I love.
I love things.
"Things" meaning people, places, and...stuff.
As we celebrated Georgia's birthday throughout the weekend, I can't ever recall feeling so thankful.
I just kept looking at her. Staring at her curls. Laughing at her faces.
The blessings just abounded.
In honor of feeling thankful for what we have instead of focusing energy on what we want or don't have, I've decided to make a list of things I love at this very moment (disclaimer: this doesn't include my family, Jesus, or coffee...although I do love them all dearly):
1. My husband. I must admit, as I rolled over in bed this morning to snuggle him (this is practically the one day of the week when he doesn't get up before me to start on work), I felt so blessed to smell that wonderful morning man smell. He doesn't stink - that's not what I mean. He just smells like a man. My man.
I've been all the more thankful that he even wants to share a bed with me still, considering I flop my belly from side-to-side throughout the night and am currently sleeping with three pillows surrounding me to support the 'ol large midsection. There is something definitely coming between us in our bed - and it's full of feathers. There ain't no way to sleep super comfortably this bit of pregnancy and I am grateful he never complains when I make midnight requests for granola, get up three times a night to use the bathroom, or insist on using all his pillows to support my back and belly.
2. Sushi. Random? Perhaps. But my Mother-In-Law has been in town this past week and she treated us to lunch at a local sushi restaurant on Saturday while we were downtown. I ate three rolls of pure heaven. I really contemplated (as I was scarfing down my plate) if there is another food that I love having in my mouth as much as a delicious sushi roll. It made me thankful for tastebuds.
I've tried, and failed, to make this at home. Therefore, it remains a real luxury.
3. Aloe vera. I've been taking aloe vera internally for the past few weeks (more on this later) and I've been very blessed by the energy burst it's given me to get through the day. I've also found it to be the most effective treatment to-date on fire ant bites.
Did I mention Georgia got into yet another fire ant nest last week? Fire ants are horrible and I hate them. But aloe vera really does help. I am thankful for all it's wonderful healing properties.
4. Raw milk and bananas. Not together, but I love both of these foods very much. I love being able to buy 9 pounds of bananas for $4.25. The price is right. The nutrients are rockin'. I also love being able to gulp down a delicious glass of super-rich raw milk. It balances my blood sugar. It nourishes my baby. It keeps me full for longer. And it's delicious.
5. My washing machine. Laundry just isn't that exciting. But a nice washing machine really helps ease the pain. Speaking of laundry, my Mother-In-Law also purchased a special gift for us - an ironing board. I'm so embarassed to admit we didn't even have one before. As Stuart went off to school with a very wrinkly shirt last week, I knew we'd hit a low. Guess this means I've got a new chore to add to the list.
As a homemaker, I suppose it is important that I learn how to properly iron table linens, dress pants and collared shirts anyway...
So cheers to refining my homemaking skills in the form of ironing.
6. Harry Potter. I'm on book six. I can't stop, nor do I want to. I love the mental fun of getting to sit down at night and travel to Hogwarts. It's my guilty pleasure and I'm not afraid to admit it. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself after book seven. It may involve the Chronicles of Narnia.
7. Knitting. I've been working on a cute little knit clutch for cash, since we've begun using cash for groceries and gas (thank you, Dang Dave Ramsey). It's a cream colored wool, and it's fabulous. Last week, I knit a sweet little cabled cozy for our French Press (since Stu gets up way before me, the coffee tends to be only warm by the time I roll out of bed...hopefully this will help). Knitting is fun. And I don't care if that makes me sound like a Granny. This is my next project, for the new baby:
8. Baking soda. In one day, I used baking soda to brush my teeth, wash my face, scrub my toilet, clean my dishes, bake in my banana bread, take the smell out of my laundry that sat in the washing machine too long, and cure my heartburn.
Booya.
9. New books. This was a gift:
I can hardly wait to delve into it's riches. The layout is so neat - almost like an old newspaper. Even the paper is reminiscent of it - and it's large, over a foot long! This will be a handy tool to have in the arsenal, should I ever (please, Lord!) be blessed with a garden again (pretty, pretty, please!). I can already see the sticky notes attached to the pages and notes scribbled in the margins. For the time being, I think I'll get some kale started in a few pots. Just to see what happens. Now, where is that chapter on container gardening...
10. German chocolate cake.
Georgia's birthday treat. The two candles were for her. The other candle was for her little friend Lydia (because, honestly, who doesn't like to blow out candles). This cake is not healthy. This cake was not made by me. The cake was, however, very delicious. Everything in moderation, I say.
11. This face. What more need be said.
I hope you had a wonderful weekend, my friends! What are YOU lovin' on at the moment?