30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 7

Circling the wagons again today. Blessed with the chance to spend the day alongside my husband, doing errands, playing with children, just existing in our home and living our lives. The fresh fallen snow and fire warming our home from its hearth was an added bonus. Thank you for this day.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 6

I am thankful for the opportunity to vote on this marvelous Election Day. I took all my little chickens to vote with me, as we think it is an important thing for them to see and learn, this election process. Probably a few people in the polling location know more than they want to about my political opinions and choices, but that's all good, so long as my children learn. (And, we all get stickers!)

So here's thanking those who have and still serve to protect my freedom to choose hope and change (and to the right person being elected into office).

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 5

I am grateful for the area in the country where I live. I had a chance today to drive through the hills of New England, and even though the leaves are all but fallen from all the trees, it was still beautiful. Nothing is as enjoyable or inspiring as mountainous views, rock walls, farmsteads and pastures. It could only get better if we were able to figure out how to move more North!

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 4

Today I'm thankful for my little yellow house. It may be small and it may be noisy but it's our little piece of the world. Or should I say peace? I don't feel well today, and am just enjoying being in my little space, with our little me's, and I'm looking forward to my bed in my newly renovated bedroom, and a cup of tea. It may be a little yellow house, but little houses grow the most love. That's what the sign says, anyway.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 3

Today I am thankful for my village.

Yesterday we enjoyed a night out with friends benefitting a local group. Wine flowed and a good time flourished. New friends were made, and we learned just how far reaching that whole idea of "It takes a village" really goes.

Today we spent the day cheering on our favorite swimmer, amongst all her friends and ours. While I'm sure they enjoyed the time, our friends took turns holding our son while we tended to our other children and cheered our daughter and her friends. I am thankful for them helping me be the mom and friend I am. Where would I be without my village?

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 2

Today, I am thankful for my husband, and all the little ways he shows me he loves me, like the quick and clandestine snuggle in the scant seconds between the alarm going off and the children waking up (or the snooze button being hit and the blissful abyss of that not-being-so-awake time of day). And all the little ways he works so hard to help my days be a little easier, like getting in on the fray in the morning to help pack lunches or doing an errand on the way home from work (usually involving PTO), and always making sure we are fully stocked with wine, even if I've sabotaged a bottle or two in the freezer. And all the little ways he makes me smile, like the silly emails, forwarded anecdotes, and chats we have during the day. And, above all, all the big ways he provides for our family, with all the efforts and exhaustion that comes with it.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 1

There is a movement afoot to share what we are thankful for this month, made especially more poignant after this week's storm. So, since I have no shortage of things to be thankful for ...

Today, right now, I am thankful for my son. He blesses me more with each smile. He gifts me so many things. This evening I enjoyed the sweet smell of his breath, as his head laid on my shoulder, asleep after he ate. I inhaled to memory.