20th Anniversary Countdown: Guest Post #16

In celebration of my blog's 20th anniversary, I'm having guest posters every week leading up to the big day. 

Today we have Kaelyn as our guest!

Kaelyn, who goes by Kae on her blog, blogs over at Grateful Kae. She's a fellow Wisconsin blogger who lives with her husband, two teenage boys, and an adorable dog named Charlie. She works as a nurse, but keep it real on the blog by talking about her struggles with pop addiction, difficulties fitting in exercise even when it's a priority, and how crazy it gets in a household with so many people doing important things. But when I think of Kaelyn, what I really think about is her travel. She does extensive recaps on family vacations, how to plan them, and how she packs. 

Let's welcome her!

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Happy 20th Blog Anniversary, Engie! I’ve only been blogging for a measly 4 years, and sometimes I feel like that’s a long time, so I’m truly in awe of your blogging longevity!

When thinking about a “List of 20 Things” to contribute to this blog series, I quickly landed on “Gratitude” as a theme. I mean…. Hi. My blog is called Grateful Kae. 😊 Now, it’s true that not every post I write directly centers around a gratitude topic. In fact, most posts don’t. But when I started my blog, I knew I wanted that to be the underlying theme, the backbone of my blog.

Why, exactly? Well, I think that at the core of my personality, I have an (annoying) tendency to be quick to “jump into the pit of despair," for lack of a better phrase. Lol! What I mean is, it’s not always my instinct to see the rosy side of things. I worry too much. I fret. I perseverate. I can assume the worst. But a few years ago, I read the book The Gratitude Diaries. And I found it to be totally eye opening! One of those paradigm-shift moments.

As I read, I thought about my own life and realized a couple of things. One, I have SO MUCH to be grateful for. Seriously, I have an insane number of good things in my life. I’d be willing to bet that most/all people reading this blog do, too. (Even though it’s so easy to regularly overlook this fact.) And two, attitude and perspective are usually more important than whatever is actually happening to me at any given moment. Yes, bad stuff definitely happens, to me and everyone. But what we focus on expands. So, I set out to see if I could try to focus on the good stuff instead, by building a consistent practice of gratitude.

Thus, Grateful Kae was born to share the journey! (Okay fine, it was also partly a pandemic passion-project… haha.)  And I’ve recorded something I’m grateful for every day since. As a result, great news! My life is perfect now. (JUST KIDDING!! 🤣 It’s not.) But, every day that I fill out my “I am grateful for….” prompt is another day I’m casting a vote for myself to be a more positive, grateful person.

So, without further ado, here are 20 Things I’m Grateful For, in no particular order. (*Note: This list will range in importance from major to random. I think it’s a given that I’m grateful for my family, my kids, my health, etc. The fun part about a gratitude practice is realizing that you can be grateful for ANYTHING! Nail clippers? Your iPhone case? Your fitness instructor? That one great microfiber cleaning rag? The song Sweet Caroline?  Your neighbor’s lilac bush? All fair game.)

1.       My husband makes our bed every single day.

Let’s start with a random one! I love having a made bed; I do not like actually making the bed. Fortunately for me, my husband makes our bed every morning. In our almost 17 years of marriage, I have never once asked him to do this- he just does it. I love this, and I’m grateful for it. [Note from NGS: My husband and I get out of bed every morning and make the bed together without saying a single word to one another. I am grateful for this little ritual every day and never even realized it until this bullet point!]

2.       My high school AP English classes (and teacher)

I am so grateful to have a strong, solid command of the written English language. It’s such a useful life skill that honestly, many people do not have. (Actually, after watching my Mexican husband learn English as an adult, I’m also just grateful I learned English as my native language! 😬 It’s a complicated language!) But I’m especially grateful for Mr. Bowers, who taught my 11th and 12th grade AP English courses and really solidified all things “English” for me. Big credit to my mom too for instilling a love of reading/writing in me from a young age!

3.       That I can speak fluent Spanish.

Sticking with the language theme, I am grateful to have learned Spanish (fluently). I double majored in Nursing and Spanish at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was fortunate to have a bunch of real-life immersion opportunities. From waitressing at a Mexican restaurant, to studying abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico, to an adventurous solo trip to Guatemala at 21, to marrying a Mexican guy 😜, I’ve had way above average foreign language practice. Learning to speak Spanish fluently is one of my most favorite life achievements. I am so grateful for this, because without it, my relationship with my in-laws, and our frequent Mexico trips, would be really, really different.

In Tepotzlán, Mexico in 2022

4.       For living somewhere with four seasons.

Here in southern Wisconsin, we are blessed (or cursed? depends when you ask me) to have four distinct seasons. I can gripe and moan about the snow and cold in January with the best of them, but I secretly love the changing seasons. I especially love our epic falls - obviously the #1 season. But our HOT, humid Wisconsin summers are amazing too. Then again, I LOVE “cozy” season in the winter… give me a snowy evening with a cup of hot chocolate and the fireplace on and a Christmas movie on the TV….ahhh, yes. Spring is my least favorite by far (usually windy and stays too cold far too long here), but I guess this one is the necessary bridge to get from winter to summer. I find that just as soon as I start to get a little bored with one season, it’s almost time for the next one! I like the fresh start and different traditions each one brings, too. 😊

5.       My height

Okay, super random and ultimately unimportant one here, but, it’s true. I am somewhere between 5’8-5’9” tall, and I’m grateful for being on the taller side! NOTHING against my short friends at all -you are all perfect, too! But my (relative) height came in real handy during my high school volleyball days, which were a huge part of my HS experience. I also just genuinely like being taller. I like being able to reach things on the top shelf. I like having long legs! It’s part of who I am.

6.       That I learned to lift weights in high school

Speaking of volleyball, I’m really grateful that we had required weight training sessions as part of our VB practices. We trained in the big weight room in the high school, and I remember learning to bench press, squat, use all the machines, free weights, etc. Strength training is now my #1 form of exercise to this day (and arguably maybe the most important, for overall longevity). I hear from so many women how intimidating strength training is if you’re just starting out. I’m so grateful that I learned to do this from a young age and am very confident in the weight room! Thanks Coach Werner! 😊[Note from NGS: I'm loving how important teachers were in Kaelyn's life! Educators are so important.]

7.       That we had our kids at a pretty young age.

I was 24 and 26 when our boys were born. On the flip side, my parents had my sister and me on the “older” side, for their generation, anyway- at 31 and 33. Obviously, there are pros and cons to having kids sooner or later, and it’s a highly personal decision with no one right answer (and not even always exactly controllable).

But I’m often grateful that it worked out this way for us. Because if we had waited until our mid-30s to have our kids, my parents would have been kind of OLD by then! If I’d had my first baby at 35 instead of 24, my parents would have been 68 at his birth; when my oldest turned 16, my parents would already be 84. In contrast, when my oldest was born my parents were just 57, and now that he just turned 16, my parents are still a spry 73. 😉

I’m thankful my parents have been “young” and healthy throughout the boys’ childhoods. We’ve taken countless trips with my parents where they’ve been able to do active things with the boys, like zip line! Hike! Climb through caves! Boogie board! Parasail. And other adventures. ♥

A fresh faced 24 year old me in 2008 with baby Ethan 

My dad parasailing with me and Asher in Costa Rica

My mom and dad climbing through Venado Caves in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

My dad ziplining at age 72! 

8.       That I love spicy food.

My husband and I love love LOVE spicy food. WE LOVE IT. Can’t get enough. I am grateful that my tastebuds magically developed this love somewhere between high school and college, because it’s a really fun bond between me and my husband. (He has commented that if I didn’t like spicy food, he’s not totally sure this marriage would have worked. LOL.)

Also, it is very fun and amusing to travel to Mexico and be able to out-eat even the most macho men when it comes to the spiciness level. Haha! (People who don’t know me will see me go for the salsa, and their eyes will widen and they’ll say, “Ooh watch out! That one’s spicy!” (as I dump huge spoonfuls on my taco….). It’s fun to be like, Ohhhh, señora, no se preocupe. I got this. *winks and devours taco*

Bring it. 

9.       My older house, built in 1978.

We have an older ranch home, which we bought over 10 years ago now. I sometimes complain about certain things (looking at you, too-small master bathroom…), and occasionally wish we had one of those bigger, beautiful, new homes in the pretty neighborhoods with the manicured landscaping. But you know what I don’t wish for? To have to PAY for that bigger, beautiful, new home. Our home is older, yes, but it’s (mostly) updated, comfortable, has a great sunroom, fantastic storage space, is on a cul-de-sac (i.e. quiet), and really has everything we need. The lower fixed housing cost has allowed us to spend our money on other things that we value more, and mostly just not be chained to a ginormous mortgage! So, I try to remind myself of this one often (especially after I maybe pick up one of the kids from a friend’s big ‘ol fancy house and find myself feeling a twinge of envy…). [Note from NGS: I live in a house built in 1912, so your house is new and fancy. I mean, the bathroom situation here is dire. If it helps, I'm envious of your usable bathroom!!]

10.   My office

Our house (see above), while having many nice qualities, does not come with a sprawling home office or, um, library. It does come with a finished basement laundry room, though! And I am so very grateful that the previous owners installed a built-in desk, overhead shelving, and cabinets in there. (She used it as a sewing room.) It is not fancy, and let’s just say I always have a blurred background on video calls (some other people have floor-to-ceiling mahogany bookcases in their office background; I have a… washing machine 😆). But I am SO grateful for this space! It’s all mine, I have a door that closes, and I have added cozy desk lamps. I love it. My little escape! And bonus- I can switch the towels from the washer to the dryer without even getting up from my desk chair! LOL.

11.   My work-from-home Nursing job

After 10 full years working as an inpatient Transplant Nurse, I really needed a change. The insane hospital pace, the long 12-hour weekend shifts, missing family holidays… I was finding it all less and less sustainable as the boys were getting deeper into the busy elementary years.

Over the span of almost two years, I applied for several other nursing jobs with marginally “better” hours, but none of them panned out. In hindsight, I’m so grateful they didn’t! I ended up eventually landing a position as an RN Data Analyst in 2016 (for my same hospital and the same transplant program= perfect!). It was a rare and exceptional find for a burned-out nurse: a 100% work-from-home, mostly flexible schedule position, for more pay than I was getting inpatient. WHAT?! The positive impact that this has had on our family life (and my sanity) is indescribable.

On my last shift as a floor nurse!

12.   The piano/ cello

I started playing the piano at age 4 and the cello in 5th grade. Music competitions, private lessons, the school orchestra, and making cash playing in a quartet with my friends at weddings were a big part of my life.

I didn’t end up doing anything professionally with my music background as an adult. (I was quite good, but not like, that good! Nor did I put in the effort that would have required, or have the desire, honestly.)

But I am still so grateful that I can play the piano at a pretty high level. The piano is one of my #1 stress relievers, and on a crappy day, there’s a high chance you’ll find me sitting at the piano for a while. Also, I just really like having that musical literacy. I can read music. I know the names of many composers, recognize famous pieces, musical styles, etc. I feel like my music background has enriched my life in other ways besides “just” knowing how to play, and I’m grateful for that! 

Playing a Christmas duet with Ethan… sadly, despite years of lessons, neither boy seemed to inherit the same passion for it I have. 

13.   TRAVEL!

As Engie mentioned, some of my favorite posts to write are (ridiculously long and detailed, I cannot help it) travel recaps. I’m just so grateful for the travel we have done as a family, but also that my parents prioritized traveling with us as kids, too. Many of my best childhood memories are from our trips- mostly long national park road trips around the U.S.

Favorite family trips from recent years for me would probably include…. Costa Rica, our Ireland/Rome trip, and our Colorado/Utah trip, but I’m terrible at narrowing things down. I love them all! The boys also agree our Costa Rica trip goes in the #1 spot, along with South Dakota, Rome, our extended family Caribbean cruise, and our family-favorite/repeat destination of Panama City Beach, Florida. 

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list….”

14.   That I was born into the type of family that I was

This is a big one. All you have to do is turn on the news for 2.5 seconds and you can quickly see a million places/situations that you would not like to have been dropped onto this planet and into. To be born into a loving family, with educated, supportive parents in a stable marriage, living in a warm, comfortable home in a safe community….When I zoom out and consider some of the alternatives, I shudder. HOW did I get so lucky? I try very hard to never, ever forget what a privilege this is, and I am extremely grateful for it.

In Dublin, Ireland with my parents 

15.   For being a 90s teen!

Maybe every generation thinks theirs was the best, but I’m grateful for the time during which I was a child/teen. I was born in ’83, so my tween and teen years were solidly in the 90s. I loved the pop + country music (Backstreet Boys, N’Sync, Britney, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and so much more), the movies, the sitcoms/TV shows, and just the overall lifestyle back then! And I am honestly grateful I grew up before the whole “iPhone world” and everyone constantly being glued to their phones. I feel like my friends and I had so much fun in a way that just seems better or different from how I see teens interact nowadays. I’m sure I may be looking back with some rose-colored glasses on, but if I had to pick a time of my life that gives me the serious warm fuzzies, it would be the 90s. 😊 [Note from NGS: I 100% feel the same. It was pre-9/11, so we were not in a constant state of war, hanging out with friends was our entertainment, and the music was so good.]

16.   For my phone….

Yes, maybe a strange one on the heels of #15. I’ll admit, it’s a love-hate relationship. Parts of me really wish we could turn back the clock to those simpler, freer days of the ‘90s. You walked out the door and no one could contact you. No interruptions. No distractions. Just pure living!

BUT, there are obvious advantages to smartphones and 24/7 technology. Google maps, anyone? My beloved Google calendar? Digital photos?! Of course, there are a million perks.

 I’m specifically grateful for how phones allow us to stay in touch with people. I have some very robust text threads/chains with blog friends from all over the world that I enjoy so much. I connect with my sister and parents way more often via text than I’m sure I would if we could only call or write.

17.   For clean, running water and indoor plumbing

Seriously, do you ever stop and pause to think about this? I don’t have some super personal story to incorporate here besides just that I’m really, really grateful to have clean, running water every day for drinking and cooking, and let’s all pause and give a huge shout out to our toilets and showers. The end.

18.   For funny stuff!

I’m a real sucker for funny stuff. Go ahead and send me your favorite memes or reels, a great one-liner, or a well-placed emoji. I’m here for it. Man, there is some dumb stuff on the internet, but also, MAN there is some hilarious stuff, too! 😂 It can totally brighten my day, and I’m grateful for it.

 I think I have a pretty easy sense of humor; I will always tend toward “light” over “serious” in conversations, I’m quick to insert a little quip, and I laugh easily. I’m grateful for this personality trait, because I personally think it’s a good one to have. 😊

19.   For my stint as Volunteer Coordinator of my son’s swim team

My youngest (14 y/o) son is a swimmer, and I ended up being the Volunteer Coordinator of his swim team for at least 4 years. It was a big job (on top of my, you know, actual full time job….). It’s over now, thank God, but I’m grateful that I did it. It helped me really connect with other parents on his team, I learned new skills, I gained an important new perspective!, I gave back to a program that has given a lot to my son/our family, and I hope it helped set a good example for the boys.

20.   “That I didn’t die young”

In closing, how about a deep one! This is something my dad said once some years back, as we were writing things we were thankful for on Thanksgiving to make a gratitude chain. It stuck with me, and I am so grateful for this, too.

Obviously, I am not that old yet- I’m 40- and I’m nowhere near ready to go yet! Let’s just put that out there loud and clear to the Universe. 😉 But I do sometimes think…. If God forbid, I had to die at this age, I’ve already lived so much! I have experienced so many amazing things. I didn’t die as a baby, or a young child. I got to experience the joy of graduating high school, and college, and starting a career, and getting married, and having babies, and traveling the world. Nothing can take those experiences away from me at this point, and I’ve already made it so much farther than so many others have. WHAT A BLESSING!

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Well, there you have it! 20 Things I’m Grateful For. I hope you also learned a little about me along the way. 

Thanks again to Engie for the opportunity to guest post! If you don’t already have a regular gratitude practice, I’d really encourage you to give it a try! I would love to hear about it. :)