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.
jess
Artist, wife, mama of four.
Lover of life
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Balance
We’re opening up about our lives and sharing the quest for balance we all struggle with.
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I am blessed by the little footprints I hear pitter patten around my house. I am blessed by the good lord putting me on this earth and giving me an amazing life. I am thankful for it all!
I am thankful for the peace in my heart. I haven’t always felt it and I am so glad I do now!
I’m thankful for 4 kids in my house and a camera in my hand!
I am thankful for having had a father that taught me what grace, kindness, and love are.
I am so thankful for my wonderful friends, my wonderful family and such beautiful memories of 2009. I will be sad to seeit end soon but will always have beautiful memories!
I am thankful for a year that made me question who I was to the very core, and because of my family … I’ve come out on the other side with nothing but courage to face it head on. :)
I am thankful for finally finding the courage to dive into photography, for a supportive husband to encourage me, for amazingly beautiful kids who help model for me :), for great friends who help spread the word and help find business for me, and for my awesome clients who trust me and have so far (knock on wood) loved the results. It’s been a pretty damn good year :)
i know exactly what you mean about your morning…i was like “do we REALLY have to this whole thanksgiving thing?!” but of course it was wonderful.
i love your site. and your list is so cute!
i am thankful for……my husband. he is my very best friend….forever. :)
and that letterpress is precious!
In as much as God showered me with countless blessings, almost every night before I close my eyes I think of these three things I am thankful for: The Bible, my family and that I live in the United States.
I am thankful for my morning sickness, because it is a constant reminder of how much God has blessed my husband & myself!!!
I’m reading this a day late as I was up to my armpits in house guests yesterday. I really needed this post today. Thank you sweet soul sista!!!
I’m thankful you are in my life, i only wish it were in REAL life!! ; )
I am thankful for your blog, haha (I’m ohh so cliche) I am thankful for my relationship with the Lord. And, of course, my wonderful family. (:
I’m thankful for the gift of eternal life in Jesus, and blessed to teach my childrens the Only Way to reach it…
i am thankful for my growing family (and belly). :)
awww, what a beautiful post, I love the idea of the ABC’s of Thankfulness–I may have to steal this idea!
I am thankful for good food, good health, a great family and great friends, a wonderful husband, three beautiful, energetic, hysterical little boys, and an even better GOD, He is awesome…life is good!
I am thankful for belly laughs, hug attacks, little eskimo kisses, the perfect fitting jeans, prayer and the feeling you get when you’ve just helped someone. Happy (late) Thanksgiving! I hope yours was superb =)
you.
perfection.
I’m thankful to have had one more year with Ray.
I am thankful for being able to be creative and make a living at it! My childhood dreams came true this year.
simply … Christ.