Los Porchs

Today I am thankful for my home.  It's warm.  It's (relatively) clean.  It's not very big, but it's where my people gather.  It may or may not be our forever home, it's too soon to tell.  But you know that feeling, when you're on the couch and there's something yummy in the oven and you're just... content?  That's home for me.  I'm so thankful that we have such a cozy place to raise our daughter.  It makes my heart happy to know that she'll have memories like I do of a happy, warm, safe home for her childhood. xoxo Mama Porch

Today I am celebrating 15 months of breastfeeding. I was so worried that it might not work for us and then those first few days were awful... I wanted to give up so many times! We have been fortunate enough to share this relationship and though I am packing up the pump today (Thank you, Jesus), we still have our time together before bed and when teething gets the best of her. Like today. I can see LOTS of angry red gum tissue and a few teeth that weren't there just yesterday. I'm so thankful to be a source of comfort in her time of need. *More on weaning in a separate, hormonal post. Go Pack Go! Xoxo Mama Porch

I am thankful that my baby's biggest pain and struggle is her teething pain, which is typically managed well via ibuprofen and snuggles. There are too many children who are hurting from much bigger problems. Tonight, I am thinking of these children and am hopeful that they find comfort in healthy relationships with caregivers and that they would know peace. xoxo Mama Porch

Today, I am giving thanks for my access to education.  Sure, I would love a visit from the Student Loan Fairy, but at the end of the day, both Porch and I had access to education and have the jobs we do because of that education.  I am thankful for the scholarship opportunities that have been afforded to me to support my quest for too many degrees/certificates.  Further, I am thankful that Charlotte has the opportunity to witness our commitment to lifelong learning.  I hope that she is inspired by our choices and makes the best choice for herself to reach her goals in life.  Not everyone needs a bachelor's degree, but everyone needs to continue to learn and try new things. xoxo Mama Porch

On our 30-minute commute home, Charlotte and I typically sing songs together in an effort to keep her happy and awake.  Sometimes I bribe her with graham crackers, sometimes she passes out and I have a minute of quiet reflection to myself.  Tonight, I decided I needed to listen to Ryan Long on my Spotify via Bluetooth.  Mmmmmkay, hormonal mama, why would you do that to yourself? I was doing well until I got the song " My Daughter's Dance " which was played at my sweet 16 party to which I danced with my dad.  Those memories came flooding over me and for a hot second, I was 16 again.  Thank GOD that was just a second!  I was overcome with gratitude that my dad didn't kill me as a teenager/young adult because I said and did a lot of stupid crap. So today, Day 3 of the #30daysofthanks exercise, I am giving my greatest thanks for my dad.  The kind of dad who was willing to help me with homework, would play outside with my brother and me growing up, and who continues to

That smooshy face... God I love her. I am so thankful to be a Mama. I thank science and I thank God because it took both to bring Ms. Charlotte into our lives. She will always be the babe who made me a mama and she will always, always, always be my Cheekers. Ok. Weaning hormones are real, y'all. Just made myself ugly cry real quick. Good grief. This picture popped up on my Facebook page today as a memory from one year ago... we were out to dinner at the new sushi place by our apartment & Charlotte was the perfect dinner date. She was smiles the whole time. Isn't it funny how I can barely remember where my car keys are yet I can vividly remember this moment in time? Sigh. They're never that small again. Savor those new babies, friends, because they truly don't keep.

It's easy to get wrapped up in the monotony of our day to day lives, working hard for that next big raise, to get that new toy, to feel the need to keep up with those we see on social media living the dream.  November is a month that kind of gets glossed over; once Halloween is done (sometimes before), stores jump into Christmas.  I often feel that November is rushed, unappreciated, and kind of the middle child of the fall/winter season. Every year, we like to take some time to reflect on how fortunate we are, appreciating the little things that we often take for grated.  So join us this month as we give thanks and hopefully, you will find a little time to reflect on your own life & find something(s) for which to give thanks. Day 1 We are thankful to be back in Wisconsin, close to family, so that we can share Charlotte's childhood magic with them.  We spent Halloween with my parents and it was so nice to spend the day together, meet my aunt & uncle for dinner and