Thirty Days of Thankful: Part Three

The month is over and my heart continues to be full of thanks for all of the little, and not so little, things that fill our world.  November is always a special blessing to me.

11.21.13 - Day 21

Today I am thankful for my girls.  These women know all of my deepest secrets and love me anyway. They've been there for the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and are each such treasures to me.  I am deeply thankful for them and blessed to call them my dearest friends.

11.22.13 - Day 22

I am thankful for the gift of time.  The kind of time you need to take a deep breath and the time to enjoy cheap wine and pizza with friends simply because you have no other commitments.  This is a gift that should never be taken for granted.  You'll never know how special it is until you don't have it.  I'm so thankful!

11.23.13 - Day 23

Today I am wholeheartedly and deeply thankful for this wonderful little creature.  She is equal parts sassy and sweet, but most importantly she is healthy and thriving in the world.  This girl never makes parenting easy, but she always makes it worth it.  Bob for President!!!!

11.24.13 - Day 24

I am thankful for forgiveness.  I have tons of experience with saying "I'm sorry" and tomorrow will be no exception.  I am cranky and entirely unreasonable today, but I am thankful that they'll still love me when the sun rises again.  Everyone has THOSE days and today is mine.

11.25.13 - Day 25

I am thankful for a day with no lunchboxes, no homework and no pouting about bedtime.  'Tis the season for family!!

11.26.13 - Day 26

My heart is abundantly grateful for my amazing son.  He is a great student, a talented athlete and an exceptional human being.  I didn't think I was ready to be a Mom when he came along, but God knew better.  Every day of my life has been richer since this precious child entered the world.

11.27.13 - Day 27

I am thankful that today is my Friday and it's almost over.

11.28.13 - Day 28

Today I am thankful for the whole dang thing.  The beautiful Thanksgiving mass this morning, my sweet little helpers in the kitchen, a bountiful meal and a family walk to the beach for playtime.  We are deeply and beautifully blessed.  Happy Thanksgiving friends!

11.29.13 - Day 29

I am thankful that there's not one thing on our list that required me to go shopping in the middle of the night, trample anyone or curse my way through a parking lot.

11.30.13 - Day 30

I am thankful for this month that draws to mind our need to give Thanks in all that we do.  Our little Thankful Tree was overflowing when we took off the tags to make way for another tree today.  We have so, so much to be grateful for all year long and my family's hearts are well prepared for the beauty of Advent tomorrow.  I have been abundantly blessed and am deeply thankful all year long.

Thirty Days of Thankful: Part 2

The month is almost over and year after year this renews itself as my favorite, and saddest, month.  Intentionally counting blessings is it's own gift, but the occasion of Thanksgiving always makes me miss home and my family.  Perhaps a gift in itself and a needed reminder of the good things that launched me to where I am now.  I am perhaps more thankful for that than anything.


30 Days of Thankful 2013

Days 11 through 20

11.11.13 - Day 11

I am filled with awe and gratitude for our military and their families.  Happy Veteran's Day to so many heroes including my dear Dad.  You are loved and appreciated today and every day.

11.12.13 - Day 12

Tonight I am thankful for cotillion and how much my kids enjoy it.  It is such a blessing for them to have fun with their friends in a drama free space where manners are COOL!

11.13.13 - Day 13

If you heard the news this morning then maybe you heard the woman from the Philippines saying "we don't need money or cell phones or television.  We need food."  I am thankful for every banana in my kitchen that is slightly overripe, every chicken breast that I forgot to thaw {again} to bake for dinner and every other staple I thoughtlessly skip when looking for a meal.  Today I am most thankful for food.

11.14.14 - Day 14

I am thankful for the view from our front porch this afternoon.  God's art is my very favorite.

11.15.13 - Day 15

Tonight I am beyond thankful that we have no commitments until noon tomorrow. Awesome!

11.16.13 - Day 16

I am thankful for a cozy place to call home.

11.17.13 - Day 17

Today I am thankful to be from a good family.  Not a famous family, not a rich family, but a GOOD family.  A family that taught me the value of hard work, honesty and worship and gifted me with the freedom to love deeply and to give without hesitation.

11.18.13 - Day 18

I am thankful for my amazing husband.  13 years ago today I became Mrs. Montoya and it's been a crazy ride, but I wouldn't change a minute of it for anything in the world.  Happy Anniversary Mr. Montoya!  You are everything MY husband should be and then some.  I can't wait to see what's in store for us next.  Forever and ever.

11.19.13 - Day 19

Today I am thankful for my sweet husband filling up my car with gas so I didn't have to and for a Starbucks skinny peppermint latte.  Little things make a big difference on busy mornings.

11.20.13 - Day 20

I am thankful today, and every day, for my Nanny.  She was the world's strongest, kindest, most faith-filled, loving woman EVER.  She would have literally given you every item of clothing from her closet, every ounce of food in her kitchen and loaded it all into her car for you if you said you needed it.  And then she still would have called you when you got home to see if you needed anything.  Disappointing my Nanny is the only thing that ever truly broke my heart and when I pray I honestly believe that she is sitting next the Lord listening.  She was so good and so incredibly perfect and Heaven is a much more appropriate place for her, but I still miss her beautiful face every single day.  Lucky me to have her in my world for more than 30 years.

REAL Thankful

As much as I want every day to be bountiful with goodness and for a grateful heart to overwhelm real life there is the very distinct reality that life isn't always full of goodness.  People are cynical and jealous and sometimes drain on our ability to constantly act in love.  That is reality.  

Last night I struggled with something to be thankful for in my day.  My thoughts were elsewhere and I just wasn't seeing goodness in the wonderful day that I'd had with my family.  This morning I woke up with the intention of striving to be grateful ALL DAY in everything that I do and the reflection I am sharing below came to my attention almost immediately.

Wherever you are in your ability to be thankful, perhaps you also need some words of wisdom.

Developing a Mellow Heart

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped.  Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him. ~ Psalm 28:7

2013: Thirty Days of Thankful

It's November and it is a gift to be able to peacefully prepare for the celebration of Thanksgiving and the approaching Advent season.  The Thankful Tree is again in a place of honor and we are filling it's tiny branches every day with gratitude from our hearts.  To carry on the tradition my daily Facebook posts of Thanks will be documented here for the month.

30 Days of Thankful 2013
Days 1 through 10

11.1.13 - Day One
Today I am thankful for the way technology allows me stay connected to friends who are far away. Photos on Facebook and Instagram, online chats about life and loss and blog posts about everything in between are all gifts to me.

11.2.13 - Day Two
Today I am thankful for my bonus Mom. She is the kindest, most generous soul I've ever met and she has loved me and my family as her own from Day 1. I honestly have no idea how my Dad ever got so dang lucky, but we are all thanking our lucky stars for the gift that she is. 

11.3.13 - Day Three
Today I am thankful for breakfast dishes, drinking coffee at baseball and folding laundry. The most simple days in our life is a gift that I cherish deeply.

11.4.14 - Day Four
Today I am thankful to be a Mom. I was never the girl that just wanted to be a Mom, but God gave me the two most amazing gifts that are everything I never knew I wanted. These people are the whole world to me.

11.5.13 - Day Five

Today I am thankful for courage. Aside from losing my family, there is nothing that really scares me. Well except birds. But besides that, I'm super thankful to have the courage to go after what I want and to stand up for what matters to me.

11.6.13 - Day Six

Today I am thankful for our sweet sitter. She picks up the kids from school, drives to practices and helps with homework. It's a small price to pay for the peace of mind we get from her help and the kids LOVE her!!

11.7.13 - Day Seven

Today I am thankful for Thursday morning carpool and back seat chats with my darling goddaughter. I'm so blessed by this sweet child.

11.8.13 - Day Eight

My heart is filled with thanks for days like today and the gift of spending time with our kids while they're still kids.

This came following a Friday out of school and  the four of us at Disneyland together for the afternoon.

11.9.13 - Day Nine
Yesterday I was thankful for this beautiful couple and the gift of new beginnings. I am a sucker for great parties and weddings are the best!!! We love you so much Mr & Mrs Schlegel! Aloha

11.10.13 - Day Ten
I am thankful for sunshine, blue skies and God's constant reminder that there is always something beautiful on the horizon.

Timing is everything

It’s a curious situation that presents itself to me when I know that I am moving too fast to allow my most important thoughts to transform my actions but I am helpless to it. 

I KNOW I AM MOVING TOO FAST.

In the rare spells of calm, my heart tells me that I should listen a little more closely and embrace the things that are filling me to overflowing.  I sit with that for a few minutes, maybe ten, and then I take a phone call, stop the car, load the dishwasher – whatever it is that pulls me away from the calm I’d had just moments before.  Yet it happens over and over. I am just on the brink of great peace and overwhelming gratitude and I suddenly fill that space with wishing for more. 

More time.  More space.  More success.

Then God steps in and takes me firmly by the hand and reminds me that I am headed in the absolute wrong direction.  Always and everywhere He intervenes with the reminders that I need the most and suddenly the timing makes such perfect sense.  It’s not as if November wasn’t going to happen anyway, but it’s just the most perfect opportunity for me to really sit with what I know to be true and right.

My heart should be constantly gushing with gratitude.  The gratitude for the big ticket items that millions of people don’t know – good health, nourishment, unconditional love, happy hearts and loud children.  And gratitude for the little things that should never be considered little things – running water, toothbrushes and clean socks.

This month I will again count my blessings in Thirty Days of Thankful.  I will find something every single day that I am thankful for and there will certainly be a day or two that I am human and won’t feel like I have anything to be thankful for.  Those are the very days that I most need to fall to my knees and give thanks.  Those are the days that give me the power to transform my world.

It’s not a coincidence that it’s November.  I am just so thankful to be in the right place at the right time.

Psalm 103:2 ~ Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

30 Days of Thankful: Part 3

November is gone and it was a gift to count the things; big and small, that I have to be thankful for every day of the month.  The blessings are truly endless.

30 Days of Thankful: 2012
Days 21 through 30

Day 21:
I am so thankful this morning for "normal". For the sweet little girls who left for soccer camp, the adolescent boys who are playing video games in the family room and homemade waffles filling their bellies. It is not glamorous or even interesting beyond these four walls but it is our normal and something I cherish deeply.

Day 22:
Today I am homesick and wishing more than ever that I was celebrating in Tallahassee. But I am thankful for all of my memories of home and to have been raised on all of the wonderful traditions that I'm missing so much. Happy Thanksgiving, friends. Give your family an extra hug today just because you can.

Day 23:
Today I am thankful for medical insurance, Aleve and steri-strips. Not really the best day ever but there's always something to be thankful for.

** This post followed my visit to Urgent Care on Black Friday.  I severed a tendon in my ring finger on Thanksgiving and didn't go for stitches until the following day.  I didn't know until now that you have to get stitches within 12 hours of the injury or the risk of infection is too great.  I was NOT thrilled to get this news 16 hours later.  The healing is slow, but I definitely learned a lesson.

Day 24:
Tonight I am thankful for a cozy night in with my little loves. They are pampering me so sweetly while we enjoy dinner in the family room and our first Christmas movie of the season. I'm such a lucky girl.

Day 25:
Today I am thankful for long weekends and extra time with family. We never get a chance to hang in our PJs and watch movies or just BE together at home. I'd almost forgotten how great that is. I'm so thankful to have been here for 5 days and loved every minute of it.

Day 26:
Today I am thankful for today. I don't love anything about Mondays or traffic or the parking lot at Trader Joe's, but I am so grateful to have been given another day here to fully experience it all. Every day is a gift.

Day 27:
This morning I am most thankful for my precious son. Besides being brilliant, generous, polite, charming and hilarious he is the most thoughtful person I know. I admire him so much for never being afraid to be himself and am grateful for the perfect human being that God gave to us. . . . and since it's basketball season I love him even more!!!!

Day 28:
Today I am thankful for siblings. As an only child I don't know what it's like to have someone around your age in your house all the time. I love watching my kids play a game together or barter over what they...

're going to do or watch next. I love watching them wrestle and squawk at each other about *nothing* a little less, but they always work it out together. I am so gratful that the Lord gave us two healthy, energetic people while we are still young enough to {sorta} keep up with them and that they love each other as much as we love them.

 

Day 29:

I am thankful for how small the world actually is. I love that there is always a friendly reminder out there to play nice and not burn any bridges. Everyone knows someone and that someone might be just the person you need most. Karma is not a bitch if you're not either.

 

Day 30:

Today I am grateful that I can name something to be thankful for every single day for 30 days without any problem at all. It is a gift that I have not ever been hurt so deeply that I can't recover or suffered any loss that changes the way I look at the world. I have been blessed well beyond anything I deserve and am forever grateful for every bit of it.

 

Dear Lord:

Thank you, thank you, thank you.



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.

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.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Today I am thankful that this is my blog and I can accelerate my list.  My patience has worn thin and I want to move on and talk about how great my kids are and what a blessing the holidays are in our home and our community.  In no particular order - here are the things I am most thankful for.  It will cover the rest of my thirty days and THEN SOME.  The one thing that I can claim over and over again is that I am thankful.  I do not take one minute, of one day of our precious, crazy life for granted.  Not one.

My family. The three that live with me, of course.  I am also deeply thankful for our extended family.  Both sets of parents, our aunts & uncles, cousins, one living Grandma . . . Especially at the holidays I am so grateful to be surrounded by people that I love deeply and that love me in return.

My friends. Near and far I have been deeply blessed with wonderful friends. I am a quality, not quantity girl and think my friends are absolutely top quality.

Our Church. The holidays are the most spectacular reminder to me that our church is the House of the Lord.  It represents so much happiness for me and my family and I am thankful that we have a church that we love.

Food, shelter and warmth.  My family does not know what it means to be hungry or cold.  I am truly, deeply grateful.

My marriage.  As another year comes to a close I am so appreciative and prideful of my marriage.  E and I are creating a foundation for our children and their children that we treasure so much.  Our union has not always been perfect, but for that reason we know how much work we have to put into it and the rewards are immeasurable.  I have not ever in my life been so happy and felt so deeply loved.  I am so thankful for a peaceful, true relationship.

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth. -- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thirty Days of Thankfulness ~ Day 23

Today I am thankful for the holidays.  I really love the extra little sparkle on everything.  Store fronts, otherwise average neighborhoods and Starbucks cups.  I love sending and receiving holiday cards and saying Advent prayers over our wreath on the kitchen counter.  And sometimes I wish that everyone would be so festive all year long.  And then I remember that this much sparkle and special is only appropriate for one reason.  And I am even more thankful for our season of joyful anticipation.  This is my favorite birthday ever.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness ~ Day 22

Today I am thankful for all the teachers, coaches and adults that are role models to my children.  For everyone of them that recognizes what an impact they have on our kids, there are three more that don't.  THANK YOU to the ones that "get it" and do it so well.  I am so thankful for what you do.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness ~ Day 21

Today I am thankful for the stack of books in the Princess' bed every night after she's asleep.  I do wish she would close her eyes a wee bit sooner, but love, love, love that she is so enamored with reading.  Bookworms are cool!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day 20 ~ December 7


Today I am thankful for paid sick leave, wireless networks and PDAs. Being freaked out by deadlines is one thing, but being freaked out because I think my family won't have grocery money is entirely different. I truly can't imagine how stressful it would to be manage any sort of recurring absence and have to worry about not getting a full paycheck. I really can't imagine and so truly thankful that I don't have to.

Day 19 ~ December 6

Today I am thankful for prescription narcotics.  Perhaps inappropriate, but so true.  I don't write about my back injury because it's not very glamorous or interesting. Sadly, being in bed AGAIN makes me realize that it has defined me for most of this year.  That sucks.  I've had xrays, MRIs, epidural injections and neurosurgeon consultations and the biggest problem with all of that for me is that I am way too young and fantastic to be disabled for even one day of my life.  I am going to pursue acupuncture and maybe a second opinion.  After Christmas.

For now . . . I have Darvocet, Flexorall and Soma to get me through.  And I am very thankful.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness ~ Day Eighteen

December 5

Today I am thankful for my Nanny.  If she were still here it would be her 91st birthday.  She took a tiny piece of me with her when she left here, but what she left behind was so much bigger.  Her legacy of love and compassion is broad and warm.  She left behind small children who remember her gentle way and easy smile.  She left behind adults who miss her hands and the smell of her powder.  I am so thankful that she was mine for the first 33 years of my life.  So thankful she was mine for even a minute.  So thankful for my Nanny.

Happy Birthday, little bird.  I miss you every day.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness ~ Day Seventeen

Today I am thankful for imaginarygreetings.com.  My kiddos opened their letters from Santa this morning and you would think that the jolly old soul was standing in our kitchen himself.  Happy Holidays are well underway!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness

Day Sixteen ~ December 3

Today I am thankful for Friday.  I could not possibly handle one more of THOSE days this week.

Day Fifteen ~ December 2

Today I am thankful for my sense of humor. If I weren't able to laugh at the nonsense that makes up the majority of my day I would surely be a manic, chain-smoking alcoholic!!

Day Fourteen ~ December 1

Today I am thankful for elementary school bedtime and the glass(es) of wine with my name on it.  This tired Mama needs the nighttime wind down in a very big way.

photo courtesy of flickriver.com

Thirty Days of Thankfulness ~ Day Thirteen

Today I am thankful for my "Brown Girls".  The laughter, the tears, the memories that have made us who we are . . .  I'd love it if we could spend more time together, but geography dictates differently.  I love you, my friends and miss you so much.

Thirty Days of Thankfulness ~ Day Twelve

Day Twelve  - November 29

Today I am thankful for perspective. It is truly a gift to know that grass is NOT greener on the other side. Even on the days when it seems like it has to be!!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness ~ Day Eleven

Day Eleven - November 28

Today I am thankful for sweet kids who still believe in magic. We saw Santa after church and my very grown up, mostly serious 8 year old son says to me "I'm probably too old to be this excited, but I just can't help it!!". L<3VE it!!!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness ~ Day Ten

Day Ten - November 27

Today I am thankful for the Seminoles! I've been a long way from Doak Campbell Stadium for a long time, but I still love FSU football. Let's go 'Noles!!

WOO HOO!!  My 'Noles scalped the Gators after this post.  Way to go Seminoles!!