Gratitude Challange: Days 5 & 6 - Knowledge & Memories

Books from the completion of my undergrad degree at George Fox University.

Ritchie cousins circa 1986 or so at Grandma & Grandad's house - amazing memories!

Moments

30 Photos That Capture the Best Moment's of People's Lives (clicky)


These are wonderful.  Joy in picture form. And I love how so many of them aren't necessarily all about them (meaning the person who tweeted them) but about the people they love.  

If I were choosing my top moments (so far) they would be meeting my precious niece seven years ago and the day this past December when I (FINALLY) graduated from college.  

Isn't she adorable?

 

 

Finally got that B.A.!

Here's hoping there are more moments like those people posted.  Proposal, marriage, babies, graduating kids, time spent with grandchildren...


What would be your best moment?

Blessings

Family.

My sister, Mom, me and Dad.  Could we be more 80's? ;)

When asked what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday, they are the first thing that comes to mind.  But my gratitude and love for them isn't any stronger on the third Thursday in November (or the 25th of December!) than it is any other day of the year.  

I love them every day. 

Me and my sissy

  

I think that Thanksgiving is a gift.  It helps us look beyond the day to day humdrum and take the time to reflect on what blessings we have in our lives.  

I've been lucky enough to have a large family on both the maternal and paternal sides. 

Me, Grammy and Laura on the famous couch

Me and my sister with Uncle Cy and Aunt Marlys (essentially our third set of grandparents - lucky kids!)

Ritchie family Thanksgivings tend to be very full.  Full of good food, full of laughter, full of lots of family (usually 20+) and always full of love.

The Ritchie cousins

I'm thankful, so very thankful and very, very blessed.

+/= of the week

As today was one of those "terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days" I figure it is the right time to take a look at what is going well in life..

+      I am looking forward to babysitting my adorable niece Meredith on Saturday evening while my sister and bro-in-law go to a Timbers game.  I'm hoping for sunshine, for them to enjoy at the game and for Miss Meredith and I to enjoy before dinner!  I am also super excited to see my bestie Kristal on Sunday when she is in town for the weekend.  It's been way too long again (since January!) and I'm looking forward to catching up with her.  Oh, and in my first week back on plan (Medifast) I lose 7.5lbs.  Yay!

-      My knee has been hurting today and I hate limping around. And this isn't even the knee with the repaired torn meniscus and still torn ACL.  UGH.  I'm looking forward to continuing to loose more weight and easing up on some of the pressure I put on my poor knees on a daily basis.  I also have a CRAPLOAD of homework to do over the next two weeks.  Aack!

+/= of the week

+      I am looking forward to Easter lunch tomorrow with my sister, bro-in-law, beautiful niece and parents. My niece will undoubtedly be super excited about the Easter bunny making an appearance the next day and I'm excited to continue my spoiling of said kid with an early bonus Easter basket.  :)  Oh, and of course celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday!  He is Risen!

-      I guess I really can't think of a minus... apparently I'm in a good mood right now.  Lol  I suppose the only thing I approach with trepidation in this next week is that I am planning on restarting Medifast again.  While I am hopeful and excited for the success I know I will have it (based upon a previous 68 pound loss, of which I have gained it all back - ew) is not an easy process on the body and psyche and I know there will be challenges and serious tests to my willpower in the coming months.