i am thankful

organic free range turkey a la kath 2009

as thanksgiving quickly approaches, not only am i excited about the food (!) but also the holiday... it has been a favorite of mine for a long time.  the past few years we have been able to travel home to michigan and spend time with my family (and at least 1 dinner w/ friends). this year we have decided not to travel for the holidays. it is bittersweet; although i enjoy being a home-body and am excited to start new family traditions, i will miss so many things about home this year, most obviously, my mom.  she was the best cook, and spent so much time preparing a wonderful (not always completely traditional) menu. for days we'd hear about what part of the meal she was preparing, she always started (super) early. and she loved to do it. rarely did she ask for help! and i have to note: i always did the dishes after (oddly i will even miss that). we'd sit around, finally get around to dessert (or a hot turkey sandwich), play games, go on a walk, or watch seinfeld re-runs :) good quality family time. it will be a hard holiday season without her, and even harder not being close to my family for our first without mom.

BUT this is supposed to be what i am thankful for.  there are so many good things about my life, and i feel very lucky.  i am thankful for everyone in my life, whether you are a friend near or far away, a family member that we miss terribly, a co-worker that i absolutely love working with (all of them!), or one of the many, many people that support and love us (all of the above).  i am very, very thankful for our healthy, lovely grayson... everyday he never ceases to amaze me. learning a new thing, smiling a bigger smile, laughing out loud at something i do to make him giggle, the loudest screeching sound he makes when i walk in the room, his quiet admiration for daddy, sleeping an extra hour at naptime, or more recently at night!! grayson you are the best!  i am absolutely thankful for my husband... he makes me a better person in every way.  he is a wonderful father and cannot wait to get G on the mountain or on a bike... it is so cute to hear his plans for them. long story short, there are so many PEOPLE i am thankful for, every day!

ok, i am also thankful for THINGS... the little things in life that make it easier or more fun! facebook, skype, snapfish, and picasa. fantasy football and the Spartans. airplanes and cell phones.  good coffee and a good breakfast. an expensive bottle of pinot from our collection, or a good find on a $10 bottle of wine! the exersaucer! our weekly veggie and fruit box, thank you Organics to You! our camera and pictures.  my breastpump, oh what would i do without you!?! my hair dryer and variety of aveda products :) a good movie on a rainy portland day. sunbreaks on those rainy days! an interesting book and time to relax and read. sitting down at the end of a workday with chad and a couple beers, catching up on the day's events. a warm, cozy home... just to name a few.

as i said before, i feel very lucky to be livin' the good life.  it is so short and precious...  if you are reading this, i love you! we don't say it enough, but you are loved. thank you for being in my life. and oh, come visit us in portland!

happy thanksgiving to all! gobble gobble!