Texas Lou

Archive for the ‘Thankful Mondays’ Category

Good morning and happy Thankful Monday!  I’m super tired today and think I may be getting burnt out on moving and housework, so practicing some gratefulness this morning is just what the doctor ordered.

Today, I am thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful for all of the good mothers of the world.  Yesterday was Mother’s Day and I really thought hard about how important my mothers are to me.  My mom and my mother-in-law do so much for me that I don’t think I could ever truly express what they mean to me with words.  My friends who are moms have taught me so much and set a great example for how I want to be as a mother.  I’m thankful that the human race has these wonderful, caring, and kind women who take the weight and responsibility of the world into their own hands.
2. I’m thankful for the beautiful irises my mother-in-law gave us this weekend.  We planted yellow ones, white ones, purple ones, pink ones, and lavender ones and they are making our yard so much more bright and colorful!  I’m sure my Virginia mom gave us hundreds of dollars worth of plants for free!
3. I’m thankful for my job, a good performance review last week, and the opportunity to attend a training class in the fall.  I may not always like or enjoy my daily responsibilities, but I am thankful to have a job that allows me to pay the bills and also provides me with learning opportunities along the way.
4. I’m grateful for our nephew Brandon who has helped us with moving on numerous occasions.  And of course I’m thankful for all of our friends and family who have helped us with the move.
5. I’m thankful for a beautiful sunny day that we had yesterday that allowed us to soak up some Vitamin D and enjoy nature.

Have a great week!

Happy Monday!  It’s May!  Yesterday was Cinco de Mayo and Orthodox Easter!  There are always so many things to celebrate if you just look around you!

Today, I am thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful for getting to spend some quality time with extended family this weekend.  Friday night, Ben and I had dinner at one of our favorite places, Beer Run, with Ian (brother-in-law), Sarah (sister-in-law), and Phyllis (mother-in-law) and then went to see the Nathanael Greene Elementary School production of the Jungle Book where my niece, Elise, played Bagheera!  We also got to visit with Shane (brother-in-law), Lori (sister-in-law), Abby (niece), and Lori’s family.  Saturday night, Ian and Sarah treated us to kebabs on the grill with friends and then Sunday we had a delicious lunch cooked by Phyllis in the company of Abby, Elisa, Lori, and Lori’s parents.  What a weekend filled with wonderful people!
2. I’m thankful to be making real progress on our new house and our condo.  The condo is almost empty and ready for painting, new carpet, and some updating while the house is getting slowly unpacked day-by-day!
3. I’m thankful that we got our new amazing LG washer and dryer on Saturday!  I am loving them so far!  You can fit twice as much in them as you could our old ones and they have so many amazing settings, including Steam and Sanitary Steam!  Plus they make really fun noises and play music when they start up and finish a load!
4. I’m thankful that we are hopefully getting cable and internet today!  It’s kind of a silly thing to be thankful for (there are many more important things in life) but I am a TV and internet junkie!
5. Lastly, I’m thankful again for our new house!  I love it a little more each day and can’t believe I finally have a home of my own!  I can’t wait to raise babies, host parties, and make lots of memories in it!

Good morning and welcome to my weekly thankful Monday post!

Here’s what I’m thankful for today:

1. I’m so thankful for all of the wonderful people in our lives who helped us move this weekend!  Chris, Cara, Lindsay, Charles, Sarah, Ian, Peter, Phyllis, and Brandon all helped us by packing, carrying boxes and furniture, lifting heavy items, providing breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and lending large vehicles like trucks and trailers for moving.  We couldn’t have done it without them and I’m so grateful to have these amazing, helpful people in my life!  I’m also thankful for the many offers from friends and family to help us move.  I’m very touched to know such generous people!
2. I’m very thankful that we are finally living in our new house!  It doesn’t quite feel like home just yet, but once we get everything moved in, make the necessary purchases, and arrange things the way we want them, I think we are going to feel quite cozy!
3. I’m thankful my kitties seem to be adjusting well to the move.  We were a little nervous about moving them since they’ve been living in a small one bedroom condo their entire lives, but they seem to be adjusting to the new house surely but slowly.
4. I’m grateful for an opportunity that my sister has to possibly get a much more rewarding and fulfilling job with a better schedule.  I’m sending all the luck I can fathom to her this morning in her interview!
5. I’m thankful that we are 85% done moving things out of our condo!  I never realized that 2 people could have so much stuff and fit it into 800 square feet like we did!

I hope everyone has a bright and amazing week!

I was in Texas this weekend and traveling all day yesterday so Thankful Monday has turned into Thankful Tuesday!

This Tuesday, I am thankful for so much after spending a wonderful long weekend with my family at the beach!  Here are just a few of the things I am grateful for:

1. I’m thankful for my mom.  I’m thankful that she hosted my sister, brother, Ben, and I at the beach this weekend, cooked us some of our favorite meals (swedish meatballs…yum), and showered us with gifts (reusable bags from the cities we attended college in, Texas honey from my uncles’ beehives, and delicious HEB tortillas!  I really have the best mom in the world (but I am a bit biased since she is MY mom)!
2. I’m thankful for my brother, Mikey.  He’s always so much fun to be around and we enjoyed his company this weekend while we joked, shared some delicious Saint Arnold‘s beer, and basked in our favorite home-cooked and Texas meals.  My brother understands what its like to live far from home and outside of Texas because he currently resides in South Carolina and I feel like we’ve become closer since sharing that experience.  I’m also so thankful that Mikey stayed up until 2 AM (3 AM his time) driving us from Houston to Padre after our flight was delayed…what a trooper!
3. I’m thankful for my sister, Carrie.  She has the sweetest smile when she is being positive and despite what she might think, I love her very much and enjoy spending time with her.  I’m thankful she was able to get off work this weekend to spend time with us, and I’m also very thankful that she provided her car for transportation so that we did not have to rent a car.
4. I’m thankful for my dad.  Despite having a busy work day and a conference call scheduled, he took time out to meet us for a Tex-Mex lunch at Chuy’s yesterday and then drove Ben and I to the airport.  He even managed to fit in a quick reunion with my step-mom and little brothers!  I’m really grateful that I got to see my dad and spend a little time with him since we were only in Houston for a few hours.
5. I’m thankful for Debbie.  I love Debbie and she has always been one of our favorite “aunts”.  I’m thankful that Debbie was able to spend the weekend with us and also so grateful that she took time to drive us back to Houston since Carrie had to leave Sunday to go back to work.
6. I’m thankful for Josh, Caroline, and their two sweet kiddos.  It was so nice to see them and spend Saturday at the beach with them!
7. I’m thankful for my Uncle (Amo) Jamil, Aunt Norma, and their family.  They drove from San Antonio to Padre to spend some time with us on the beach on Sunday.  It was so sweet to spend some time with my little cousins, play in the ocean and in the sand with them, and get to know them some.  I miss living close to them, and I’m so grateful for every time we get to see each other.
8. I’m thankful that I got to see my step-mom and my little brothers even if it was only for 30 minutes.  They are growing up so fast!
9. I’m thankful for my husband, Ben, who lets me drag him all around Texas, especially when I know he’s not crazy about traveling.  It’s much less sad to leave Texas and my family when he’s traveling with me.
10. Lastly, I’m thankful for the really cool TVs and free movies that United Airlines provided us.  Being able to watch Zero Dark Thirty and This Is 40 on the plane made being delayed for a couple of hours a lot less frustrating!

I could go on and on, but I’ll stop at 10!  I hope everyone has a beautiful week!

Good morning and happy Thankful Monday!

I certainly have ALOT to be thankful for this morning, including but not limited to the following:

1. I’m so thankful that Ben and I closed on our new house!  We are now homeowners and we absolutely LOVE our new home.  I ca’t wait to throw parties in it, raise babies in it, and make a lifetime of memories!
2. I’m so thankful for wonderful family who helped us do some moving this weekend.  A special shout out goes to Ian for his heavy lifting, Peter for letting us borrow his truck, and Sarah and Phyllis for the many meals they cooked for us to keep us going!
3. I’m thankful for the beautiful weather we had this weekend.  Not only was it quite enjoyable to be outside, it helped make moving alot easier without having to worry about extreme heat, freezing cold, or rain.
4. I’m thankful for my husband, Ben, without whom I wouldn’t be able to afford the house of my dreams.  It’s also been so amazing to experience this rite of passage with him by my side.
5. Lastly, I’m thankful that I’m headed to Texas next weekend for the first time in almost a year (I think that’s the longest I’ve ever been away from my home state) and that I get to see my family who I love so much!

Have a beautiful and very happy week friends!

Good morning and welcome to this week’s Thankful Monday blog post!

I’m thankful for the following (and lots of other things not listed here as well):

1. I’m thankful for modern medicine, especially allergy medicine.  It’s spring time and with that time of year comes seasonal allergies.  Mine are as bad as ever so I’m very happy to have some Allegra, Zyrtec, Flonase, Nasonex, etc. for some sweet relief.
2. I’m thankful for my in-laws, especially my mother-in-law  Virginia Mom, who helped us celebrate a lovely Easter Sunday with a delicious lunch, great company, and Easter egg dying!
3. I’m thankful that we were officially approved for our mortgage loan on the house we have under contract.  I’m also very thankful for the wonderful inspection and appraisal that it received, the great deal we are getting on it, and the nice and friendly couple who are selling it to us and have taken such great care of the house.
4. I’m sad that one of my favorite shows, The Walking Dead, is over until October, but very happy and grateful that its Sunday night spot will be replaced with another one of my favorite shows, Game of Thrones.
5. I’m thankful for another Monday and a new month to start fresh!

Happy April, happy week, happy everything!

Good morning and welcome to my Thankful Monday post!

Today, I’m thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful for a wonderful day with friends yesterday.  First, we had breakfast at the Tavern on the James and then we went to the James River Brewing Company that I’ve been wanting to try for a long time.  It was great company, great food, and great fun!
2. I’m thankful that I have amazing women in my life who are all willing to put in the effort to keep in touch.  Friday night, I met up with several of the ladies I used to work with at VGT for dinner and drinks.  It was so nice to catch up with everyone and I’m always grateful to have another Girls’ Night to look forward to!
3. I’m thankful to have so many friends who are pregnant or who have recently had babies.  Not only am I thankful that their pregnancies all seem to be going well, but I’m also so happy to see so many wonderful friends bringing new life into this world.
4. I’m thankful that Spring is here!  Although we had about 3 inches of snow last night, we had a beautiful, sunny, and warm day on Saturday that Ben and I enjoyed by running 5 miles along the river.  I think this is the last of the snow we will have this season.
5. I’m thankful again for the opportunity to work from home today.  As I mentioned before, we had snow overnight and it is supposed to continue to snow until this evening so I’m very glad I have a job that allows me the flexibility to work from home so that I don’t have to risk my safety and others’ on the roads.

Have a terrific week!

Good morning and welcome to this week’s thankful post!

I was in New Orleans this weekend for my cousin Jennifer’s bachelorette party and I didn’t get back home until yesterday evening so this week’s post is on Tuesday.

Here’s what I’m thankful for this week:

1. I am beyond grateful that I was able to spend the weekend in New Orleans with so many amazing and fun ladies!  We had such a blast and I made so many great memories on the trip, caught up with family, and even made some new friends!
2. I am so thankful that I got to catch up with my aunt and cousins.  I’ve missed them so much and being around them was as if no time had passed at all.  My aunt was my second mom growing up and my cousins were more like sisters so getting to see them and spend the weekend with them was very special.
3. I am very thankful for an understanding husband who was not only totally cool with me going to New Orleans for a girls weekend and spending the money on the trip while we are trying to by a house, but he also genuinely missed me and wanted to spend all evening with me when I got back yesterday.  I even got an “I love you” text from him while I was gone and he NEVER texts!
4. I am thankful that I will get to see my family all over again in June for my cousin Jennifer’s wedding reception.  It made it less sad for the trip to be over knowing that we have plans for the future.
5. I’m thankful for a wonderful boss and flexible work environment that allowed me to take the day off yesterday so I could enjoy a longer weekend with my family.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people and have such a nice life.

Have a great week!

Good morning and welcome to the first Thankful Monday post of March!

Here’s what I’m thankful for today:

1. I’m thankful that the inspection on the house we are trying to buy went very well.  The inspector was quite impressed with the quality of building and the upkeep and maintenance done by the current owners.
2. Again I am thankful for a weekend full of family, friends and fun times.  Friday night, Ben and I had dinner at Panera Bread with Ian, Sarah, and Meghan and then we all went to Four County Players to see their production of Into The Woods.  Then Saturday, after the house inspection, we spent the day with Ben’s parents.  Sunday morning, we had a great seven mile run with Deb and Becky and then that night, Sarah and Ian came over for dinner and Walking Dead.  I am blessed to have so many wonderful people brighten my life!
3. I am thankful that I will be going to New Orleans this weekend to celebrate my cousin Jennifer’s bachelorette party!  It’s going to be so fun to go to New Orleans again and I’m really excited about seeing some friends and family there that I haven’t seen in way too long!
4. I am thankful for the opportunity to sleep in a warm and comfortable bed every night.  My days would be difficult without that good night of sleep and I am very lucky to have a safe environment to rest.
5. I am thankful for the wellness program at work.  We are learning to meditate and it has been very eye-opening so far.  I really think that meditation will help with some of my stress and anxiety.

Have a great week!

P.S.  Happy belated Texas Independence Day (March 2nd)!

Good morning and welcome to this week’s Thankful Monday blog post!

Today I am thankful for the following:

1. I’m thankful that Spring is almost here and we are already starting to see some pretty purple and yellow flowers blooming.  Although we haven’t had a ton of snow this winter, it has felt so dark, cold, and long so the idea that Spring and longer days are on the horizon makes me so happy!
2. I’m thankful that our longest training run for the Charlottesville Ten Miler is finished.  We did 11 miles yesterday (ok I only did 10.8). and it feels so good to know that the race will be shorter!
3. I’m thankful that we finally have a house under contract.  I know it is not ours yet, but it’s the closest we’ve gotten so far to finding our new home.  My fingers are crossed that inspection, appraisal, and closing all go as planned.
4. I’m thankful for a weekend that was filled with fun and many friends, including Nita, Sarah D., Collin, Sarah W., Scott, Kennith, Courtney, Deb, Robert, and Crystal.  I also got to see lots of family this weekend including my sister-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and nephew.
5. I’m thankful for sunshine because it makes me feel so good and happy!

I hope you have a great week filled with lots of sunshine!