Being Thankful

Every Thanksgiving, for as long as I can remember, my mom would proudly announce that during dinner we were going to go around the table and say what we are most thankful for.  And we would all sigh and say "oh mom, not again - this is so silly". 

But I have changed my thinking on this "silly" exercise.  Thanksgiving is such a great holiday because the main purpose of it is to have a fabulous dinner and think about all of the things in your life you are grateful for.  I could come up with an endless list but here are the highlights:

• I'm thankful that my sister-and brother-in-law are expecting a baby next year and we will have a new life joining our family.
• I'm thankful that my little nephew is growing and thriving and talking and gaining lots of weight!
• I'm thankful that I have a strong relationship with my family and that we love going home to MI and MA for the holidays.  The older I get, the more I realize that many people are not close with their families.
• I'm thankful that my family and I are all healthy.  I have a friend whose sister just spent a week in the hospital with pneumonia and my friend reminded us that we can have money and nice cars and lots of toys but we can't do anything without our health.
• I'm thankful that I was able to spend a fabulous weekend away with my cousin - something we have never done just the two of us.  So many great memories from that trip!
• I'm thankful that I have friends who love and support me both here in DC and in MI.
• I'm thankful for our two beautiful, kind, confident and fun little girls.  They bring sunshine to our lives.
• I'm thankful for my supportive and loving husband who makes me laugh and is such a talented cook!

The list is really endless.  I am so incredibly blessed.  There are certainly days that I am stressed or think I have too much on my plate and it as at times like that when I try to really think about how truly thankful I am for all the wonderful people in my life.

What are you most thankful for?  Happy Thanksgiving!

The Halloween Candy is Gone

Well, I am much-belated in writing this post about Halloween.  I know that because all of the candy is gone (well, almost).  This year, Grace's Brownie troop decided to collect candy for the troops.  A local mom started an organization called Treats 4 Our Troops.  She collects donated candy and ships it to soldiers overseas and to those recovering at the local Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  We have been donating our own candy for a couple of years and last year I was able to encourage my co-workers and others in our building to donate.  And this year, I was so proud of Grace as she brought an extra bag to "trick or treat for the troops"!

Bruno and I had fun dressing up as pirates for our friend's annual Halloween party.

The girls had so much fun dressing up. Grace was a sweet angel and Abby was an adorable Minnie Mouse.

I love Abby's face in this next picture! Not sure what she was so ticked off about - ha!

And just some fun in the fall leaves!