Family Living: Abbott Style

I had a blog written.  It was--somewhat harsh, coming from me.  Somewhat, passive-aggressive.  And a lot hypocritical.  But mostly, honest and truth.  I'm frustrated on many accounts, but I've decided that laying it all out in the manner in which I had planned would do more damage than good; and certainly seal my fate as an unpopular blogger.  So instead, I'm going to be the change I would like to see.  I've been silently complaining about the same things time and time again.  I am a true believer of the idea that you only get to complain about something for so long before you have to A.) Do something about it or B.) Stop complaining.  No one likes a social martyr.  It's time to do some growing, and with growing comes growing pains.... Speaking of growing, there is a lot of areas that I need to grow in.  We've done a lot better at attending church lately (three Sundays in a row is something sad to feel accomplished about). ...

I am thankful for Jesus!

Today I am thankful for.....a years time.  I can't believe how fast the past year has gone by.  Our lives have completely changed.  Last year I was still in college.  Pregnant.  Busy beyond belief.  Grading papers.  Dealing with cranky 5th graders. This year, I'm a sahm with a beautiful baby and a loving husband.  It wasn't the easiest year, but every struggle was worth while because of where we are today.  Married young has given us the opportunity to grow up together.  This past year, we have grown a lot.  And as we grow we continue to grow closer together.....I wonder what our lives will look like in another year. 

Today I am thankful for....cloudy, cold, weather.  Why?  Because it slows down life.  Being hunkered down, inside with the ones you love.  Just taking the day slow and enjoying the small things.  The laugh of your infant.  The subtle warmth of the heater.   A

Today I am thankful for t-shirts, free ones that is. Oh and my parents who watch Haley on Mondays when Ian is working so I can play ball.  We are league champs this season.  Won by one with a three pointer at the buzzer.  Cliche, but oh so sweet.  Next round starts in the beginning of Jan.  I can't wait!  I need to practice some bc my game is still not up to par.  I've gone soft.  Whose up for a pickup game so I can practice?  There's a court at the apartment complex, I might have to check it out sometime before it gets too cold.  Also...Unforked maybe my new favorite place ever. 

Today I am thankful for a warm coat.  I have a feeling winter is sneaking its way in. 

Well, I did it.  I quit the gym.  It kinda went about like this..... ....okay maybe not--but they sure make you feel horrible when you cancel your membership. I was spoiled.  You see, the classes at the Bonner YMCA are way better than the classes at the Lenexa YMCA.  I really really tried to be into it.  It was just NOT the same.  I missed the instructors.  I missed my gym friends.  However, I could hardly justify using up gas to go all the way into Bonner when I am within running distance of the other YMCA.  So I did it.  I quit.  I'm justifying this in many ways.  First, I really don't want Haley in their child watch during flu season.  I know, I am turning into one of those "germ" freak moms.  But child watch areas are like a petri dish full of nasty germs.  Second, the classes aren't that great and don't work with my schedule.  Third, I know me.  In the dead of ...

Today I am thankful for...hearing from an old friend out of the blue.  Nothing like fabulous weather with a side of nostalgia.

Today I am thankful for..Google.  Yup.  Google.

Today I am thankful for Thursday mornings....because of Ian's schedule, Thursdays are days where Ian needs to sleep in until the afternoon time, so Haley and I relax and play in the living room all morning.  I have to be quiet so he can sleep which means, no laundry, no cleaning, no loud tv, or music.  Just quiet time with my little kidlet. It is also a day off for both of us, so Haley and I eagerly await him waking up so we can spend the rest of the day with him!  I love Thursdays!

Today I am thankful for.....surviving 6 months of parenting.  I couldn't have done it without all the help of my baby daddy.  Happy half birthday to my kidlet! 

Truth: I'm struggling. I'm struggling to blog.  At some point this has become a chore.  The joy has been taken out of it.  No particular reason why.  Maybe it is because I have been so busy lately.  I am at a point where I find myself wanting to blog only when I need to complain.  That is not why I blog.  I don't blog to vent or complain, but to share those ultra special moments in my life.  So when I am catching up on writing in Haley's baby book, I can look back in my blog and read about when and how things happened.  I was re-reading the first few weeks of Haley's arrival.  It hit me.   This is why I blog .  I loved re-reading those moments.  Nothing takes you back in time like re-reading the very thoughts and words you had at that time.  6 months ago, now seems like a lifetime ago. But I am here to stay.  I won't give up on blogging.  It's cheaper than a therapy.  No, seriously... Today is Hal...

Today I am thankful for.....Haleys good moods in the mornings.  Walking in to see her smiling up at me, best way to start the day. 

This is probably a very strange thing to be blue about in the big picture of things.  I have a totally happy and healthy baby girl.  So I hate to complain and be down about something so seemingly trivial, but I have had something eating at me that I need to get off my chest. When I got pregnant, I had this amazing picture of what pregnancy, birthing, and parents was going to be like.  I took classes, read books.  I had a plan.  38 weeks pregnant, that plan went out the window.  I was pressured into an induction, which made the "natural" birth I had wanted almost impossible  ( I hear that Pitocin is some mean stuff) & with the hospital handing out epidurals like candy, how could I say no.  While I was happy to have the pain stop, I felt so defeated as a parent and my child wasn't even born yet.  It's not that epidurals are bad and horrible.  In fact, they are magical and wonderful.  But it was that I quickly dismissed what I wa...

Today I am thankful for....patience.  I sometimes have more than I should, but regardless, I am grateful I am such a patient person. 

Today I am thankful for our church/pastor/ church family.  Nothing like a good sermon to put things back into perspective. 

Today I am thankful for....alone time. While I don't like missing out on moments I could be getting extra sleep, I am thankful for my  alone time.  The, sometimes, hours that Haley and Ian are sleeping in the morning.  Or the evenings after Haley goes to bed.  Having a kidlet keeps your brain rather busy throughout the day.  It nice just to unwind or get geared up for the day at a slow and comfortable pace.  Showers are great too. I have found time to shower at least once a day since Haley was born (I hear this is a struggle for some?)  But I love my showers. If it wasn't for alone time, I wouldn't be able to blog!

Today I am thankful for my husband's ability to make pancakes!  He makes some awesome pancakes.  I'm pretty sure that was the only thing that would get me out of bed this morning. I am also thankful that Ian got off work tomorrow!  Three day weekends are the best!

I'm thankful for being a sahm. I ended up working extra at the tanning salon because an employee is ill and needed her shifts picked up.  My 3 hours this week has turned into 12.....I miss my kidlet. 

Alright y'all, I need to post an actual blog post.  It's been awhile.I guess I have said " writers block".  Everytime I've sat down to blog, I've gotten this nasty attitude, like I just want to rant and complain.  I'm not a fan of giving a bad mood more than it deserves or letting people get on my nerves enough that it bleeds in my blog in the most passive-aggressive way possible.  So I won't go there this time.  Focusing on what I'm thankful for has been such a great practice, and has helped me avoid the above.  So here goes nothing.....I'll update a little bit on everthing I suppose.... Finally, life is beginning to slow down.I am so appreciative of the fact that the moving/settling in process is over ( only to do it all again in T minus 5 months....) In theory, there should be a big hole where our next house will be soon. For some reason I doubt that they will break ground this week, but I would be happy if they did...I'm stressed and ...

Today I am thankful for my warm fleece blanket.  If I could spend my entire day today under my fleece blanket....I probably would.  I am exhausted.  Totally exhausted.  And this weather makes me want to just sleep and cuddle all day.  So thank you fleece blanket, for keeping me warm and cozy.

Today I am thankful for....birth control.

I am thankful for....rainy days. They help me appreciate sunny days that much more.

Day 6...aka November 6.  Today, I am thankful for my Dad.  Today is his birthday!  Happy birthday! Throughout the years, he has always been my biggest fan.  Off and on the basketball court.  He was the one yelling "Who let the dogs out" during middle school basketball (we were the bulldogs), right before tip-off.  In true middle-schooler form, I was humiliated--but now it is a memory I look back on fondly.   He will never know how much I truly appreciate what he has done for our family.  I am so blessed to call him my dad.

Hanging out at Grandpa's and Grandma's on Halloween.  Haley LOVES this thing!

I am thankful for...Haley's smiles.

I am grateful for a warm conversation with a complete stranger.  Simple kindness goes a long way. 

Preface It was January 2009.  After Christmas sales are really the only time to get Christmas decor.  It was the first purchase Ian and I made as a couple.  4 months before our wedding.  Our first Christmas tree.  It was a beautiful 9ft, pre-lit tree.  Little did I know, it would also be the easiest decision we would make as a couple.  The truth is, the future would hold two hard-headed, opinionated people, attempting to make decisions together.  Apparently, one thing we held in common was taste in Christmas trees.  It was a floor model, so the employees dissembled our artificial prize.   Gitty for Christmas, we would have to wait another 11 months to enjoy our new purchase. Three years later.  Someone else will be enjoying our 15ft ceilings.  Someone else will be enjoying their first Christmas in the home we built together.  What if they don't even celebrate Christmas?  They cou...

....I've jumped on a few lately already including Pinterest....what's one more? What I am thankful for...day 1&2 Day 1:  Good deals.  I went to the half-price book store and got a TON of books and gifts since I am overloaded on birthdays this month.  Yup I'm the one that gives books on birthdays.  Literature is so important, and the experience of sitting and reading with a kiddo is priceless. Day 2:  An unexpected, extra hour of sleep just when I needed it.  Haley slept in until 8 today...and so did I!