I have been feeling pretty whiny lately. I just got braces on Tuesday and they hurt. My mouth is sore and chewing is painful. Day one was no big deal. I may or may not have said to the husband, “I think these braces are no big deal, because I have a really high pain tolerance. I mean….I did carry three babies and have three c/s”.
Then day two happened and I haven’t stopped whining. The husbands wants to know what happened to my “high pain tolerance” and keeps quoting me. Good thing I can laugh at myself.
Throw in three sick kids and a the longest winter EVER and I was starting to feel pretty down.
In the midst of all of this we have been cleaning and simplifying and I finally decided to do something with our jar of thanks.
Yes, this was a Thanksgiving activity, but I never shared them here on the blog. Plus, gratitude isn’t something you just celebrate one month out of the year.
A little gratitude offers a fantastic shift in perspective.
How lucky am I that I can straighten my teeth and fix my bite? I’m lucky that my kids cough and fever can be treated with a fever reducer, that they have warm beds to rest in, clean water to stay hydrated and access to medical care should we need it. We have had heat and hats and gloves and boots and coats to keep us warm all winter plus plenty of time to bond!
So here are the contents of our jar of thanks.
Eleanor (2 1/2):
I’m thankful I got to go to story time. I’m thankful for reading books. I’m thankful for singing songs. I’m thankful for racing with Quinny- brother. I’m thankful for playing with the LeapPad. I’m thankful for drawing, and Quinn. I’m thankful for crayons and pens. I’m thankful for mommy and daddy, Quinny & Hudson (that is my favorite). I’m thankful for rainbows and mommy and daddy. I’m thankful for Quinn & Hudson. I’m thankful for mommy & daddy. I’m thankful for a chorizo. I’m thankful for playing with Legos. I’m thankful for pillows, couches & marshmallow man (all things sitting in front of her). I’m thankful for drawing. I’m thankful for Jake & the Neverland Pirate Show. I’m thankful for playing with letters. I’m thankful for my home. I’m thankful for Chuck E. I’m thankful for big pillows. I’m thankful for crocodiles & Gorillas. I’m thankful for animals. I’m thankful for big, big, big, big, big field trips (gymnastics). I’m thankful for you and daddy. I’m thankful mommy and daddy and Hudson and Quinny. I’m thankful for a rainbow. I love rainbows. I’m thankful for my water. My pink water. I’m thankful for big animals.
Quinn (5 years, 1 month)
I’m thankful for Hudson- I love it when Hudson plays with me and grabs at me. I’m thankful for my mom keeping me safe and making sure I don’t fall off my bike. I’m thankful for daddy cooking this food. I’m thankful for my teachers. I’m thankful for mommy and daddy. I’m thankful for daddy taking me to the gym to play (volleyball). I’m thankful for Christmas, because it is almost Christmas. I’m thankful for Carter–the bestest friend ever. We take turns and he is nice to me. I’m thankful for my whole family. I’m thankful for mom giving hugs to me. I’m thankful for mommy, because she is the best. She hugs and kisses me and snuggles me. I’m thankful for when mommy love me. I’m thankful for Eleanor. I’m thankful for Gigi taking me to the movie. I’m thankful for Finley. I’m thankful for Hudson.
I’m thankful for Great Grandma and Great Grandma (This really touches me, because we have since lost my grandpa), I’m thankful for Grandparent’s who love me so much. I’m thankful for mommy cooking us this food. I’m thankful that I snuggles with you. I’m thankful for my brother (said while holding and snuggling Hudson). I’m thankful for love–for hugging people and kissing people. I’m thankful for when you take me to story time. I’m thankful for Finley coming over. I’m thankful for hugs from mommy. I’m thankful for you bringing me to story time.
Me:
I’m thankful for Quinn– his big personality & heart. He makes every day bright and I am so proud of the person he is. I’m thankful for my bloggy friends. They get me and what I do and I’m glad I found them. I’m grateful to have people in my life that no matter how much time has passed it like none at all. I’m thankful I get to be married to my best friend– truly my favorite person to spend time with. I’m thankful for my sweet, sweet Hudson– his quiet, chill demeanor, snuggles and soft skin. I’m thankful for a safe place to be in severe weather. I’m thankful that I have a good friend who lives close by with kids my the same ages as mine and we can hang out always. I’m thankful for how much my babies love each other. I’m thankful for a husband who loves me despite all the weight I have gained. I’m thankful for evenings as a family. I’m thankful for our health and access to healthcare. I’m thankful I can follow my passions. I’m thankful to be able to gather with family regularly. I’m thankful I get to create a beautiful home. I’m thankful that my family lives so close and we get together on a whim–regularly. I’m thankful for a husband who runs out for me– Starbucks! I’m thankful my sister moved back home. I’m thankful that I have four grandparents that are still with me. I’m thankful for all my readers who support me and have helped me support my family. I’m thankful for a husband who provides for us and goes to work while we are cozy in our pj’s. I’m thankful for coffee. I’m thankful for children that are so well behaved and so fun to hang out with. I’m thankful for a husband who values what I value. I’m thankful for the ability to add to my family’s income. I’m thankful for sleeping in on Saturday mornings and a husband who lets me. I’m thankful the scale went down. I’m thankful for Eleanor– her soft hands, chubby cheeks, sweet voice and silliness soothes the soul. I’m thankful I can buy my children warm boots.
Ross:
I’m thankful for pumpkin pie. I’m thankful for a beautiful family. I’m thankful for a new car battery. I’m thankful for a good cup of coffee. I’m thankful for morning smoothies. I’m thankful for TV. I’m thankful for beer. I’m thankful for burritos on Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for our minivan.I’m thankful for a beautiful family. I’m thankful for my silly little girl (Eleanor). I’m thankful for college football. I’m thankful for the University of Wisconsin- Madison. I am thankful that I got to play volleyball again. I’m thankful for brats & beer. I’m thankful for couchtuner. I’m thankful for the start of college basketball. I’m thankful for our nice home. I’m thankful that we have decent insurance. I’m thankful for family that lives so close.
I’m thankful for a wife who brings home extra bacon. I’m thankful for a job that pays the bills. I’m thankful for Hudson’s smile. I’m thankful for Quinn’s love for life. I’m thankful for my amazing wife. I’m thankful for smart phones. I’m thankful for our new fridge. I’m thankful for a great partner to share my life with.
Man, it feels good to get all that thanks written down in one place. Those jars have been sitting on the window seat since Novemeber, waiting to be documented. Things that are repeated aren’t a mistake–they are the things that make us so happy we kept on giving thanks.
None of this made my mouth stop hurting or my kids less sick, but it did lift my mood.
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