SO Thankful!

November 28, 2010

SO Thankful!

Thanksgiving was extra special and also really different this year. Having just witnessed the amazing miracle of Janelle's recovery we are overwhelmed with gratitude! But, it was also strange not spending the holiday with the Tucks, as we do every year. While we had our mid-day meal at Mac and Libby's, the Tucks were busily preparing to bring Janelle from Atlanta to Charlotte. We had a special treat during the Barksdale Thanksgiving meal - we all got to hear Janelle's sweet voice on the phone! Then, it was on to meal #2 (dinner) with my family and the Rhynes!

The week was mostly relaxing and full of family time (and a few cakes, of course). Saturday we had the pleasure of visiting Janelle at Carolinas Rehabilition. She was beautiful as ever and it was so special to finally give her a big hug!

This time of year makes me really think about all that I am so very thankful for. There are lots of big and little things, and here's my short list:

I am so thankful...

-for Janelle's amazing miracle

-for my precious daughter Isabelle (the way she smiles at me first thing in the morning...her funny laugh...the extra roll on her right thigh...her perfect pink lips...her raspy cry...her deep concentration when looking at a yummy pillow corner...her face when Crockett tries to lick her...her "almost" sneezes...the feel of her soft cheek against mine...when she grabs my face and squeezes my lips...her big gummy smile...and so much more!!!)

-for my electric blanket

-that Brian always turns on my electric blanket before I go to bed

-that Isabelle is finally sleeping through the night

-for the way Crockett loves to lay next to Isabelle on the playmat

-for FAMILY!!!

-for my family's good health

-that Isabelle has the two best pairs of grandparents in the world!

-that my brother is so in love with his niece

-that I can begin a sentence saying, "My daughter..."

-to have such wonderful in-laws and to honestly be able to say that I love being with them

-for all of the babies in our lives, from family to friends

-for all of the babies growing inside my friends' bellies

-for the bakement and being able to work in my pajamas and near my baby

-that my husband still makes me feel beautiful even though I live in old t-shirts and never wear make-up!

-for my amazing parents...who cannot get enough Isabelle time!

-that my dad will come home from work early just to see Isabelle (pretty sure he didn't do that when I was a baby!)

-that my mom will drop everything for the chance to join me (and Isabelle, of course) on a walk

-for all of my wonderful customers who keep me busy!

-that people will always love cake!

-for my assistant, Jen, and for her strength during a trying year

-for turtlenecks and Dansko clogs (wouldn't you kill to have my look?)

-for our neighborhood...nice people, beautiful trees, and awesome location

-for my dear friends who I see too little of these days!

-for the way Isabelle smiles at her daddy when he looks at her from across the room

-that Brian will make the bed, blow the leaves, fix dinner, do the dishes and be the sweetest daddy a little girl could have!

I'm also very thankful that Isabelle and her cousin, Betsy Grace, will grow up just a few blocks away from each other. We had such fun watching them interact on Thanksgiving day.

Betsy Grace is all about hugs...