Day 6

To continue on favorites this is my favorite iPhone/iPad game. Gabrielle and I enjoy playing this game together. I never thought I'd like this type of game up I'm hooked.

Day 5

Anyone who really knows me knows my favorite animal is a giraffe. I collect them. I have been obsessed with them since high school. I use to be teased for me height, long legs, and long neck. Kids can be cruel. I took comfort in the graceful, beautiful giraffe. A baby giraffe gave me confidence that you can be awkward yet grow into something amazing. That's what I strive for.

Day 4

These are two of my favorite things from my wedding. The sand from our ceremony was special. I have another blog all about it. If our house was burning down and all living things were out and I could save only one thing, it would be the sand box. The cake topper is my favorite. When we started our relationship I was a runner or a quitter. I had been hurt too badly too many times before. I was trying to protect myself. That is why I picked this topper. I'm still a runner and Mike is still chasing me after all these years.

Day 3

My puppies are amazing. I love them to pieces. They are two of my favorite living things.

Day 1

I'm attempting to take a photo and blog each day. I did this in 2011. I loved it. Some days will have serious blogs, some will be short, some will be silly. I missed blogging every day of 2012. Going into last year I thought I was blogged out. But what I realized is that I need a schedule to blog or I forget. This month I'm on a theme if my favorite things. One of my favorite things is books. I love to read. One of my resolutions is to read more books than last year. For the last two years I have kept notes of every book I read and everyone Gabrielle and I have read together. I need to count them up and figure out a goal for this year. I started today with my first book of 2013. It was a Christmas gift. I love the author Mitch Albom. I've read all of his books. They inspire me. I'm loving The Time Keeper so far.

Thankful

November is hard month for our family. We always seem to have a drama or a crisis or loss. This year we lost my mother-in-law. It's been almost two weeks since she lost her battle with cancer. I am still numb and in denial over it all. It drives home this message of being thankful for the people in your life no matter how long you have them in your life. It also drives home the point of telling people how thankful you are for them because you never know when they'll be gone. I learned that lesson in high school when Holly died in a car crash. I try to be on top of that. I know in my heart that I told Gail everything I ever wanted to tell her. I find peace in knowing words were not left unspoken. I was blessed with the most amazing mother-in-law. You hear horror stories of awful in-laws. That isn't so for me. My in-laws are so loving and caring. I could never have hoped or prayed for anything better than Al and Gail. I'm so thankful for them. I have told them that many times. Never leave those words unsaid. I've found in life my biggest regrets are unspoken words and actions. I am also loving the Facebook days of thanks statuses. I find it a great time to tell what you are thankful for but just remember to not say if for one month a year!

Parental Involvement

My number one pet peeve is lack of parental involvement in their children's lives.  Just turn to facebook and twitter and read the posts.  In the last few weeks, I have seen where a non-custodial had the child's birthday gifts repoed because he didn't pay Rent-a-Center. Then there is the non-custodial parent who rarely picks up the child for scheduled visitations which are suppose to take place every other weekend and when that said parent does pick up that child it turns out to be only for a few hours.  Another non-custodial parental telling people that the custodial parent is unfit.  If the custodial parent is unfit then do something about it.  Children aren't here for our entertainment.  I always think back to Hook (one of my favorite childhood movies).  The mom tells the dad that you only have a few precious years where your child actually wants to play with you then you will be begging for some of their time.  Our children grow up fast!  I know 18 years seems like forever but ask a grandma how quickly her own children grew up.  It is all about perspective.  You want a relationship with your child later in life you build that relationship now, no matter where that child lives.  You don't wait until they are old enough to do things that you think are cool by then they won't want a relationship with you.  It is not about pleasing you.  Find out what your child is into and get into it with them for their sake.  Sure introduce the child to things you liked when you were their age but back off if they aren't interested.  Find something you can do with them that you BOTH will enjoy.  Keep in mind the child's age.  Most of all spend time with them doing something besides watching TV.  Get involved with your child.  Ask about what they are doing in school or who their friends are or what activities they like.  Just get to know your child and build those bonds.  You will never regret it.  And your child will grow up better because of it.  Okay I am off my soap box.