I woke up this morning feeling groggy.  Brett was heading out to run the Thanksgiving day race downtown like he does every year.  He had kindly asked me to go make some coffee when the alarm went off.  I attempted to drag myself out of bed and walk down the stairs.  The kids were already up and screaming- fighting over what they wanted to do, and who was going to do what first.  I ignored it and kept walking towards the coffee pot.  Brett came down and began stretching in the kitchen.  It was silent so I asked, “So what should I post on the blog today for Thanksgiving?”  I heard nothing.  Switching my words up a bit…..”Any ideas of what I could post on the blog today? Maybe something fun?”  Eyes glazed over, I think I received the equivalent of a grunt.  He had “RACE” written on his face.  So, I moved on.  Pouring the water I was thinking, “I am so not in a thankful mood.”

Being an introspective person I typically use this day to remind myself of life’s blessings.  Not only the simple things in life like the air we breath, the legs we walk on, and the food we are blessed to share….but to think deeper.  To think about the journey we have been on, the trials we have been through, the experiences that were extremely hard- these core ingredients that came together to make us who we are today.  Standing at the coffee pot I said to myself, “I have a choice. I choose how I see and live my day.”  So my attitude changed.

Finding the joy in life is not easy to do, but it’s something I’ve been working on. The easiest way for me to be joyful is to begin the day going over my blessings.  Each day we have countless reasons to be thankful, if we just make the choice to open our eyes to look around.

So here is my list from A to Z of things I am thankful for:

A new day.

Brett by my side.

Coffee.

Dancing.

Eating dessert.

Freedom.

God’s grace.

Holding hands.

Intimate conversation.

Joy.

Keepsakes.

Laughing.

Music.

New beginnings.

Old friends.

Painting.

Quiet times.

Random reasons for red wine.

Sanity.

Taking photos.

Unconditional LOVE.

Vision.

Warmth.

Xavier. (for Brett)

Your face.

Zwolinskis  :)

*photo by the wonderful bobbi+mike*

What are you thankful for?  I would love to hear from you.  In fact, it would bring me joy. :)  Leave a comment below telling me what you are thankful for or how you feel blessed, and I will choose one entry to win this cute little letterpress sign.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!  :)

EDIT TO ADD WINNER!!! I had my kids pick a number between 1-20…then I took those 4 numbers and put them on paper.  Then I had Gabe choose one of the four.

Lauren J is the winner!  Lauren, I’ll be sending an email your way!  :)

thanks for sharing your wonderful blessings!!  I completely enjoyed reading them.

I have had the same group of girlfriends for what seems like forever.  We all went to a very small elementary/high school, and we formed relationships that resemble “sisters” more than just “friends.”  Most of us met at different stages along the way, but the group of us have been tight ever since.

Nearly 11 years ago, I was young.  :)  Tracy and I were in the same prego boat.  We had no clue what we were doing, but we managed to bring a little boy and a little girl into this world just 5 months apart.  We were kind of pioneers in this new world of motherhood amongst our friends, but we had a lot of fun together trying to figure things out.  We spent many days hanging out together with our little ones, and together watched them grow.  She also watched as I had another, and another, and another….she took her time a bit more.  :)  When my girlfriends found out that Tracy and her hubby Jason were expecting their second baby, 10 yrs. after their first, WE WERE THRILLED!

A couple weekends ago I hosted a baby shower for her.  Tracy’s sister was due just a couple weeks before her and it was great seeing two beautiful pregnant ladies.  :)  We had a fall theme, and Brett made some fantastic squash soup.  One of my favorite things we did was each decorate “onesies” for the baby.

Tracy wanted to be surprised on the sex of the baby, which I think is rad and is what we did on all 4.  I’ll tell you, it’s the best surprise in the world!!!

Here were our little shirts when we were done.  Can you guess mine?

I had to snap a few of the beautiful belly.  :)

Minus a couple of “the girls,” here we are.

And then….SHE arrived one week after the shower!!!  Eveline Mae graced us all with her presence in this world a little earlier than expected.

Dark hair, and a tiny little body.

Mama and her girl…I have to say how odd it is saying that, since Nate has been their only child for 10 years.  But what a wonderful blessing.

The whole family.  They are all just smitten by her.  :)

Nate is going to be an amazing big brother!  He is very sweet with her.

She is so precious….my ovaries were starting to hurt. (just kidding mom!)

Ok, no I’m not.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this family photo.  This is so precious to me.

Jason, you are such a good Daddy.

*OH MY GOODNESS*

This one just melts me.  I hope Eveline can always look at this, and know how incredibly LOVED she is by her family.

Tracy, Jason and Nate…God has blessed you, and I am so overjoyed!!  The day she arrived I was on such a “joy high.”  (My sister got engaged that day as well!)

I can’t wait to watch her grow, and watch the kiddies play together.  I love you guys!!  And I love little Evie!  :)

~jess