Thanksgiving

Every year I think maybe I should do the daily Thanksgiving posts... then I think. There is way more than 20 some things in my life to be grateful for. Since our loss of Calvin I am a master at counting blessings. When a portion of your daily life has a sad part you have to count a lot of blessings to still have a happy day! So here I am Thanksgiving morning doing what I have the past few years, letting you all know what this life means to me. 

First of all, I am in this warm home, full of the many things we have worked hard for. It is full of love, and the pantry is full. My dogs and cats snuggled up in their respective places. Lucky curled up on the toes of a little girl who is growing much too fast now. A handsome husband that proves daily that he is too good to be true. Within these four walls is everything I could ever want, everything that I really need. I can't say I knew how much these guys meant to me until after we lost Calvin. Of course my love for them is growing and growing! I am so thankful that they are a part of my life. That every day they wake up and work towards the same goals I am. This home would not be what it is, without each one of them. 

John much deserves his own line. This man wakes up everyday with the goal to make people smile. Very much a believer in your decision to be happy regardless of what is happening. It is a conscious choice to have happiness, and he'll do whatever he can to see it happen. I love him, and am so grateful for him as he constantly changes his life for whatever Heavyn and I need. Thankful for his strong hands, steady mind, and loving heart. Thankful that he knows time with us is the most important thing, he doesn't work sooo hard that he doesn't see us. We have him home at the dinner table every night!

Heavyn also gets her own line. How can you not be grateful for this beautiful face. Those sparkly green eyes, light brown hair, and freckles. She wakes up every day with a thrill for life. She seeks out anything she can to learn about. She loves reading and writing. She knows unconditional love. She sees the butterflies and reminds me that Calvin is always here. She is easily pleased with time spent with her. She may bounce around all the time with lots of energy, but she also knows how to slow down and appreciate the small things in life. Love her learning to dance and swim this year. When I count blessings... I am sure I always count her more than once!

Calvin. My one and only son. My baby. I miss you so much. I am thankful for the things you taught me in your short life. Thankful for your cute face gracing my walls, and your presence in my heart always. 

My family. Each one of my family provides something special to me. From my Mom, my brother, my sister in law, my nieces, my uncle and aunt, my cousins. My friends, from Moe, Brandi, Aubry, Nicole and many more. Each one of you are a part of me. Each one of you are counted as blessings. I may log in to Facebook every day and never post a Happy Birthday on your wall. I may never just write you to say how is going? But I love each and every one of you. I love the pictures you share, and things you post. 

Work. You'll find in life that you have to do this. There will also be a time that you'll be grateful for it. Sure I don't love going to work daily, but I do love what I do. Sometimes you have to make some sacrifices and some changes. Some might see it as a step back, but it most definitely is a step forward. As I changed jobs quickly this year, it was because I knew exactly where I needed to be. It might have taken me a while to realize it. I might have needed a push in the right direction. Thankful for our ability to choose what we want to do. Thankful for the opportunity to be an entrepreneur in these days. There is no one telling me because I am woman, because I am weak, because I am less than. I can do anything! Everyone should make sure they wake up every day loving what they do. It might be as simple as deciding you're going to love what you're already doing.

Thankful for my business. Thankful for my clients. I truly love my graphic design, and photography. I can't wait to see myself in a studio space making lots of art! I hope each and every one of you knows that I am Thankful for you. I hope to be your go to time and time again for design. Thankful for attorneys and accountants that help everything be legal. Thankful for the learning I keep doing for this thing I love.

Thankful for health. I may be having my struggles health wise, but I look around and realize it could be worse. Thankful for good doctors, and great nurses. Thankful for wonderful dentists. Thankful for insurance, and for cash to pay them! Thankful for the womans body, and its amazing abilities. Children truly are miracles. 

Thankful for living. For some life can end far too short. This world is full of good and bad, but it should be experienced. There is so much to learn here, so much to experience and enjoy. Thankful for every breath of air I take. Thankful for the choice to pursuit happiness.

Remember to count your blessings. The blessing that you have food on your plate today. The blessing that you are healthy today. The blessing that your very old vacuum is still working. That the sponge doesn't need replaced yet. That your little girl cleared the coffee table for you... which means she just rearranged the pile. Thankful for every little thing. 

It will be a quiet day at the Nation home, over good food and football. We try to live everyday like thanksgiving, always counting blessings, always looking for the silver linings. 

We LOVE all of YOU! 

*please know I did not list everything, or everyone in my life here. We'd be here all day! ;)