Today’s my birthday. I turned thirty-seven. I don’t feel old. I actually feel like I might finally be growing into the age I’ve always felt like.

I started the day like any other, got up 5:45, exercised, took the kids to school, had some quiet time so I work, work, worked. Then picked up the little boy, he ate and napped and I worked. When he woke up he played, I worked.

I tried to sneak a few photos.

but he wasn’t very much in the mood.

I took what I could get.

then the big boys came home. David was in uniform.

They brought me flowers David picked and presents and a card.

since Mommy is trying to be healthier but still loves candles, we put one in a banana and the boys sang happy birthday to me.

and blew out my candle.

Then we all watched a movie together. And now the boys are going to bed. I feel so full. I love my ordinary life and despite the trials and tribulations, I am so so grateful for all that I have. Here’s to another wonderful year.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we had a lovely family time despite the school day and work day. A little of everything today.
2. I am grateful for the many many many messages on Facebook. I feel like my cup is overflowing.
3. I am grateful that I got to skype with my family, talk to my best childhood friend, a wonderful package from my friend Caroline and that work is also going ok. I am remembering to be grateful for big and small things today. For getting to live another year. For being healthy. For all the little and big bits of support. Thank you.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we watched toy story. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that it’s mommy’s birthday.
3. I am grateful that I had chapel at school.

Today’s family shots were in the morning but we didn’t have much better luck. Nathaniel chased after the remote.

and when we said no, he was all drama.

feeling really sorry for himself.

by the time we managed to make him smile, David was eyeing the remote.

after one brief second, we just gave up and started tickle time. Today, we told David he could tickle daddy instead of the other way around and he went for it full force.

I still tickled the little boy.

but he quickly realized the other two were having more fun and started in on daddy as well.

both kids totally loved it. Daddy…not as much.

then Jake went to work, I did art, David played and Nathaniel napped. When he woke up he was all rested and pink.

he loves playing with legos.

and I love the little smile I caught.

Then Daddy came home and we went out to target to buy both kids some sticker books and we also bought a you-build Monopoly game for family night. So we got some food, and spent the night playing. It was a wonderful family time and both kids went down now and I have to check up on work to make sure all is ok but then I plan to relax during the last few hours of my weekend. Here’s to a great week.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we’re alive and healthy today. ten years ago we both worked downtown Manhattan, right near ground zero. We were both incredibly lucky to be at home right when the planes hit and I remember this day with deep gratitude every single year. We are lucky to be alive and I don’t want to take it for granted for one single moment.
2. I am grateful that for a few minutes today, the kids and I listened to loud music and they both danced.
3. I am grateful for a wonderful family night.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that we played you-build monopoly. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that i got a star wars lego encyclopedia.
3. I am grateful that I got to have half a cookie.

Well another day of this week went by. It was another long long day but I am feeling like I am being productive at work and haven’t fully fallen apart just yet. I am getting up at 5:45 just to make sure I exercise before the day even begins. If you’d told me last year that I’d be doing that I would have laughed at you. How the times have changed.

Nathaniel didn’t have school today but I still didn’t snap anything of him except this crappy one.

He was quite lonely today with no daddy and no david and mommy working extra-hard. When David came home and was reading his library book, Nathaniel went right up him and snuggled.

And put his head right on the nook of David’s shoulder. I just about cried.

And then they played together. Even though David’s making a weird face in this one.

This is a bad shot but I love the look on Nathaniel’s face.

And now the kids are sleeping and I am still working. I haven’t made art today yet either and still have a few more todo list items so I might not get to it. But that’s ok. I did a lot and I will take some serious art time this weekend if needed. Right now more urgent (and legitimately important) things are happening. This is not to say I did no art. I still sketched and I am doing my weeklong journal. Just not a full standalone art journal page.

Anyhow. off to journal some and maybe – just maybe do some art. here’s to a better tomorrow. We have a 5K walk scheduled tomorrow night which should be really fun.

Three Things I’m Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that David seems to be making friends at school.
2. I am grateful that I had a nice conversation with a good friend whom I hadn’t talked to in a while.
3. I am grateful that tomorrow is Friday.

Three Things David’s Grateful For:
1. I am grateful that I checked out two lego books from the school library. * {his pick for the journal}
2. I am grateful that i had Spanish class today.
3. I am grateful that I played with Nathaniel.