Giving so much thanks

I’m finally coming out of my food coma from our Thanksgiving feast… And I’m feeling super thankful for so many things. Earlier this week, I had a chance to drive Jordan out to the Kansas City area to spend 24 hours with a friend. I’m so thankful the years of connections I’ve made online that have helped develop true friendships for myself and my family. So, when a friend happens to be in town for the holidays two hours away, we can hop into the car and drive out to see them. How amazing is that?

Friendships and family are so key to our lives that I often have to stop and appreciate every person in our many circles. They reach far and wide.

On this Thanksgiving, we may not be able to spend the day with extended family, but we spent it with our newsroom family. Randy earned a heck of a promotion at work earlier this year and we decided to spend this holiday celebrating with his employees. It seemed right to help out on a holiday during this season. Why not eat with many people who make Randy’s job so awesome. Not to mention, it’s the same newsroom I worked in for nine and a half years. It’s a special place for me as well. It may not be fancy, but it’s certainly a place we are thankful for. Randy has the coolest job helping grow journalists and he has an awesome team. Not to mention, I’m thankful for Randy. He is nothing but supportive of me in every facet of my life. I’m so lucky to have him as a partner.

I’m very thankful for Jordan and Cameron. Sure, they hand me all kinds of challenges as a parent. But I often try to take a few moments to step back and just watch them. When they aren’t fighting, they are both really awesome kids. I’m proud of them both. I’m very thankful to be their mom.

I’m also thankful to have the cutest, fluffiest dog around. Bailey the Doodle has quickly become an important part of our life. I’m so thankful to have him with me as I work from home each day.

I can’t be thankful enough for the kids’ teachers this year who communicate remarkably well with me – especially Cameron’s middle school teachers who could have ignored my pleas to keep me in touch with the boy’s academic developments. But they keep talking to me. And we keep pushing Cam hard. It’s working. He’s doing really well in school right now. I won’t ignore the fact that both kids are doing really well in school partly because of our awesome after-school helper, Amy. She’s meant the world to our family because she’s not only helping check to make sure homework is done, she’s getting the kids to their activities and helping with dinner some nights. When I’m out of town, it’s so much less stressful for Randy and I as parents. The consistent help we’ve had this year is such a relief.

We’re headed into a very busy holiday time with a mix of work and family travel. I’m super thankful to have this long weekend to relax, reflect and think about the many blessings we have in our world.

As I have said many times, thank you for being a part of Born Just Right. We’re a part of a wonderful group of families from around the world. It’s super special.