A month of Thanksgiving.

There is a trend on Facebook that has the Facebook user sharing one thing per day, for the month of November, that they are thankful for. I wanted to join the party but decided to bring it over to the blog, instead.

It is a truly healthy habit to take inventory of all you've been blessed with, and not just for the month of November. As my Aunt Sarah would say, have an "attitude of gratitude". (Hi, Bear.) So I'll be sharing my list with you for this month but plan on continuing my gratitude(s) list after Thanksgiving is over.

I know that when I am in a rotten mood, if I acknowledge all the greatness that is in my life, it is a sure fire way to knock myself back into reality. However I admit that sometimes I purposely avoid thinking of all the wonderful blessings I have because I am mad / sad / whatever and want to throw my own pity party for awhile. Not the greatest confession but it is the truth and now that everyone knows it, I have to hold myself accountable to stopping that behavior.

Anyhoo. I am a few days late to the game but it is never too late to start something positive, am I right. (Yes, Raechel, you are right.)

Please join along! You don't have to share via commenting (though I would enjoy reading...); you could write them on your Facebook, blog, or in your journal.

Today I am thankful that Dan watched Elf with me, even though he didn't truly want to.

Here are four more things I am thankful for (for November 1 - 4):

1. My new running shoes. My ankles no longer hurt when I head out for some exercise, which obviously makes it much more enjoyable.
A) Fitocracy. Fitocracy is a fitness-orientated social networking site. Sort of. You earn points for physical activity and "level up" when you reach a certain number of points each level has more points than the level you were previously on. It is good, friendly competition. (The idea is to have friends who have fitocracy and I only have a few, so if you'd like an invite, let me know and I'll send you one via email. The more the merrier!)

2. Family naptime. Evelyn is zonked out on top of me and Dan is at the other end of the couch. It is relaxing to just sit here and enjoy being near them, even if they aren't awake. It gives me the opportunity to blog without using my time with them when they are awake.

3. Iced vanilla lattes (with nonfat milk and sugarfree syrup, please & thanks). I make the majority of my iced lattes at home now but still do love going to base and buying them every now and again. They just taste better there. I am thankful that we have the extra money that allows me to indulge myself on a ridiculously overpriced cup of coffee.

4. Healthy babies. My closest friend on island just had an appointment this week that reviewed the results of her anatomy scan and despite the fact that they had to go back to the hospital twice to retake the photos / measurements, their little boy is developing as he should and is healthy. Also an instructor at the barn out here just had her baby, and the little lady was healthy. The Mama and I aren't close but it is great to know the delivery went as she had wanted and that their baby is healthy. Oh, and of course I am thankful for our very own healthy baby.