Day 2: Toddler Musings

I am very grateful for my 2 year old's amazing vocabulary and verbal skills. Really.
Maybe it's because I read to him, sing to him, and talk to him ALL the time. I like to think it's because he adores his 5-year-old cousin, Elijah, whose verbal skills have always been exemplary.
Whatever the reason, my kid can talk! I don't even know where to begin when it comes to examples of his cute conversational skills.

But, I'm grateful for his communication skills for a couple of reasons:

1. It's adorable. I love to hear his perspective on the world. For example, when he wants to roam around shirtless he'll say "Can I wear my belly?" or when he prefers to be au naturale; "Can I be with my penis?"

2. It is super helpful that we can communicate & negotiate with each other. Like, this week I decided that I am ready to commit to ending our nursing relationship (at 27 months). During those tough moments when he's tearfully asking me, "Can I have na-nas? Can I drink your na-nas?" and I have to tell him no, he'll ask for his idea of the next best thing, "Can I hold them? Can I hold this one?"

3. Speaking well is a great skill to have. I hope it's mostly a natural talent & that it sticks with him for life. Mostly because I feel like a mumbling, bumbling fool most of the time when I'm speaking. I hope he remains a confidant communicator for life.

The most smartest kids around.

New Project - Practicing Gratitude

Day 1

It's been a stressful year. Mainly because we've moved twice. The first time wasn't our choice, but it was the catalyst that led us into homeownership. Looking back I can see that YES it's true... Everything Happens for a Reason. It'd be nice if "everything" wasn't so dang stressful at times. But, I guess life would be boring if everything were easy?? That's the rumour anyway...

Stress affects people differently. I fantasize that there are people out there who have it figured out; they have mastered the art of letting go, they don't sweat the small stuff. Truthfully, I fantasize that everyone has it all figured out except for me.

I know it's not true. Sometimes I think I'm insane... but I'm working on it.

When I experience stress I get very anxious, I get in my head, it's hard for me to share what I'm feeling with others, I isolate myself, I obsess about everything, I worry, and my f*ing shoulders ache so badly that I could cry.

Fun, huh?!

My point is that this is how I've felt for at least 6 months - and I'm sick of it.
I need to shift my perspective.
Life is too good to be spending my energy on all of this negativity.


In an effort to aide this shift in my attitude, I'm going back to this blog to keep me focused for 45 days and to hold me accountable. This is an effort to spend a few moments every day focusing on the bounty of things that I am grateful for in my life.

Enjoy.

Today I'm grateful for the harvest that is finding its way to our door! At our housewarming party last weekend Pat brought us onions, Nicole brought us peaches, tomatoes, blackberries and jam, my neighbor Kris has given us tomatoes and today, grapes. YUM!

I'm sure there are more but I've got to put a toddler down for a nap at this moment! Thank you for filling our bellies and warming my spirit.

What I'm really truly grateful for. Jude

helping Daddy on the new house.