Thankful 30-21

Jakson's preschool teacher, Miss Michelle. This woman has put up with SO much. She's been kicked, yelled at, ignored, and has witnessed quite a few of Jakson's more violent, anxiety driven tantrums. Yet, she still likes him!! It does a mother's heart good to know that I am sending him three times a week to a classroom where he is accepted and even encouraged to exhibit his talents. A couple of weeks ago the kids were learning about dinosaurs. Knowing that Jakson is a dinosaur expert, Miss Michelle asked him to come up to the front of the class to share his extensive knowledge. She has been such a blessing.

Thankful 30-20

Melatonin has saved our lives. Not literally I guess, unless life is equivalent to sleep, but doesn't it feel that way sometimes?

Jakson used to stay up until at least 11:30P every night--once in awhile until 3 or 4A. And because he knows how to unlock the door from the inside of his room-Go, go gadget arms!- (we started locking him in after we discovered him leaving the house at 2 in the morning), we had to stay awake until he fell asleep for safety reasons. It was getting a little ridiculous, mainly because I am not pleasant to be around when I only get 3-4 hours of sleep.

Enter Melatonin. We had tried a few other "medicines" that professed to induce sleep without success, so weren't expecting results. Thankfully, we were very wrong. The first night we gave it to him, he fell asleep by 8:30! Amazing! He's been taking it for the past two months now and falls asleep easily every night. A true miracle drug.

Thankful 30-19

I'm grateful for my trials.

My friend Holly was the editor of a book written by a Holocaust survivor and sent me a copy once it was published. I finally had time to start it a few nights ago and I've really been taken in. It's amazing what people have had to suffer. Even more amazing when those same people don't "curse God and die." I'm realizing that my trials, though hard, pale in comparison with many things others are asked to bear.

Thankful 30-18

Two cars that function properly.

We've had a lot of car troubles this year. In fact, we are ending the year with two cars different than the two cars we started with. And not because we "traded up". I'm glad to now have two cars that might not look pretty (though Zak's flip up lights are pretty sweet), but get us where we need to go and (currently) do not need any repairs.

Thankful 30-17

My husband.
I know, I know. This should have been day #1, but I wanted to wait and make sure that I had a lot of really great reasons to be thankful for him before posting.

Just kidding.

I think everyone says this, but I truly have the best husband. He keeps me sane, makes me laugh, tames the kids, and doesn't think I'm fat. Well, at least that's what he says. He also came home for lunch today to change a hose that was leaking fluid in the car and fix the headlight. A regular handyman.

Best of all, he humors me when I get a little OCD about getting free stuff, wrapping gifts before Thanksgiving, finishing what a start, and a myriad of other annoying habits.

Thankful 30-16

Disposable Diapers

I'm sorry if you think I'm screwing up the earth, but since I had to deal with two in diapers at the same time for almost 2 years, I most definitely used disposable diapers. And thank heaven for them.

Applause to all of you brave enough to go cloth.

Thankful 30-15

That my kids (sometimes) get along.

Jak and Storey have finally gotten to the age when they play together and don't constantly fight....although I think the less frequent fights have gotten louder and more violent. Today they were wrestling on the couch and Storey turned it into Jakson being her baby. Our extremely literal little boy was not happy about that--he is not a baby.

Thankful 30-14

If someone had invented a soundproof panel that divided the front and back seats in the car, I would totally be grateful for that today. But unfortunately, no car manufacturer has had the genius to do that yet...

So instead, I'm grateful for online tutorials so that Monkey, who Storey insists on diapering, can finally get diapers that fit for Christmas.Tutorial I'm using is from here

Thankful 30-13

Good friends

We were able to travel this weekend to Las Vegas for a good friend's wedding. It was a special event followed by a fun reception. It was great to catch up with a whole lot of the guys Zak went to high school with.

I didn't take any pictures this weekend because I'm a slacker, but here's one with the groom many, many moons ago.

Thankful 30-12

My Blurb book (volume 1) is done!! I am so excited to get it in the mail, but really relieved to have the editing done. Think I'll be holding off on the next installment for a little while-my eyes are tired of staring at the computer screen!!

Thankful 30-11

The chance to return a favor.

Free Stuff for Everyone!

I posted last week about all of the free stuff we've gotten lately and I got a lot of questions about where I'm finding the deals, how can you get in on it, etc.

Never fear, because I'm going to tell you!!

Rather than post all of the deals here (I just don't have time to write a blog post for all of these, there are so many), I've started a Facebook page dedicated to free stuff, great deals, and coupons. Become a "Liker" to stay up to date with all of the finds. I love the Facebook page platform for this because then you can contribute ideas and links as well!!

Click here to see the deals (make sure you scroll through all of them to get in on everything-especially that Gilt free money!!) or click on the "Like" button in the sidebar----------------->.
And tell your friends!!

See you there!

Thankful 30-10

A little alone time with Storey

Every Wednesday Jak goes to school and Storey stays with me. It's the one time that her brother isn't around and I love that we can spend "girl time" together. Sometimes we run errands (so much easier with one!), but today we stayed home and made banana bread. Then we tried to catch snowflakes.

Thankful 30-9

I could put "policepeople" again here today because I was pulled over AGAIN, but this time I'm not feeling all that grateful. What are the chances?!? No tickets for over 10 years then two in one week. Ugh.

But my thankfulness is related in a way to the kind officer who made me wait in the car for FIFTEEN minutes (with two screaming children I might add-Jakson yelling at me to "keep driving mom!!") while he watched his favorite clips from Jimmy Fallon or filed his nails. I really have no idea what he was doing, but seriously?!? Fifteen minutes?!? I was vastly annoyed. '

Back to the original point.

I am grateful for a savings account. This year it has gotten us through broken down cars, an expensive autism diagnosis, two speeding tickets, and a myriad of other unexpected financial obligations. Having money in a savings account gives us peace of mind. And I'm grateful for Suze Orman, Dave Ramsey, and my mother who have instilled in us the importance of being frugal and saving for a rainy day.

Thankful 30-8

Glasses/Contacts

I was thinking about this as I was reading a novel set in Medieval Times. Those people stank (no deodorant-another thing to be grateful for) and half of them couldn't see because they had no way to correct eyesight like mine. One perk would be not knowing how dirty things really were and I guess they didn't realize that everything wasn't fuzzy, but still...

Thankful 30-7

Cheap babysitting.

I desperately needed a break last night. There had been too many tantrums, fights over toys, and general grumpiness-my bucket was quickly draining. Thankfully, my sister came to the rescue despite the fact that she had just gotten off work and probably wanted to go out with her friends. We bribed her with a Cafe Rio salad and the promise that the kids would be in bed.

Zak and I were able to have an evening out-wandering Target and grabbing a bite. And we didn't spend a second of the two hours away listening to "mine!". It was bliss. Thanks Nan.

Thankful 30-6

Jakson's therapy.

Jakson is finally getting the help that he needs. And as parents, we are finally getting the direction that we need. We have felt lost for so long. It is definitely worth the high cost.

Now if we can just convince the state to pass a law requiring insurance to cover the therapy.....that, I would be really, really grateful for.

Thankful 30-5

The Library

I'm weird about libraries. I almost have a religious/spiritual feeling about them. Maybe because you're supposed to be quiet in a library like you are in church? I don't know. But I could spend hours in there. Unfortunately, small children don't allow for such luxuries. We are in and out as fast as possible.

I love that my children have caught the library bug too. Though Jakson's not a big fan of story time (too many kids, too loud, too much sitting still), he is still so excited to go every week and check out books. He's allowed to get four books because he is 4 and routinely heads to the dinosaur non-fiction section. Storey usually fills her bag with Pooh Bear books-the same ones over and over again. I'm in hopes that she is going to branch out eventually.

The best part about a library? Free books.

Thankful 30-4

Free stuff. And the people who blog about it.

I know these ladies get paid for what they do, but they are doing such a service. I would never be able to find all of the sites and deals without them. This week alone we've gotten two nights free at the Holiday Inn, a new pair of sneakers for Zak (just paid shipping), fingernail polish and lip gloss, rainboots for Storey, and another Blurb book (used referral money on Groupon). AND Zak and I had a really fun time tag teaming to try and get a Kitchenaid for 90% off on the Lowe's site last night. Unsuccessful (sorry Megan, we were trying to get it to give you for Christmas. Looks like you'll have to settle for something a lot less cool), but fun.

Have I mentioned how much I love the internet?

Whatever

* While getting ready to review another product from CSN I noticed that besides nightstands and rugs, they also sell some of the products that our occupational therapist has recommended for Jakson! I'm so excited to try out a couple of things and let you know what works. Specifically, we are hoping to get through at least one meal without food all over the floor.

* This story will only be funny to those who happen to be related to Zak.
The kids were AWFUL today. Talking back, spending lots of time in time out, hitting (that was Storey)-just overall horrible. As Zak was dishing up dinner, Storey was being particularly ornery. He commented, mostly to himself but out loud, "Where did you get this attitude from?!?" Not realizing it was a rhetorical question, Storey replied, "Aunt Suzy's house."

A perfect explanation.

* Zak's first day in a real office and he blew the circuit breaker with a space heater. First of all, what real man admits to using a space heater (isn't that kind of a sissy move?), and second of all....well, that's just embarrassing.

* We had our family pictures taken on Monday night. Storey was awful then too (do you see a reoccurring theme here? We're praying this is not her permanent personality), but Nicole did a fabulous job and was oozing with patience towards small, obstinate children. Here's a little sneak peek from the shoot.

More to come later.

Thankful 30-3

Officers of the law.
I got pulled over today. So, that sucked. But as I was sitting in my car waiting for the kind patrolwoman to write me a ticket (oh yes she did), I thought about the fact that I WAS actually breaking a (minor) law and what our community/country would be like if there weren't men and women dedicating their lives to enforcing laws. Not a pretty scene.

And I'm also grateful for online traffic school.

Thankful 30-2

Our (very) cozy, comfortable home. And that the house is so small it only takes 5 minutes to vacuum the entire downstairs.

I hate vacuuming.

Thankful 30-1

November is upon us, so I'm bringing back Thankful 30.

Day 1-Zak's job

Folks, I really cannot begin to tell you how grateful I am that he has employment. Not only that but he loves what he does, something that boggles my non-roadway obsessed mind. To each his own.

AND he's been in a cubicle since beginning his career, but tomorrow he gets to move into a real office with real walls! I guess becoming a P.E. (professional engineer) has its perks. I'm considering ordering a few poster sized prints of yours truly to decorate....

**I've actually been keeping a little journal (in private blog form) called Thankful 365 where I write a blessing every day. It's sometimes hard to remember that, despite trials, we are so very blessed.