Thankful for Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

I’m up early to begin cooking our Thanksgiving feast, but I just wanted to take a moment to pause and reflect before the craziness of the day begins. I was thinking about things I’m thankful for this morning and one thing I’m really thankful for is Thanksgiving. No, really, I am. Our lives move by so quickly that we often take things for granted and rarely do we stop and think about all the wonderful blessings in our lives. Thanksgiving is one day out of the year to really just stop and reflect on it and and just give thanks. It’s a day filled with two of my favorite things in the whole world, family and food. And as much as I adore Christmas, I actually really enjoy that Thanksgiving has none of the headaches that can sometimes come with the gift-giving of Christmas. There’s none of the stress of trying to figure out what to get people or focusing on the presents you’re getting. Thanksgiving is all about giving thanks (duh) for all the things we have, not the materialism of accumulating more.

So today I’m thankful for Thanksgiving and what it represents. I know there is this whole idea of the Christmas spirit bringing joy and while that’s all well and good, but I think that having more of the Thanksgiving spirit (yeah, I just made that up, you’re welcome) throughout the year would be an awesome thing. I want to have more of an “attitude of gratitude” each and everyday because I have an awful lot to be thankful for, including:

Cameron:

I am so thankful for you, my husband, the biggest blessing in my life. I feel like this has been such a growing year in our marriage as we face new challenges (like moving…again), but I know that as long as we have each other, we have all that we need. I’m so grateful that I have my best friend with me to go through the adventures of life and I love you so so much.

Lola:

You are the best dog ever. I don’t even remember what our life was like before you came along, and I’m glad to be able to celebrate our first Thanksgiving as a little family of three. And yes, you’ll get some turkey today.

Mom and Dad:

I am so glad that you’re out in Colorado celebrating with us, and I’m continually grateful for your constant love and support no matter how many miles may separate us. I really appreciate you coming to visit us no matter where we go, and love how when we’re all together, it feels like nothing has changed and no time has passed. I really cherish all these new memories we’re creating and I can’t wait for you to visit us in Tahoe! I wouldn’t be where I am today without you, and I love you both so much!

Melissa:

My stylish, world-traveling, cosmopolitan sister. Even though you are way cooler than me, I couldn’t ask for a better best friend. I am so happy you got to come out to Colorado and visit, and even though I really miss living in the same house as you (and borrowing your clothes) I am so proud of you for living your life, taking chances, and being a dreamer.

My family in Michigan:

I miss you all tons, and think of you all the time. I’m sad we’re not spending this holiday together, but so I’m looking forward to seeing you next month!!

My in-laws:

I feel so lucky that I married into such a wonderful and welcoming family. Seriously, I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to share my last name with. Although we don’t get to spend as much time with y’all as we would like, I’m looking forward to seeing you next month and hopefully more in the year to come once we’re in the same time zone!

My friends:

I am so thankful to have you as a part of my life, and even though you’re spread across the country, I love that I can still pick up the phone and call you like nothing has changed. I appreciate those of you that have come to visit Cam and I in South Carolina and Colorado, and I’m looking forward to spending time with you all over the holidays!

My health:

For every morning I wake up with air in my lungs, I’m thankful for my health. Even though there are days when I’d love to be skinnier, better at yoga, or faster runner, I know that I am extremely blessed to have the body and abilities that I do. I so enjoy being able to be active, and although sometimes it can be easy to take your good health for granted when you’re young, I know it’s something that’s not a guarantee and I’m really thankful for it.

Colorado:

You are an awesome state. I love your vast blue skies, your snowy mountains, and your beautiful sunny weather. I’m really going to miss you when we move, but I’m so glad I got the opportunity to live here, even if it was just for a little while. I’ll definitely be coming back to visit.

My blog:

I am so thankful to have you as my own little corner of the world to be creative. You’ve become a bigger part of my life than I ever could of anticipated, and I love having a place to talk about things as simple as nail polish or as major as moving. I’m so grateful for all the amazing people around the country that you have allowed me to connect with, and I’m thankful for everyone who takes time out of their day to read this and especially thankful for all your kind comments!

My faith in Jesus:

Most of all, I’m thankful to the source of all these amazing blessings, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It’s been really incredible to look back and see God’s hand in my life thus far, and I know that whatever changes life may bring in the future he’s in control and will continue to be faithful.