1. Doctors/Medication: We have been sick since Thanksgiving...seriously. Ask my family. At one point I thought my sister was going to climb through the phone and take me to the doctor because she was so sick of hearing my coughing fits over the phone. After the double ear infection for Clark and my throat issues at Thanksgiving, we were hoping to have a sick free Christmas...but it was not to be so. We were all sick off and on throughout December (conjunctivitis for both boys and colds all around) and it culminated in all of us but Clark being really sick on Christmas day. I was up at 4am with Andrew Christmas morning. So then, I decided we would be done being sick once 2009 came...New Year = No more sickness right? Wrong. Andrew just finished his 10 day antibiotic script for his double ear infection and this crazy sinus infection thing that has been dogging me since before Christmas just doesn't seem to wanna let go. But, it could all have been worse...we could have had to deal with no Motrin, Tylenol, Tylenol Cold, Antibiotics, Eye Drop meds and no doctor to whine to. It also made me more grateful for good health (when it decides to come around again).
2. Computers/Printers/Word Processing/Excel Spreadsheets/Personal Laminating Machine: I was called to be the Secretary in our Primary (another reason blogging has taken a backseat) in December. Our ward's boundaries changed the end of the summer, and pretty much no updating of our rosters, lists, rolls etc. had been done after that happened, so I had my work cut out for me. I wanted to start the new year completely organized and make sure the President and the other two counselors had every list, phone number, calendar, schedule that they could possibly want and actually have it be correct! It took some late nights, but sure enough we started to the new year good to go! It couldn't have been done without the above mentioned technology, so I am very grateful.
3. Freezing Temperatures. Okay, so I hate the cold...but it did help me feel less guilty about keeping my kids cooped up inside so much over the last two months because someone was always feeling crummy. Which reminds me...I am thankful for central heat. We thought we would try to just use our wood burning fireplace, but it just didn't cut it...and it is just way too much effort to keep it going...so now the fireplace is mostly used for cozy/romantic evenings (when Tanner feels like going out and bringing wood in from the forest out back).
4. Good Friends. I am so grateful for good friends who listen, inspire, comfort, and laugh with me. It is so nice to know that at a moments notice I could call any one of them knowing that they would try to do whatever they could to help me. I hope that I am the same kind of friend for them.
5. Books. I have been reading a lot (for me anyway) lately. I highly recommend "The Hunger Games", "The Alchemist" (only when you are in a philosophical/contemplative mood), and "Pope Joan" (although I am not done with that one yet). I love that my sister is an awesome and cool librarian who gives good recommendations so I don't waste time reading garbage.
6. The Blogging World. There have been a number of blogs I have been following over the last little while that have really touched me quite profoundly. Because I either know them or know someone who knows them very personally, it makes it all the more heart wrenching and inspiring. If you feel like a good cry that will leave you feeling inspired...check these out.
7. Family. What would I do without having some kind of daily contact with family members...even if they do fall asleep while I am talking to them on the phone (mom and dad). Yeah, I am THAT exciting to talk to. There is just so much to talk about with sisters...tv shows, jobs, the economy, politics, fashion...you name it, we Carter girls probably talk about it...DAILY.
Here are some things I am thankful for today:
1. Andrew is in the 30th percentile for weight...this may seem strange to say, but for those of you who know and saw Clark when he was a year old, know exactly why I am grateful, and why my back is also grateful.
2. Clark loves most vegetables...specifically tomatoes...whole ones. He eats them like an apple. I have proof:
3. XM Satellite Radio on Directv: Specifically 80s on 8. I loved that I turned it on tonight to dance with the boys and the very next song was The Safety Dance. Perfect!!! We had a blast.
4. This Face:
5. This Face:
6. And This Face:
7. The Blogging Feature of Post Dating: Hopefully I will be using this a lot in the coming days, but most of you know by now that you probably shouldn't hold your breath.
