Grateful

I can feel myself getting sucked into the winter blahs. I anticipate it every year. The daylight gets shorter, the weather gets colder, the sky gets grey-er, and my motivation fades away. I can feel it in conversations that I have with people, with my attitude about getting things done. I hate feeling this way, and every year I give myself an "out", allowing myself to feel this way for a while, you know, because it's the weather, or just this time of year.But not this year. I've been fighting the miserable-ness so hard. This is our first holiday season as a family of three (four, really) and I want to make it extra special for Finn, and for us. I want to start traditions that we continue into his teenage years and beyond.I think it's important to stop and smell the roses every once in a while, but especially at this time of year. It's so fun to look back and reflect on everything that has happened in 2016 and to look forward to another year of firsts in 2017. I'm a lucky, lucky, lucky girl. I have so much to be grateful for, and just because the weather is moody doesn't give me a pass at forgetting all of those things I am grateful for.

1. Family. Golly, I am lucky to be married to my bestie. Last night, we were running through the grocery store - just being goofs. We looked at one another and reminded each other that we are parents and we shouldn't act so immature. And then we laughed. We are totally meant to be! And we were given Finn! I cannot believe that we were blessed with such a beautiful, healthy, happy baby. And to top it all off, we have the best puppy in the entire world. I am one lucky lady to have three handsome men in my life. We were also given wonderful parents and siblings to support us and love us unconditionally, and to make us laugh every day!
2. Travel. David and I were those silly young kids who spent all of our savings and moved across the country... four times. There are days where I wish we had a house and a yard, but I realize that we would have had to give up our adventures in order to have those things today. We were so spontaneous and young and had the travel bug, so we did what we wanted! The house and yard are coming soon, so if I had to wait a little longer for them in order to travel and live in such wonderful places, I'll take it.
3. Job. There was a time where I would do just about everything to have a job to go to every day. I have one now- a good one- and I'm thankful for it every day.
4. Health. The industry I work in reminds me daily that I am fortunate to have my health and that those I love are healthy as well. Too often this is taken for granted.
5. Love. This can come in many forms. Maybe it's a Christmas card from friends you haven't seen in forever. Or it's a song that comes on the radio that makes you feel all the feels. Maybe it's snuggling on the couch with your husband at the end of a long day and watching cheesy television shows. It can be a picture of your niece who you haven't seen since July. Or someone leaving a nice comment on your blog post. It's waking up in the morning and realizing your baby slept through the night or getting licked by your dog after you walk through the door. It can be all of your neighbors decorating their doors for Christmas or stopping to say 'hi' to them when you are walking the dog. It can be a free lunch in appreciation to a veteran's service, a text from a friend, or watching someone you love fall in love and plan a wedding. I think you get the picture, but every day I'm surrounded by so much love. It's so inspiring and refreshing. I hope you find love all around you as well.

 

Shop the post:

On me: Cable-knit Sweater, Similar Here and Here

On David: Shirt, Jeans (old)

On Finn: 'Best Gift Ever' Onesie (from Old Navy, can't find it online)