Grateful Monday

This week we celebrate being grateful, and I have so much to truly be grateful for.

Here are five things that I'm celebrating this week.

• My family.  I am blessed to have a wonderful family.  I couldn't ask for better people in my life including my parents, siblings, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins.  I am also especially grateful for my husband and my son.  These two guys truly make me a better person.
• My friends.  Throughout my life I have always known the joy of having several true, good friends. I consider myself lucky.
• Thanksgiving.  It is my favorite holiday.  A day to feast and celebrate being thankful...how wonderfully simple and precious.
• My advisor.  She is an amazing woman who has offered me so many exceptional opportunities.  I am so thankful for her guidance.
• My dog.  He's forever loyal and always provides unconditional love.  I can't imagine my life without him.

Grateful Monday

Here are five things I'm grateful for today:

• My wonderful parents.  Liam and I went home to spend a few days with them.  I had no idea how much joy I would get from seeing my parents interact with my child.  It warms my heart.
• My father celebrated his 74th birthday yesterday. It was so nice to be with him in person.  Happy birthday Dad!  
• I found out last week that I was granted a very competitive NSF Fellowship.  I'm quite honored and still in disbelief!
• Half of my Christmas gifts have been bought!  I am determined to finish up early this year so I can truly relax and enjoy the holiday season.
• Only four more weeks left in this semester.  I'm anxious to wrap this one up so I'll be on my way to taking my LAST class.

Colorado

It's been a busy couple of months for us.  In fact, it's been a bit of a whirlwind!

For now though, things are settling down a bit, and I'm starting to look forward to the holidays.  I will be really happy when this semester is over.  It's been a rough one for both Andrew and I.  After this semester, he will be one semester away from graduating.  And I will, hopefully, have my comprehensive exams under my belt and be on my way to writing a dissertation.

Here's a little peak into one of our recent adventures.

In late September, Andrew and I took a long weekend getaway to Colorado.  We spent the weekend at a cabin in Evergreen, CO with some dear friends.  We also journeyed to Red Rocks Amphitheater to see a couple Further shows.

Mule deer at the cabin

My long-time best friend

At the show

I have always wanted to go to Red Rocks.  We are huge music fans, and its sort of a concert mecca.  It did not disappoint.

The timing also coincided with fall in the mountains.  The Aspens were beautiful and the weather was perfect.  We managed to fit in a little hiking as well.

Maxwell Falls

He's much braver than I am!

It was an awesome little trip and gave us some much needed time to relax and just be with one another.  I held onto that mountain air for as long as I could!

Grateful Monday

Here are five things I'm grateful for today:

• We spent a lovely weekend with my husband's family.  Family time is always nice.
• Liam and his love for books.  We read, on average, twenty books a day.  He LOVES to read.  And I love how he comes over and snuggles up to me with his books.
• A cozy down comforter on my bed.  Our bedroom is cold and the down comforter makes all the difference.  I love being all warm and snuggly.
• The election is almost over.  I'm nervous about what is going to happen but looking forward to the end.  I'm tired of hearing about it.
• Food, shelter, electricity and heat...hurricane Sandy definitely made me appreciate having my basic needs met.  Funny how we take these things for granted all the time.  

I hope to be back in a few days with an update on what we've been up to recently.  Until then, have a wonderful week!