Happy Thanksgiving

I love this time of year…the weather is cooler, family is together, the twinkling lights are beautiful, people are kinder, and we all seem to operate in a more peaceful place. I love the sounds of holiday music, I enjoy watching Made-For-TV Christmas movies, and I eagerly await to devour Italian Christmas cookies after the turkey.  I am filled with a sense of happiness and gratitude this time of year.

Every day of the year I try and reflect on things I am grateful for; I write out five things I am thankful for and store it in the notes section of my iPhone. Now, with Thanksgiving around the corner I am working on art projects with Audrey that revolve around gratitude. We made a gratitude turkey (on his ‘feathers’ we wrote out what we are thankful for) and we created a Thankful List. We listed 15 things we thank God for all year round. Audrey included rainbows, Daisy (our dog), and pumpkins. It was a good reminder for me that the simple things in life really do mean the most, and I should take more time to gaze at rainbows.

I wish all of you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving. I pray that you have family and friends around the table to share in good food and laughter. I hope you find time to reflect on your many blessings and that you also make the time to be a blessing to someone else in need.  God Bless.

Happy Birthday Audrey Grace

Three years ago today everything changed for me. Three years ago today I became a mom.

Audrey Grace was born at 9:10 PM on November 4^th, 2010 and entered this world and my heart. I had no idea what I was in for, couldn’t predict the sleepless nights, the challenges of nursing and pumping, the love that would overtake me, the constant worry and concern for her tiny being, the pure joy over a baby’s smile and giggle, the excitement of watching her crawl, walk, and eventually run.

 

Now she is running all the time…not only does she literally run, but she also runs our lives, our hearts, our home. She always wants to be the “leader” and “in charge.” She is strong willed and independent. I hope she stays that way and throughout her life remains confident in her abilities and choices.

But even in all her confidence and strength, I am still and always will be her mom, which means for the rest of my life I will have…sleepless nights, worry and concern, abounding joy and love, and exciting days.

 

The day you become a mom your life changes and nothing is ever the same, and every day I thank God for that.