Ambassador Drew

Most of us have heard of the March of Dimes.  I know that I knew of this organization for years but I never understood how vital a role they play in the lives of all babies.

The March of Dimes was created decades ago, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, with the original purpose of fighting polio.  When polio was eradicated from the US, the mission changed to support babies born prematurely and/or with birth defects.

Because of individual and corporate sponsors, the March of Dimes has raised millions of dollars to support research to help ALL babies have a successful start at life--moms know more about healthy lifestyles that can help them during pregnancy, NICU doctors have more resources on their hands, and all babies have a better chance of not only surviving, but thriving.

We were honored to serve as the March of Dimes ambassador family this year in our community!  

Saturday was the big day where we were able to meet with other individuals who share our common goal.  It could not have been a more perfect day for the event!  Our family was overwhelmed with the love and generosity of complete strangers.  

The event was so family friendly.  When we first arrived, there was a continental breakfast available for all participants.  Everybody was encouraged to get a lei which represented why you were walking (purple = prematurity, green = healthy birth, white = loss of an infant, yellow = birth defect). As a group, we then participated in a 2.5 mile walk through a gorgeous section of town.  We arrived back just in time to try out the swings at the park and say goodbye to our new friends.

Every one of us has a cause that is near and dear to us.  I would encourage you to look into the March of Dimes to see if this organization might be one that you would consider supporting now or in the future.  If you have any questions, feel free to check out their site at www.marchfordimes.org or let me know and I can try to help too.

Happy Walking!

Thankfulness Project Finale

This weekend ends my Thankfulness Challenge 2012.  I sure do have a ton in which to be grateful for on a daily basis but this weekend really made me think about how fortunate I am.  JD and I started the long weekend by heading down to Chicago to go to their Thanksgiving Day Parade.  We also were able to eat our Thanksgiving meal at Wave, JD's favorite restaurant (beside Steak n' Shake). 

JD and I started the tradition of going down to Chicago for Turkey Day a couple of years ago and I so love it.  We spend Wednesday evening window shopping and drinking Argo tea and Thursday we go to the parade, brose the stands at the Christkindlmarket, and eat yummy food.  Plus, we get to spend some quality time together--which rarely  happens.

At the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade.  It was the PERFECT day to be outside in Chicago--highs were in the 50s!

My boot (at the Christkindlmarket)!

On the wagon ride out to get our tree.  Note our horses, "Jack" and "Frost" behind me. 

On Friday we cut down our Christmas tree and decorated the house.  It was sooooo cold on Friday that we ended up cutting down the first tree we saw!  Luckily the tree is PERFECT and I am loving it!

On Saturday we spent the day with my family.  We cut down a tree for my parents and helped them decorate it.  We were also able to celebrate a very special 21st birthday with my favorite 21 year-old "almost" sister.  

Later we met up with my aunts, uncle, and counsin for dinner at a local pizza place.  It's been a long time since we've all been together.  I think that's the toughest part about getting older--the people you spent so much time with growing up all move on and it gets more and more challenging to find time to be together. 





My sil is an AMAZING pianist.  We always beg her to play Christmas tunes for us. . . and luckily she always humors us!



My family at the Mannheim Steamroller Concert!  Aren't they adorable?

 And, the weekend ended with a Mannheim Steamroller concert.  Is there any other way to kick off the Christmas season than with one of their concerts?  It was so good and definitely got us in the Christmas spirit!

Can you see why I say I am so blessed?  I love you all!  Happy Christmas Time!

A Weekend of Thanks

My weekend was spent with my best friend, AJ.  We dedicate the weekend before Thanksgiving as "girl time" and meet in our college town.  I must say, that it happens to be my favorite weekend of the whole year.  I cherish the time I get to spend with this wonderful person who happens to live six hours away from me.  So, I dedicate these thankful points to my dearie, AJ.

16. Thankful for the delicious food I can count on in my college town.  This town has a population of about 8,000 but has a ton of great restaurant options.  We had bar food, pizza, Japanese cuisine, and ate at a local bistro renown for their varied menu.  Yum!

17. Thankful for the fun I had this weekend.  Each of us is required to bring a bag-o-fun which we fill with:

1. a craft
2. a beverage
3. an (unhealthy) snack
4. a game
5. a Christmas movie

AJ's craft: this cute dish cloth with pretty fabric hand stitched on it 

18. Thankful for the relaxing time I had over the weekend where I was able to finish a great book and stitch the binding onto this quilt.  I love this quilt!  And am so excited to show it off this Christmas season.

19. Thankful for the yummy home-cooked meal I came home to after work today.  We celebrated Thanksgiving early with JD's family and they sent us home with leftovers.  JD made one of my favorites--turkey ala king.  AH-MAZE-ING!  Such a comforting meal to start the week!

7

Today I am thankful for tea.  I got hooked on tea a couple of years ago and now I have a few glasses a day.  Most of the time it is hot tea--black, herbal, or white but in the summer I also love sun tea.  Tea is so soothing and I enjoy it in the morning but also when I feel lonely, sad, or stressed.  Plus, tea is pretty good for you.  It doesn't have any calories and some teas can provide health benefits.

Enjoy some tea today and tell me what you think!

Challenge: Day 6

Am I tired of campaign ads (yes!)?  Am I tired of the stress of deciding who to vote for (yes!)?  Am I tired of most conversations centered around the election (yes!)?

But, am I grateful for the opportunity to be able to vote and help make a decision on who the leader of this great country will be?  OF COURSE!  Today I am thankful for this wonderful country.  It is not perfect and there is a lot that I would like to see different but I love the US even in all of its imperfections.




Taken when Jon and I were in NYC this July.


In a world where so many people. . .especially women. . .are not given the opportunity to vote (or have a fulfilling career or an education), I just soak up all of this democracy.  So, I definitely have a candidate who I want to win but I will support our next President no matter who he is and I will support this country and stand behind it in honor of all the good that can be found in it.

Happy Election Day!

P.S. As a side note, the Political Science teacher at the school where I work, created a mock election for the students.  It was amazing!  I was so impressed with the efforts of he and his students.  They had voter registration last week and today they set up voting booths (with ballots that looked exactly like the "real" ones) and even had a box where students could put their ballots.  Students left with an "I Voted" sticker and were so proud of themselves for participating in the mock election!  What a cool experience!

Day 5

Today I'm thankful for the ability to be active.  This is important for me to remember because. . .I HATE EXERCISING!  But at least I have the ability to do it (even in my bitterness of actually having to exercise).  Health is one of those things I take for granted.  I am so fortunate to be as healthy as I am, (I haven't even had the chicken pox!) and I need to appreciate that health instead of being negative about exercising/staying fit/etc.

So, here is to health!  Have a happy, healthy Monday :)

Day 4

Today I am thankful for the animals in my life. . .specifically Naniboujou and Sally.  I love these two so much.  I can't believe how much of a comfort animals can be.  I wish that we had more room so we could have more pets. . .but for now, I'll have to do with these two.

Sally "the dog"

Boujou Bear

Day 3

It's only 8:36am and I already know what I'm thankful for today. . .sleep!

Today I am thankful for a great night's rest.  Too often lately I wake up thinking about what I need to do, or worrying about something.  But last night I had such a great night of sleep that today I feel ready to take on the world!  When I woke up so refreshed, I started thinking about how grateful I was for that great night of sleep, I also considered how blessed I am to have a bed, a home, heat, safety, etc.  Those are basics in my life that I take for granted and so many people (too many people) are without those basics. 

As a special challenge to myself, I am going to try to be more aware of the students I work with who might not have these essentials in their lives and try to make my classroom one that is safe both physically and emotionally (but hopefully not too relaxed that they are falling asleep. . .:)).

Thankfulness Challenge 2012

Well, I'm going to try to do a Thankfulness Challenge this year. . .and I'm already two days behind!  I love the idea of thinking through some of the things for which I am thankful every November.  It's such a simple way to reflect upon all the good in my life and to try in my meager way to appreciate all those who make me who I am.

So, to begin. . .

1. I am thankful for my husband who is so forgiving of all that I do wrong.  So many times I am short with him or quick to judge but he is always so forgiving.  I truly am the luckiest girl to have such a wonderful man in my life.

2. I am thankful for the teachers I work with.  They truly are the most dedicated, caring, and student-focused people in the world.  Thank you for encouraging me to be the best I can be and for giving me great ideas and support from inside your classrooms.