1. New (well secondhand) smaller table that fits the dining area better
2. My husband, who picked it up and hauled it in and set it up
3. My amazing children
4. Reading something pleasantly surprising
5. Cleaning
6. Fresh bread
7. Sense of relief
8. Training
9. Quiet
10. These moments

1. Successful returns
2. A long walk
3. Time outside, seeing the water, horses, ponies, a dog
4. Rest
5. Losing my cool, then finding it right where I left it
6. Admiration
7. Something better, more fun
8. Mostly clean house
9. Satisfaction
10. And this, right now

1. Grateful to be awake early (before the kids even!)
2. Grateful for my husband, who caught a big issue with our bank, which could’ve cost us (and hopefully they’ll fix it after Christmas)
3. Grateful that he’s home, and the rain and wind didn’t take down too many trees
4. Grateful for a small Christmas, our first that A knows about Santa
5. Grateful that when we left treats out for him, she went around gathering toys to put on the plate too, for him to enjoy
6. Grateful for organization and teaching (which means modeling) a place for everything
7. Grateful for this little site and its beautiful lists and enlightened list-ers, Merry Christmas!
8. Grateful for peace, family, love
9. Grateful for new traditions
10. Grateful for the perfect unfolding of every thing

1. Whirlwind days
2. My daughters
3. Eldest dealing with an issue with another kid quite well
4. Other moms to the rescue
5. Learning as I go
6. Mark got H to sleep this afternoon
7. Staying cool
8. Taking a rest when I really needed it
9. Seeing the difference mindfulness makes
10. Smiling, breathing, going slowly

1. The Cleveland Botanical Gardens
2. All Christmassy, with tons of themed trees- especially loved the earth themed one, with globes and clouds
3. A little train ride for the little ones
4. A group of lovely HS-age carolers- so beautiful to hear live carols
5. A hundred or so incredibly diverse and creative gingerbread scenes- a train on pretzel rod tracks laid across kit-kat ties, churches with melted-gummy stain glass, log cabins, ornate Victorian houses, charming color-coordinated bungalows. And the landscaping for these sugary abodes! Waffle cone trees, pretzel rod pasture fencing, pez brick courtyards. Incredible!
6. The tropical rainforest, with its larger-than-life owl butterflies, monarch crysallis’, heart-achingly beautiful cooing doves, banana leaves bigger than my head, random mists of warm water, and its own waterfall!
7. Forethought to pack a picnic- and coffee :)
8. Coming to terms with my ego, maybe. At least seeing some of its hidden programs
9. Patience with myself- and my art
10. Being grateful, one of the best things I’ve ever practiced

1. Seeing where I’m lacking so I can make a change
2. Focusing on joy
3. And lightheartedness
4. The way children remind you of what’s important
5. Their delighted faces
6. Saying yes
7. Hugs
8. Playing outside
9. Christmas
10. These days

1. Hannah’s baptism
2. A young, humorous priest
:. Her gorgeous dress
4. The special pin Ava wore too
5. Lovely godparents, wonderful in-laws
6. A’s sweetness, wonderful behavior, all-around wonderfulness
7. Many hands to hold the baby
8. Self-directed learning
9. Time to just visit and read a magazine (Randall Monroe’s article in Wired on dimensions is really good)
10. My wonderful husband

1. Christmas lights
2. Time
3. Friends
4. Family
5. Options
6. Advice
7. Patience
8. Ginger
9. Laughter
10. Joy

1. A donation email that brought me to tears first thing this morning
2. Confirmation I’m on the right track
3. A new venture of learning and exploration
4. My grandparents
5. Sculpting clay- Ava and I had fun with it today, she kept at it all afternoon and evening
6. Joy and all its variations
7. Not having to complete something right away- taking my time and doing it right (but not perfect, no)
8. Seeing a cardinal outside and realizing they’re the original gnomes- red cone hats
9. Humor
10. My quick-witted friend Sally

1. Things working out
2. The girls saw Archie the Snowman
3. And I got some Christmas shopping done
4. Baking for friends
5. Little H nodding off in the cutest way
6. A long lovely conversation with my aunt
7. All my husband’s hard work
8. Lights outside
9. Joy
10. My family