Grateful #18

I am grateful for wintertime. Most people hate the winter - I used to be one of those people. I always seemed to get the winter blues but I actually look forward to this season of slowing down and having an excuse to stay in with a movie and a bowl of popcorn.

I am grateful for hibernation season for sure. :)

Grateful #17

I am grateful for all the freedoms we enjoy in our country. I am grateful that as a women in my country I can vote and run for office if I choose to do so - in many countries women are still considered second class citizens.

I am grateful for the different opinions and loud voices because it still proves that the American spirit is alive and well even though sometimes it feels we are living in very very dark times. There are places where you get killed or go "missing" for speaking out or even telling the truth.

I am grateful to live in a place where I can take a WALK or go for a run whenever I want. Some people are born into war and only know destruction, unrest, slaughter and hate. No place is safe where these people live.

I am grateful that I can go to the store and buy ANYTHING I can possibly think of at almost anytime of day - some people don't even have water to drink, or food to eat.

I am not trying to be political or get on a soap box I am just grateful.... even people who are struggling in our country still have freedom. We are still 99 % of the wealthiest people in the WORLD, not just because of what we make per year or our household income but because of the quality of life we enjoy because we are Americans and because we are free. I am grateful to all the men and women who generation after generation have fought to defend that freedom and the belief that we are a country who's creed STATES that we have inalienable rights not from government but from GOD. We are not a perfect country, to say we have a lot to work on and much to learn is an understatement, but I am still and always will be proud to be an American.

I am grateful for my country.

Grateful #14,15 & 16

14. I am so grateful to come home to SPOTLESS house :)

15. I am grateful for my sister Libby who reminds me to RELAX and have fun, enjoys a good latte just as much as me, makes me laugh and is an amazing women. I love you.

16. I am grateful for dinner out with my Dad! It will never get old going out & it's one of our favorite past times.

:) What a great day!

Grateful #12 & #13

Two things I am grateful for the YMCA & my awesome bootcamp instructor there who doesn't play. She kicks our butts every thursday night. I am so sore & I love it.

Thanks for helping me get in shape!

Grateful #11

I am grateful for friends who I can call and vent to and who offer me validation, prayer and support. Even though it's taken me a long time to make new friends here, and I often shed a tear or two (or 100) over missing my "nashville girls" I know I am so blessed. I have friends who know me and know my heart, and I have new friends that are godly, wonderful, fun loving, joyful, silly, yet deep women who are becoming dear friends. I also have old friends who are there whenever I need them. I need to remind myself how blessed I am and be grateful for every relationship I DO have instead of harping on the ones I don't. Or my lack thereof. I should spend more of that time in building the new relationships I have started! Thank you Lord for friends!

Grateful #10

Today I am grateful for my husbands hard work. We have been going through hell and back with the new townhouse we are renting and he has been so strong throughout the whole process. I am grateful that we are able to lean on each other and get through things even when the stress levels are through the roof. I am blessed to have someone like him to walk through life with. When I see what he endures day in and day out with running a business and dealing with all the home stuff too I am reminded to be grateful even in the midst of trials and frustrating circumstances.

I love you Thomas. SHMILY.

Grateful #9

I am grateful for quiet nights alone. I know once little kiddies arrive one day there won't be so many of these. So right now I will enjoy these moments of silence and alone time.

Grateful #8.

I am grateful for a good read and hot tea.

There's almost nothing better then escaping into a story to ease stress or keep our minds fresh. It's such a better option then sitting in front of the tube or even the computer.

It took me a long time to find a genre like I liked but I absolutely love David Sedaris and Jodi Picolt. They are my two favorite authors. Now I don't beat myself up if I don't like a book even if it was on a best sellers list or Oprah's book club I just read what I like and if I get half way through a novel and I want to gouge my eyes out I return it to the library and get a different book without any guilt.

Right now I just started Bossypants by Tina Fey. Just FYI.

Grateful #7.

I am grateful for Crest 3D White Strips!

Seriously they make whitening so easy and affordable! Now they even have an adhesive on them so they don't slide around on your teeth. I remember when I used to use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to whiten after I brushed.

Grateful #6

I am grateful for my pup Reese.

There is nothing like coming home to a sweet dog who is so energetic and excited to see you. Upon my arrival home she usually acts as if she hasn't seen me in years and then she doesn't leave my side. She doesn't judge me when I have a bad day, she doesn't criticize how I look or if I gained a few pounds over the holidays. She is content. She is joyful and playful and loyal. I am grateful that I get to be her Pup Mom.

Gratitude.

I haven't updated this blog in a long time. But I decide for one of my New Years Resolutions that I wanted to be a more grateful person. I think gratitude is a choice. We choose our attitudes and beliefs and those beliefs shape our emotions and responses that aren't always by choice... so I am choosing an attitude of gratitude this year.

In order for a resolution to stick or be attainable it must be measurable so I am going to blog something I am grateful for each day of 2012.

I am a few days behind so here are my first 5:

January 1, 2012 - I am grateful for amazing, lifelong friends who support me and love me for who I am.

January 2, 2012 - I am grateful for lazy days of doing absolutely nothing.

January 3, 2012 - I am grateful for local food and the places that serve them popping up all over the place! It's so nice to eat fresh, yummy, hearty food.

January 4, 2012 - I am grateful that I can remember the days when going through airport security was hassle free and you didn't have to take off your shoes. My generations Y "Good Old Days" Moment.

Today January 5, 2012

I am grateful for my husband who cleaned the house, lit candles everywhere and had romantic music playing for me when I got home from being away for a week in Nashville with my best girlfriends. I am the luckiest girl alive and I still can't believe he chose me. <3

Happy 2012 everyone. Here is to another year to be filled with gratitude.