Texas Lou

Hi friends! I have a lot to be thankful for lately!

1. I am so grateful my kids are back in in-person school. They all seem so much happier now that they can interact with their teachers and friends in-person and have a more predictable routine. I’m so grateful that we had the option to send the boys back to school and that we can afford it.
2. I’m thankful that I get to video chat with my family often and see my sweet niece and nephew since we can’t be together in person.
3. I’m thankful for an amazing friend who has really helped me stay positive throughout the past 6 months.
4. I’m grateful that our friends who moved to Florida a few years ago have moved back to Charlottesville! I’m looking forward to spending more time with them when the pandemic is over.
5. I’m grateful for my husband for all that he does for our family.

Have a wonderful day friends!

Hi friends! Here’s some gratitude for you:

1. I’m thankful for this pandemic. I know, sounds crazy but hear me out. The pandemic and being stuck at home and forced out of all of our routines and habits has inspired, if not forced, me to take a look at my life and make a lot of good changes:
   • I quit drinking so much (I’ve had alcohol on 3 occasions in the past 60 days).
   • I’ve become a better parent. Ben and I spend more time with the kids, take them on bike rides and walks, have movie nights, eat dinner together almost every night, read a lot more, yell a lot less, and are learning to live with each other in our shared space a little better each day.
   • I exercise almost every day and have made it more of a priority.
   • Ben and I are spending more time together and have taken up some shared interests again. We are watching movies and shows together again because I’m not working nights any more.
   • I’m a better cook and have learned how to be more creative and varietal in my meal prep.
   • I’ve worked really hard on having a positive outlook on life and focusing on the positive things and what I can control.
   • Life is a tiny bit slower and a tiny bit less chaotic.
2. I’m thankful for my body and my health. I was having so many health issues in the past year and I’ve finally sorted them all out and am enjoying running and walking and building muscle. I’m so grateful I can still feel young even when I’m pushing 40!
3. I’m thankful for the new members in my family. We’ve gained 2 new babies in the past 6 months and they are just precious and remind me of everything innocent and wonderful in life. They also remind me to cherish the time I have with my babies while they are still young.
4. I’m thankful to my in-laws. They have helped us so much with our boys during the pandemic and have worked with them on learning to read as well.
5. I’m grateful for life! It is sweet and a gift!

Good morning! Here’s a dose of gratitude for you.

1. I’m thankful for getting to see a good friend (social distanced style) that I haven’t seen in a year this morning.
2. I’m thankful for Ben doing bed time with the boys last night so I could attempt to give blood.
3. I’m thankful for sleep and how I always feel better when I get up in the morning even if it wasn’t the best night of sleep.
4. I’m thankful for a fun, close-knit, loving family who makes the effort to stay in touch and support each other.
5. I’m grateful for summer. I love warm weather and sunshine and am really savoring it this year.

I’ve been very good about my thoughts and practices of gratitude lately so I’ll continue it here. I’m thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful for summer time and warm and dry weather that has allowed us to get out of the house safely and spend time outdoors during a pandemic.
2. I’m grateful for all of the help my in-laws have given us with the kids, especially within the last 4 months, that has allowed us to work from home while schools and camps have been canceled.
3. I’m grateful for video chats and phone calls that help me stay close to friends and family during this time.
4. I’m thankful for our bubble family who helps us feel less isolated.
5. I’m thankful for an amazing, down-to-earth doctor who has been a big help in guiding us toward mental and physical health always, but especially during the pandemic.

Have a happy day!

Good morning! Today I’m thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful for a good friend who inspired and supported me through 30 days of no alcohol together. I was relying on alcohol way too much to numb uncomfortable and negative feelings and cope with things brought about by the pandemic so my body and mind really needed a break. I feel healthier and happier.
2. I’m grateful for the sunny and warm weather we’ve had. I love summer!
3. I’m grateful for the health of my friends and family.
4. I’m thankful that we got to visit with some family last weekend. It was nice to be together and catch up.
5. I’m grateful for a good life. I feel like my life is definitely full of amazing things and people.

Have a happy day!

Good morning! My gratitude posts have been few and far between as we’ve all adjusted to living in a pandemic but once again, I was recently reminded how important practicing gratitude is to keeping a positive frame of mind.

So today I am thankful for the following:

1. I’m so thankful for an amazing place to work with wonderful coworkers and an awesome boss. Everyone is very understanding and patient when it comes to family coming first and work-life balance. They have made working from home a little less stressful.
2. I’m grateful for running. It is free, brings me closer to others, and can be done social distanced style. I have really been using running as a tool to stay healthy both physically and mentally during the pandemic.
3. I’m thankful for some good friends and their support while I’ve given up drinking for a month. I’m lucky to be surrounded by good and supportive friends.
4. I’m grateful for 14 years together and 8 years married with Ben. We celebrated our anniversary yesterday and it was a good reminder of all that we’ve been through together and how much I love him.
5. I’m grateful for summer and the ability to spend time outdoors. It is so good for me and my kids.

Have a happy day friends!

Things have been crazy (pandemic, staying at home, school canceled for the rest of the year) so now, more than ever, is a time to practice gratitude. Here are just a few of the things I’m thankful for lately:

1. I’m grateful for technology! In the last 5 weeks it has allowed us
   • Online school and educational meetings
   • Virtual happy hours and game nights
   • Online therapy sessions
   • Working from home and online staff meetings
   • Keeping in touch with friends and family
   • Getting important news and update
   • Endless entertainment
2. I’m grateful that we are all going through this together and have one another to lean on. I’m also thankful for all of the helpers throughout this. I like to focus on them rather than the bad things happening.
3. I’m grateful to still have a job and that my company is doing well in these hard times.
4. I’m grateful for my in-laws’ help. They have enjoyed spending time with our kiddos so we can get some work done from home.
5. I’m thankful for spring and warmer weather that allows us to get some outdoor time instead of spending all of out time indoors these days.

I hope everyone is hanging in there and reaching out when you need to. Sending virtual hugs to you all!