Things I am thankful for....

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought I'd list some things I am thankful for (I might be too busy the next few days to blog, so you get it now!).

I am so incredibly thankful for:

1. My darling handsome husband, Johnny. He works so hard to provide for us everyday, and he never complains. He takes me wherever I need to go, and makes sure I have everything I want and need. He is an incredible man, and I am sooooo lucky to be his wife! I can't imagine life without him.

2. The sweetest most beautiful precious 4 year old girl, Miss Ella Ireland. She is my heart, my inspiration, my greatest joy, and I am so proud EVERYDAY to call her my daughter! She just amazes me with how smart and independent she is. She is 100% daddy's girl and 100% mommy's girl! I have never known this deep of a love until I had her. She makes me laugh all the time, and she makes the funniest faces of any child I have ever seen.

3. My sister, April. We may not always see eye to eye, but I love that I can call her anytime and tell her anything. When I need advice on anything, she is the first person I call. I know she will always be there for me, as I am for her. I am lucky to have her as my sister, and ever luckier to have her as my friend.

4. Chocolate. 'Nuff said.

5. I am so thankful for the opportunities in my life that I have gotten to travel and see different parts of the world. I have been to Europe and the UK 3 times, and for as long as I live, I will always treasure those times. I love that I married a traveler- we both can't wait to take Ella on her first big overseas trip!

6. My parents for never giving up on me. I know I wasn't the most pleasant teenager (and kid, and young adult!) to be around, and if I could go back in time and do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat. I would be a much better kid if I had the chance to do it over. I can't say I am sorry enough for all the bad times, but I am so lucky that they never gave up on me, and they always loved me, no matter what.

7. I am so thankful to live so close to NYC- one of the most amazing and incredible places on earth! I love how diverse this area of the country is. To have a huge variety of people from all over the world living in our neighborhood is pretty cool.

8. My mother-in-law and father-in-law. Truly two of the most generous, kind, loving, and understanding people I have ever met. From the first day I met them, they treated me like a daughter. I can't say enough great things about them. They are true angels on earth. I could not be more blessed then to have such amazing people in my life!

9. My on-line friends. I have met some incredible and inspirational ladies from all over the country (and one in Paris!). They are always there for me to pull me out of a rut, always there to talk to and compare parenting stories, and they never judge me. I love them all, and couldn't ask for better people to know. I have met some of these ladies in person, and the rest I hope to meet in person one day!

10. My grandma. From driving me and my brother to Mount Rushmore, to driving me and my daughter to the shopping mall, she has blessed me in my life far more then I ever give her credit for. I look forward to spending time with her every year, just as much as I look forward to all of her baked goodies :D! I thank her for being such a wonderful grandma. She is the only grandparent I really got to know, and I am so lucky to have her in my life!

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

When will September end?

Oh wait, it already did. I can't believe we're in November. Where does the time go? I remember growing up, and Christmas taking F-O-R-E-V-E-R to arrive. Now it's just around the corner, and pretty soon it will be 2009. I just got used to it being 2008.

We had a pretty uneventful weekend. I haven't stepped foot outside since Friday night, after taking Ella trick-or-treating! I am a total homebody. No place I'd rather be then in my home with my surroundings. Well, maybe Europe, but since I can't have that, I'll choose home. I have never been an outdoorsy person at all. The only outdoors I like is in the car on the way to the mall. If I don't have a place to be, I will stay in my home for as long as I can. Maybe I am turning a bit anti-social ;). I have just never been one with nature. I can't imagine camping. Sleeping outside with the bugs and spiders and other creepy creatures has never been on my must-do list. We bought a big tent a few years ago, and have only slept in it one time..... in our livingroom! I know Johnny likes camping and hiking and outdoor stuff, and I always tell him to go right on ahead, I'll either be shopping or home. I wonder what Ella is going to end up like. A hermit like me, or someone who likes to get out like her daddy, lol.

It's almost 3 am here, I better get to bed. Ella has half days at school all this week, so I have to pick her up by 12:30 sharp, so that means I have to be awake and functioning by then :)~~