So Thankful

My sweet family on McKinley's second birthday!

This year I am thankful for so many things! I turned 40 and thankful to say that I did. I spent time celebrating over a wonderful weekend with family and friends, just the way I had hoped I would. I was able to take my son to the Happiest Place on Earth. We spent the day with Mickey and all of friends, and few of our favorites as well. It was joy to watch him among the characters he loves and to think for a moment he was standing next to Mater and Lightening! A trip I will never forget.

Is that really Mater?

A Birthday Cheers with my little guy!

How I love to be at the beach!

I am thankful for friends. I have a very small but amazing circle of friends who bring me joy even when they don't they are! I am thankful for their patience while I raise a child instead of performing or socializing. I am thankful for the guidance when sought. I am thankful for memories that get me through rough days and the unheard laugher it brings. You are not just my friends, you are my family.

 

Laura, Julie and I

Me and Curt on our amazing NY adventure!

Me and Kipp after one of the best summer party photo sessions ever!!

I am thankful for my family! Not just Joel and McKinley, but my parents who give and love so unconditionally. Sometimes I feel guilty!

My amazing mother!

My incredible father! (We never seem to be photographed together!)

I have an amazing aunt who took vacation, and then some, to travel to the other end of the country just because I wanted her to! (She also sat with me and watched the sun come up on summer morning for a boy that never showed.) For a grandmother who is spitfire and makes me jealous of her unending energy. And, for family across the miles that I don't see often, but are always in my heart!

My mom, me, and my awesome aunt!

The Fleenor Family

The Lawson/Helton Family

I have a husband who, to put it mildly, endures entirely too much from his wife. I am a wife who is constantly changing her mind. I make requests for gardens, a new patio, paint schemes, remodeled bathrooms, playroom designs, and so much more! And, he does it all. I help of course, but he is always there with a shovel, paint brush, or tape measure. Thankful!

Hard at working building the vegetable garden!

Lastly, I am simply thankful for a baby boy who brings such joy to my life. He is a love I have never known and a love that I will treasure forever. He brings light when my day is dark. He brings imagination to a world that can seem too real. He gives pats and hugs at just the right time. And smiles a smile that melts my heart. He is everything and more!

My and the sweetest baby boy I've ever met! I love him!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I am thankful for your constant support of this little blog! Happy Thanksgiving!

Autumnal Colors

Jacket: Alfani; Sweater: L.L. Bean Signature (gift); Jeans: LOFT; Boots: Steven by Steve Madden;

Scarf: Gift; Shades: Prada: Earrings: Gorjana

 

Before we head into the holidays, I am trying to get all my fall colors in for the Thanksgiving weekend! Browns, golds, rusts, and cream are the colors I associate with the season of giving thanks. Even my dinner table will be full of all those rich, wonderful tones.

 

I love this tobacco colored leather jacket and often forget about it. It blends so well with this t-neck and the chocolate scarf add layers of colors and textures. But what I really needed was a wool coat, hat, and gloves! It was a blustery, blistery cold afternoon! Thankful for the warmth of colors and pieces I'm wearing!

 

 

 

The Sweater: Before and After

 

 



Thankful

Our First Thanksgiving

 As always, I am thankful for family, but this year it just seems more evident. I have the most amazing support system in both my parents and my husband. And, I have the sweetest baby boy in the world. I am a super lucky girl. 

I am thankful we were able to celebrate McKinley's First Birthday on a glorious Friday afternoon! We took a trip to the zoo and then came home to presents with family and a first birthday cake! 

I am thankful for a trip to Chicago, that while fun, was a true test to my patience as a mother. I can't say I passed with flying colors, but learned a lot!

Thankful for a festive Halloween with our darling lion! He made the evening one of shear joy!

I am incredible thankful for parents who are not only grandparents to McKinley, but the best caregivers while we are away during the day. I am thankful that I can head to work knowing that he is, above all loved, but is being worked with every single day.

I am thankful that I was able to attend McKinley's first swimming lesson of many. This was not, and will not be, an activity that I will miss. I am also thankful that I was there for his first unassisted steps. I cherish that moment!

I am thankful that McKinley chose us to be his parents. I strive every day to be the best mom I can be to him. Those eyes, that smile and sweet face remind me that again, I am the luckiest girl ever!

I wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.