Thankful for Thanksgiving

I have been crabby lately.

Crabby and emotional and I'm going to go ahead and blame it on my fetus. Luckily, my most favorite holiday is just around the corner and this alone is enough to cheer me up. Despite the marathon of holiday running Josh and I endure year after year Thanksgiving is still the BEST, no gifts to buy, no costumes to plan, Christmas is just around the corner and it's nothing but good food and family.

And stuffing. Oh, the stuffing!

My grandfather makes the most amazing stuffing you've ever tasted. I wait for this all year. And if that's all that my thanksgiving meal consisted of, I would ask for nothing else. Well, that and some gravy for on top, oh and some pumpkin pie of course...
(sorry, it's the fetus again)
Anyway, as I gear up for the big day I am thinking about all the things I am thankful for and why I need to stop succombing to teary, grouchy moods and focus on all the great things in my life.
So here it is folks,

My 2010 Thankful List

1. My perfectly functioning reproductive organs!

Okay, I know this sounds a little silly, but seriously, I have been thinking alot about this lately. So many women struggle for so long to get pregnant. But me, no problem! My first was conceived on the first try and this one didn't take much longer. I realize how lucky I am and I certainly do not take this for granted. I know how agonizing the wait can be to see those two perfect lines appear on that little stick once you have decided you're ready for that baby. To have to wait months and months, sometimes years...I can't imagine how consuming and difficult that would be.
Now, I have always wanted to adopt but when we seriously looked into it for our 2nd baby, we quickly found out what an emotional and financial struggle it can be. Unfortunately, adoption just didn't work out for us, so I am so THANKFUL that adoption is not our only option as it is for so many others. I have a serious new found respect for all adoptive and foster parents for what they have to go through to get their kids. Fortunately for me I have a kickass uterus and I'm putting it to work.

2. My drama free family

My family doesn't really fight. (I'm talking immediate family only here, let's not get carried away)
Seriously though, we actually really like each other and get along just swimmingly. Sure, we can annoy each other and find ourselves on someones occasional nerve, but for the most part we're cool. My parents are divorced and even they get along just fine these days. It's pretty awesome. I'm glad we seem to appreciate and respect each other enough to let the little things go and just have fun together. Not sure exactly how we got here as my childhood was not quite so peachy - but I'll take it! And appreciate it even more so!

3. Akron, Ohio

Oh Akron, how I love thee! Underappreciated and underrated. What unfeeling person can deny a soft spot in their heart for their own hometown, I ask? Impossible! I know Akron like the back of my hand and it holds a liftime of irreplaceable memories. Home will always be home no matter where you pick up and move to. Sure, it has its problems and plenty of cold weather but it also has all 4 seasons (albeit sometimes brief), a great cost of living and I even managed to find a good job here, in my field, right after graduation. So, I got no complaints.

4. Back rubs

'nuf said.

5. My awesome husband

We're on the same wavelength. We want the same things in life. He's a caring and affectionate father. He's responsible and reliable.

He's not a republican.

He looks cute even with a creepy mustache. He tolerates my limitless adoration for one Talib Kweli Greene. He lets me watch christmas movies beginning in July. He gets me. Also, Josh, if you're reading this, see the above #4...

Exhibit A. Creepy Mustache

6. My smart kid

He's so smart. I can't even really take credit for it, he just came that way. He's also funny and handsome and just about the best son a gal could ask for.

Exhibit B. Adorable kid

7. Baby kicks

Last but certainly not least. There is nothing more comforting than those little pokes and prods (okay sometimes karate chops) from inside your belly that let you know your little one is okay. I am a very nervous pregnant person and those little signs of life are most welcome. I just started feeling them this time around in the last week or so and let me tell you - WHEW! What a relief. The fist few months where you have no clue if things are progressing or happening in there can be pretty nerve racking. But once those little kicks, well, kick in, you can finally breathe.

Alright, well that's my 2010 list, hope you enjoyed! Now I want to know, what are you most thankful for this year?

Happy Thanksgiving!

By the way...if you're interested in sponsoring my husband's creepy stache, click here... come on, it's for the kids http://m4kakron.org/