For me, honestly, this week’s assignment was almost too easy for me. Noticing smaller things to be thankful for comes very natural to me. For the most part, I thank my parents for that. Growing up, if we had bad days, my parents had a way of taking those bad moments and pointing out the things that were good…when your 17 though, your eyes continually roll to the back of your head and you wonder who these aliens are calling themselves your mom and dad. To this day, I can hear my mom whisper “it will all be okay, everything happens for a reason, be thankful this happened to you and be thankful how much you’ll grow as a women because of this.” So giving thanks will always be a part of my being.
There were many things that happened this week in our lives, it started out on Monday night, picture this: me, fresh out of the shower, with my Burts Bees facial mask on~completely resembling the Swamp Thing in a hot pink bathrobe. After rounds of laughter from Jerime and Grace, Jer says to G….” You know what, even in a face mask, your mommy is still the most beautiful girl in the world” And G chimes in “Dad, she looks like an ogre!” Thankful that night for always being beautiful in my husband’s eyes and also thankful we are raising a daughter who is not afraid to voice her honest opinions! I ‘ve always wanted to continue the tradition of eating dinner as a family and I can say for the most part, that 5 out of 7 days in the week, Jerime, Gracie and I are gathered around the big claw foot sharing news about the day and eating dinner…God’s grace is so good and this week I really noticed how thankful I am for that. We shared our first outside walk in many many months-with Gracie and our fur kids, two dogs and our evil black cat who~yes~ follows our family around the entire block -what a sight that must be to onlookers….we are completely welcoming spring with open arms. My 2 highlights this week though were~
1. When mom and I get hooked on something…we seriously become obsessed with it…yes consider us “hookers” Right now we are addicted to green tea lattes from starbucks…and my bestie made my day by bringing me my “drug” first thing on Saturday morning…can’t get any better than that! Thank you my “best friend of an artist” (that’s what she calls herself)
2. While cuddling during Friday family movie night, Gracie lay next to me~ caring less that her left arm was being crushed under my weighted body and her right arm was slung haphazardly around my neck. My little cuddle bug- I am forever thankful. I hope we love her so fiercely that she can feel it when she’s at school for the day, or even when she’s asleep or even when her childhood becomes a memory. And at night we sometimes go into watch her while she sleeps, and we kiss her a million times. We know something she has yet to learn…every day, every single second,she is writing her own story. With her kind heart and happy spirit, her proud parents are hoping and praying she pens a best seller!
Even when it seems I haven’t a moment to spare and I’m running on empty, I have to constantly remind myself to be present and be thankful for each crazy day. Jerime and I hope to enjoy this fast-growing~ little angel and we know this lifetime flies by us at a blurry sprint. We may not have the biggest house or drive the best cars but we know how blessed and loved we are~ and that’s pretty much all that matters!
~Chantel~
i’m thankful for:
…so many things that i almost feel guilty
…for a strong willed, kind hearted daughter…a son, whose very kind… a son-in-law who is a great match for my daughter…a husband who gives me “space”…and…gracie, just because she’s gracie
…for my Tassimo coffee machine…i can have a great cup of coffee anytime of the day w/out leaving the house
…for my granddaughter, gracie
…for the quiet…it gives me time to reflect on how lucky i am
…for my talent and passion for my job
~Pennie~