But I have my coffee and chocolate vitatop, so things are looking up.

And what better opportunity than to look back on the week and reflect on everything we should be thankful for. I know it might sound lame to some of you. Sometimes our lists are shorter and sometimes it seems silly to be thankful for the butterfly you watched with your kids or for the free bagel you got with your coffee. But these small things – if we let them – add up to something bigger. Embrace them. Be thankful for them and don’t let them go unnoticed. I find that when give them they credit they deserve, they pop up more often  

This week, I’m thankful for…

Braids and that they save even the worst hair days

Rain boots — because they turn something icky into an excuse to wear something cute

Cobbler — does this require an explanation?

30 Rock – the Mister and I are late to the party and just making it through Season 1 – we have a looooong way to go and I’m enjoying every second

My little man, and how he teaches me that each day is a new adventure, filled with wonder and awe — and that new discoveries await us at every turn. Like the fact that he can now sit like a big boy!

For the upcoming, long weekend and our plans to celebrate the Mister’s birthday, take Bean to the ZOO and spend time together in our own little world

What are you thankful for this week?

I have a big day planned for the Mister this weekend to celebrate his birthday (it’s next week). Part of the plan was going to be to see “Our Idiot Brother,” but we saw it got bad reviews — has anyone seen it? Would you recommend it? Any other movies you’d recommend?

Despite the icky weather, I’m in a pretty stellar mood and have lots of things to smile about.

This week I’m thankful…

That I’m only 5 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight! This. Is. Major. Given that it hasn’t even been 3 month, I’m feeling incredibly proud of my progress. I’m also pretty certain that those pounds are all in my boobs (sorry, Dad), so that makes me feel even better. Now if only I were certain those will look the same after Bean is finished with ‘em! Anyway, before I get into specifics, how many of you are actually interested in what I did to get here? I’d hate to rant on and on about it if no one cares. Let me know and I’m happy to share what worked for me.

For Bean’s laughter. We heard it this past week and I don’t think there is a greater sound. In fact, I can I literally feel my chest warm from my heart melting.

That we finally have our game plan figured out for Bean’s Baptism and after-party (whoop, whoop!)

That we’re heading back to church this week! It’ll be Bean’s first time listening to Mama cantor (sing, for you newbies) outside the womb

For promising weather this weekend

For my brother’s creative genius (Clevelanders – check out this new line of CLE pride tees! – Unlikely Optimist - would make a great Cleveland Father’s Day present)

Marotta’s – ’nuff said

Alright, time to dive into the busy day! I’ll be back later

(source)

What are YOU thankful for this week?

Evidence:

I’m not going to go into the logistics or bore you with my whining. But Cleveland winters are not fun. Remember that.

Anyway, despite the terrible weather and traffic, the Mister and I actually almost enjoyed our ride home. It gave us time to catch up, laugh and be goofy

This week I have SO much to be thankful for! And you do, too — just take a few moments to reflect

This week, I’m thankful for…

• Our garage!
• Having such an incredible Mister to get stuck in a whiteout with
• Pillsbury Sugar Cookies
• All the friends and family who are coming in for our BABY SHOWER this weekend!
• Pandora and its ability to churn out all my favorite holiday tunes
• BISCOTTI – my mom and I took a class and I CANNOT WAIT to share all the tricks we learned
• My curling iron
• That the Little is ALMOST HERE! We have our first child-birth prep class tonight — should be interesting and comical, to say the least!

What are YOU thankful for this week?

I am extra sleepy this morning! I thought a morning walk might energize me but no such luck! Look like it’s time for plan B: diet peach tea Snapple

Once again, I’m super excited that we weekend is within sight. That’s a ridiculous statement, though – when am I NOT excited for the weekend?

In anycase, before the week flys by without a second glance, let’s all take moment and recognize the moments we were thankful for this week.

This week, I’m thankful for…

Carmex chap-stick – Every time I unscrew the cap, I think of my Dad

Handel’s pumpkin ice cream – the Mister made me a very happy woman this weekend – I’ve been savoring my quart all week!

Halloween-themed TV shows. I love when my favorite TV shows celebrate the holidays – how cute was Parenthood?!

Cozy sweaters

Upcoming dinner with friends – Michaelangelo’s with VG and Slava on Saturday!

30 Seconds to Mars – The Mister and I are catching them tomorrow night!

Turkey meatballs – enough said.

Fall scented candles

What are you thankful for this week? What made you smile when you least expected it?

But before I start my Thursday dance, I want to take a few moments to reflect on the week and call out what I’m thankful for.

This week, I’m thankful for:

Being able to lunch with the Mister almost EVERY DAY

Fresh peaches

Walks with my Mama

Cooler weather! I’m loving the fact that it’s been feeling like FALL!

The perfect b-day gift I found for the Mister

Celebrating new begininngs at my best friend’s wedding this weekend

The wedding cake

Good maternity clothes

New opportunities – I’ll have something else to share soon, as well!

Skinny Cow ice cream

Your turn! You know the drill

This week I am thankful for…

AIR CONDITIONING – I do not care that it is artificial air. It is cool air that allows me to NOT feel like a sweaty piglet.

Beautiful weather

New outfits (thanks, Mama )

The upcoming LONG weekend

The man who did my pedicure. I have so many callouses that the work I put him through is but a start, but at least people don’t gasp when they see my feet. I have way too many cute, opened toed shoes to have ugly feet!

CHERRIES - I cannot eat enough of them this week! Perfect snack food!

That I no longer feel tethered to my DVR – THANK GOODNESS for season finales! The Mister and I will now be giving up our titles as “biggest couch potatoes ever.” I feel so liberated! (God, I’m pathetic )

What are YOU thankful for this week? Remember! Nothing is too small to recognize! Sometimes it’s the littlest things that change our moods/days around

Today is one of my favorite days of the week — Thankful Thursday.

On Thursdays we take a few moments to reflect back on our weeks and recall the moments of gratitude. This can be as simple as the flowers starting to bloom or as MAJOR as a promotion, birth of a new baby, marriage, etc. Nothing is too small, cliche or silly. If something brightened your day, it’s worth noting. And sometimes all the little “nothings” add up to something really huge: happiness

What were you thankful for this week?

I’ll start.

This week, I was thankful for:

The fact that I’m still alive after week 1, week 2 and week 3 of P90X

New-found motivation

My Vanilla Lip Smacker 

My growing list of books I want to read

Frappuccino Happy Hour

The Pioneer Woman (and her genius recipes)

That I’ll be in PUERTO RICO in just 2 MONTHS!

A reminder: Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. <— Quote brought to you by Oprah Winfrey. While she is quite a motivational/inspirational woman, she ruins the TV show Life. There, I said it (someone had to).

What are you thankful for this week?

There are few things more beautiful than running through the grass barefoot.

Summer wouldn’t be nearly as sweet without fresh squeezed lemonade and juicy watermelon.

She paints the backdrop of life! Just think of how many pictures you’ve taken posing in front of beautiful mountains, glistening oceans or budding trees! Without her rolling hills, rushing streams and fields dotted with blooming flowers, our environment would be bleak and flat — lifeless.

Mud pies should be a part of every kid’s diet

Without her, we wouldn’t have incredible songs like: What a Wonderful World, Take Me Home Country Roads, Ocean of Noise, One Sweet World, California Dreamin’, Earth Song, Fields of Gold, Gardenia — I can go on and on…(for my Musical nerds – A Bit of Earth, Wick, Edelweiss)

Digging a hole to China just wouldn’t seem as fun

I can go on and on AND ON! But I want to hear YOUR reasons. Why are you thankful for Mother Earth? Are you going to make sure you get outside and play today?

I only went out for a walk and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.  ~John Muir, 1913, in L.M. Wolfe, ed., John Muir, John of the Mountains:  The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, 1938

Take nothing but pictures.
Leave nothing but footprints.
Kill nothing but time.
~Motto of the Baltimore Grotto, a caving society

And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.  ~William Shakespeare

My MISTER IS HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it too dramatic to say I feel like this:

I know many of you are currently rolling your eyes. Or perhaps I’ve sent your gag reflex into overdrive? I don’t care. My Mister is home and that’s all that matters.

I’m also thankful for…

Sunshine!

Family dinners

New opportunities

The fact that I’ve worked out every day this week

Sundried tomatoes – my current favorite salad topper!

My jam-packed DVR (I’ve watched NOTHING with the Mister gone!)

Honey mustard

30 seconds to MARS! – The Mister and I are going to see them this weekend in Detroit!

YOU – and that you continue to hang out with me and share your insights

OK — now that I’ve thanked you for being so awesome, I need a favor (see how that works?). FEEDBACK! What are you hoping to hear more about on The Daily Balance? Anything you DON’T like? Anything you want me to post about or are especially interested in? I do this blog for YOU guys, so please be honest

Also — what were you thankful for this week? I love hearing your lists!

Sorry for being MIA all day, it was quite a crazy day!

But I’m back on track and ready to GET THANKFUL!

Think about it. Take a moment and reflect on what you were thankful for this week. What made your week better? What made you smile? Who were you thankful for?

This week I was thankful for…

Sunshine – it is OUT! And the Mister and I have a fun bike ride planned tomorrow

My ability to focus and designate a big chunk of time to STUDYING (even if it means I have to miss the gym)

Kettlebell workouts, because they provide a HUGE workout without taking a lot of time

My faith and that Easter is right around the corner! – any fun plans?

My Tivo, since I have had no time to watch any of my shows this week. I still haven’t watched LOST (the horror!)

My Mister, because he’s the best part of my day. every.day.

PEEPS! Because even if I don’t like the taste of them (they taste like styrofoam!) they are still incredibly adorable

The time I got to spend with my Mom yesterday - we’ve both been so busy thatwe haven’t had as much time to spend together (I love you, Mama!)

What are you thankful for this week?