31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 31

Here we are!!!!  {Almost} 31 days of showing gratitude toward some of the wonderful things in my life.  I have a heart overflowing with love and thankfulness. And I have to say this experience has opened my eyes to the gifts of each day and the people I am blessed to know.  I could easily continue to blog on this topic for months to come.  Instead I think I will consider other reasons why I started this blog, but continue to include posts about gratitude and the many blessings in my life. 

Today I want to say thank you to each person who stuck with me and followed each day.  Even though these are my bits of gratitude, I hope I inspired you to consider the treasures in your own life!

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 29 & 30

Yesterday was a long day and I fell behind......so to make up for that here is a big shout out to the people who make it easy to go to work everyday.  While the kids and families keep me motivated and push me to be better, the staff keep me coming back.  This crew makes me smile, they understand my sarcasm and they have taught me how to be successful in an intensive care unit.

This week is PICU Spirit Week!  I am so proud of the spirit this crew has brought already and I can't wait to see what the rest of this week brings.  I am forever grateful for the PICU staff, the lessons they teach me everyday and the joy they bring to my life!

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 28

What a wonderful Sunday!!!  From church in the most beautiful building...

To lunch with my love and getting weeks of laundry done...to spending the afternoon with the most wonderful women {Kristine and Steph} and pups {Piper and Mady}

One of those woman is Piper's mama, Kristine.  I am so thankful she has become one of my dearest friends, she is the most wonderful person and makes life a celebration every time we are together.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 27

Today I am grateful for big-kid parties and friends who like to dress up! 

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 26

I am forever grateful that 27 years ago this man came into the world!!!

I am even more grateful that we have celebrated this day together for the past 7 years!

And I look forward to celebrating it together for at least 70 more!

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 25

Today I am thankful Thursday is my Friday.  This week the PICU has been the Q word and I am exhausted due to boredom.  Don't get me wrong, it's probably a good thing, BUT when I have a job to do I would like to do it.  On the upside, I got to hang out with some pretty amazing nurses this week and laugh a lot while we were just sitting around the unit.

Here's to an exciting weekend with some of my favorites!

31 Days of a Gratitude :: Day 24

Today I am thankful the opportunity to work with kids.  They never stop impressing me with their resilience, unconditional love and creativity in play.  The little guy who painted this has taught me to not sweat the small stuff, to give bigger hugs and to always have time to get a little messy.  I am so blessed.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 23 {Part 2}

I am so blessed to have two brothers who love me and make my world a better place to live in.

This man continues to impress me with each new adventure.  He is such a hard worker and his determination is inspiring.  I am thankful for his kind heart, protective nature and ability to make anyone laugh with his stories and sarcasm.  I am proud of the man you are becoming and your love for life that is infectious. 

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 22 {Part 1}

Day 22!!!  I am rocking this if I do say so myself.

Today and tomorrow I want to express my gratitude for brothers.  

My youngest brother and I are 9 years a part.  He was always the baby, but every time I see him I am reminded of the strong man he is becoming.  He is motivated, hard-working and kind.  I am so thankful for the person he is growing into, the gentleman he has always been and the sense of humor he uses at the perfect moment.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 21

Today {and every day} I am proud of my sister and thankful for the motivation she gives me to push myself farther, love more, laugh often and allow every experience to make me stronger than before.

Today this girl finished her first half marathon at the sweetest race on earth in Hershey, PA!  She is a rock star! 

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 20

I am grateful for Pennsylvania in October, fishing on the river with some of my favorites and this man...

My dad has always been one of my biggest supporters and seems to make sure all my crazy dreams come true, especially when it comes to outdoor adventures.  

Today we went fishing and I caught a small mouth bass!

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 19

Today and everyday I am thankful for these two.  They bring me such joy and remind me of the simple things in life.  Of course 30 seconds later this ball had a hole in it, but we had fun while it lasted.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 18

Today was a long day and there are not a lot of things I can look back on to be grateful for.  I find myself asking 'why?' about things I will never have the answers to and I am left speechless when I search for a supportive word.  

Even with the confusion of the day, this writing challenge has forced me to consider even one thing to be thankful for.  If I really think about it I could easily write a list of people, experiences and opportunities I am thankful for, but today I choose to recognize and be thankful for each breath I am given to enjoy all those other things.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 17

Today I am grateful for people who work hard to save lives.  I feel honored to work with the most amazing group of people in the PICU.  Today was a perfect example of the dedication, compassion and love this group brings to work everyday.  I am thankful for the lessons they teach me and the smiles they bring when I need them the most.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 16

Today I am grateful for exciting professional opportunities.  I am passionate about my work and believe in the resilience of children, which allows me to expand my knowledge and teach others about caring for children during times of crisis.  I was thrilled to learn that my abstract has been accepted to present at the national child life conference in May! 

New Orleans here I come!!!

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 15

I am forever grateful for this girl!

I can't get enough of her.  If I could move her in with me just to entertain me everyday, I would!  I have had the pleasure of spending the past four days in her presence and can't get enough.  She is beautiful, intelligent, funny, sarcastic, drama-free and creative.  I am blessed to have her as a sister.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 14

This is the woman who gave me life.  She taught me to love with all my heart, care for people and value faith and family above all.  She has always been there for me and I have always been able to count on her to come to me wherever I might be in the country.  Her love for the beach and travel is contagious.  And her energy to try something new is inspirational.  I could not begin to express the gratitude I feel that she is my mom.  

Thank you mom for loving me always, supporting me and teaching me how to be a Godly woman.  I love you!

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 12 & 13

Yesterday and today were a whirlwind, but I was reminded of the amazingly talented woman I am surrounded by.  After months of hard work, the day of our child life conference finally arrived.  It went beautifully and I could not be more pleased with the outcome.  I am so thankful for these brilliant women and the support I feel when I come up with these crazy ideas!

Yes there was a photo booth...yes we have fun at work!

31 Day of Gratitude :: Day 11

Today I must express my gratitude for getting off work early and being able to watch Ellen.  

Some days it's just good to laugh!

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 10

Today I am grateful for amazing friends, the joys of pregnancy {not my own pregnancy} and the excitement of all things pink.

Today was the reveal that one of my dearest friends is expecting a GIRL!!!!  It's hard to see, but those amazing key-lime cupcakes were filled with pink icing.  I can't wait to plan more festivities to welcome this little girl to the world.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 9

Today felt like the first real day of fall.  I could not be happier!  This has been my idea of a perfect week because it started with a beach day and now I am getting out my favorite sweatshirt!  Fall is my favorite time of the year - football, sweatshirts, apple picking, comfy jeans, pumpkins, caramel apple spice, crunchy leaves, crisp air......I could got on and on.

Here's to cool days, warm drinks and enough gratitude to go around!

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 8

Today I am thankful for October beach days and this view yesterday afternoon!

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 7

I am so blessed to have the most wonderful people as friends.  Today I was reminded of this gift in a particularly stressful time. Thank you Laura for all our togetherness this weekend -- including catching up and coming to my rescue!  I cannot express enough gratitude for the quality of friends I have and the life full of happiness they bring me.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 6

I love me some competition!  I can't help it, I just do.  I especially enjoy competition with my husband because I can bring out the big guns and not worry about the sissy la-la that might be there "just to have fun"!  My husband is good at everything he does.  He is just one of those people that doesn't have to try, but once in awhile, things come down to the wire and he starts to sweat....last night was not that night.  

Even thought I lost both, I did give him a run for his money in the second game.  I am so thankful for a healthy dose of competition and a spouse who brings out good in me even when I am losing!

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 5

Day 5 and I am still on a roll.....impressive!!!  

Today I have to give a shout-out to my girl, Mady.  There is just something about having this four-legged friend greet me at the door, especially when I have been gone for a week.  She makes sure that even the worst of days ends with a sigh of relief and a smile.  She is also a great cuddler and keeps my feet warm at night.  I am so thankful that God created dogs to be a part of our family.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 4

Today I am exhausted, but reminded of the amazing opportunities higher education provides.  I am a strong believer in life-long learning and feel extremely thankful for the educational opportunities that have been afforded to me.  These experiences have taught me more about myself, God and how to help others achieve healthy living. 

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 3

Gratitude is not difficult for me to experience or show.  Those who know me best are not surprised by my excitement for life and ability to recognize the good things.  With that being said, I can also easily become focused on my schedule or many to-do lists.  This tunnel vision makes it difficult to be ready to show appreciation or acknowledge the many blessings in my life each day.

Today I choose to not allow the craziness of life inhibit my ability to be grateful.

31 Days of Gratitude :: Day 2

Day 2

Today I am grateful for Target.  I know this sounds materialistic, but some {most} days a new bag and polka dots just bring a smile to this girl's face.  Honey if you are reading this, assume everything was on sale....or no, they were giving it away.