Week In Review - Ten Things Of Thankful (94)

I'm late and the link-up is closed. Life happened (and I'm happy it did), so I simply could not find the time to write my thankfuls for last week on time, but still I feel the need to write them anyway. Tonight, after a few very, very busy days, I finally have the time to sit down and ponder over last week, the good things, the not so good things, what I've learned, and that after all is said and done, I'm thankful for everything!

Last weeks thankfuls:

1. Having an awesome neighbor who gives me a lift to work every day. I asked her if I could hitch a ride with her for the month of March, as I missed to re-apply for my bus pass on time and buying individual tickets both ways would have been immensely expensive. Since Wednesday, I have an active monthly bus pass again, but my kind neighbor still offered to give me a ride to work (we work at the same building) so I can sleep an extra 30 minutes every morning!

2. Getting an email from the wonderful Ivy that my gift to thank her for the beautiful necklace and charms she had made for me has finally arrived. And she likes it, which makes it even better!!

3. Spring break. Lily has two weeks off from school over the spring holidays, which means no afternoon class on Monday, and all other appointments and activities for both girls are also canceled due to the holidays. We as a family definitely enjoy the free time that's opening up!

4. Get-togethers with friends. I spent two afternoons this week meeting friends of mine. It felt so good catching up!

5. Open conversations with hubby. I am so, so thankful that we can talk openly and on eye-level about our feelings, our fears, our emotions.

6. Watching Calvin around other kids his age. Last time I met my friend and her now 9-month old daughter, Calvin was only a few weeks old, and both babies were lying on their blanket without any interest in each other or the toys (of course). Now, they were playing so nicely, even though it took Calvin quite some time warming up to the two girls who were at the play group. Is he going to be a shy one??

7. My boss being flexible and allowing me to switch some days around so I could both work an extra day last week to attend a department meeting and take an extra day off when our friend from the U.S. is coming for a visit later this month!

8. Lily learning the benefits of being always honest. We've had some issues about telling the truth recently, and it was extremely frustrating. In the past, I always knew that I could trust Lily unconditionally; if she said something, I knew that it was true; but due to her lying to me (and being caught lying) a few times in the last months, sadly this deep trust is gone. But it seems that talking to her about how it is important to always tell the truth and that she would never get into as much troubles for admitting to having done something than if she's lying to me about it. The trust is definitely coming back, and I am so, so glad about it.

9. A washing machine. Seeing the piles of laundry a family of 5 produces and the state of said laundry after certain two girls return from their play in the backyard caked with mud (and absolutely happy, which makes me absolutely happy), I'm so glad that I don't have to handwash!!

10. Most importantly: Getting to celebrate Violet's 5th birthday. She has grown to be such a wonderful, caring, sensitive person over these years, thinking about others first and making sure that everyone is taken care of. In the face of her challenges, she's always brave and positive and never complains a single time. It is such an honor to be your Mami, my sweet, beautiful, lovely girl! We all love you beyond words!

What are your thankfuls for last week?

Week in Review - Ten Things of Thankful (8)

Yes, it's that time of the week again, and I'd like to give a big "heads-up" to the wonderful Lizzi (aka Considerer), who came up with this awesome link-up, and who definitely seems to need the support this week. Hugs to you, Lizzi!!

Luckily, the 10 things I am thankful for this week are going to come much easier this week than last:

1. Having lots of work to do every day, makes the time at work go by faster.

2. Yet another box of chocolates under my pillow (love you to pieces, hubby!!)

3. Having a hubby who has such a wonderful sense of humor. He got his first set of braces this week (not regular braces but a contruction that stretches across his upper jaw and is fixed to his canines and molars, it looks scary!!) and cannot talk. I felt so sorry for him and tried really hard not to giggle. He noticed, picked up a book and started reading to me until I couldn't contain myself any more. Love him even more for THAT!

4. Sleep, when I get it.

5. I*FINISHED*THE*RUN!!!!

6. A new running buddy, who even though she had troubles starting into round II finished all three laps of the race!!

7. The girls singing songs.

8. Peaches from the neighbor's tree.

9. The absolutely best stuffed zucchini, also courtesy of our neighbor's garden.

10. For my friend's husband to be home, even though it's only for 2 weeks, and being able to get to see them tonight!!

11. A fun playdate this morning.

12. Home-made latte in my gigantic mug.


Looking forward to reading everyone's responses and wishing everyone a wonderful rest of the weekend!! Thanks, once again, for hosting, Lizzi!

Linkin' With The Ladies - I'm SO Glad it's Your's!!

Today, I am "Linkin' With The Ladies" being Katie at Dysfunction Junction, her great team of co-hosts, and of course the many bloggers hopping around just like me on the search for gems in the blogosphere.

Well, what else was up today? I got the car ready for our trip to Munich tomorrow to celebrate Miss Violet's birthday at Sea Life (meaning: I gave it a MUCH needed cleaning and now don't feel like a slob driving into posh Munich).

In the afternoon, we all went to a friend of Lily's for a play date. Accidentially, almost all of Lily's friends have sisters Violet's age, two of them being even born in the same month! We had a lot of fun, ate yummie chocolate cake and listened to the girls playing. We talked a lot about the house and Nicole, the mom, showed me a bunch of pictures from when they built their house back in 2006. Yes, Germans are VERY much into building! We all had a very good time, which suddenly ended when it was time to say our good-byes and head home. Lily decided that it was time for an epic tantrum. No, no normal tantrum, an epic one, including lots of screaming, kicking, throwing herself on the floor, fighting the jacket, etc. As if a tantrum had ever helped her achieve what she wanted.. Anyways, after Lily was indignantly carried away from the site by her Daddy, I got Violet ready to leave and apologized again to our hosts for Lily's behaviour. Their response?

"Oh, we've been there... And I'm SO glad it's your's this time!!"

I love people with a sense of humor. I'm heading off with my glass of wine now, planning the route for tomorrow and waiting for the yeast bread to be finished. Cheers!