And More Thanks ...

Continuation of More Thanks (Should be the last installment)...

• For the push for electric cars and reducing dependency on foreign oil. I will buy one someday, I just need the range to be a little bit longer.
• For Twizzlers.
• For people that respect cyclists that respect drivers.
• For telling Verizon they can keep their TV service, the Sjoberg clan wants to experience the world first hand.
• For the library, you provide so many lessons learned.
• For power tools. In the words of Tim the Toolman Taylor, "ARGH, ARGH, ARGH!!"
• For learning there is more to life than bringing home a big paycheck
• For warm clothes fresh out of the dryer on a cold day.
• For Kids having only to worry about how they are going to play.
• For my boys laughter.
• For understanding that some higher power will judge whether I left the world a better place.
• For learning to live in the moment because our lives could be taken away from us in the blink of an eye. I miss you Julie Taylor (Frank) and Lemmy Kirkland. It is so easy to get caught up in stuff and forget this. Let's hope I can keep remembering to do this.
• For punctuality.
• For audio books and figuring out that mundane tasks (i.e. raking leaves, driving) allow for easy listening opportunities.
• For trying to learn to do things in moderation. Very much a work in progress.
• And lastly for the air I breathe.

More Thanks ...

A continuation of Give Thanks ...

• For having lots to be thankful for.

• For songs and musicians that move me. From Garth Brooks to Pearl Jam to Techno to Peter Gabriel.

• For learning from my mistakes. I have made some big ones. Unfortunately I can be a slow learner sometimes.

• For Boy Scouts and the life long lessons it taught me. I wish I would have kept reciting the Scout Law over the years. I let you down on a few. Going to work hard to not allow that to happen again.

• For the outdoors and camping and hiking.

• For getting lost because it makes you want to stay found.

• For home cooked meals that have lots of love poured into them.

• For playing cards with my family.

• For traditions.

• For the internet. It is amazing how much information is at our fingertips now a day's. Who knew that duct tape could be used to remove a wart on my son's finger.

• For the great schools my kids are able to go to.

• For strong work ethics.

• For my step-parents.

• For my in-laws.

• For my step-brother.

• For people that don't text and drive. I am trying to stop this. Almost there.

• For my weaknesses and identifying them and trying to improve them.

• For my strengths, not always sure what those are but everyday is a chance for strengthening.

• For those that serve in the military.

• For some awesome teachers that I had growing up. Mrs. Bloomquist, Mr. Shaw, Mr. Davis.

• For the summers I used to spend in Maine with my grandparents.

• For the humongous Swiss Roll Grammy used to make.

• For geocaching.

• For learning to be myself and not what I think someone wants me to be. This is a work in progress.

• For my boys that never think twice and always wear their bike helmets.

• For different perspectives.

Probably to be continued ...

Giving Thanks

• For great friends that you can always count on.

• For books like 7 habits of highly effective people, 7 principles for making a marriage work, parenting that works, Scrum guide (Odd but has good stuff for all aspects of life)

• For regaining the focus and values I once had in life.

• For a job that I enjoy.

• For the community of Crofton.

• For those that volunteer and don't expect anything in return.

• For websites that impact me - momastery.com, sealfit.com, http://www.facebook.com/Consciousparentingnow

• For my two healthy, smart, loving boys.

• For my mom.

• For my dad.

• For my grandparents.

• For my other mom (Helen-Sue).

• For my best friend (Wes).

• For my therapist.

• For EMDR, that stuff is bringing back some good old memories.

• For the people in my past that gave me positive and negative experiences. For the negative things I have learned from them and forgiven you for those. For the positive experiences, I hold onto those and try to implement them in the way that was impressed on me.

• For three stray cats in our backyard that we feed.

• For all the animals that have been a part of my life and touched me deeply.

• For leaves that provide shade during the summer eventhough you always fall to the ground and we have to pick you up every year.

• For my hammock.

• For my camera and the pictures it has captured over the years.
  
• For unselfish teammates and to sacrificing myself for the greater good of the team.

• For learning how to share feelings.

• For patience.

• For focusing on the positive. 

• For my puffy coat that keeps me warm.

• For the floor heat in my car.

• For crossfit.

• For my bike and the freedom and natural highs it provides me when I am rolling through the country side and the endorphins are kicking in.

• For Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 

• Sadly I must admit that I am thankful for Taco Bell and Mountain Dew.

• For a nice cup of hot Dunkin Donuts Original Blend home brewed coffee. Nothing smells much better than that in the morning.

• For learning to support my kids in whatever they choose to do. I will not live vicariously through my kids and try to push them to do what I wanted to do. If you want to do the ribbon event in gymnastics, I will be right there with you and will love every minute of it.

• For friends that would rather go out rucking on Friday night then go to a bar.

• For empathic people.

To be continued ...