Posts Tagged ‘Family’

Dec. 31 The Year of Living Thankfully

Saturday, December 31st, 2011

(photo by Amy)

I’m thankful for the moments that have brought me to this moment.

Thankful for being raised by my parents, loved by my grandparents, befriended by my friends, taught by my teachers. Thankful for Latin homework and choir practice and going to skating-rink birthday parties and playing on the tennis team. For vibrant, giggly college dorm life and a lonely grad school apartment. For moving trucks and paychecks and bosses and co-workers and battles and working with ideas. For fresh starts and faithful churches and bumbling breakups. For tension and tears and prayers and acceptance and commitment and the settling of married life.

For a job that led me to a friend. For seeing that friend’s listing of things she was thankful for. For the prompting to try it myself and the glimpse of joy that propelled me to commit to 365 days. For the money to buy a domain name. For my husband’s help in booting up this blog. For God’s whisperings and opening my eyes to all of these posts and more.

For the changes this exercise has caused in my outlook and the days when others have voiced their thankfulness. For the friends and family members I’ve written about and those I haven’t. For the challenge of trying not to repeat a post, and looking that much harder for something new each day.

For the winter day on which I write this final post in the Year of Yay. And for the year of opportunities to come.

May every year be lived thankfully.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Encouragement, Thought | 1 Comment »

Dec. 26 Video Cameras

Monday, December 26th, 2011

I took a video of my grandfather today. I asked him to tell the story of how he met my grandmother. I’m happy I could capture something so sweet and will be able to watch it for years to come.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Family, Possessions | Comments Off

Dec. 23 Favorite Christmas Traditions

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

We’re at my parents’ house for Christmas. I grew up in this house, so it evokes lots of memories of Christmas traditions. My mom used to have a candy bowl each year stocked with Hershey’s kisses and Rolo. We would play music from Mannheim Steamroller, Julie Andrews, Evie, and Glad while we made sweet potato delight, ambrosia, cookies and pecan pie. I usually received Turtles and film (how antiquated!) in my stocking.

What are some of your favorite traditions, past or present?

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Family | Comments Off

Nov. 30 My Daddy

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011

Today is my Daddy’s birthday. I have to thank him for being okay with the fact that I was born the day before his birthday, thereby overshadowing his birthday forever. ;)

I am thankful for all the ways he has taught me, challenged me, and loved my mother and me. For all those op-eds he read to me as I grew up, blinking sleepily across the breakfast table (I know, that explains a lot, doesn’t it?). He is a big dreamer, a plot-hatcher, a wild innovator. Happy birthday, Daddy!

Tags: ,
Posted in Family | Comments Off

Nov. 26 Auntiehood

Saturday, November 26th, 2011

I am totally cheating and being thankful again for my nephews (ages 9 and 1). I am so blessed to have married into a family with lots of siblings so that I can be an aunt! It’s a very cool relationship.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Family | Comments Off

Nov. 25 Friendly Competition

Friday, November 25th, 2011

(photo from tabletennisexperts.com)

What is it that makes competition so fun and enlivening? My husband’s family is very competitive, and whenever we get together, we play lots of games. From ping-pong to poker, Jenga to Jeopardy, everyone wants to win – and that makes it lots of fun. (It also helps that I’m much better at losing than I was when I was a kid.)

Tags: , ,
Posted in Family, Fun | 2 Comments »

Nov. 17 People Behind the Scenes Who Get Things Done

Thursday, November 17th, 2011

Every organization has them. Every family has them. The humble grandmother who single-handedly feeds a teeming horde at Thanksgiving. The event planner who’s never going to take the stage, but makes sure everything happens on time.

Today is the birthday of such a person – one of my editing colleagues. His name is known only by a few, compared to many of our colleagues with frequent TV appearances and bylines. He’s also one of those who doesn’t like any fuss made about his birthday. But his daily contributions here are highly valued by a lot of people.

Who in your life gets stuff done and doesn’t ask for any fanfare?

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Friends | Comments Off

Nov. 14 Excuses to eat out

Monday, November 14th, 2011

Having guests is the perfect opportunity to hit up some restaurants that we love but rarely visit. After dining at the Cheesecake Factory and a great hibachi place with my parents over the weekend, I’m already disappointed in whatever I’m going to eat this week!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Food | Comments Off

Nov. 12 Family Fun

Saturday, November 12th, 2011

We had a mild weather day today and took advantage of it by playing minigolf! My parents are serious forces when it comes to minigolf, and my husband and I are very competitive. It was really fun to have that opportunity!

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Family, Fun | Comments Off

Nov. 10 Interstates

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

(photo from i95highway.com)

My parents are driving up to visit me – from Georgia to Virginia. It’s a long drive, and probably wouldn’t be possible without interstates. I’m glad they can get from there to here without having to brake through every town along the way!

Tags: , ,
Posted in Travel | Comments Off