The Month of Thanks

November is a really fun month.  It is when there is a start to a chill in the air.  The leaves change their colors.  Quilts and snuggles are to be had on the couch....along with a little hot chocolate.  It's after my most favorite day of the year and is the start to months of celebrating with family and friends.

As the years progress, I am saddened more and more by the pure disregard for the celebration of Fall and more importantly, Thanksgiving.  It seems that more people gloss over this wonderful time of reflection to fawn over the bobbles and presents that accompany Christmas.  So, this year....I protested!  I was not going to have any part of snowy hills and tinkling bells....at least not before December.

So, here we are...December.  Now it is time to celebrate winter and to prepare for the many celebrations that accompany the end of the year, depending on what your personal faith and belief is.  But I want to share with you what I spent everyday over the last month reflecting on.  Taking time to remember and hold it dearly in my heart.  This year, I had so very much to be thankful for.

Day 1:  I am thankful for all of my friends and their wonderful opinions because they all differ! It makes my life interesting and I am always learning something new from them! ♥ you all.

Day 2: I am thankful for my faith. Without it, the last 3 years would have been much harder.

Day 3: I am thankful for my amazing husband....my soul mate through this crazy life....father to my beautiful children...love of my life...SHMILY

Day 4: I am thankful for my oldest baby girl. She is an absolute joy to watch turn into such a lovely young lady. I love our chats and I love her humor. She's my beta baby. ;)

Day 5: Today I am thankful for my son. My tenacious, energetic, curious gear head. The most important little man in my life. I am so proud to be his Mom. And in the words of my little guy, "I love it!"

Day 6: Today I am thankful for my sweet and wonderful Penelope. I worked hard to get you sweetie and you are worth it all.

Day 7: Today I am thankful for my Mother. She helped shape me and teach me. She is the most amazing Grandmother to my children. She openly loves my husband and has always embraced him into our family. She is kind, loving and so super creative. She is unintentionally funny....especially when she butchers the punchline of a joke. I love how she accepts me for who I am and gives me support when I need it. And my loving household is full of her most beautiful quilts....making all those snuggles that much better. ;) I love you Mom.

Day 8: Today I am thankful for my Father. He showed me strength, perseverance and a great work ethic. To this day, I am still a daddy's girl. Love you Dad!

Day 9: Today I am thankful for my brother. He can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but he's the only one that I got and I wouldn't trade him for anyone. I love him for always trying to protect me, trying to help me learn from his mistakes and trying to keep me in line. He's a pretty great guy; an amazing father and husband. I'm pretty lucky to have him in my life.

Day 10: Today I am thankful for my most bestest girlfriend and her amazing husband. My life is so fulfilled having you around to share it with. Ups and downs, ins and outs, we've always been there for each other. I think it's awesome that our kids are so close. I am grateful that you are like a second family to my babies (and great Godparents too!) So, thank you for being a part of my life and letting me be a part of yours. ♥ you both so much!

Day 11: Today I am thankful for our other best friends....amazing God parents, wonderful friends. You both are an inspiration of how to enjoy life and the people around you. You are outstanding parents. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. ♥ you both!

Day 12: Today I am thankful for food. More specifically, my husband's ability to cook and bake. While I love it when he cooks for us, I also have so much fun working in the kitchen with him and creating new things together. I also very much enjoy when he surprises me with something new......like fresh pumpkin, dark chocolate, walnut bread. Mmmm. I enjoy our time together as we explore different cuisines.

Day 13: Today I am thankful for all my old classmates. There's something to be said for growing up in a small town and having the same people in your life from the ages of 4-18! There's a special bond that forms whether you like it or not.....and it's amazing to see everyone band together more than 13 years later to help out another classmate. You all are amazing....and you know who you are. :)

Day 14: Today I am thankful for shelter....whether it was our house that we miss, our apartment that we tolerate, or our grandparent's and parent's houses where we were so graciously welcomed to stay during a very difficult time. I am more than thankful that my children have always known what it is like to sleep in a warm bed every night. I am humbled knowing that my family has always been safe.

Day 15: Today I am thankful for my health. Having such a difficult time growing up with all the different ailments has made me appreciate being able to wake up most mornings pain free and able to take a deep breath.


Day 16:  Today I am thankful for my Grandmother.  I spent so much time with her growing up.  We took summer trips that I still remember.  She has always hosted holiday meals.  She taught me many wonderful things.  And now, she is one of my favorite friends to talk to.  I am so lucky to have her in my life.

Day 17:  Today I am thankful for my Grandfather. He was never the outwardly teddy bear type, but he is always so loving. He is a bank of knowledge and so successful. He is a master storyteller. He taught me to not pout (and I subsequently always watched for birds) and to sit up straight (with a slightly sore back once in a while). And everything DID heal before I got married. He gives the best hugs and is always so fun to talk to on the phone. I love the sound of his voice and the joy that is always lingering behind it. I love my Gpa!


Day 18:  Today I am thankful for time.  No matter how fast or how slow it goes, whether I completely lose it or keep track of every second.  It is where my memories are kept and new ones are formed.  The days may seem to take forever, but the years pass in an instant.

Day 19:  Today I am thankful for the service industries. From the people who make and serve food, mechanics and hair dressers, to everyone in between. Customer service is a very important thing in our world and it can be a very difficult job to do. So bravo to those who do it well and thank you for all of your help.

Day 20:  Today I am thankful for educators and schools.  It can be a fulfilling yet thankless job.  I am thankful for my opportunity to go back to school this January and the doors that it will open for me and my family.

Day 21: Today I am thankful for all of my cousins. I love all of you dearly, even if I don't get a chance to see you very often. I think about you all the time and miss you when you're not around. I love being able to see your journeys through life.

Day 22: Today I am thankful for absolutely everything. All of my experiences and all of the people that have come into and gone out of my life have all touched me and made me who I am. I am more than proud of who I am and I love my life....I wouldn't change anything.

Day 23: Today I am thankful for my van. It is the only way to transport my large family and allows us to travel to see family.

Day 24: Today I am thankful for my extended family. The many many people that make up the whole Clan.

Day 25: Today I am thankful for the ability to breastfeed. I am thankful that I was able to nourish my three children. I am also very thankful to help out other Moms and babies in need by donating milk or by sharing my experiences to help support them in their journey with their kids.

Day 26: Today I am thankful for cloth diapers. I love how it helps our budget and that we aren't wasting a ton of money on garbage. I love the cute prints and the soft fabrics. I love how healthy my kids are because of it and the lack of rashes!

Day 27: Today I am thankful for baby gear.....high chairs, bouncy seats, car seats, strollers, baby carriers and slings, boosters, and everything else that makes parenting in today's world easier.

Day 28: Today I am thankful for modern medicine. While I still firmly believe in some 'home remedies', I can't deny that modern medicine has dramatically increased my quality of life and has done so much for my family and friends.

Day 29: Today I am thankful for my mother's quilts. They are just the perfect thing for every occasion. They make my house beautiful and warm. They comfort me when I am down. They make cuddles with my wonderful husband and my dear babies that much better. They brighten up any dreary and cold day. They are memories wrapped in love.

Day 30: Today I am thankful for my blog. I am thankful for the many people who have taken time over the years to read my story. I am thankful for the parents that I have been able to help through email conversations, facebook comments and my posts here. I am thankful for the many companies and WAHMs that have worked with me that I have been able to help promote and improve their products. I am thankful for the many people that have stuck with me during these last 6 months when posting has been unpredictable. I thank you all very much for your support.