Happy Thursday! Happy Thanksgiving!! Jen shared that she was doing a gratitude challenge series of blog posts this month and I’ve decided to join her! This is my fourth week of gratitude and I am developing a habit of finding small things to appreciate or be grateful for each day in addition to these prompts.

The challenge is from Mirabelle Creations on Instagram and I love that account. Deanna makes fun enneagram graphics, holiday graphics, and other cute images.

Day 22: 3 things about your personality that you love

I love that I am always up for fun. I love a good laugh. I love to celebrate!

Day 23: Something you often take for granted

My short commute to work. I try not to take it for granted, but I am less than 2 miles from my school and it is a lifesaver some days!

Day 24: Something you have that you used to hope for

I decided not to go too deep on this one. When we bought our house 11 years go, we talked about closing in the deck and making it a big family room. I planned the room in my mind for years. We got the ball rolling in early 2020 and then boom – pandemic and supply chain issues – I wasn’t sure we’d ever get this room built. It took over six months from start to finish and it started to feel like Murphy Brown and Elden. The crew joined us for the kids’ birthday cake, brought their kids to play with ours over spring break, and took some of the clothes and toys the boys had outgrown for their families and friends. Even with all that, it is worth it. I am sitting in the family room typing this looking out over the corn field and I am so grateful for our room.

Day 25: A favorite quote that has helped you

In college, I heard the famous Eleanor Roosevelt quote and it has given me confidence to be who I am for over 20 years.

There are a few Lilly quotes that help me remember to have fun and stay hopeful when my to do list feels never ending.

I’m leaning on this one in December. It hasn’t helped me yet, but I think it will. When things get busy, I tend to reach for joggers and a quarter zip. I have some lovely clothes that I want to wear more and I always feel good when I step up my outfit game. Also, it seems that there are two similar versions of this idea. One from Lilly and one from another favorite, Audrey Hepburn!

Day 26: 3 hobbies or activities you love

I love reading! I love walking (running)! I love traveling!

Day 27: Holiday traditions you are grateful for

Oh where to begin?? I guess with Thanksgiving tomorrow, I am grateful for the tradition that my mom or mother-in-law cook Thanksgiving dinner. Ha! I am always willing to help, but I am grateful that I don’t have to do it all.

I love our Christmas Eve traditions – the meal, the pajamas, the ornaments, the books. It’s so special.

Day 28: Something that made you smile today

Thankfully there’s a lot to smile about today. I woke up smiling thinking about watching the parade today! It is one of the few mornings that I am not watching the parade with my mom, but I am sure we will text the whole way through it. I am smiling thinking about the year my mom, sister, and I went to NYC for the parade. I am smiling thinking about the Rockettes and all the good memories watching them with my parents and grandparents in the parade and the three times I’ve seen them in NYC. I am smiling thinking of how excited my guys used to get to see their favorite chracters as balloons and Santa at the end. This parade is full of so many great memories that I can’t help but smile!

Happy Thanksgiving! I always wish you a day full of sunshine and books, but today I want to wish you a day full of peace and gratitude! I’ll be back tomorrow with a great Friday favorite! Have a great day full of sunshine and books!