Random Rave: Thankful

In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday, I decided to do something a little different today.  Instead of raving about a product or service I love, I thought I would do a post raving about all that I am thankful for.

I am thankful for:

A daughter who simply enchants everyone that she meets, starting first with hubby and I.  I guess I hadn’t realized I had a hole in my life that just happened to be exactly her size, but I will never stop being grateful for her and the fact that being her mom makes me the luckiest woman on earth.

High school boyfriends that turn into husbands and then into fathers, and the fact that I have already grown “old” with the man that I love.  Twelve years in and I still love him more every passing year and yet still managed to be surprised that he loves me back.   

Six sisters who are also my best friends, even though they knew me in high school.  Six people I can call at all hours of the night, six people that know me better than anyone else and six people who have forgiven me for the “experimental hair dye” phase.

Five brothers who know how to walk the thin line between protector and pal, and can always be counted on when you need them most.  Every girl needs a brother (or 5), especially little girls who think they can play like the big kids and are constantly finding themselves in situations where the water is just too deep.  

Nieces and nephews that shook me out of that teenage funk and made me realize how loving someone unconditionally makes you enjoy all aspects of life more.  I love that I am aunt to the positively silliest, cutest and most lovable kids anywhere.   

A Mom who put up with 5 times more dirty diapers, sleepless nights, kids’ messes and heartache than I’ve had to, and yet still managed to make motherhood look fun.  I can only hope that my daughter’s memories of me have as much laughter and life.

A Dad who let me figure out my mistakes on my own but never stopped holding the safety net for me, even after I insisted I was fine on my own.  Now that I’m a parent myself, I know that there is no net big enough to protect against all of life’s pain and sadness, but that won’t stop me from holding the largest one I can create under my daughter.  And, just like my Dad has done for me, this net will be there forever…especially when she insists she’s fine on her own. 

My daughter’s grandparents (and “greats”!) that are the classic example of what being a grandparent is all about and who make it clear that their love is absolutely unconditional.  Some day she will know how lucky she is to be surrounded by so much love and laughter. 

A family tree that is stuffed with aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and the “great” version of them all.  There is never a shortage of people to see, friends to go out with, and willing babysitters and I am never alone unless I choose to be.  I only wish everyone was as lucky as we are to have such a wonderful and loving family that is truly involved in our lives. 

Friends to pretend to do yoga with just so our kid’s can run around together.  As much as the kids really need time with each other, it’s nice to have a group of moms that realize playdates are as much about parents as they are about kids. 

A house that was built, furnished, decorated, and even painted with love.  I never dreamed I would live somewhere with a whole cabinet just for tea or with a space designated for pirates, but now I can’t imagine having it any other way.

Our stacks and stacks of pictures and albums that prove that we really did all those things that created our wonderful memories.  Those pictures cover 4 continents of exploration with hubby, our annual family vacations at the beach, weddings, birthdays, 4 generations of family, and all the daily joys of being a sister, daughter, cousin, niece, granddaughter, aunt, wife, and now mother.

The four beautiful seasons of Seattle and the fact that there is so much to see and do that is just a car ride away.  As much as I would love a few more sunny weekends a year, I just can’t see ever moving away for good. 

Making the time to really fill out my daughter’s baby book before all the little memories faded.  Sometimes I look at her and I have the hardest time seeing that baby I brought home from the hospital and remembering all those little moments of having a newborn, but every time I reread her baby book, it’s like I’m reliving it all over again. 

All my wonderful readers that take the time to reach out to me and remind me that I’m not here talking to myself.  As much as I am so grateful to all of the opportunities this website as afforded our family and all of the fun we have had testing, reviewing and writing about the fun we have as a family, I never forget that it is our readers that truly make this all possible.  If there is ever anything any of you need, or help that I can offer, just let me know… but in the meantime, be sure and enter to win one of the 14 (and counting) giveaways we have going on and take a piece of Rave and Review home with you

Happy Thanksgiving from Rave and Review!