Thankful Thursday: First 2012 Edition

Hello everyone! It's our first Thankful Thursday post of the new year. We both hope you're all doing well with your New Year's resolutions. However, I wish so many people didn't clog up my gym at the beginning of every year! Haha, just kidding - I want you all to be fit, just not all at one time! :)

Anyway, today is 1.5.12. That date might seem insignificant to you, but to us it's super duper important. This date is our little JJ's birthday!! When JJ was born, I was actually babysitting for a woman who was having a scheduled c-section on the same date. I snuck away from my day job to see B and JJ in the hospital and then once I was done babysitting, there was no way you could get me away from my JJ. :)

In case you haven't noticed: Brandi is JJ's mom, life-giver, caretaker, kisser of booboos, and Meig (me) is JJ's godmother, Auntie, tickle-friend, and snuggle buddy. JJ is a pretty important part of our lives. All my nieces and nephews are important to me (I have seven of them), and each one of us has our own little thing. I love every one of them equally and separately. I love them all together.

Me with JJ in the hospital the day after she was born. Look at all that hair!!

Today I am most thankful for the gift of godmotherhood, though. For the chance to experience something so much more than being an auntie. Who knows if I'll ever be a mom. I'm not betting on or against it. I'm letting the cards fall as they may, but for right now I've got loads of little people in my life that I love just as much as I would if they were mine. I've also got the opportunity to have a special connection with JJ. She and I sit and laugh together for hours (ask B, I'm sure it gets annoying). Whenever she sees me, she runs to me. She gets excited to know she gets to spend time with me (and I get excited to spend time with her!).

Before she was born, B and T said that JJ and I could do swimmy lessons together. That would be our time together. It was so much fun. Not only did JJ learn to trust the water, but she learned to trust me. She learned that Auntie Meig will be there all the time. She learned that no matter what, I will always give hugs and kisses. She learned that she can depend on me. Those lessons were more than swimming lessons, they were trust lessons and I'm so grateful that I got to be a part of that. I can't wait for our next round of lessons when she learns to jump off the side of the pool into my arms!! EEE!!! (Oh, B, you weren't supposed to read that...heh.) I wouldn't trade a single minute of her life for anything. She's my princess. My doll baby. My goddaughter.

Photo by Suzy Forshey Photography

Thank you, Brandi and Tony for giving me the best gift anyone could ever get. I'm so blessed to have you in my life and have the joy of your child. Being her godmother just makes it that much better.

Happy birthday, princess (even though you can't read this or know it exists yet - maybe someday you'll read it). Auntie loves you. <3

Linking up here:

Thankful Thursday

It's been a rough week... One of those weeks when its really hard to look at the good things in your life because you have this pile of bad things weighing you down. That being said, this is the week I really need to take a look at the little things in my life that make it a little better.

So here is my totally random list of things that are good right now.

Coffeeeeee!!!

                                                                            source

                                                                 

My job!

Buttons. really liking buttons lately.

                                                                     source

Paint

Chocolate

                                                                   source

Vanilla Chapstick

                                                                      source


Thats what I am thankful for today. What are you thankful for?

Linking up

It's ALMOST Christmas!!

It's been a while since we did a real Thankful Thursday post. Lots of things have been happening in our lives and being the holiday season, many more things are happening.

Today I'm thankful for a number of things.

[source]

I'm thankful for companionship. I have realized friends who aren't really friends, and been able to find solace in the love of friends who truly are friends. I am thankful that as I go through life I have people who stick with me and don't let me go because I say one thing sideways or get a little distant. I'm so blessed to have love in my life.

[source]

I'm thankful for my love of reading. Recently, I have come across a number of 'book lists' on Pinterest and have been enveloped in the desire to swallow books whole again. I adore reading so much so that I could contentedly sit and read for days on end and not worry a bit about anything. Sometimes I wish I had a cabin in the woods where I could go to read and crochet in peace, but then I realize that the woods involve creatures that are not so friendly and possibly no indoor plumbing. Then that bubble bursts and I'm totally over it. Here and here are two lists that have captured my attention right now.

[source]

I'm thankful for my ability to create things with my own two hands. I have decided that this Christmas will be a handmade Christmas. Every gift I give will be made by me or someone else. I have done great so far. Yes, it's difficult because I'm running out of time and have so many things to do, but I'm happy because I don't have to go spend hours and hundreds of dollars in the store. I am happier with my gift choices because I know they're made with love and care.

Also, because I have chosen to do a handmade Christmas and not spend hundreds at the store, I have been able to pay off some debt. I have paid off one bill entirely and am slowly working through the rest. I am hoping that in the next few months to have paid off at least 75% of my non-student loan debt. This will free me to buy a house and be able to live within my means again. I'm thankful for a job so that I can try to get my life back in order.

So, there are a few things I'm thankful for this day. What are you thankful for?

Linking up here:

Who is this Brandi girl, anyway?

Today and next Thursday, instead of our usual Thankful Thursday posts, we're going to share a little bit about ourselves for you all who don't know us in real life. :) This kind of ties in with Thankful Thursday inasmuch as we're both immensely thankful for each other. Nevertheless, here we go! (PS: make sure you sign up for our giveaway!)

First, a little bitty story about how we met. I was working at a small coffee shop in downtown Akron while I was getting my Masters degree at The University of Akron. One day, my boss told me she hired a new girl. Now, we veterans were always skeptical of new kids because half the time we got the ones who didn't know mocha from hot chocolate. Me, coming from a household where we drink our coffee AND tea strong and black (so as to not mask the flavors of the deliciousness), well, I'm a bit of a coffee snob. I can admit it. So anywho...my boss hired Brandi. It was my job to train her, as it was my job to train everyone because my boss wasn't from the US originally and was always afraid that no one could understand her when honestly, her English was often better than half the people she hired!

All that aside, one day Brandi and I were just friends. I'm sure there was something else involved (and she can tell you that part - did I tell you I have a terrible memory for things?), but I remember I would drive her home so she didn't have to walk in the rain or snow. We went to some concerts together, she came over to my house and I cooked her vegan food (she was a vegan when we met, but not now), and she came home with me for Easter dinner (where my mom made all kinds of foods that Brandi could eat and we thought that was super sweet of her) because her family lives far far away.

We've been friends ever since. She moved away and we wrote notes to each other like we were in elementary school. Then she came back to me, got married, had a GORGEOUS baby girl, and she and Tony asked me to be JJ's godmother (I cried). We're family. Best friends. Sisters. Business partners.

Brandi has been crafting forever. She started crocheting when she was younger (her grandmother taught her how) and then started sewing, too. She's a master with the glue gun, whereas I am a disaster with the glue gun (I have the scars to prove it). She's also got super awesome ribbon twirling skills. She made me the super cutest bow for Easter this year!

We've been crafting together for almost as long as we've been friends (about 4 years). We were either crafting meals or doing paper crafts in the beginnings of our friendship (I have the world's largest random cardstock collection - don't ask how it got like that, all I can say is Hollo's sells cardstock for $1/lb and I love that place), or sewing and crocheting like in the last couple years. She's my go-to gal for ideas and whenever I need support I call my mom (hi mom!) and then I talk to B. She always support my crazy half-wit ideas and never laughs at me (she says it's always with me).

Here are a few things about Brandi:

Brandi's favorite color is pink. Everything, everything, everything pink.
Her favorite animals are wildlife animals like squirrels and chipmunks.
Her favorite shoes are her Chucks that she (hopefully) got rid of because the duct tape was coming off of them.
Her favorite music is everything, but her favorite song right now is Justin Bieber. (JUST KIDDING.)
Her favorite foods are everything sweet. Candy. Cupcakes. Cake. Pie. Dessert. SWEET. (Just like her. Awwwww.)
Her favorite holiday is Christmas, but the last two years we've spent Thanksgiving together and it's been pretty darn great.
She loves all fabrics that are soft and covered in woodland animals or hippie patchwork prints.
She made a hat that I call "The Brandi Hat" and I wear it DAILY in the winter because it's THE. BEST. HAT. EVER.
She loves wearing dresses.
Hello Kitty is one of her favorite characters.
She makes the best red velvet cupcakes. They're so good that I renamed them to Brandi Velvet Cupcakes.
This is her really awesome blog where she shares really awesome stuff.
She has 2 brothers.
Her parents are super cool.
Her grandmother made me promise to keep her safe, so I do.
She has one daughter.
She is married to Tony (we were all three friends separate from each other and now that they're married, we're all friends together, too!).
She's got one of the biggest hearts I ever know.
She worries about me if she doesn't hear from me in too many hours.
She doesn't get mad at me when I email bomb her almost daily.
She loves with all her heart and soul.
She is one of the best people I know and I'm so glad I get to be her friend. Sister. Business partner.

I am sure you have noticed by now that I adore my B. When I was at my worst, she was there by my side. When I was at my best, she was there by my side. I have a couple close friends and I'm so glad that B is one of them. She never asks for anything in return and loves without condition. When I lost my job, she invited me over to their house every day just to be sure I ate at least one good meal a day. When I get sad I tell her and she listens and reminds me that tomorrow will come and that she loves me. When I'm happy she laughs and dances with me. She gave me the gift of godmotherhood. I thank God every day for the blessings in my life and I count B, T, and JJ among them.

So there are a few facts I have for you about Brandi. Feel free to shoot us some questions and we're more than happy to do a Q&A session!

ALSO: Make sure you sign up for our very FIRST GIVEAWAY!!!

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my daughter. Miss Julianne Jet has brightened my life since the day she was born. There have been tough times staying up all night colicky but there have been even more sweet moments when she runs over and gives me a big hug without me even asking.

                                                         (photo by Suzy Forshey)

There are lots of times when she acts really crazy.

I have started working recently after a 2 year stint as a stay at home mom and I miss her badly while I am at work.

This little girl has taught me a lot of things, most importantly patience.

I feel so lucky to have this little angel in my life. She's pretty great :)

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday: Pet Edition

Good morning!! Today I'm thankful for my pets. Yep, my pets. Most of us have them, but I'm so grateful that I have these loves to come home to every day. They love me even when I'm wearing my sweats and eating ice cream on the couch and they are always excited to see me when I get home. I often am shoved out of the way in my bed because they want to sleep there too, but it's ok because they keep me warm in the winter and company all year round.

They hang out with me while I sew, crochet, cook, clean, eat (even though I know they're really just trying to convince me to share my food with them), and do just about everything else. Raj, the dog, because he's more portable, goes on trips with me and we go run at the dog park at least once a week. It's our social time!

So, today I'm thankful for my companions. My closest friends. My confidants. My babies. My pets.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday!

Today I'm thankful for the ability to say no. Too often I forget that I am capable of saying no to people and recently I have been exercising my right to say no and it's been wonderful. Don't get me wrong, I love helping people and doing all kinds of things, but I have the terrible habit of overdoing it and then I get utterly exhausted and can't find time to be with my family because I have so much going on.

This past week or so has been delightful. I went to Indy and did very little except spend time with family. Then I came home and every night this week I have been home (save for the hour or so running errands or working on the table cover for our craft show table with Brandi) and on the couch doing something crafty. I am loving this. I could get used to this relaxed lifestyle. I don't feel so harried. This must be what other people my age feel. Because surely they can't feel as frustrated, harried, distracted, and out of breath as I usually feel.

I know you only live once, but that life is what you make it. I want to make it full, but I want to fully live it as well. I want to be able to have time to reflect and enjoy those around me instead of racing from place to place. I want to be able to sit for a few evenings in a row on the couch with my pets and just exist. So, that's what I've been doing lately. I'm thankful for the ability to do that.

I'm also thankful I have this guy:

He's the best friend I never asked for. He's always by my side and loves me no matter what. I really got lucky when he sauntered into my life.

What are you thankful for?

Linking up at Southern Charm.

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for naps. Naps are great whether its me taking one or my daughter. She hasn't been taking naps lately so I have really started to make the most of them when they do happen.

When she sleeps is when I get my crafting done. I love the quiet. It helps me gear up for the certain craziness she will have around dinner time.

Car naps are great too, 90% of the time I can move her from the car to her bed successfully and unpacking groceries is much easier.

I'm just keeping this short and sweet. We all could use a nap now and then.

Linking up with Southern Charm

Thankful Thursday - Mexico Edition

Tonight while I was yelling at my DSL modem to quit being a giant piece of poop and start working right (it's been extra finicky lately and only works for about 5 minutes at a time and those 5 minutes are always when I'm not trying to use the computer...), I thought about a little perspective. Like how I went to Mexico to build houses for people who didn't have them or lived in shacks because they can't afford to build houses of their own. Yeah, I have terrible internet service, but I have internet (most of the time). I have a home. I have a place to call mine.

The week I spent in Mexico was a very eye opening experience and I am very excited to have the opportunity to return this February. Unfortunately, I could not go this year (2011) but have decided that I will make every effort to go in the following years. This is a trip that is worth the work. We are side-by-side with the families who benefit from our hard work. We put up the walls they're soon to call home. We eat the luscious meals they prepare for us. We pray with them. We play with the children. We share their joys and woes. We are familia.

I've been trying to brush up my Spanish skills (a Spanish minor in college including 7 years of courses and 2 stints in Puerto Rico and the best I can do now is talk with a 2 year old!) so that I can communicate better when I go visit. I am, to put it mildly, excited about this trip. It's something I am looking forward to. It gives me perspective.

They live here:

(Yes, that is a GIANT trash dump. Check out the blog post here and read about my very special birthday that I spent in Mexico...)

And I live here:

So today I'm thankful for the fact that I have much to be thankful for. I am not saying that because I live in the U.S. my life is better, because I don't believe that. I think you can have a great life no matter where you are. Life is what you make it. I am simply saying that there are many in this world who have it worse than me yet still find much to be thankful for. 

I'm thankful.

What are you thankful for?

Linking up with Southern Charm

And Miss Buckle

The trip is organized by a group from my church and we work with an organization called Esperanza International while we're in Mexico. Check them out. They do great things. If you want to join us on our trip, please let me know. We always welcome additional travelers. :)