Thanksgiving and to be Thankful

For those of you that are thinking.....ummm, Kel......Thanksgiving was 2 weeks ago, you are a little late.....let me add a wrinkle. Although Thanksgiving is a WONDERFUL time to remind ourselves what we are thankful for, shouldn't we truly have inspirations of thankfulness throughout the year :)

So, as I was trying to find something to wear to my husband's work Christmas party this weekend, I was reminded in earnest of one thing to be TRULY thankful for......that after 13 years together, I have a husband who truly loves me, well, for ME! And I was reminded when he told me that I looked beautiful and whistled...even though, like most women, it took a little nudging because I am in flux right now and feel like I need to lose weight. So, to him, I say.......yes baby :) I believe you.

So, here is a short list, ha, ha......of what I am thankful for :)

A husband who sees my true beauty.

A holiday diet......you ask.......it's a diet that allows you to eat what you want because your being politically observant of all of the wonderful bounties that each of the special celebrations during this time of year have to offer.

A security guard where I work who singlehandedly feels that she can influence everyone's day with a bright warm smile and a simple "Good morning...have a wonderful day!" Thanks Tawana!

A family that loves me enough to disagree with me :) that's one of my faves; it means they truly love you :)

Enough feathers and glue to adorn Turkey handprints and quite possibly bind my children together figuratively and emotionally forever.

A dog that even understands the importance of Baby Jesus because it is the ONLY figure from the girls' nativity scene that he feels compelled to take, knaw on and hide.

God who takes the wheel of my car and my life because He knows how many times he has gotten me out of messes.

My last 2 warrant their own narratives........

Before children, when my husband and I were just starting out as our own family, we went to work on our first Christmas tree. A very daunting task for 2 people that had most ornaments handed down from their mothers that were hand crafted by each of us from ages 2-10... I digress.

At any rate, we settled on white lights for the lighting because they looked the prettiest. And then we purchased lovely things that would shimmer and shine against those white lights; Christopher Radko ornaments and as many things as could possibly be engraved and monogrammed (those who know me, understand this point).....and finished with clay ornaments that reflected each year of our togetherness.

Flash forward to the year we introduced a 16 month old into our mix. It was Kaitlyn's "First" Christmas that she was able to toddle around and explore the wonderment of the season; which included, but was not limited to, touching EVERY Christmas ornament on the tree within her reach; and even the ones she couldn't, for that matter, because Christmas trees shake.

So, given that we had been told every day of our parenting careers that neither Blair nor I EVER acted like first time parents; we did what any nontraditional first time parents would do.....we bought her a Charlie Brown tree....might have been pushing 2 feet but that's a stretch.....and we covered it with all of those handmade works of art and COLORED lights.

What happened was the most amazing thing...... she went only to that tree and touched and looked and grew bright eyed at the beauty of it. It was hers.....all hers and she felt it and enjoyed the fun of it. It was a wonderful Christmas memory for my husband and myself; which brings me to what I am thankful for........

• A family Christmas tree.....one that is decorated with colored lights, a handmade paper chain, all of those wonderful clay ornaments celebrating years of togetherness and the majority of the ornaments placed at the bottom of the tree to about 2 1/2 feet up because that's where the girls wanted them and could reach to put them. And it's each of ours....all ours :)

For me, it reminded me that there is no such thing as tackiness on a tree when it is decorated and filled with love; so I am thankful for the most beautiful tree in the world, which in case you were wondering, resides at my house.

Lastly, I am thankful for a wonderful father to my children who appreciates and understands that the "Get Me Guy" game will never lose its lustor to our girls and plays it each & every time they ask with the same fervor......crawling around on the ground, pretending to get them.......to the squeals and laughter of their delight.........which is truly the thing I am most thankful for :) A noisy home filled with the best sounds in the world.

Wishing you a season of thankfulness and love and hope that you find what you are thankful for :) With love......you shouldn't have to look too far ;)

Merry Christmas!

K2