g list

Monday I woke up to a sound I hadn't heard in months -- birds chirping excitedly outside my window. My heart jumped. I knew it was February, but a part of me felt like I was going to look out the window and see lush green grass, a tree full of blossoms, and the scent of earth in the air.

I laugh this morning as bits of snow are still left over from the storm the day before. Winter is still here. I wasn't fooled by our crazy 60 degree weekend to think winter wouldn't come back with a vengeance or stick around well into spring, but I will say I enjoyed it while it lasted, was grateful for the break, and welcome it whenever it wants to come back.



Other things I'm grateful for right now ...

a loving compliment from a husband

limbo coming to an end -- our house renovation is about 2 weeks from being finished :)

cadbury eggs

how smooth everything has gone in our rental

that no one has been even a little bit sick this winter (yes i just knocked on wood)

laughter

skype -- how it can connect us even though we're far away

clean kitchen

making deadlines

not letting someone else's negativity rub off on me


What are you grateful for?

goodbye january | glist

There's really no good way to say it so I'm just going to lay it out there...

January sucks!

I tell my girls, "nice girls don't say suck", but this just seems one of those times where it's absolutely necessary. This was a hard January, but then again, I can't remember a January that didn't feel like this.

For starter I'm just coming off a wonderful holiday and being swept into the new year, with let's face it, a whole lot of questions about whats next, where to, clouding my judgement. It's not that I'm sad, more there's a heaviness in the air I just can get rid of -- of course the ominous grey skies and smoggy atmosphere are not help at all.

Sigh!

It's interesting how I've been feeling and then recognize that 3 times I have been, in one way or another, reminded to be grateful -- too look for the good. It came on the radio, in the form of a traditional letter, and in my inbox. I think maybe someone is trying to help ease my January blah -- and just in time for February.



G | list
I'm grateful project life is helping me, even more, to live in the present.
I'm grateful for a good night rest. I actually woke up rested this morning.
I'm grateful for the weekend.
I'm grateful for possibilities.
I'm grateful for second chances.
I'm grateful for time with friends -- and needed phone conversations.
I'm grateful for workshopping ideas.
I'm grateful for the ability to go outside without a heavy coat on.
I'm grateful for the sun.
I'm grateful it's February 1.

As frightening as it seems sometimes, I am grateful to be open and vulnerable -- anything is possible in twenty thirteen.

glist

today I'm grateful for...

the happy sounds in the background.
Adam keeping me sane during a very busy few days.
getting a moment to breathe today.
my purple camelbak that keeps me hydrated.
the smell of cookies in the air.
a good book to take my mind off the need tos.
when a stranger smiles back.
having a lot to look forward to.
55 degree february days.
my sister coming to town -- next week!
a freshly made bed.
finding little notes around the house like this.
late night talks.
a mostly-clean house.
finally seeing the top of my studio desk.
simplifying.

glist

i'm grateful for...

-mothers day wild flowers found throughout my home
-adam's suggestion that i go to the dermatologist. i'm having surgery next week to remove more of my "atypical" mole & surrounding skin
-changes in our ward boundaries
-starting the morning off exercising with friends
-homemade hot cocoa on rainy spring days
-this app that helps me easily rent an audiobook from the library
-finding motivation
-personal revelation
-those who have reached out to me through email
-adam's knack for finding good music (digging iron by woodkid--prefer the gucci remix)
-getting some answers with tess' on again off again abdominal pain
-breakfast for dinner
-clean sheets
-bbc films
-handwritten notes
-promise of summer vacation (4 weeks)
-the kind of laughter that makes your abs hurt & eyes weepy
-late night confessions

g list

I'm once again reminded by a dear friend about the power of gratitude. I am not new to this concept, but upon receiving her email thanking me for the gratitude journal, I realized I haven't been as good as I ought to have been writing in mine. It's been two weeks since I've opened the cover and believe it or not the absence makes a difference. For me being grateful and seeing the ever present blessings each day takes the edge off and makes life run so much smoother--put simply, it makes me happy.



So I thought a gratitude list was long over due.

--i am grateful for a husband who understands me.
--i am grateful he always comes back safely when he travels.
--i am grateful my girls confide in me, that they will talk to me about what is on their mind.
--i am grateful that I've been able to be a stay at home mom.
--i am grateful for the individuals who have come into my life, even in the last year, that have changed it for the better.
--i am grateful for inspiring words--books & talks that help me to keep moving.
--i am grateful for audiobooks that keep me company during my Monday housework.
--i am grateful for a working washer & dryer.
--i am grateful we have good health.
--i am grateful adam has a good job, even if it does mean he has to leave town on a moments notice.
--i am grateful for the clean smell of the earth after a rainy day.
--i am grateful I have no where I need to be today as I'm abandoned at home without a car.
--i am grateful for a calm heart.
--i am grateful for my opportunity to choose.
--i am grateful my motivation to create is returning.

What are you grateful for today?

i'm grateful

the continuation of an endless Glist...


I'm grateful for us. For our marriage & dedication to each other.

I'm grateful for a husband who hears me because he wants to know me. For his patience, his love, & his ability to make me laugh even when times are hard.


I'm grateful for Bella's wisdom. For her ability to know just what you need when you need it. Just like her dad, she teaches me to let things roll off my back. For her need to be punctual because she always keeps us on time.


I'm grateful for Tess' sweet compassionate spirit. For her ability to love unconditional and give freely of herself.


I'm grateful for Megan's zest for life, her confidence & ability to always make you smile.


I'm grateful I have a good man, no a great man, helping raise our children. I couldn't have asked for a better father for my girls.

I'm grateful to have the knowlege of the Gospel. For the peace it brings to my life each day & the promise of spending eternity with my family.

I'm grateful for my family & Adams family & to be able to live close. For the help they give us & the goodness each of them bring to our life.

I'm grateful for friends who have come into my life at the right moment. For friends who love me for me.

I'm grateful for prayer.

I'm grateful for creativity & a space in my home where I can explore to my hearts content.


I'm grateful for my talents & gifts. For seeing life the way I do & having the desire to capture it.

I'm grateful for our health, that we are strong-ish, & are able to do physically anything we put our minds to.

I'm grateful for chocolate, especially when it's bleak outside.

I'm grateful for technology that keeps me connected with friends & family, & those I've meet online.

I'm grateful for music. For it's ability to make me get up and move or take me to a beautiful needful place.


As I say good night to this day and have had the chance to reflect all month long about what I am grateful for, all I can say is I LOVE MY LIFE. I am grateful each and every day for it.

May you have a Wonderful Thanksgiving!!

xoxo
amy gretchen

3:30pm on...

Today started out well. I was all geared up to be productive even if I was up at 6:30am again. I was on task and getting things done, but for some reason 3:30pm til Adam gets home is my witching hour. It is the hardest part of the day. So within a 2 hour span I went from good day to crappy day. Nothing went right and it seemed like all the girls were doing were yelling at me, complaining, or fighting. I am so disappointed my day can change so quickly.

I'm trying to keep it positive so the only thing I can do to lift my spirits is make another G.list.

1. blogs. I am really enjoying reading and connecting with others through blogs. It has changed my whole internet experience. It keeps me thinking.
2. burnt almond fudge icecream. (lori did you buy and leave this on purpose?)
3. finding something lost. Below is the layout I found in a binder all alone while setting up my studio. I don't know when I did it, but it had to be close to a year ago. I remember doing it for my personal scrapbook I had planned on doing 8.5x11, now I am not so sure. (photo by jill dec2004)
4. a clean kitchen (sadly mine is not clean right now)
5. mellow music



Hope your day ends better than mine. Though I must say, I do have high hope for the evening. Spending time with Adam and 24 is going to be on.