Memories

Today I am grateful for memories in all their forms.

I am looking at new pictures of Sarah at 9 months and she is too cute. I also have a picture of Nicole in one of them.

I love pictures. They remind me of happy times in my life and the lives of others. Pictures of my sister hanging me upside down when I was about 5. Pictures of Nicole and I on our honeymoon with a Klingon in Vegas. Pictures of Nicole, Thom, Jana, and I when we were "baking" and then remembering eating the raw cookie dough afterwards. A picture on my desk of Craig, Michelle, Nicole, and I camping in Shades. All the pictures.. all the memories.

I want to capture the same memories for Sarah and the twins, so they can look back when they are older and remember fondly.

I am grateful for the memories in my mind. The way I reacted when Nicole told me she was pregnant with Katie, the way Nicole looked in her wedding dress.

I am grateful for the memories that are jogged because of life. Being reminded of all the memories of camping when I think that I want to go camping again. Being reminded of my last work trip with Seva and Craig to Austin, TX when I think of my trip to China.

And now I would like to break out into song....

Mem’ries light the corners of my mind. Misty water color mem’ries of the way we were. Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind. Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were.

Thanks Babs

Being Busy

Today I am grateful for being busy. Sometimes it is overwhelming, but having a list longer than my arm of things to do is refreshing. I may choose not to glog as much, but I know that is a choice that I am making.

I am running my life, it is not running me.

I am also grateful for easy, breezy days too. Being busy allows me to appreciate the slow times as well.

I am grateful for my trip to China. 4 days in Shanghai, and 4 days in Singapore. I can't wait.

I am also grateful for Nicole. I know that she is scared for me and in a perfect world, she would be going too. And she will. She allows me to talk about it and does not voice her concern and feelings about me being half way around the world. I recognize that and love her more for it because she wants me to have fun and not worry about her even though I always do.

I am grateful for Sarah. She is coming into her own little person with attitude and feelings. She is starting to make noises. First was Mama, then Dada, but I don't believe she knew what she was saying. The first word that she knows is Kitty. Say it and she will look for the cat. She sees the cat and says Kitty.

I am grateful for the "Hot and Sour" twins. That is what Nicole and I are calling them because of how they affect Nicole. They make her hot at night and she is craving sour (SweetTarts) foods. Two traits that I possess.

Friday

Today I am grateful for Nicole. For allowing me to go out with the "Guys" and welcoming me home with a warm embrace.

I am grateful for Sarah. The way her face lights up when she sees Daddy. It warms my heart.

I am grateful for audio books. The excitement and the enjoyment I get from driving to and from work.

I am grateful for Craig and First Thursdays. What a wonderful idea.

I am grateful for Christian. His friendly demeanor and curiosity of what is new in my life.

New ways of doing the same things

Today I am grateful for change. Change in my financial life, change in my dietary life, and change in my entertainment life.

Over the past month, Nicole and I have changed and are no longer living off of credit. Given that, money is tight, but we are not digging a hole anymore and that feels great. For too long we have been living beyond are means and small changes have made a great impact. We can still go out, eat, play, and enjoy life, but now we need to make a conscious decision and realize if we do one thing, we may be able to do another and that is OK.

In the past week, I have been listening to a new show on TLC called "I can make you thin." I figured what the hell and what I have heard has had an impact. Currently I am a conscious eater. I focus on what I am eating and enjoy it immensely. I eat what I want and stop when I am full. Being a conscious eater actually made me realize that some foods I enjoyed are no longer tasty. For example, I used to love McDonald's French Fries. However, when I eat them consciously, chewing the food thoroughly and absorbing all of the tastes, it was gross and I threw most of them away. Before, I would not focus on the food and shovel it in and did not take the time to taste it. It is neat.

Finally, I have added a new form of entertainment that I am grateful for. Thom has turned me on to audio books. I have never been a reader, but enjoy the audio books greatly. I haven't listened to the radio in 6 months and could not be happier. Currently I am listening to the Golden Compass by Philip Pullman and am picking up the next audio book tonight at the library. It's like a play but I have to imagine the pictures in my head while listening to the voices. I am actually thinking about some improvement books like "The Secret".

I love change... and spellcheck.

Birthdays

Today I am grateful for Thom's 12th annual 29th birthday. I am also grateful for my brother Tim's 40th birthday today. They were born one day apart. It is funny that I used to think that Tim and I were so far apart in age, that we came from different worlds. But I have one of my best friends who is one day older. I have also become friends with my brother which I do cherish. I guess as you get older, spaces in between ages matter less. If you are 6 and your brother is 13, then you are worlds apart, but not at 33 and 40.

I am grateful for seeing old "work" friends Mike and Mark. They work and worked at IHETS and it was nice to catch up. It's funny how close you can become to another person at work and then watch it fade as you no longer work there. You just have to make a commitment to stay close and try. Because when you worked together, you were naturally together often feeding that closeness.

I am grateful for my friends who have tried to keep me close as I have tried to keep them close too.

I am grateful for a new thought about eating. Listening to Paul McKenna, he gives good steps to eating better. I believe this will help me to achieve a healthier size. For more info visit http://www.tlc.com/thin.

Friends and Family

Today I am grateful for my friends. Friends that need my ear. Friends that are astonished and so happy about our twin news. Friends that are playfully upset that they had to hear from a third party. Friends are so important in your life and are more precious than people realize.

I am also grateful for my Family. Offering support and reminding Nicole and I of a GREAT meal that we made last night. Thanks Mom.

I am grateful for my old car. 1991, over 200,000 miles, and still kicking. No car payment. That is cool. However, I will be trading it in for the Mini-Van.

I am grateful for sunny days. Especially after rainy ones. So happy the Spring is here.

Happy Spring!!

Twins Basil... Twins!!!

Today I am grateful for my fertility doctor Dr. Cline. Nicole is pregnant with twins. We don't know what the sexes are, but there are two.

I am excited and scared at the same time.

I am grateful for Nicole for what she is about to go through. You are stronger than I by far.

I am also grateful for Family and Friends with their words of encouragement and offers to help.

Been Missing This

First and foremost, I have missed this. An outlet for my thoughts and for reinforcing the good things in my life.

Another thing... Nicole is pregnant again. I think fatherhood suits me so let's give it another go. Sarah is wonderful. I am so grateful for her in my life. She turned 9mos. yesterday. Started crawling the same day. I am grateful for mobility, and already grateful for the times she was not mobile.

I am grateful for my job. Thanks to Mama Gena. I am going to Hong Kong and Singapore in May for my job which is a well paid version of teaching, which I have always loved.

I am grateful for Nicole. She has taken on the extremely tough and rewarding job of full-time mother. I am grateful that we can give that gift to Sarah and future little one(s). We will know on Tuesday how many little ones.

I am grateful for Shelly. Without knowing it, she inspired me to glog again with her consistent glogging.

I am grateful for Craig and First Thursdays. A chance for the guys to get together and keep in touch is wonderful.