am more patient, more reasonable and kinder than I am naturally inclined to be. I only became the me that God intended when I became a Mom.

Day 9: Today I am most thankful for confidence. Challenges are just inconveniences when you believe in yourself and what you stand for.

Day 10: I am thankful for my Daddy, the birthday boy. He is honest to a fault and a little rough around the edges, but he has a heart of gold and will do anything in the world for you if you need him. He is a man of character and service and loves God and his family. I am so very thankful to have him.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Ten Things to Smile About: October

One twelfth of another year gone.

UNCLE.

If you ever spend time with me you know that I feel like my life is passing right before my eyes.  It's just absurd how much quicker each month passes than the last.  I don't ever want any of this to be over and think I might just need to be grateful for how much I love where I am in my life right now.  So nine days into the next month, I recount my ten things to smile about.

Friday night date with my E.  It didn't hurt that our night out was at the Hollywood Bowl for Jason Mraz.  Just amazing in every way.

Helping my Mom and Pat make plans for their Christmas trip. We are so, so excited to see them and enjoy the holidays together.

The sweet and pure moment I captured with Hope and my BFF/cousin's little girl.  Every time I see it my heart smiles.



Celebrating a family wedding.  It was the loveliest possible evening.  The sun was shining, the bride was beaming, everyone was decked out and loving each other.  I just love, love, love weddings and people who love each other.  It is a memory I will hold for a long time in my life.







A simple and fun Friday night with the family at the drive-in movies!!

Date night with my first born




Making pumpkin cream cheese muffins with The Princess

Hawkeye from M*A*S*H



How dang cute she looks as a carhop

 
The sweetest crew of trick or treaters in the whole entire world
 


The Princess ~ 8; The Athlete ~ 10
B ~ 2  1/2 & C ~ 18 mos.
 
It's never a bad thing to look back and remember just how good it was. Thank you, Emmy!!!
 
 



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