Giving Thanks

"The seeds of discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart."

This is from Joel's message last week which I'm sitting here listening to again since I record them all now. This sentence is playing over and over in my head for some reason. I'm home sick today, it's raining outside, but I'm grateful I have a job that allows me sick days and the ability to work from home so I can be comfy and rest. I'm grateful we're getting the rain since we need it so badly. I'm grateful that David calls and emails to check up on me and rubs my feet when I'm not feeling well. Life is still good and every day should be Thanksgiving Day.

"The seeds of discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart."

This made me smile...

I was still in bed when David left for work this morning. I told him last night to please take all the Halloween candy that was left to work with him, since if it was in the house, I was going to eat it! He loves me, so he knows not to enable my chocolate addiction :) I hear him in the kitchen pouring the candy into something to take to work (now that I think about it, why didn't he just take the bag?) Anyway, I was thinking how much I really would have loved to have one more little chocolate and then how glad I was that he was taking it all to work like I'd asked because I would be too tempted. Then I walk into the kitchen to this... One perfect Reese's Peanut Butter Cup to get me through the day :) My man knows me. Thank you baby!!

In Memory ~ Erik Thomas Garoutte

Oct. 9, 1985 - Oct. 19, 2007

Erik was David's nephew and yesterday we attended his funeral. I had never met Erik, he was already in the Marines when David and I started dating, but I knew his name. You could tell his family was proud of him, proud that he was serving his country. To me, he was just a name, someone I had never met, but yesterday I wished I had gotten that chance. I have been so affected by seeing his family and friends grieve for him, he had only just turned 22 and I thought these kids shouldn't have to be burying their friend at this age. It didn't make me feel old to call them kids, it made me feel heartbroken for them. There were five of his friends that spoke at his funeral, sharing memories that made everyone laugh. Apparently Erik had been quite the prankster, so there was actually lots of laughter at his funeral, remembering the good times. Isn't that a testament to the person he was, that people were laughing at their memories, sharing that common denominator that he was the funniest person they knew... he could always make you laugh. They went on to talk about his music, he played guitar and wrote and played contemporary christian music. He was a good listener and you could talk to him about anything.

I never met Erik, but I know that seeing David and his brothers, his dad and stepmom, all of his family, grieving their loss, I was grieving with them. It made me grateful that I have not had to grieve this type of loss in my life, but now acutely aware that it will happen in one way or another. We are not promised another day, it is a reminder to love every day and live each moment with passion, whether it's laughter or tears.

I spent the weekend in DC with Robby, Monica and my mom... I was more grateful for the weekend after yesterday, grateful that we make the time to do things like this. I'll share pictures and stories of the weekend in another post, but this is heavy on my heart today. I wish for Erik's friends and family comfort and peace while they grieve, keeping his laughter and wonderful memories close to their heart.

Obituaries

Zion Christian Fellowship

Los Angeles Times

The Little Things

From my inbox, a reminder to be grateful for all things :) even the little annoyances:

As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11 because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One's car wouldn't start.

One went back to answer the telephone .

One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone... all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment. Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; it may just be that God is at work watching over you. May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.

Lilies & Tulips

I definitely need my grandmother's green thumb... My tulips were very beautiful, but I'm not sure I took care of them like they needed plus I kept rearranging them... They make me smile just thinking about David though, so I love them :)

"Because you make me smile..."

"- Love David". That's what the card said for the beautiful lilies & tulips that I found waiting for me at work yesterday. Do I have love in my life and my heart?? Yes, indeed. Overflowing on a daily basis. I didn't know love could feel this warm and fuzzy and smiley and giddy... wheeeee!!! And all it took was lilies?! Nah, it's the fact that David appreciates that I like the unexpected, something different. He'll never send me roses on Valentine's Day, because that would be too common, but tulips because I make him smile? I LOVE IT!

I love you baby!

I'll post a picture tomorrow once they fully bloom, they're beautiful.

Gratitude

Today, I'm grateful for:

• Practicing being a morning person. I'm very proud of David for getting up every morning at 5 a.m. to go to the gym... I'm trying to affirm that I could do that too :) but I'm very impressed that he gets it done.
• I guess I'm grateful my job schedule allows me to run later in the morning :)
• Daily contact lens... I put in my old address on my last order and now I have to wait to get my contacts! Back to glasses for a few days.
• Galeo's Miso Dressing - I love this stuff!! and it's low-cal too.
• Pedicures! Yes, my toes are nice and no longer gnarly :) I can wear my sandals now.

Don't Hate Me...

because I live in paradise... :) You don't want to know that it's 65 degrees and not a cloud in the sky today? It's supposed to warm up to 70's this weekend.... wheeeee!! And I am loving the time change, spring has sprung.... big smiles!!

I'm grateful for...

Great weekends. It was such a great weekend here... the weather has been gorgeous!! I hope it's looking like spring for everyone. Went to see a movie on Friday night, had class all day on Saturday then David and I went out for sushi Saturday night. The picture is at Ebisu, a sushi bar in Hillcrest. Although I've been a dedicated vegetarian for about 9 years, I can't quite seem to give up occasional sushi, I love the rolls and the sashimi and the standard veggie fare too, like miso soup and edamame. But Saturday night it was all about the rolls, yummy!! We called it a night early, but ended up down by the beach on Sunday morning having breakfast and mimosas, then spent the entire day hanging out in Pacific Beach alternating between deep philosophical conversations and laughing until I snorted. Yes, I snort when I laugh really hard. So much fun. Hope it was a relaxing and fun weekend for everyone :)

TGIF!!

Really, thankful today is Friday. Still sleepy even though I have been sleeping like a brick all week, and certainly getting plenty of it. So this weekend will be dedicated to fun and recovery :)

Today, I'm also grateful for:

• My body ~ I'm amazed at how resilient it really is after running so far and traveling. Even though I'm sleepy, I'm not injured or sore and should be back to a regular exercise routine next week.
• Movies! Many of you know that I've never been a movie person, but now I look forward to the new ones coming out. This is all David's fault :)
• God ~ I remember how I lived before I knew that God loved me, before I trusted, and I'm grateful that those times have passed.
• Tofu ~ ;) c'mon, you know you want to try it!

Gratitude

What am I grateful for today?

• Coffee - it's not kicking in today though :)
• Ibuprofen
• My health and the ability to run 26.2 miles
• My family - the pic below is from our pre-race meal at Jacques-Imo's in New Orleans, I had an awesome vegetarian dish with a coconut curry sauce, yummy!! I'm grateful that we can all get together and share these moments :)
• David of course ~ he's my encourager and masseuse and physical therapist after I beat myself up running like a fool... thanks, baby :)

More Gratitude

I was going to post a complaint about the weather during my run around the bay today, and about the ideal conditions for running, but then I thought about those of you who might be reading from anywhere other than So Cal and it suddenly made me grateful for the weather here :) Puts it in perspective.

Gratitude

What am I grateful for today?

• International calling to and from Mexico :) missing David mucho ahora... so happy he's home tomorrow!!
• Finding fabulous clothes that fit perfectly on sale - and then finding out they're 40% off of that!! Now you know what I did last night :)
• This blog - never thought I would feel comfortable with this, but I'm finding myself thinking of hopefully helpful ideas to put here.
• Hugs
• Coffee

Gratitude

Today, I'm grateful for:

• Sleeping in - because I had to get up at 4 a.m. this morning! yikes, need a nap :)
• My job - because I get to help people on a daily basis manage their weight and get healthier
• Music that makes me want to dance
• Thich Nhat Hahn and The Art of Mindful Living - was listening to this again on the drive up to Redondo Beach
• Grapes :)

Gratitude

Today, I'm grateful for...

• Laughing so hard with David that I snort
• Sleeping in
• So Cal sunny weather
• My friends & family even though I don't always keep in touch like I should :)
• Kate's fudge ~ omg, I think it might be better than the peanut butter balls, is that possible?!

David's always at the top of the list though, I'm just saying... =D

Things I'm grateful for today...

1. Deep talks with David
2. Funny talks with David
3. LMAO with David ("you have barking spiders at your house?!")
4. Two Buck Chuck
5. Kate's Peanut Butter Balls

Not necessarily in that order, those peanut butter balls are damn good. =)