Days 14-19

Day 14- It may seem simple but I am thankful for a job that provides me and my family good insurance. We are blessed to have full coverage and not have to pay any money out of pocket.
Day 15- Family days, our family gets to enjoy our weekends together as a family. Neither of us travels for work nor have to work Saturdays, most of the time. Simply time going to the park or watching a football game I am grateful for. And I am grateful to have to 2 days off a week to regroup before I hit the ground running on Mondays
Day 16- This year I am running our Angel Tree Program at work. Reading all the names on the tags for children it makes me appreciate the stability we have in our household. We are capable of buying gifts for our family and friends and we get to sponsor angels.
Day 17- Friends come and go, some we do not seem as often as we would like but I am glad all my friends have been a part of my life. I still talk with a group of friends that I have known since preschool all the way through high school. I don’t get to see them often but when we do it is like no time has passed at all
Day 18-Smiles, the simplest gesture you can give someone that might just brighten their day.
Day 19- Laughter, the good kind that makes your cheeks and abs hurt because you are laughing so hard. Along with those who laugh with you while not at you.

Days 7-13

Day 7- today is simple, I am so thankful for coffee. I start my mornings early and it is my comfort
Day 8- Dolce, our family dog. Dolce, you are a family member to us. I was nervous on how you were going to be when we brought Nolan home from the hospital but you have impressed me above and beyond my expectations. You are gentle as can be with Nolan and he loves you very much.
Day 9-I am grateful for a good upbringing. I know I was a handful and gave my mom and dad early gray hairs but it turns out they were right about a lot of things. And I hope I can do just as good of a job with Nolan.
Day 10- I am thankful for shelter. With Hurricane Sandy just hitting the east coast followed by a horrible snow storm. I am grateful for basic needs: electricity, a roof over our heads, running water, food and clothing.
Day 11-I am thankful for a nice bed to sleep in and a wonderful husband to wake up next to
Day 12-To all of those who serve and protect our country. Thank for your hard work and dedication.
Day 13-Teachers, our world would not be the same without the amazing teachers that work in our school systems all the way down to our daycares. I am thankful especially for the amazing staff at Kids R Kids who take care of Nolan while John and I work.

Growing to Fast

Baby boy,

Today we received the note from school that you will be moving into the next classroom, Suite 200. You will no longer sit in a high chair, or sleep in a crib at school. Your move from the infant room to the room you are in now was not emotional for me but moving into the toddler room is something I'm not quite ready for yet. I know you are ready but your mommy is not. Your new teachers have some very big shoes to fill because Ms. Kelsey, Ms. Vanessa and Ms. Laura are incredible and you love them very much. I know you are ready and are in good hands but I need you to slow down and not grow up so fast.

Here are a few things you are doing and love at 17 months:

• Every time you see a dog you point and say "dog", if we are at the park you want to go say hello. Our dog, Dolce is your best friend, you love to give her kisses and say hello. I'm going to claim this and say you are just like your mommy with animals.
• We read Polar Bear, Polar Bear at least 3 times everyday. You hiss at the snake and tweet at the peacock, say elephant while putting your hand in the air, and we are working on the walrus. You laugh hysterically at mommy's walrus and you clap your hands while I "Arg, Arg"
• Everyday we walk to the mailbox and get the mail together. Yesterday you saw our neighbor across the culdesac and screamed "Hi", as we were walking back to the house you turned and yelled "bye" to her as loud as I have ever heard you.
• When it is windy outside you say "whoa" and laugh
• Your best friend is Avelyn. At school you run around with Tucker and Brendan but Avelyn is your bestie
• You would be outside 24 hours a day if you had it your way.
• Every time you walk up the stairs you scream "Byyyye Bye" or Ni Ni (Night Night) with a smile
• Keys, Keys, Keys- you start daddy's car on accident often with his self starter
• You are the easiest baby to put to sleep- bedtime is never and issue with you
• On the other side you wake up by 6:30 everyday, you are our little rooster. Daddy says he loves walking into your room in the morning because you always pop up with a HUGE smile on your face.
• In true boy fashion trucks and cars are starting to catch your interest, Vroom as you say
• Last you are extremely loving and love giving big hugs and kisses.

You are saying many words. Anything we say you attempt to repeat, words that are clear and you say and understand are : Daddy, Mommy, Hi, Bye, Milk, Juice, Chicken, Apple, Dog, Baba, Tweet Tweet or bird, Blanket, NiNi (Night Night), Bubbles, Bath, elephant, fish, Row Row, Uh-Oh, hot. You will repeat the colors but you don't know what they mean yet.

Love,
Mom

30 Days to Give Thanks

Day 1- Today I am thankful for my incredible Husband. I have been blessed to have a partner that allows me to be myself. You accept me for who I am.  You love me for me: the good, the bad and the ugly. You put our family’s needs before your own. John you have taught me things in the last 10 years that I would have never learned without you in my life. Patience being the best lesson of all and that life is short so don't sweat the small stuff. Not only are you a great spouse but you are also an amazing father! Nolan and I are truly blessed to have you in our lives.

Day 2-Today I am thankful for our son Nolan Michael Connor. You have taught me so much in the last 17 months. I never knew a smile could make my world just stop and all my troubles disappear. Being with you and watching you grow has taught me how to be a better person. You remind me to stay humble, be kind, be innocent and stay young at heart and in spirit. I love you to the moon and back kiddo!

Day 3-Today I am thankful for my mother, Dawn Birkinbine. I don't say it enough but I am very lucky to have you in my life and as my mother. I am very proud to see how strong you are and that you have overcome hard times and landed on your feet. Thank you for teaching me many life lessons that I was told along time ago but did not understand what you meant until I became a mother. The saying "you will understand one day" makes sense the older I get and I too will probably be saying that to Nolan one day also. Thank you also for taking such amazing care of our sister, Maizi. She is so lucky to have you as her mother and taking care of her.

Day 4-With the economy the way it is I am beyond lucky to have the job I do. So today’s thank you goes to Kosmos Energy for not only providing me with a job and a career but for being a company that appreciates and takes care of their employees.

Day 5- My Sisters! Nellie, Jane, Sheila and Maizi, where do I begin. We have our ups, we have our downs but we always have one another’s back and a bond that can’t be broken.

The Importance Of A Sister

A sister is someone who loves you from the heart,
No matter how much you argue you cannot be drawn apart.
She is a joy that cannot be taken away,
Once she enters your life, she is there to stay.

A friend who helps you through difficult times,
Her comforting words are worth much more than dimes.
A partner who fills your life with laughs and smile,
These memories last for miles and miles.

When she is by your side, the world is filled with life,
When she is not around, your days are full of strife.
A sister is a blessing, who fills your heart with love,
She flies with you in life with the beauty of a dove.

A companion to whom you can express your feelings,
She doesn’t let you get bored at family dealings.
Whether you are having your ups or downs,
She always helps you with a smile and never frowns.

With a sister you cannot have a grudge,
She is as sweet as chocolate and as smooth as fudge.
Having a sister is not just a trend,
It is knowing you can always turn to her, your best friend.

Day 6-The right to vote! Happy Election Day! I have never been big into politics but I am grateful for the right to vote and our freedom. Thank you to those like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Susan B Anthony, Lucy Burns and all the other civil rights leaders. We are so lucky to live in a country where there is a peaceful transfer of power, no matter who wins. Even if you didn’t want that person to be President, we all respect them for the next 4 years.

Halloween Treats

Nolan, you are either going to love how much effort I put into the holidays or hate it but for now why you are little I know you will love it!

Here are the treats Nolan will be handing out to his classmate for Halloween this year. They are all 9 months to 18 months so Gummy bears, or something soft was a must!

Have a Beary Scary Halloween!!