Late Thankfulness

This Thanksgiving was like no other. Family issues kinda distracted from the gratitude part of the holiday. I felt like between being exhausted and trying to figure out the family again, I forgot to think an awful lot about gratitude. 

A small list of the things I'm thankful for:

This year, I'm thankful for the trials, they've made me stronger, made me run to the Lord and build my relationship with him. While it has been hard with many tears and anger, it has been so very sweet and for that I am thankful. 

I'm thankful for the close bond of siblings. It has been refreshing to talk with them daily while away through text and Skype. And now at home, catching up even more. I'm thankful for my Little Fuji Family and how special my time with them is. For how Lisa has become such a wonderful friend and sister. 

I'm thankful for friends who stick with you through thick and thin. For the Facetime calls and late night texts. For the dumb jokes that make me choke with laughter. 

I'm thankful for paints and colors. Tastebuds. Clean, delicious water. The ability to take pictures. Smiles and kindness. I'm thankful for this life and the beautiful mess that it is. 

48 Hours

I've been home for around 48 hours. Busy hours.

Thanksgiving morning:
4am wake up. Dressed and on the road by 4:30. Lisa woke the girls up and we all went down to the airport. Dropped off by bag. Hugged Elsa and told her I loved her. Kissed Elena's soft chubby cheeks. Hugged Samuel and Lisa. Lisa keeps telling me how much she's going to miss me. It's only six weeks.

Breezed through security. Stood in line for coffee for more time than I spent at security. Watched the sunrise from the airport windows. Boarded the plane and slept or watched movies. Finally landed. Between the ten minutes to deice the place in Nashville and waiting for other planes to get to our gate, I was going antsy. I wanted to be home. To see the family I hadn't seen for three months.

Back of the plane, so within the last 20 people to get off the plane. Slowest set of three opening doors one after another while leaving the secure part of the airport. I could see Dad and the doors took like 4 seconds each to open. Long traffic ridden drive home, but it was good to catch up with Dad.

The chaos of entering a house with seven adults of teenagers compared to my other home, quiet with just two adults and two babies. There were literally times where I couldn't keep up with the conversations because it was bouncing around so much. The process of finishing dinner, taking a family picture and catching up with people was fun. Dishes by hand until the kitchen was clean. Succeeded in counting calories during Thanksgiving dinner. Skype call with my Little Fuji Family. This was followed by three really dumb movies before I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.

Welcome allergies. Cats, dogs, mold... Puffy, itchy eyes, runny nose, trouble breathing. It's going to be a hard transition in that sense. But I'll get used to it.

Friday was minor shopping for necessities that I didn't bring back from Tennessee, watching ridiculously dumb movies, catching up with the Rothenbergers and some gift shopping online....

The past 48 ish hours have been way busier than a couple weeks in Tennessee, but it's a good busy.

A First

Today, after sending out an email yesterday in regards to an open house I'm helping with, I was asked to make a flier to help advertise. At first I was a little frustrated. I have a full time job, plus packing to leave and then flying in right before the holiday. It felt impossible to be able to create this product before I left.

I have never made a poster or flier before, so this was completely new to me. After looking up some of other fliers for the same program, I had a good idea of what NOT to do. After talking with my sister and then getting completely frustrated over my old version of Word, I borrowed Lisa's computer and used publisher for the first time. It was a great learning experience and I'm eager to work again on that software, but perhaps on my own computer, or at least with a wireless mouse...

Anyway, here's my first ever flier. I'm thrilled that I got it done today, that four of MY pictures are on there and that it's my first one ever. I think it turned out pretty well, although it certainly took me long  enough to make.

Also, cozy fires, cello music and ice cream help the work go by faster.

P.s. If you want to learn more about CAP and what we do... We're having an open house. ;-) *shameless advertising attempt*

Happy Sunday

Singing "Count Your Blessings" at Church this morning made my day. White chocolate mocha. Another photo shoot with Elena (Lisa and I got seriously sidetracked at TJMaxx on Friday, so new clothes for the girls). House cleaning and watched Tangled (the show). Catching up with two different sisters. Gingerbread decorating.

Fall Saturday

Morning conversations over breakfast. Grocery list making on the floor with the girls. Shopping trip the weekend before Thanksgiving. Skype calls to family. Photo shoot in new outfits. Baby sleeping in the carrier. Long conversations while baking. Gingerbread smells. Apricot jam and brie cheese. Wind and rain and a 2 second power loss. Chicken Pot Pie. An old movie. Peach tea. More floor time playing with the girls. Early bedtimes. It is these days. These happy days- show me how much of my heart is here. 

Childlike Excitement

One week. In exactly one week, I will be home. Hugging my family. Hugging Ian, who I haven't seen in nearly half a year. I feel like a child this year in anticipation for the holiday season, even though there are parts I'm dreading. I can't wait to make paper snowflakes, listen to Christmas music and wear fuzzy socks. I can't wait for late nights with siblings, seeing friends and making delicious food. 

I'm so excited that I started sorting through the things I have here. The clothes that are necessary to take home, the clothes that I'm tired of. The ones from the summer days that need to be replaced for winter days... I set aside art work that I've completed and want to show the family, books I've finished, my 2017 journal, which will soon be replaced with my 2018 journal. I have to set aside my camera and paints, because both of those are needed for my month at home. 

But not all my things come home. No, this room here in Tennessee will be tidy and relatively bare until I return in January for another couple months. 

An Impulse Buy

Miss Lucielle's is one of the best shopping places. The little booths are filled with fun antiques, handmade things and everything in between. I always have fun looking around there. Last weekend, I perused the isles in search for not a whole lot, enjoying the Christmas music playing and the spicy smell of cinnamon from a couple of the different booths. Also, one of the booths had fun hats. I love hats...

After finding two books, Rumpelstiltskin (for those of you who don't know, I love fairy tales) and a book on things to do. I headed out. Even though it was just after four, the sun was pretty much all the way set. I headed back into down and went to Dress Barn. Originally, I had planned to take a look at the sale rack and call it good, but I got seriously sidetracked when I saw a floor length floral skirt. It was beautiful.

In early January, my siblings and I have a "formal" event to go to and I stressed about finding a dress last year, so when I saw this skirt, I thought it was perfect! I tried it, the size too big and the size smaller. Anyway, a lot of debating with myself and asking opinions from other people, I decided to buy the skirt (online to get the right size) and I'll show Ev and Jane to get an official opinion. I'm super excited to see if it's as pretty as I remember it being!

I'll post pictures when I get it! So look for another blog post!

Little Victory

Yesterday, I resisted ALL the excuses I could think of and worked out. Yesterday, I jogged my first ever half mile. I'm half way to my goal. I'm pretty excited! 

Each day I'm pushing myself closer to my goals. I guess those motivational videos I watch while jogging are actually motivational after all! 

Daylight Savings

Fall Daylight Savings. When you stay up too late and still wake up refreshed. When you're hungry in Church. When the day seems to last forever. When you worry because you don't know which electronics have automatically switched. When the sun sets right after nap time's over. 

Living Life

The last week or so I found myself counting down days until I go home, days before the weekend and even hours before Lisa got home. This time out in Tennessee has been challenging, it's been super hard emotionally and harder with the girls than I anticipated.

Don't get me wrong, there have been tons of amazing parts and sweet moments with the nieces that none of their other aunts get with them.  I know I am right where I'm supposed to be right now. Anyway, I don't want to think about my future and not live the life I have now. I want to cherish each little moment, each battle over naps or cleaning up and each snuggle and adventure.

So live this moment to its fullest. Take time to appreciate the wonderful times and time to reflect and learn from the challenging ones.