Giving Thanks

An attitude of gratitude can change your mindset. Well, so they say. To that end, we started keeping a gratitude journal earlier this year. I have to admit we don't write it in everyday but try to as much as we can.  Of course, the most important entry was Todd's in September :)

But I can't let this important holiday go by without giving thanks.  So here goes:

• Todd and I are getting married! We honor our love everyday.
• Stella is playing like a puppy again! We know there is no cure but everyday she is here is a gift.
• Todd and I hosted a blended Thanksgiving for our families. You hear nightmares from people about moms meeting but this meet-up went great!
• I have jobs I love that allow me to work with driven and supportive people - at LeadingAge and Keaton Row. Everyday I get to follow my passion!
• My friends are amazing people who lift one another up and support through the good and the bad.  Oh, and they are the most fun!
• My brother and family bring the crazy train to our house from time to time. It's awesome to have this house filled to the roof with family!
• My parents are appreciative and supportive and we get to see them all the time.
• Todd's kids and I are continuing to develop relationships with one another.
• My Goddaughters still want to hang out with me as they grow older - may it last through the teenage years!
• Sophie is still our hoggie.
• We have safety and security.

Everyday isn't easy and we have our struggles just like everyone else but we have each other.  And I am thankful for that!

Giving Thanks

It is amazing how much has changed in a year. Last Thanksgiving, I made my first pies. Today, I not only made pies but cooked my first Thanksgiving dinner from scratch. And it all came out at the same time and was actually yummy!

This time last year, I was unhappy and not living the most authentic life. Today, I am smiling and relaxed after spending the day with my parents, Stella and Sophie. I have so much to be thankful for - family, friends, a roof over my head, a good job.

I still have ups and downs, don't get me wrong. In fact, I was on the phone with my girlfriend Luanne during one of my downs last week (which happened to take place in Target). As I was chatting with her, I fell in love with these amazing slippers but decided not to splurge as I am trying to stick to a budget. Imagine my delight and surprise when I opened the mail yesterday to find those awesome pink plush slippers with sequins in a box from Luanne. How blessed am I to have such an amazing friend? My wish for you is that you have that special friend who would surprise you with fabulous footwear - and for whom you would return the favor. Now that is something to say thank you about!

And as I reflect on how much has changed in the past year, I can only imagine how much will change in the next. Who else will be at my Thanksgiving table besides Mom and Dad? One thing I know for sure, I will be thankful to have them there.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

BYOP

So tomorrow is our first Thanksgiving in the new house. Paul has been cooking Thanksgiving dinner since we were married. As a matter of fact, as soon as we were married, my mother announced she was "retired" from preparing holiday meals. On our first Thanksgiving, I thought (naive girl that I am) my family could embrace the "what I am thankful for" tradition. That was the first and last time we attempted such a ritual because 2 of my family members (who shall remain nameless but know who they are) started laughing saying they had nothing to offer up. How about the good old standby "I'm happy I'm above ground"? Anyway, my father said he was thankful I married someone who could cook...

Fast forward to tomorrow. Paul will be doing the cooking (everything except cranberry sauce because I demand canned, Ocean Spray, jellied cranberry sauce with the can marks on it. It's a tradition for goodness sake!) and I have decided to bake pies. From scratch. When asked what kind of pie he would like, my father said he didn't care. My mother told him I was cooking. He responded he would "bring his own pie". Need I say more?