Wow, I can’t believe Thanksgiving day has arrived! Another year to celebrate and acornucopia of reasons to be thankful.

I previously posted that although there are certain aspects about growing older that I could do without (hello wrinkles, forgetfulness and sparse eyebrows) there is an over-abundance of advantages granted to me with each new year. I have so much to be thankful for and as I mature I gain the fortitude with which to appreciate it.

When the hubby and I first started out as a newly married couple (pre-smile lines and with brows a’plenty) we inhabited this cute little quaint house. Sidenote: Have you ever noticed that when people use the word “quaint” they really mean small? It’s like using a fancy word puts a different spin on the fact that one could actually use the toilet and cook scrambled eggs all at the same time.Now, isn’t that quaint. But, I digress. The thing is, we had this cute little house that we loved and that loved us back. We never imagined that we would need anything more tofulfill our needs. Okay, not true. I imagined all kinds of things that could fulfill many of my needs. The hubby was slightlybetter with “quaint” than I.

That is, until I got pregnant.

If you’ve ever been pregnant or known somebody who has than I’m sure it will come as no surprise to you when I say that I got a teensy bit b*tchy near the end of my pregnancywith Avery. I tended to suffer from’short fuse syndrome’ subject to teetering on thebrink of madnesswhile my hormonally-induced irrational emotionscaused all kinds offrequent crying spells and occasional intervals of anger and joy.I was all kinds of crazy.Little things amplified into giant vats of ‘hot mess’. But the real deal-breaker was that I became unable to deal with the reality that I could hear Jer breathing no matter which room I was in. It was like a curse. We couldn’t escape each other. I couldn’t escape his noisy inhale/exhale, he couldn’t escape my absurd annoyance by it all.

And then there was the whole growing belly problem which eventually became such an issue that we would have to call out our intention to use the hallway. “Hallway!” we would yell as we rounded the corner so as not to inadvertently run into each other. I feel I should add that this manic behavior was but a brief moment in what was otherwise a beautiful pregnancy. Well, except for the stretchmarks and vericose veins. Oh, and the occasional heartburn and burping(due in large part to my addiction to MexiMelts at TacoBell). And we can’t forget the whole mucous plug thing. Not so pretty.

Anyway. I digress. Again.

After deciding it was time to experience more square footage so as not to implode from a building,seething angerwe found our current home and movedon in. Our abode is nothing fancy and certainly falls in the “modest” range but it’s our “grownup” house and there is nothing like owning a”grownup” house to makeyou appreciate what life has granted you. Every day I look around this place and see the beauty for what it is: a safe and cozy home in which to raise my family and grow fond memories. I am so thankful that I am able to wake up every morning and know thatwe have a roof over our heads and food in our pantry. I am thankful thatmy childrenrecognize how lucky we are and, despite theoccasional juvenilecase of entitlement, show gratitude for what they’ve been given.

And,lastly, I am thankful for my family and all who that entails. I am thankful for knowing love and being loved. Iam thankful for experiencing that “rush” of parenthood,the chosen task of preparingtwo little souls totake their place out in this great big world. A worldthat I remember dreaming about as a little soul myself. And I am very thankful that I have a partner who not only loves andsupports me but can follow just as well as he can lead when necessary.

Take some time today to realize your own gratitude and enjoy whatever your day may bring. Now, enough with all the sappy talk. Go baste a turkey or mash some taters.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Mindy