I tend to spend a lot of time dreaming of what comes next.  Not because what I have isn’t great, but because dreaming, working hard, and achieving goals is what drives me.  I like to work and change and grow.  It’s who I am.

But on Thanksgiving, I like to take stock of what I have.  Stop dreaming.  Count my blessings.  Take a moment to step back from dreaming of what will be and soak in what is.

So without futher ado, here is what I’m thankful for this year.

1.  My babies.  They shriek, they wrestle, they get around faster than any little humans should.  And they keep me in an endless supply of dirty laundry, sleep deprivation, and smiles.  They make me crazy. But I love them.

2.  My backyard ladies – Charlotte the duck, Meryl Cheep, Elizabeak Taylor , and Olivia.  They cluck and scratch and lay the most delcious eggs.  Last week, when the temperatures fell, their egg production dropped.  I had to buy eggs for the first time in almost a year.  It was only then that I remembered just how much they spoil me with fresh eggs daily just a few steps outside my back door.

Just the duck eggs – Charlotte works overtime!

3.  My grandmother’s piano. As I moved around over the years, it sat in storage and out of tune.  But finally it fills my house with music daily.  Whether I’m stealing a few minutes away from chores to practice or my toddler is testing out expressing various moods with notes (Today it was “spooky” music.  Tomorrow it will be “sad” music.  “Mad” is probably my favorite), it is a sound that fills my soul with happiness.

4. My retro hot tub and red wine.  Really that is two things, but it is the best combo. The house we bought at the end of last year came with an old hot tub.  Frankly, its presence didn’t impress us when looking to buy and I grumbled quite a bit at the start, because it needed some pricey maintenance.  But now when I hop in after a day of wrangling the children and animals, a glass of red wine in hand, I can let the stress of the day slip away.

(Source)

5.  My husband.  He humors me when I take on project upon project (and bring home animal after animal).  I pitched him the idea of starting an essential oils business and he was onboard and super supportive.  He gives good backrubs and eats what I cook (no matter how unimpressive, because I work a lot and small children can wear a girl out). And he builds me things – the new, improved chicken coop, the bed frame exactly how I wanted it, the custom kennel enclosure for our dogs… and still I add more.  He’s a keeper.

And I think he is a hunk…

So this thanksgiving, I’m thankful for what I have and am letting go of wanting the things I don’t, even if just for a day.

Happy Thanksgiving!