Because it's never out of season to count your blessings, even three days after Thanksgiving.
I am grateful for so many things:
A job that is more than just a job; a job that provides a handsome paycheck, family-friendly work environment, flexible hours, and supportive coworkers (who baby-sit!). An interest-free loan from my employer allowed Luke and me to paint and carpet the house before move-in last fall. Six weeks of paid maternity leave saved me from using all my vacation time to recover from Nathan's birth. If there is a better workplace in Indianapolis, I have yet to find it.
A house with plenty of space, and bedrooms, in close proximity to a kick-ass walking trail/park system, that we can afford on one income. We have a back yard and a garage and more bathrooms than a family of four could possibly need (though we've found a way to use them all).
A husband who is patient and kind and a devoted father to boot. He knows how to leave his ego at the door and rarely ever raises his voice; when he does, it's usually because I've done it first. He doesn't flinch when I return from a shopping spree (in my defense, after two years of maternity clothes, I've earned it, dammit) or when I come home late from work. He manages the kids when I'm away overnight and is already asking what I want to do for my birthday in January (the big 3-0). So lucky, am I.
Happy, healthy children who search for me when I'm not in the room, who reach out for me calling, "Momma, Momma." They clasp their arms around my neck and rest their heads on my shoulder when I go to them in the middle of the night. They lift their faces for kisses and open their arms for hugs. They frustrate me like nobody else can, but just as quickly as they press my buttons, they melt my heart.
A daughter who speaks freely and often, putting my fears of language delays to rest.
A son who finds joy in everything, even when that joy means cleaning squash from his socks, the floor, my pants, and in between his fingers.
My ability to conceive and maintain healthy pregnancies (minus that tiny bout of pre-eclampsia with Nathan, of course). I read stories from women who have lost children, who struggle to get pregnant, and I cry for them. I pray to God that their wish for motherhood be granted.
The closeness in age of my kids. I would never have planned a 13-month gap on purpose, and the first few months bore some of my worst moments as a mother, but to watch them now, playing and laughing together, I am so, so happy it turned out this way.
Running, which I suspect will be key to regaining my figure and maintaining my sanity.
A strong, able body that is up for the challenge.
Friends I can spill my guts to, who know when to speak and when to just listen.
New friends I am just beginning to know.
My siblings, and that I have so many of them.
My parents, and that they are both living.
My parents-in-law, for who they are and their unconditional support.
My new Aveda shampoo and conditioner. After almost a year of resigning myself to drugstore products, I splurged on hair care last week, and it was awesome.
Accepting that I will never be the type of woman who "puts on her face" in the morning but acknowledging that blush and eyeliner are worth the trouble for a night out. Now it's just a matter of replacing my essentials, seeing as all of my products are at least three years old and cracking, which I discovered in dismay yesterday morning after deciding to take inventory.
My new jeans, a beautiful, baggy size 12, a far cry from bulging in my post-partum 14s back in March.
Making time for a dust and vaccuum roughly once a week. I remember when even once a month seemed impossible.
Two and a Half Men, and The New Adventures of Old Christine, and The Soup (edited to add: and 30 Rock! How could I forget 30 Rock? What the what?), for making me laugh.
Fringe and Lost, for taking me to worlds where anything is possible.
Man vs. Food, for inspiring future vacations.
All My Children, for indulging me in stories of babies switched at birth and spouses brought back from the dead.
Our digital video recorder, which allows me to skip between AMC scenes and breeze through commercials more efficiently than I ever could with our VCR.
Having two cars at our disposal so I can drive to and from work and Luke can get out with the kids at the same time. Both paid in full, no less!
The financial means to stay current our bills, save for our future, and give to those in need.
The ability to dream and the power to make them come true.
The willingness to learn.
My flannel pajama pants, sheets, and pillow cases. A necessity for winter.
My desire to start reading again. In the last couple of months I finished two books (Eat Pray Love and The Lovely Bones, both excellent reasons to pick up the habit again), and before 2009, I hope to add one more (Dave Sedaris's latest memoir, which I started back in January--good reading but not exactly a page-turner). When I was pregnant and also in the trenches of those early months with Kara and Nathan, this was something that fell to the wayside, save my yearly revisiting of Flowers in the Attic and no-brainer Archie comics. I feel more myself when there are books on my nightstand, and I hope there are even more in 2010.
Social media outlets that reconnect me with old friends and provide an outlet for communicating when a blog entry seems like too much effort.
Max and Ruby, which has the power to end temper tantrums.
Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix and hoity-toity coffee drinks from Starbucks. Yes, I'm officially one of them.
The compliment that Kara looks just like me. I never get tired of hearing that, ever.
Living in a city with an affordable cost of living that doesn't compromise culture.
Finally having the gumption to turn my house into a home.
Marathon phone calls that last well beyond bedtime.
Ribeye steak from Harry and Izzy's in downtown Indianapolis. It's a pricey plate of meat, and I've only had it twice during sales dinners for work, but oh, Lord, is it delicious.
Being a wife.
Being a mother.
Laughing in response to my children.
Forming a relationship with God that isn't based on guilt or obligation.
Getting to know myself again.
Having no fear of turning 30.
Being a member of the most amazing family of four. I look at pictures on the walls of our living room and am awestruck to see myself holding babies who came from my physical body, a result of my bond with this incredible man. It is better than I imagined and more than I will ever deserve.
Believing with everything I have that life couldn't get any better, while knowing the best is yet to come.
Happy (belated) Thanksgiving to you and yours.
What a beautiful post- and I love the family photos! Glad you still write!
Posted by: Parker_B | November 29, 2009 at 10:12 PM
The children get along so well together. That is a real joy to behold. Life is a good.
Posted by: daddyd | November 29, 2009 at 10:44 PM
So beautiful. I, too, am so thankful for you.
Posted by: Molly | November 30, 2009 at 12:06 AM
What a wonderful post! So glad to hear of someone who is so genuinely happy with their life - and especially with Luke and the kids you certainly have a right to be! And the generosity of your job is so wonderful too!
The Aveda shampoo gratefulness just made me laugh!
Posted by: Jenny | November 30, 2009 at 12:16 AM
That is such a wonderful list! The pictures are perfect! And finding just the right shampoo is priceless!
Posted by: Bren | November 30, 2009 at 07:52 AM
I got teary eyed reading that. You have such a way with words. Beautiful. Also. I love the photos. What a gorgeous family. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
Posted by: Erica | November 30, 2009 at 10:04 AM
Your family is beautiful. Happy Thanksgiving and all too soon, MERRY CHRISTMAS! Oh my goodness, where oh where has this year gone?
Posted by: Trilby | November 30, 2009 at 11:00 AM
Aveda makes some GOOD shampoo. This is a great list. Lots to be thankful for!
Awesome pictures! I adore Nathan's sweater vest. Also? Kara DOES look just like you!
Posted by: Jen L. | November 30, 2009 at 01:37 PM
This is such a gorgeous gush of thanks. Love it.
And that last picture is fantastic!
Posted by: Must Be Motherhood | November 30, 2009 at 01:55 PM
So beautiful! What a great post. Love the photos!
Posted by: Liz | November 30, 2009 at 02:18 PM
What a beautiful family you are. The kids are growing so fast.It is hard to see the babies fade into toddlers.I love that we are getting most posts from you.
Posted by: debi | November 30, 2009 at 02:36 PM
This is just wonderful! I wrote a few thankful posts this month and its so great to take a step back and look around and really take stock of the good in life.
Love your photos! LOVE!
Posted by: Christina | November 30, 2009 at 05:05 PM
I cannot believe how long Kara's hair is! And yes she looks just like you- two beautiful ladies!
It's nice to stop and evaluate just how much we all really have to be thankful for- thanks for sharing yours!
Posted by: rkmama | November 30, 2009 at 09:31 PM
What a lovely post! It's been quite a while since I've been by, but as always you made me laugh and tear up.
And they are right, Kara looks just like you!
Posted by: Emma | December 03, 2009 at 02:53 AM
That was a very beautiful post! And you got your Christmas picture to boot! Happy Belated Thanksgiving. Sounds like you have all your ducks in a row. :)
Posted by: carrster | December 03, 2009 at 10:15 AM
I love the candid pictures! They are very cute. I bet when the kids get older those will be great memories!
Posted by: AJU5's Mom | December 03, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Great post. LOVE the candid shots!! I also turn 30 next year, only in May. I'm a little more anxious than you about it though. :-)
Posted by: Heather | December 03, 2009 at 02:03 PM