These last few days have been rough. We have spent five hours in small claims court. We took our ex-landlord to court for failing to fix our heat. While it felt good to stand up for ourselves and not let 'the man' beat us down, it was exhausting. Emotionally exhausting, physically exhausting, just plain old EXHAUSTING!! We ended up winning...but I really think I'll try to avoid EVER doing it again at all costs. I'm just really not one for confrontation of any kind and that made for a very rough couple of days. I think I've had my fill of headaches and stomach aches for the next six months. Two chimpanzees I had the privilege of working with passed away this week also. One lived where I worked in college and one lived at the Oregon Zoo. It hurts my heart and makes me miss the others a ridiculously crazy amount. Needless to say, this picture of Buggy pretty much sums up how we're all feeling right about now. Hey girls, I have a great idea, how about we all sleep...like all day tomorrow?!? Ok...it was worth a shot. ![]()
Don't worry, we still made time between the exhaustion to wear some awesome-sauce neon colored socks! ![]()
And to play with Daddy! ![]()
We also still made time to Give Reasons. On Wednesday I went to Wal*Mart. There was a Salvation Army Bell ringer standing outside in the freezing rain who looked entirely too cold. I went inside and bought her a coffee from the Subway. Now, I don't like coffee, so I'm hoping she does and that it warmed her right up! :) Yesterday I cut a whole big bunch of coupons out of the inserts I've been gathering from a few people. I found a program called the Overseas Coupon Program and you can send them manufacturers coupons that are up to two months expired for military families to use on base. Pretty awesome, huh? I don't know exactly how many I have here...but I think it's around 150! :) ![]()
Today I found a program called Beads of Courage and they provide supportive care programs for children coping with serious illness, their families and the health care providers who care for them. I have a bunch of beads lying around from when I was on a jewelry making kick. I really don't need them at this point in my life and these people do! Now all I have to do is dig through my very messy craft area (moving is not kind to craft areas) and find the rest of them. Then they will be off in the mail! :) ![]()
We also gave thanks! Wednesday I was thankful for Jen Farnum. She is the photographer who has taken all of our professional family photos. She has given us so many precious memories to keep through the years. Her gift of photography truly is a blessing to so many people! Yesterday I was thankful for my college education. Going to college was the first step to really really finding out what my true passion was. My education is something extremely valuable to me and no one can ever take it away. Today, on this last day of November I am thankful for the Christmas season. I have so many memories from my life of my family's Christmas traditions. Now Jon and I get to start our own traditions with our girls and it has truly been one of my most favorite 'being a parent' moments so far! I really do just love this time of year! So with that, we are ushering in the month of December with the decision to continue Giving Reasons! That's right, why should I do it only one month of the year? I have something to be thankful for every day...so shouldn't I give someone else a reason to be thankful as well? Yesterday after court Jon sent me this text message from work, "I would go to the ends of the earth and the farthest reaches of the moon with you by my side. I was proud to have you standing next to me today. I love you." Yep. I definitely have plenty to be thankful for. I'm pretty darn sure I'm the luckiest girl in the world. This has been one month packed full of blessings. Thank you for following me through it! :) Happy Friday!
