Things I've Learned That School Won't Teach Me

So again, I'm starting in on this in the last ten days. But I am pretty excited about sticking with it! I'm doing day 23 today, on my day 2:)

Here goes!

Things I've learned that school won't teach me. 

1: Potty training. This one is KILLING me right now. Just poop in the potty already, Hadley. (I've got to give her a little credit, though. Over the last  six months, she's done the deed about a dozen times.)

2: Unitaskers are stupid. Don't buy them. By this I mean all those silly kitchen gadgets that take up all that valuable real estate in your cupboards. Go for something that will do a few things for you. This advice I learned from Alton Brown. He made me think harder before purchasing fancy fun tools.

3: I was born in 1983. I graduated high school in 2001. Long past the days where home economics teachers were teaching girls how to be stay at home wives and mothers. I wish I wasn't learning so much on the fly. Favorite thing learned on this matter? Your house doesn't have to be flawless for your husband to think you rock. Bless a good man:)Even 60 years ago I wouldn't have learned THAT in school!

4: It could always be worse! I think I will give my mom credit for this one. It's something my brother once told me mom taught us. It is so spot on. I probably wouldn't have said it just like that, it sounds a little dark, but I kinda like it that way. My mom has been through a lot in her life, and has climbed up so far to be the great woman she is today. I think "It could always be worse" is a great reminder that whatever you are going through, no matter what has happened, it's just not the end of the world. I know sometimes it kind of actually is, but really, it makes me stop and think that I have had a pretty easy life. Breakups, burnt cookies, moves across the country, and even a miscarriage...it's all small stuff. And I am grateful for the life I have.

5: Your true BFF will fill your heart more and more with each passing year. You'll be more and more lonesome for her the older you get. Nobody could have prepared me for that. Boo.

XOXO, Al

Day One: Ten Things That Make Me Happy

So, nearly a month ago, when I saw fellow blogger, Jenni, over at The Story of My Life post her Blog Every Day in May Challenge, I was totally in. The challenge is meant to get you  blogging daily, without worrying about the pressure of perfection, and just to get it out there. That is just what I need. I thought it would be great to keep my momentum going while I was in the most difficult period of pregnancy, in my experience. 

As usual, I missed the first day:) I am really good at jumping on the train a day late:) Then the 2nd is the day we found out there was no baby:( And everything went nuts from there. 

Now I find myself here on the 22nd really wishing I'd been a part of this. Bummer. But better late than never. I thought maybe I would pick and choose from the days I missed, and the days yet to come to make it my own "Blog the last 10 Days of May Challenge!

And here I am!

Today I will sneak back to day 14: Ten Things That Make me Happy.

1:Joseph! If you don't have your Significant other on this list, I feel sorry for you. Nothing makes me happier than having this man by my side every day. He's my best friend, and just his long day where he sees patients until 8pm is a real bummer sometimes. I consider myself lucky he found me. 

2: Summer. Warm, sunny summer. (Thank goodness it is here!)And blue skies. 

3: Coffee!

4: Blogging. I not only enjoy sharing our life with friends, family, and other bloggers, I also find it therapeutic. This month especially, while we have been grieving the loss of our pregnancy.

5: iPhone. It's not perfect, sometimes I really want to chuck the computer out our window and into the pond while working with iTunes, but I love my iPhone anyway. I can't live without it. It keeps me connected to my far away family, my husband and everyone else I love.

6: Photography. I owe a lot of this love to Joseph 

7: Cupcakes

8: Music

9: Family. I consider it a privilege to have family, both my own, and the family I married into, that I love to spend time with, and miss mucho all the way here in Ohio. I know not everyone can add their family to their happy list.

10: And one of my favorite things in the world...HADLEY!! This wild child drives me to insanity some days, but without her, I am not whole any more. She is what makes me a mother. She makes me laugh and smile every day, and I am so thankful for her love.

Guess that sums up my day one of the challenge.

Thanks everyone for your kind messages, comments, texts and skypes and calls recently. I am doing well considering...Two week post surgery check up in a couple days. I am feeling well, Hoping to get the all clear to try again! 

XOXO, Al

P.S. Yes, my heart melts for this girl.