Dear Anna,

Thank you for being so brave today on your first day of school. I was so worried you were going to cry and be scared. You did amazing, and I am so proud of you. Thank you for being one of the best, bravest, cutest, sweetest girls I know. I love you more than you will ever understand (until you have a sweet tootie pants of your own).

Love,

mama

Dear True North peanut, almond and cashew clusters,

you are a party in my mouth. so delicious.

amy

Dear Lord,
Thank You for always being there for me, even when I'm not always there for You.  Your love is bigger than anything I could ever imagine... and You lavish it on me.  Thank You.  You are too wonderful for words.

Love,
Holly

Dear Air Conditioner,

You are on constantly these days sending our electric bill through the roof, but I am so thankful that you work and help to cool us off on all these "excessive heat warning" days we've been having.

Keep it cool!

Amy

Dear August,

You are a big month at the Loerke house. My 27th birthday, our first night away from Anna, and a step towards our new future with Matt going back to school. Thanks for finally coming (except for the bday part), and please be kind to us!

Amy

Dear Summer breeze,

You make me feel fine...(har har). It has been so hot this week, but all week you have blessed us with a nice cool summer breeze to just make the heat bearable-- even with heat indexes in the triple digits.

Keep it cool, yo!

Amy

Dear Mattie,

thanks for helping me DEEP CLEAN our bedroom this week. I feel like all our stuff had exploded in there and it is so nice to go into a nice, pretty empty except for a bed and two dressers bedroom. thanks for helping me!!

amy

Dear homemade popcorn,

I love you. You are so much better than anything I can buy at the store or the movie theater. Thanks for being my companion while I go through Season 2 of The Office.

Keep on poppin!

Amy

Dear Porch Swing,
You bring back wonderful memories of hot, sticky summers and time with family now gone.  I am so glad I found you at Lowe's because I honestly didn't think anyone in Alaska knew what porch swings were.  You have saved my summer and made me feel like I'm home-sweet-home all over again.  Thank you.

Love,
Holly

Dear Sunny Day,
I've been waiting for you.  Thank you for my refreshened tan and the way you make me feel... sunny!  :) 

Love,
Holly

Dear Sleeping in,
You are amazing.
Amy

Dear Amos,
Thank you for starting this blog and inviting me (us) to participate. It is a reminder that there is always something to be grateful for, and even on those days that I struggle I can read others' grateful thoughts and it warms my heart and brightens my day.
Love you, good buddy.
Leah

Dear Pringles,
You were on sale this week, and I had a coupon so to our house you came. Today as I ate some of you, you brought childhood memories screaming back. One year when we were little Mama bought us season passes to Six Flags over Georgia. The trips were always special, because even though we didn't get to buy food in the park, mom always packed a cooler of goodies (that we had to eat OUTSIDE the park on a cement picnic table in the parking lot...)....the cooler usually had cans of Pringles in it, which was HUGE to us kids! Pringles were a special treat. Thanks for reminding me of my childhood, and reminding me to take pleasure in the small things...even cans of Pringles.
Amy

Dear Hollister and Weah,

Thanks for being thankful with me.

Love you guys

Ames

Dear Headache,
Thank you for leaving me for a bit yesterday. You are back today, so I assume you missed me too much to stay away any longer... but I had a great day without you. Thanks for the break!
Leah

Dear House,

I'm always coming up with new stuff to invest our money in (ie, new car, vacations, clothes, etc.).  Today, I was reminded of why we don't always have extra money lying around:  you.  But you know what?  I'm so glad.  You're better than any of those other things!  I love how cozy you are.  I love every room inside of you.  I love that you are my home.  Thank you for being my place of residence and providing a roof over my head.

Love,
Holly

Dear Thunderstorms,

You have shown up several times today and I love it. I have loved the sound of thunder ever since I was a kid. You always remind me of standing on the front steps at our little house on 4135 Cloverdale Road (Alabama) and watching lightning and listening to thunder with my Dad. Thanks for being especially loud and "boomy" here in Oklahoma. Sometimes I can't sleep because you are so stinkin' loud, but I still love lying there and just listening to ya.

Thanks for being so boomy!

Amy

Dear Southern Accent (to0),

What holly said.

Never ever leave me.

Love,

Amy

Dear Southern Accent,
You show up at the most unexpected moments:  when I'm mad, excited, talking on the phone, and when I'm talking to another Southerner.  While there are times that I wish you were a constant in my vocals, I am happy when you jump in there and surprise me with your presence!  Thank you for being one of my dearest companions, even after all these years of not living in the South.  I love that you emphasize my moods and help me get points across.  I LOVE YOU!

Love,
Holly

Dear Gym,
Thank you for being my haven three times a week. I am enchanted with you and the way you make me feel. I can't wait to see you tonight.
Leah

Dear Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla,

You are the best vanilla ice cream I have ever had. Thanks for being so yummy on a hot summer day. Heat indexes are already in the triple digits, so you are a cool welcome to my day.

Thanks for being so yummy and cold,

Amy

Dear 100-calorie bags of popcorn,
You give me just enough of your salty, buttery goodness to satisfy my tummy the perfect amount.  Thank you for being so delicious and tasty, while at the same time being a guilt-free snack.  You are awesome and I love you (every night that I have you!).

Love,
Holly

Dear Matt,

Tomorrow is your 2nd Father's day, but I view as your first because your first one AC was only a few weeks old. I love watching you be her Dada, and I love seeing how much she loves you. Thanks for working hard to provide for us, and to show AC how a Dada should love his baby.

We love you!!

Amy and AC

Dear No-Name Pizza,

Matt brought you home from work last night. You are delicious and I wish the pizza box said where you are from so I could have you again and again!

Amy

Dear Weah,

Matt is home tonight so I can't watch Mraz vids with you. Bummer. But thanks for all the fun!! Love how INSANE we are.

Amy

Thanks, Mraz

Dear Jason,

Thank you for this beautiful Lionel Richie cover. I love it more than I can say. I watch it more than I want to say. And I probably listen to it on my ipod even more than that. I love dancing to it with Anna. I love your music. Thanks for pursuing your singing career. It blesses my ears.

Dear Anna,

you break my heart when I lie you down in your crib and you stand up and say "mama" over and over in a high pitched crying voice. I almost go back in your room every time. I know you just don't wanna lay down, but thank you for wanting to spend more time with me.

I love you forever

Mama

Dear afternoon outings,
I have a tendency to get a little stir-crazy sitting at home all day with the girls.  You are such a nice relief to my day.  Thank you for getting me out of the house and giving me a reason to shower, brush my teeth, fix my hair, and put a little makeup on.  I think you're great!  :)

Love,
Holly

Dear Ray LaMontagne,
Thank you for making such beautiful music. Listening to your creations sets peace in my heart and a smile on my face. Keep up the good work, friend!
Hugs,
Leah

Dear Sweet tea,

Are there words? No. Simply put, I love you. Best drink ever.

Amy

Dear grande hazelnut latte,
You saved my life yesterday.  I was slowly fading in and out of a sleep-deprived coma when you came, heroically, to my rescue.  Thank you for your double-shot goodness and reviving me back to this wonderful reality of motherhood!  I've established that, some days, I just have to have you.

Love,
Holly

Dear Singing,

Today while eating lunch with Anna, I was singing a song (out loud) that was stuck in my head. Anna repeated me, with mumbles, to the same tune. I was stunned and so proud and my heart about burst it was so cute. She has the sweetest little voice. Thanks songs, for "coming out" of my little girl.

Don't forget the lyrics,

Amy

Dear Jesus,

Thanks for granting me the desires of my heart and giving me the most beautiful baby girl on the planet. I dunno why you had it take almost 3 years for her to come to life, but I wouldn't change it for anything. Thanks for doing things on Your time, and for having a plan that is always way better than mine.

Love,

Amy

Dear Breeze,

You were great today. You blew in at just the right times to make 95 degrees feel more like 80 something. That's a rare occasion in Oklahoma. Thanks for making it bearable while I watched AC splash in her pool.

Dear Sunset,

I just looked out the window and the sky is blue, purple and a huge streak of orange and hot pink. Thanks for being visible through the guest room window so I can just lay on the bed and watch you change colors.

Love

Amy

Dear Little Bit,
Thank you for finally taking a nap! (It's been weeks since your last one, as you well know.) I love playing with you all day long, but sometimes it's just nice to have things quiet for a bit. I'm glad that we finally agree on this. (At least for today.)
Love you Boogie!
xoxox,
Momma

Dear Matt's Family,

You don't know this, but I complain about you guys a lot. I guess that's part of living near somebody for 5.5 years, and not getting much of a break, and feeling like you guys are more than in-laws. You're just family. On that note, I am so thankful to have you all here in Tulsa. I miss my family every day, but I love knowing that I have people here who love me just as much as my family does. Thanks for accepting me as one of you.

Amy

Dear Mocha Frappuccino,

You do know how wonderful you are, don't you?

Mmmm mmm mmmm,

Amy

Dear Allie Brosh, auther of Hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com,

Your blog is freaking GENIUS and makes me laugh so so freaking hard. Thanks for giving me something to do every night when Matt is at work and AC is in bed.

Thanks for the laughter,

Amy

Dear Skype (again),

Thanks for being available while AC was napping, and while my sister was home alone. It was fun to have some uninterrupted shasha time. It was almost like we were layin in the bed together like we do when we are together. (okay, well that sounds weird....but we're sisters...we can do that).

Dear Water,

You are so refreshing. Thanks for that. I love it when you are cold.

Love

Amy

Dear Makenna,
Thank you for coming 2 days before your May 30 due date.  Thank you for going easy on your mama and making labor a seeming "breeze".  Thank you for coming into this world a sweet bundle of baby.  Thank you for being such a sweet girl.  Thank you for only getting up twice a night.  Thank you for putting up with your big sister, Taylor, who can't seem to keep her hands off of you.  Thank you for being healthy and adorable.  I love you, my sweet girl.  I am so unbelievably happy that you are finally here!

Love,
Mama

Dear Watermelon that Matt picked out,

You are DELICIOUS! Thanks for being so sweet and watery, and making Anna take a bite and say "Mmmm!".

Here's to a long summer of water running down my chin,

Amy

Dear Skype,

Thanks for existing so that I can see my family whenever I want to, even though they are roughly 800 miles away.

Dear Summer,

Thanks for all the things you bring to look forward to-- swimming, watermelon, and many many glasses of sweet tea, naps, ice cream running down my chin, and light summer dinners. If only you weren't so hot. OH well, I love you anyways.

Dear Matt,

Thanks for getting up with me and AC this morning even though you were so tired. It helps knowing I don't have to get up that early all by myself every day.

Love you jojo

Amy

Dear Huggies,

Thanks for printing out so many coupons. I prefer pampers but your coupons and target sales are too good to pass up. You allowed me to buy two $8.99 packs of diapers for only 10 dollars. So, I almost got one of you free. Thanks for saving me money. Please don't leak on Anna, okay?

Dear Dance,
Thank you for always setting my mind and heart right again. You allow me to express emotions I'd otherwise not be able to get out.
Always,
Leah

Dear Chocolate Chips,
You are so delicious. Even not surrounded by cookie dough you are one of my favorite treats. Thanks for all the pick-me-ups and sugar rushes.
xoxox,
Leah

Dear Technology,

Thanks for advancing so much that I don't have to handwash and line dry my clothes. 'Preciate it!

Amy

Dear Makenna,

Thanks for finally making your appearance into the world on Friday. I bet your Mama greatly appreciates it, and I hope I get to meet and hold you one day!

Love,

Aunt Amy from a place far away from Alaska...

Dear Swimming pool at Beth's house,

Thanks for being a fun place to take Anna and create memories with her. Or, at least memories for me to tell her about.

Splishes and splashes,

Amy

Dear Grateful blog,

I invited Leah to be thankful on here too. Hope you are okay with that. THe more grateful, the merrier, I say!

Dear Ipod,

I've always felt sort of conformist and snobby for having you. But you have been a great asset lately in helping me to fall asleep at night. Thanks for letting me pick any quiet, soothing song I want to help me relax. I have been sleeping a lot better lately. Thanks for being so....musical?

Bring on the beat,

Amy

Dear Jason Mraz and Train,

Thanks for writing several quiet, soothing songs that I can listen to on my trusty red ipod to help me fall asleep at night. You two (and ben rector) are the only artists I have willingly listened to for the past 6 years.

Thanks for the music!

Amy

Dear Sweet tea that I made today,

Thanks for tasting so good, and reminding me to just sit back and relax. One day I will have a nice big wrap-around porch and some nice comfy rockers to sit in while I sip you, and watch my kiddies play in the sprinkler.

Dear Del Monte Fruit Chillers,

You are the perfect cool snack on a hot hot day.

Thanks for ticklin' my taste buds!

Yum yum,

Amy

Dear Massage,
I needed you today, more than ever.  Thank you for fulfilling my hopes for relieved back muscles.  I will sleep like a champ tonight and relax my weary body.  Looking forward to seeing you next week, unless Boo decides to come before then.  Thank you, again, for sweet relief!

Love,
Holly

Dear peace and quiet,

Where were you today? I missed you, and I really needed you for my sanity.

Please come back soon.

Loudly yours,

Amy

Dear Anna,

I spanked you today. And it was 98% because I was very frustrated with you. I promised I would never do that, and I did. I am sorry. I just wanted you to go to sleep and stop standing in your crib and you kept standing over and over and over. Please just lay down and sleep for me now.

I love you.

Dear Busy Days,
Thank you for keeping me occupied and distracted.  I love days like you!

Love,
Holly

Today's positive thought for myself:

I love my toes.

Dear Olivia,

Thanks for calling me tonight just to say "Hey Aunt Spazzy, I wish you could come to my house". I love your sweet little three year old voice, and I wish I could come to your house, too.

Love,

Aunt Spazzy

Dear Subway

$5 footlongs provide me with lunch and dinner. Thanks for givin me a cheap meal.

Extra pickles please!

Amy

Why is it easier to affirm “something’s wrong” than to say “everything’s great?”
Isn’t it strange for us to say, “I’m lazy. I’m fat. I’m no good,” thereby creating our life experience to be one that is late, tired, and worthless. Leave it to our egos to keep us in that small game and hold us back. If you haven’t started yet, I invite you take on affirmations that brighten your day. Create a bigger life for yourself simple by saying things like, “I am tireless, perfect being. I have access to everything and I am complete.”

Check out Jessica’s Daily Affirmation. She’s got it all figured out.



Go shout everything you love about you.

Dear Mom and Dad,
I am whole. I am stoked. I love this day. I love my job. I love my sisters. I love my brother. I love my cats. I love my city. I love my state. I love my songs. I love my keyboard. I love my curly hair. I love the grey one in my beard. I love that this is what my life looks like. I love you!

Jason

Dear Jason Mraz,

I am so glad I still stalk your "journal" after what...6 years of loving your music? I needed to read this today to remind me to be positive.

And Dear green leather chair,

Thanks for letting me sit on you all the time, and not giving up on me when I plop down on you.

Dear Anna,

Thank you for my kisses today. I love you too.

As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be,

Mama

Dear 38 Weeks and 4 Days Pregnant,
You make me tired.  You make me crazy sometimes.  But I know you're keeping my baby in there this long for a really good reason.  Thank you for keeping her in my belly this long, ensuring her health and well-being as only you can do!

Love,
Holly

Dear Neon,

Even though I complain about your size, color, and age...thank you for being a reliable mode of transportation and for not having any problems!

Toots and honks,

Amy

Dear Morning Scripture Devotion,
Thank you for the reminder you bring of how BIG and AWESOME our God is.

Love,
Holly

Dear Vitamin D produced by sunshine,
You make me feel so good.  How do I spend entire winters without you?  Thank you for making me feel alive again!

Love,
Holly

Dear Weather,

Thank you for being a dream come true today. The sky was painted with little white clouds here and there, and the temperature was just PERFECT. If i could choose to have the same weather conditions day after day, I would choose every day to feel just like today.

Thanks for bringing me outside today, weather.

Love

Amy

Dear Carly and Olivia,

This morning you both told me that I am the best aunt ever, "no matter what". It made my day. I love being your aunt and playing with you, snuggling with you, being silly with you and singing Hannah Montana songs with you.

Yall are the best nieces ever. No matter what.

Dear Day-After-Being-Horribly-Nauseated,
You bring such sweet relief to a weary body.  Thank you for being a new day!

Love,
Holly

Dear Barqs Root Beer,

You are delicious along side my home made fries and nuggets. Thanks for tasting so good!

Love,

Amy's taste buds

p.s. I am so grateful today for the sweet snuggles we got from AC this morning. They make my mommy heart feel like it's going to burst with love and happiness!

Dear Laughter,
I love you so much.  You always make me feel good.  You are one of my most favorite things!

Love,
Holly

Dear Flip- flops,

I love you. I love the sound you make when I walk, I love how easy you are to get on, and I love the little v shaped tan you leave on my foot when I've been outside.

Dear Forgiveness,

I need you more than you know.

Dear Family,

I love you more than you know.

Dear Overdraft protection,

Thanks for working, even though I wish I didn't have to have you.

Today I am thankful for...

a nice visit with a good friend that I haven't seen in months!

What about you?

Thanksgiving

We take so many things in life for granted....water, food, clothes, money, jobs, laughter.... I want to stop and appreciate all the things I have been blessed with daily. This is an open forum to do so! I invited you to be an auther in case you wanted to share in the gratitude with me! I feel like too often we just live day by day not appreciating what we have. Even if it's just with family, maybe it can help us to be more appreciative of all we have been given.

This isn't a blog to tell stories, brag on your kids, complain or anything. Just think of is a place to write down something you are thankful for today (tomorrow, the next day and the day after that, too!)

So, here goes the first "thanksgiving"

Today I am thankful for Matt's big comfy sweatshirts that keep me warm when I am feelin' cold!