Thanksgiving.

It's amazing how your perspective on a holiday can change in one little year.

Yes, I know that Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time to reflect on our blessings, but, mostly, I have always thought of it as that one day a year where my husband and I try to see all three of our families in about a 10 hours span.  We rush, we stress, we eat far too much.  For that reason, I have never really enjoyed Thanksgiving.

This year, while we will still be visiting two different households (one less family to visit since my husband's father and stepmom have moved to Ohio), I am recognizing that the fact that we have so much family around us really is a blessing.  Yeah, it does not always seem like it.  It does put stress on us sometimes and there are always many opinions on every subject to take into consideration.  But we really are lucky.  We are lucky that Beckett has three sets of grandparents that he knows and loves.  One set of great-grandparents even!  Numberous aunts and uncles!  Some cousins thrown in for good measure.

This is even easier to recognize after this past Sunday when we celebrated Beckett's first birthday.  All of the families came out for the party.  Some even put some pretty serious grievances aside to get along for my little guy.  And that meant a whole lot to me.  I am lucky.

I am lucky for my family.  Sometimes they feel...smothering.  But I know it is because they love us so much.
I am lucky for my husband, who works so hard and takes care of us and is just SUCH a good dad.
I am lucky for my snuggly little pumpkin.  He is amazing.
I am lucky for my dog, who is doing a really great job adjusting to the presence of a little human.
I am lucky for my home, even though some days it feels far too small, it really is perfect.  A great place to raise our kiddo.
I am lucky to have a boss and a job that allow me to work part-time.
I am lucky for good friends.  That will share in my triumphs and my sorrows.  Those are the best kind.

It is so easy to get caught up in all the things you want.   Or the work that your house needs.  Or how things could be better.  I struggle to remember to recognize all the good things that I have.  Having a little person to take care of makes it a little bit easier though.  I am so lucky.