Day 273.

I haven't really given a preschool update in awhile (okay, maybe a week? But for me, it feels like years since we started!) so I think it's time for one.

I am grateful that Dylan loves preschool.

She really does. It's not an obsessive talking about it all the time kind of love, but a really genuine, happy kind of love. She will casually ask me if today is preschool, and be mildly disappointed if it's not. For me, it's the perfect kind of love in this situation - the kind where she's thrilled enough to look forward to going, but not too thrilled where she's still really excited to see us and come home at the end of the three hours. It just makes it easy, and for that reason alone, I love it.

Day 272.

Having one boy and one girl is great for many reasons, except for the fact that they can't share clothes...well beyond onesies and baby sleepers and possibly pajamas - IF I can convince Dylan that she doesn't need pink. So, clothes are expensive. I do appreciate stores like Once Upon a Child, or Good Cents, the best resale shop I've seen - in Geneva. But, even better...

I am grateful for hand-me-downs.

My dear friend Megan is done having kids, and with her two youngest being girls, her boy clothes have no function after her currently 4-year-old is done with them. I know other people have the luxury of many different sources of hand-me-downs. But me, I've never been the recipient for some reason...until now. And now, Noah scores big time - all thanks to these dear friends - who also truly believe in the power of passing good things on to those you love!

Today I got two big bags full of clothes for Noah, and I am brimming with excitement. Something about going through TWO BIG BAGS of clothes - even when they are little boy clothes - that is just so Christmas morning. I love it! Thanks Megan, I am happy to pay it forward when Noah grows out of these! Beckett...you're next.

Day 271.

Monday, September 28, 2009.

I hate flying. I've officially confirmed that. You might remember that my last trip to Colorado was by car. And now I think I'll be doing that route more often. I recently read some article about fears/worrying and it talked about overcoming fear of flying with these various audio programs. I thought at the time, "wow, I'm glad I don't have THAT fear at least." Now, I might re-evaluate that thought, but what really stuck with me from those few sentences about fear of flying is that one should repeat in our heads..."Turbulence is not a safety issue, but a service issue."

I am grateful to have landed safely this evening.

I bought the whole service issue thing while we were in the air. Granted, I was still scared stiff by the plane flopping around in the sky thousands of feat up in the air. But, I kept myself relatively calm.

Then came the landing. There was wind in Chicago and as the plan descended, it could not stay level. We would drop suddenly (what I imagine is several hundred feet) and then start swaying. Side to side to side we would lean one way almost 45 degrees, and then back the other way. I think it was a negative that I was sitting above the wing and was watching it sway as we got closer and closer and closer to my beloved city below. I was all but sure we were crashing into a Cicero Ave. stripmall.

Obviously, we made it - we landed, and everyone aboard clapped. Thunderous applause. Now THAT doesn't happen on every flight.

Day 270.

Sunday, September 27, 2009.

Today I got to make some food for my sister and her family to enjoy later when they don't have any help. I put three pans of lasagna and three containers of chili in the freezer, and tomorrow I plan to make two pans of enchiladas for the freezer, put some pork in the crockpot and stuff some zucchini for their dinner tomorrow night after I'm gone.

I am grateful to be helpful.

I do love to cook, and so I admit, it was fun to make all these dishes in someone else's kitchen while no children interrupted me to need snacks, drinks, playmates, or help with potty breaks. But most importantly, it felt really good to do something I knew would be useful for my sister's family after I was gone. I liked the idea of her dreading dinner and knowing she could just go to their freezer and pull out something to easily bake. It's so easy to be helpful when you are "single!"

Day 269.

Saturday, September 26, 2009.

Here I am in Colorado. There are many things to be grateful as I enjoy holding my new niece for the first time, play with my other niece and nephew more than I usually get to, and try to help out my sis. Today though, I'll focus on something I got to do this morning that hasn't happened for a long, long time.

I am grateful for a night alone in a bed with no responsibilities and no one to wake me up.

I love sharing my bed at home with Jason. It's been over six years since I've slept alone. And I'd rather not on a regular basis. But I admit, a double bed to myself last night felt pretty dreamy. And more importantly, no one, repeat NO CHILDREN were there to wake me up. I didn't wonder repeatedly throughout the night: Who will wake up first? Will I have to get out of bed soon? I just enjoyed the sleep. Notice the sun begin to stream in through the window, and roll over and go back to sleep. Divine.

Day 268.

I have spent the day packing for Colorado and packing my kids for Grandma's house (they'll spend part of the weekend there while Jason works on Monday). I'm off to Colorado in 30 minutes, because I get to go meet Nora, my 2-week-old niece!!! I can barely stand the excitement.

I am grateful for this special trip.

I feel so lucky to be able to make this trip out there by myself to help Lara and Steve out for a few days. I'm so excited to see my niece(s!) and nephew. I'm so excited to talk to my sister, who is also going through a lot of transitions as her daughter, who is Dylan's age, is also starting preschool. I feel very blessed. Thanks, Jason, for being a willing dad, ready to dive in and take the kids for a few days solo...you never once made me feel guilty for leaving, and I appreciate that so much. Thanks to Grandma Karen, who will be helping with the childcare while I am away. You are helping make this important visit possible!

I'm sure I'll share a picture or two soon...

Day 267.

I'm grateful for a simple day.

A simple morning. A wonderfully simple playdate. A simple lunch. A simple afternoon of coloring with Dylan and phone calls to insurance companies. A simple violin class. A simple dinner. And a not so simple Bradley class...just couldn't get in my groove. But if that was the only part that wasn't divinely simple...I'm doing OK.

Note: Notice, I didn't say easy. Or relaxed. It was a busy day where I felt like I had things to do almost constantly. BUT, it was still simple somehow. I have a feeling it had to do with my attitude (see yesterday's post). The dust has settled a bit.