Adventures in Gratitude: Turkey Lent IV

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Looking back on the last few years, I have been truly blessed. Amazingly, awesomely blessed. Five years ago, when I started this blog, I don't think I could have predicted everything that has happened. There have been so many moments of celebration, but there have been a few moments of trial and tribulation. We have had so much going on that my poor little blog was pretty well neglected. I am hoping to catch up, if for no other reason than I would like a record of all of our wonderful adventures for my kids.

I decided Turkey Lent is a perfect way to re-boot. Yes, I managed to take a three year (!) hiatus from my annual adventure in gratitude, but I am back, baby! Don't get me wrong, I am 9 1/2 months pregnant with a nearly two year old... it's not going to be glitter and glam. I am keeping it real -- I am lucky if I stick with it. But the last few years have really brought about some great change (and will continue to, "Hello Baby#2!"); and with change comes many, many things to be thankful for.

For those of you who might be new to my blog, Here is a little history:

      Every year I blog about what I like to call Turkey-Lent. Yes. I made it up. Much how Christians show penance before Easter through Lent, I have decided to show my gratitude for all of the wonderful things that have surrounded me just before Thanksgiving. Each November, I show my appreciation for all of the things I have by giving up (or greatly reducing my use and/or consumption of) something I love. I believe in gratitude. I believe that we, as both individuals and as a society, should be thankful for all of the wonderful bounty that surrounds us. Food to nourish us. Shelter to protect us. Friends and family to care for us. Because of this, I always appreciate Thanksgiving. But I don't think it is enough. I don't think there should only be one day a year when we decide it is okay to tell everyone what we are thankful for. We should be doing it every day, as often as we can.
      Unable to think of anything to give up that I hadn't already tried (or not concentrating that hard!) the last few years I decided to show my gratitude through various acts of appreciation. I used Facebook and twitter to show the world what I was thankful for, in hopes that other people will be inspired to share their own gratefulness. My goal was to use my Facebook status update and/or Twitter update to share at least one thing I was thankful for. My goal was to do it once a day, from November 1 - Thanksgiving.
      This year I have decided to continue with my goal of public displays of appreciation, as it has indeed become a KWP tradition!

I really wanted to go back to my Turkey-Lent roots and give something up as I had the first few years. Honestly, I was going to type some excuse, (blah, blah, about to have a baby) but it would be just that. So, I am going to try really hard to give up making excuses and live in the moment. Yep, you heard that right. I don't think I make excuses too often, but for some reason I always feel the need give super elaborate reasons why or why not. I am not going to do it any more. I choose to do something, or choose not. I am not going to worry about who I am upsetting, or how it will affect others. I am going to worry about me, and my three boys. I am going to live in the moment and not worry about it. I am always going to try really hard to give up worrying. This is a really big thing for a pregnant woman to try -- so bear with me on this one. But I know I worry about things that I don't need to worry about, or that I just spend too much time thinking about. And I know that it can sometimes adversely affect family time. So, this month, I will give myself a short period of time to reflect and then I will try my best to move on.

But, don't you worry, I am still going to continue with my Random Thoughts of Appreciation. I will publish what I am thankful for every day from here to Thanksgiving (and maybe beyond!)

So, I ask you my dear blog friends... what are you thankful for?

Random Thoughts of Appreciation 2015

1. Today, Aaron and I were able to enjoy a relaxing afternoon at our favorite sparkling wine house, thanks to my parents. Yes, I am thankful for great service and a good glass of sparkling wine, even if I am not partaking while pregnant. We are blessed to have family who live close to us, and are willing to "play" with Ethan for an afternoon while we have a little date. Thank you, Mom and Dad.  ♥ 
2. Early (early!) this morning I awoke to rain pouring down outside our cute little house. I am so thankful for the rain. California desperately needs it, but it is also nice just to have a change in the weather. I do love living in California with our fabulous weather! ♥
3. We, both Aaron and I, have been so very fortunate to work for places we absolutely love doing a job we absolutely love. Aaron's company, NVIDIA, made us feel even more fortunate by increasing the paternity leave benefits for dads. We are so very blessed.  I just wish that the rest of the US would get with the world and start offering better maternity and paternity benefits for all parents. All parents should be as fortunate as we are. ♥
4. Technology is both a blessing and a curse, but I appreciate it most of the time. Like, when you husband gets a flat tire on his bike, so you can feel better going to pick him up, rather than worrying about how and when he is going to get home. And then you get In N' Out as a treat for dinner, because it was right there, and because it is delicious. ♥
5. I love two things today -- One. I love having a good dental plan, and clean teeth. I love the feeling of mouth full of clean teeth. Two. Having the ability to take impromptu lunch dates with my husband. I appreciate that we are able to go out and spend time together. I really do love that man...and cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. ♥
6. Sitting on the couch, relaxing with my boys in my arms... that is quite possibly that best feeling in the whole world. I am truly blessed to have these wonderful gentlemen in my life. I am thankful for every second I get to spend with them. ♥
7. Watching Ethan interact with things is often the highlight of my day. We took him to the Disneystore today and his face lit up for so many different reasons. He was super excited to watch the Muppets on their TV screens. He was overjoyed to see Buzz Lightyear toys on the floor, within an arm's reach. We went to the store to get him a Buzz, a toy that he has played with time and time again, and never fussed over not taking it home. I can hardly wait when he realized he has it at home. I think he was a little shocked when he got to take it out of the store. ♥
8. Today was one of those productive, but still kinda chill days. I really appreciate those days when you can get stuff done, and still have fun, without feeling like you have been run over by a truck trying to accomplish too much in one day. I think that this is probably due to having a super supportive husband who puts up with my "To Do" Lists. ♥
9. I am thankful for my boys every minute of every day. But today was especially happy as I watched both boys get super excited watching the lightening and listening to the "kaboom"! ♥
10. As much as I hate to admit it, I really appreciate when something in life slows me down. It really helps to slow down and think about how lucky I am to have the blessings of health and happiness. ♥
11. Words cannot express how appreciative I am for those who have sacrificed for our country. So, today I will use another's... " Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices." (Harry S Truman) ♥
12. Lazy days at home are awesome. I am so thankful that I have been able to spend time with Ethan -- just the two of us. Today we had an awesome lazy day at home, just the two of us. And it was fabulous. While I know that everything will change soon, I will be able to cherish the memories of the two of us playing and laughing together. ♥
13. I am forever thankful for my friends, especially those that go out of their way to check on me and make sure I get some mommy/adult time. ♥
14. My heart is sad for those who are effected by the Paris terrorist attacks and the many other senseless acts of hate that occur all over the world. I really wish this was not the state of the world we live in. It makes me sad for the children, my children, that they may never know a world where things like this don't occur so frequently. Occurrences like these make me that much more appreciative that my loved ones are safe and sound today. Hug your loved ones, folks. You just never know, and I hope we never do. ♥
15. Aaron and I are so very fortunate to have found our "extra" family member -- Ethan's best friend (and babysitter/nanny extraordinaire) Michelle. She is absolutely wonderful with Ethan; I love watching them play and interact. I trust her whole-heartedly and without a worry in the world. That is a priceless feeling. We are so lucky to have Michelle as a part of our family! ♥
16. Little brother's arrival is just around the corner. I got a call this morning from a lovely person at Kaiser to give me information about his impending arrival -- and I am so thankful for her happy, kind telephone voice. Just having someone on the other line who sounded happy, listened to my questions intently and spoke eloquently and politely has really helped me to have a positive, happy outlook on the next few days. I really appreciate a good "bedside" manner. ♥
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