Nutcracker

Brent's parents, Joyce and Dave, invited Alice and Dominik to see the fantastic Pacific NW Ballet perform the Nutcracker in Seattle today.  Lucky kids...and what a treat!  They really thought it was awesome- like nothing they ever had seen before. It makes my heart sing when my kids enjoy live performances, theater, concerts etc.  I know these are the types of experiences that broaden the minds of young people, and make a lasting impression.

Santa

My kids have never been big fans of visits or photos with Santa, so I never pushed it. Today at a thrift store the kids were fascinated with a Santa that plugged in and had a price tag in the middle of his forehead. $89.99 !

Anyway, I decided to get a long-time coming holiday photo of Santa with the kids.

Thanksgiving # 2

I had the chance to spend another Thanksgiving day today with Brent's folks, his brother and family.  It was so nice to visit, dine on a home-cooked turkey dinner and catch up with my other family. A great day.

NWAP

Today I was interviewed and accepted into a really great organization.  I am now a member of the National Association of Professional Women.  I am excited about all of the growth opportunities that I see in my future and I would like to take advantage of all the educational perks included in membership with NAPW.

Also, I think when women put their minds together amazing things happen. As women we have a responsibility to support each other in the professional world and see to it that each of us has a chance to succeed.

Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving. One year ago on this day I had an experience that kick-started my need to focus on gratitude daily in some way or another. It was early morning, and I was up and sipping coffee , enjoying some quiet while the rest of my family slept.  I looked out the front window to see that a freeze had happened overnight and a layer of frost was covering everything in sight.  I then spied a a large trash bag spread out covering something in the gardens of the park across from our house.  When I discovered that from under the trash bag blanket a man was waking up and trying to stand, I felt pangs of sadness for his need to sleep out there in the cold.  I, in no way, could sit in my warm home sipping coffee when I knew this was happening just outside my door.

I grabbed a large travel mug, filled it with hot coffee, and out the door I went.

There was a language barrier, but I didn't need to know what words he spoke, as the joy in his eyes told me everything.

I turned to walk back to my home I felt incredibly thankful for what I had and that somehow fate had handed me a chance to make it as far as I had.  I felt humbled and gracious...and knew there was likely very little difference between this man and me. We all make choices every day that effect where we end up tomorrow. I had simply been lucky so far.

Since that day I have changed my perspective on gratitude.  I am thankful for so many things that I know could vanish in an instant.  Keeping this in mind helps me to live in the moment and take less for granted.

Today my children and husband sat down with my parents and some of my siblings and their children and we ate this fantastic turkey and all the trimmings.  Pretty lucky, I'd say. 

New necklace

Some might say that I decided to become a parent solely for the handmade jewelry. This one is made by tiny colorful rubber bands. I love it.

Belly laugh

Felt good to giggle and guffaw with a coworker today after I had met a big deadline.  Comic relief is a must when things get so busy I don't leave my seat all day. Grateful for the laughs.