30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 10

My baby has a beautiful smile. She is infectious. Everywhere I go, people who know her tell me how she lights up their day when she smiles at them. Even me, on the mornings I need to wake her for school, she will roll over and look at me, squinty-eyed and disoriented, still half asleep, and smile at me, so happy and so wide it brings tears to my eyes. I hope she never loses that.

Her baby brother seems to have mastered that smile, too. Each time I gaze upon his face, I am treated to the same wide, happy smile. Without teeth, of course. And it makes me so happy. And for that I am thankful.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 9

I just finished delivering a small collection of goods to a friend who is organizing a larger drive of donations to be delivered to regions in New York and New Jersey and to families there who are without what they need to function day to day. I look at our children and realize how well off we are, and how little effort it takes for us to donate to someone who needs it. As I look at the box of diapers and wipes for my own little ones, I'm thankful that we are able to help another mom and dad somewhere take care of their littlest ones, even if it is in just the simplest of ways.

30 Days of Thanksgiving: November 8

This morning my girls had extra time to play. Most importantly it was in freshly fallen snow.  Magical first snow of the season. I wanted to be outside with them playing, but that's not always possible. I'm thankful I was able to watch them sledding from my dining room window. Too fast, no one will be sledding past that window. I'm glad we took some time today.

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.