Wow, so this is weird…

I was reading some of my older posts this afternoon and realized exactly two years ago today I started this blog. I can’t believe it’s been two years.

Well, that’s not entirely true.

In some ways it feels like I’ve been sharing my daily trials, tribulations, parenting quandaries, fashion accessory addictions, entertainment observations and life experiences for a long time. Maybe that just comes with the territory though when you regularly start sitting down and spewing your inner-most ridiculousness with the general public…Time flies in a weird well-documented sort of way.

Anyhoo, it’s all out there, my heart on my proverbial internet sleeve as I get closer to nearly one hundred posts, each pondering different aspects of “Girlhood. Lifehood. Momhood.” And this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s changed and what I have to be grateful for (thank you “Dee” for starting that whole thing on Facebook).

So guess what shoppers, here’s just a smattering of my gratefulness…

I’m grateful for our preschool teacher who stopped by to drop off the paper turkey and matching hand-decorated placemat my daughter didn’t get at school today because she was sick and missed the little Thanksgiving celebration.

I’m grateful for every day that my son gets off that school bus with his big blue backpack and gives me a hug.

I’m grateful that my friend survived breast cancer and that we went to her 40th birthday party last week.

I’m grateful for Netflix and Revlon lip gloss (in both peach and pink) and Kashi chocolate oatmeal cookies.

I’m grateful that we go to church almost every Sunday now, and for the girl who sits a few rows in front of us and dances, without inhibition, to the “Hallelujah” hymn every week.

I’m grateful for the “Gap Friends and Family” 30% off coupon.

I’m grateful for my babysitter “Jamie” for being awesome and baking cupcakes with the kids and introducing me to the country crooner Miranda Lambert.

I’m grateful for my yoga, body jam and kickboxing instructors because they kick my butt every week.

I’m grateful for my husband’s patience.

I’m grateful that I’m older. Because I’m wiser and happier and bolder than I used to be (could do without the expensive hair color to cover the gray though).

I’m thankful for T.J .Maxx and the Marshall’s shoe section, and consignment shops.

I’m grateful and thankful that I got up the nerve to start writing.

I’m grateful for the Macy’s Day Parade that we’ll watch on Thanksgiving morning and that we’ll spend the rest of the day with family.

I’m grateful that my mom and dad are enjoying some time in Florida with my 89-year old grandmother who got annoyed today because so many people at the doctor’s office complimented her on how great her she looks and how great her health is.

I’m grateful for George Bailey.

I’m grateful for every good friend, good song, good movie, good cry, good belly laugh, and every cool Lego robot my son builds and every beautiful, big smiley face my daughter draws with her gorgeous little hands, and even for the times they drive me so crazy I can’t wait to leave the house or get them off to school and enjoy a little solitude.

I’m grateful I’m not rich or famous (seriously).

I’m grateful I ordered our Christmas cards today (uh-huh, yes I did).

I’m grateful for good test results, good doctors and the many, many people who have driven me and my children all over creation for the past 6 months.

And I’m grateful that you are reading this.

And that some of you have been tolerating this “Hey Girl” for a while now. And every now and then, some of you stop me in the aisle at the grocery store, or email me, or introduce yourselves just before a meeting and tell me how much something I wrote touched you, or made you laugh or made you cry or made you rethink something in your own life.

I don’t think you’ll ever know what a tremendous gift you give me when you do that.

I’m forever grateful for you.
So thank you.

Have a happy, healthy, grateful, thankful turkey-and-pie-and-family-filled Thanksgiving.