day14: the confidence to go after I want.

I have been the type of person that if I really put my mind to it I can get something done.  I know I have the power to overcome the difficult times and to be persistent and get closer to my goal.  But on the other hand, I have certain insecurities that make me question myself.  Am I good enough? Can I really do it?  Then again...there are days...I don't care.  So what does that make me?  Not sure.  

But what I do know

• I have a wonderful family that I would do anything for to protect them and to make them happy.
• I have a roof over my head and I don't have to worry about being with out food.
• We are giving our children everything they need to be happy and independent.
• I can do anything I put my mind to it.
• Persistence is key.

Okay..I am a strong person and I can do it!

Day 13:hearing the laughter of my kids.

There is something about hearing children laugh.  The sound of pure joy and happiness.  They say that laughing makes you happy. Laughing is contagious. I believe it too.

I was sitting around working on the computer and the kids were playing on the other computer in the "call Center" and one of the kids start laughing...then the other...then the other.  So before you know it the room is filled with the kids laughter.  Usually it is something as simple as a smiley face on the computer screen. But the joy to hear my children laugh. It makes me remember what it is all about.  My family and my children.

Sometimes it is good to just sit back and enjoy the NOW.  I am enjoying the NOW....the laughter of my kids.

Day 12:my computer...

Okay.. I know...kinda materialistic. But I use the computer all the time to get information to and from people.  The kids have their own sites they visit on the computer as well.  We have a room that we named "the call center."  This is one room where most of the computers are set up.  We can all go and work on the computers and be together.

The computer has allowed me to work from home.  It makes my life easier.  I use my computer everyday almost all day. How about you?

Day 11:opportunities

Today I am thankful for the opportunities that we have been able to give our children.  Last night we watched the Wizard Of Oz with the Utah Symphony playing the musical score along with the movie.  Wow...for the first time seeing Oz with live music.  And the icing on the cake was the conductor proposed to his girlfriend after intermission. It was a very creative way of proposing.  So thankful for this wonderful opportunity.

Day 10: My parents

I am so thankful for my parents...they are the ones that raised me and supported me 100%.  I can not express the gratitude I have for all the sacrifices you made to make a wonderful life for me and Jubs.  We were lucky growing up.  We were able to have the love and experiences that most people did not have. I thank you.  For making do with having to work out of town for the week and being home on the weekends. For mom having to raise us like a single parent because dad had to work in the bigger city.  The sacrifices.  We didn't think anything of it, because we knew we were loved and being taken care of. 

Thank you for not killing me in High school..or even college.  I know I ended up being the wild one but calmed down after a while.  Thank you for not comparing the two of us. Jubs was always better in school and musically and other things. Thank you for helping me out when I started to have kids.  I would have never been able to do it with out your help. And Dad thanks for letting mom come up for so long to help out....I know she had to come up almost every year for 5 years. Thank you!

Thank you for not judging me for my poor choice in boyfriends. Thank you for accepting Robert into the family.  Thank you for all your love and support.

Day 9: not being sick

Today everyone was home sick!  Great...not a good time to be sick...but it started with Drew on Friday. Saturday he was fine.  Sunday runs for Drew and Baby strated getting sick right after her nap.  That lasted till 3 in the morning with baby...then at 4 when I was trying to get to bed Sammie started getting sick.  Baby woke up fine and I think is done...Sammie has it the worst...she has a fever and is dizzy.  Robert came back and was not feeling good.  Great!  I can not get sick right now.  So I will try and stay strong and not get sick.  So I am thankful for not being sick.

Day 8: The ability to stay home with the kids.

I am thankful for the ability to stay home with the kids for days like today.

Day 7: I am thankful...

image by http://www.freeimages.co.uk

I am thankful for daylight savings time.  We were able to get an extra hour today.  I am going to take that extra hour and go to bed at a decent hour.  I am tired from this past week and this weekend.  We have a busy week ahead.

Lonnie made it here today from Chicago.  I have to mentally prepare Robert not being here for a little bit.  He will be getting things ready for our new endeavor.   I will be able to show you some crafty projects soon.

Have a great Sunday. 

Day 6: I am thankful...

I am thankful for a wonderful easy Saturday.  Today was a good day considering that Drew was sick the night before, he woke up like nothing was wrong and never skipped a beat.  Robert and I just tag teamed watching the kids...he got up with them and fed them breakfast so I could sleep in.  I got up and kept the kids occupied while Robert took his morning nap.  It was a wonderful lazy day.

Later during the day Robert and Thad watched some football. After football we had the rest of Thad's family over for dinner.  It was a great time.  I love the fact that the kids love to play together and get along. I love that Em and I got a chance to just sit and talk. It was a little crazy trying to get the kids feed at the same time six little kids wanting to be feed at the same time is quite entertaining.  But after the kids finished eating we sat down to have a great dinner.  It made dinner that much more enjoyable to be able to share it with friends and great conversations. Thanks Em and Thad for welcoming our family to the neighborhood.

So I am thankful for a wonderful easy beautiful Saturday in Salt Lake City with our friends.

 

Day 5: I am thankful for...

I am thankful for...my family. Love and support through thick and thin. In the last couple of weeks I have been on an emotional roller coaster.  Many overwhelming feelings!

Some of you may know that my parents have decided to retire in the Philippines.  This is something I fully support and I am happy for them to make this big move back home.  Before they left they came for a visit.  I was so blessed that they were able to spend some quality time with me and the kids.  I was glad they were able to see what goes on with us on a day to day basis here in Salt Lake City vs. our day to day life in Chicago.  My favorite was my dad would set up his computer by the window so he could look up and see the mountains while working on the computer. Great quality time and many many laughs during their stay.  They left on a Thursday.

That Saturday, my little brother proposed to his girlfriend and she said "YES!"  I was so excited and happy for my brother and my future sister-in-law.  They are in DC working and loving life.  So completely and overly excited to hear about their plans and the details of the proposal.  So exciting and overwhelmed with happiness.

Two days later I get a call from one of my aunts telling me that my cousin Tiche just announced that she has stage IV  breast cancer and is expected to only live for a month.  What?!? Really?!?  She is only in her early 40's. What?!?  I lost it.  I was pissed that I could not call my mom because they didn't have a phone yet, I was mad because this was the first time we knew about her having cancer, I was upset because I was feeling happy when she was suffering. When I found out I sent her a message letting her know I was thinking about her and to stay strong.  Her response to me was "I love you too. Let's party! LOL"  She always knew what to say to me to make me feel better.  She is in such High spirits to help overcome the pain.  She was the one that was always taking care of everyone and forgot to take care of herself.  Everyone has been able to express their love and appreciation for all that she has done.  Family coming together to make things easier.. and this was two weeks ago. Now, time is getting closer and I am deeply saddened again, I just got word that her final days are here. I love you Tiche! Stay strong.

Family. I am thankful for my family!

Day 4: I am thankful for..

I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for the dear and true friends that have come and gone. I am thankful for the new friendships that are starting to blossom. I am thankful to the new friends I will have in the future. I am thankful for the ability to let someone take care of you in a time of need. I am thankful for the fun, laughter and experiences we had together. I am thankful for the ability to grow as an individual with their help. I am thankful for the memories that I have had with my friends. I am thankful for the ability to have that connection with another person. I am thankful after many years of not seeing one another we can sit down and the years are erased by a simple conversation. I am thankful for the understanding that is there when someone is at a loss of words but no words are necessary. I am thankful for my friends because they are my support system. I am thankful for the harsh words that were spoken when they needed to be expressed. I am thankful for the acceptance when an apology was given. I am thankful for the mistakes that I have made; and still having the continual unconditional love and support of my friends. We are not perfect as individuals but we are perfect together as friends. There is no way that I would ever be able to list all my friends... you know who you are! I love you truly from the bottom of my heart. I am thankful for my FRIENDS.



Thank you for listening to my ramblings.

Day 3: I am thankful for...

I am thankful for moving to Utah.  We moved from Chicago to Salt Lake City in March.  We have already done so much in the 8 months we have been here that what we did in Chicago in the past 5 years.  We have more opportunities to do things as a family.  We are more a family now that ever.  Our quality of life has improved 110%.  You can see it in the kids smile, laughter and personalities that this was the right move for us.  I realize that there are some of our friends that are scared of change, but we were ready for a change, we needed the change, change was good for us.

We get asked why Salt Lake City? Why Utah?  Robert grew up in Colorado, always on the mountains during the winter months.  He wanted to move to the mountains.  I wanted to live close to an International Airport, have good public education and a family friendly environment. Salt Lake City is perfect.  We are still in the city but so close to the mountains....and come on people it is the capital of the scrapbooking industry.  (that is going to be a different post all together.)

So I believe we are here to stay. We were talking to some friends and someone said that "Salt Lake City is a little hidden gem."   It is so true, the beauty of a city and the beauty of mountains that surround you everyday.  AMAZING!  So to us we feel like we are in a little suburb of Chicago but with mountains and cheaper taxes.

So today I am thankful for moving to Utah.


Here are some pictures while in Utah.

Our little house

Drew and Sammie

Maddie and Sammie

Caroline, Sammie and Drew off on a hike with Robert

Jumping in Moab, UT

Now do you see why I am thankful for moving to Utah?  We love it out here in Utah!
:)Sesil

Day 2: I am thankful for....

I am thankful for knowing Susan Dallas.  Susan passed away suddenly 2 years ago she was only in her early 30's.  She was an amazing wife, mother and friend.  Ask anyone who was able to cross her path she was full of life, joy and a great friend.  I think of her often as she was my confidant, you could tell her anything and she always had this great wisdom and knew exactly how to say it with out making you feel like and idiot.  Okay...sometimes I was an idiot.  But she was not afraid to tell you like it is, what you needed to do and suggestions on how to do it or how to get there.  I am honored and blessed that I was graced with her presence during her time on earth.

I love you Susan, you will always be a part of me. By the way...quit laughing at me up there.  I know you are..you were always laughing at me. I love you dearly. Chris and Evan I love you more than you know..you will always be part of our family.


 

Some of the Windy City girls at Christina's wedding. 

Day 1: I am thankful for ...

I am thankful for my neighbors Tom and Carol Lee. They are both in the Utah Symphony and  passed along some tickets for us during the summer including tickets to tonight's performance with Riders in the Sky.
It was amazing! A cross between folk music and classical music...it reminded me of a Disney Western.  That was my fist thought when they started playing together with the Symphony. Later during the set  I discovered they performed a song called  "Woody's Round Up" for "Toy Story 2"  The entire performance was entertaining and amazing.

Unfortunately, I had to attend the symphony by myself because Drew had his last T-ball game and someone had to stay home with the kids.  (By the way, Drew came home with his first trophy. Wooo Hooo! Go Drew!) Thank you Robert for watching the kids so I could go listen to some Old Folk Country songs accompanied by the Utah Symphony.  Tonight was a good night.  Date night..solo.  Try it.

So that is what I am thankful for today.
:)Sesil