Margarita party.

I have this little blue book that sits on the windowsill beside my bed.  It was a new years resolution to fill its pages with things I'm thankful for.  So every day starting January 1st, I've been writing one thing down a night.  At first, it was a bit of a chore.  Thinking back on tired days spent at work, where the sun was already setting on my drive home, wondering where those few free hours between 5pm and bedtime went so fast.

But over time it turned from work to manageable, and from manageable to something I look forward to.  The expectation is one thing a day, and I can handle that.  I've found my stride, and in the midst of it have noticed this project has created me to be a more mindful and present person.

There are so many things to be thankful for. Sometimes they are big God at work things, and sometimes they're little things that make me smile. Today has already been a toss up between Mrs. T, who brought me a blueberry muffin (because even though she can't pass up a good deal, there's no way a pint-sized 77 year old could ever eat a dozen muffins on her own before they are no longer good), and Mr. Z who I've known for years, and is the one person who refers to me as "Emmy" (nobody else has done that since I was probably 4 years old).  It makes my heart smile.

Anyway, that was a bit of a big set up to say I'm going to share my Sunday, May 5, 2013 entry.  Word for word it read, "margarita party".  The bigger story was captured in pictures below.  It was Cinco De Mayo, and included margaritas, a big quilt, best friends, and tree climbing.

That blanket had been sitting in the trunk of my car for weeks.  Waiting for snow to melt, and green to grow. When David, Deepa, and Ari got to the house on Sunday afternoon, I said, "it's cinco de mayo, I made margaritas, and there's a tree out there that is perfect for relaxing under." And we went.  There was much to talk about.  David's grandma is in her 90's and they had just come from a visit, I had just photographed a wedding the day before, and there is a big 30th birthday around the corner that requires some focused party planning.  

Although some of us were more into the party planning than others. 

We sat under that tree longer than any of us had expected.  We ate chips and guacamole, emptied the pitcher of margaritas, kissed the cutest baby on the block, and laughed.  A lot.

"I want to climb that tree." "me too." So we did. And it was fun/ny.

Sunshine is great.  Blue skies are great.  Tree climbing, great.  But having friends to hang out with on awesome days is the best.  And don't even get me started on when you throw a cute baby into the mix.  Ari is as good as it gets.  He smiles and cuddles, and makes me laugh like it's his job.  Because at this point, it's pretty much what he does best.

Oh, and it was Ari's first time spending a significant amount of time in grass.  He never quite figured out how he felt about it.  Which is why he eventually decided to stay put on the blanket. 

So, yes.  What started as an exercise to force myself to reflect on thankfulness, has turned into something that stretches me daily.  And that in itself is something to be thankful for.  :)