A November of Gratitude: Week 1

by Heather Stillufsen @ Rose Hill Design Studio

November.  New month.  New time change.  The month for being thankful.  New therapy session around the lunch table at work.  Our lunch therapy sessions usually start with what's bothering us and in my case, usually some whining.  No one wants to hear that, however a friend explained to me that negativity will breed more negativity.  I never thought about it that way and was profoundly affected by the idea.

This November, I am trying something new and exciting.  I wouldn't say that I'm an entirely negative person, or ungrateful, but upon taking a closer look at myself, I find that I do breed the glass half empty thoughts and I need to fix that!  And so, inspired by the wise Felicia Cushenberry, I am looking to lift myself up in attitude by expressing those things for which I am grateful.  Compiling my list has overwhelmed me (which is a GREAT thing), the more I consider, so I have narrowed it to just a few per week.  And, because I am a "list girl," I have organized them into categories: People, Tangibles, Intangibles and Treasures.  The list could really have 500 categories, but I will spare you all and keep them short and sweet!

People

I'm positive that none of us would survive this life without the ones that we love and hold dear.  I am forever grateful for all of the people that have been put into my life.  But, the most important are the ones that surround us on a regular basis and touch us in our everyday.

1.My Colin Patrick

my sweet, adorable baby boy

People always tell you that having a child will change you.  And I think that scares a lot of people, but you really can't know what this means until you are in it.  Until I held that tiny wriggling boy on my chest in the delivery room, I thought I understood.  I had NO idea.  I didn't know I was capable of feeling for someone the way that I do for this sweet boy.  He brings joy to me every day with even the tiniest things and I really revel in all of them.  My favorite part of every single day is when I take him up to bed.  This is when I get full one-on-one time to sit and rock him, snuggle him, read to him and sing to him before he goes down for the night.  Watching him grow and learn and giggle on my lap fills my heart to near bursting and I can't think of any better way to end my day.  

2. My Love

my handsome, goofy, loving husband. Jordan

This man.  On the day he came into my life, forever was a far thought from my mind.  Jordan changed that, immediately, and without even trying.  He swooped in spinning me with his swing dancing, cracking me up and talking my ear off all night.  And he kissed me sweetly goodnight on the forehead, like a gentleman.  I was a goner.  He became my best friend and has kept me laughing and feeling safe ever since.  He goes above and beyond to take care of our little family and I couldn't have picked a better daddy for our sweet boy.  I look so forward to my Friday evenings in grubby pjs with him, snuggled on the couch, laughing at our favorite recorded shows.  He makes me so happy.

3. My Family

my tribe: Maggie, Annie, Kevin, Virg, Bart, Denise, Chris, Dad & Mom

Oh, they are SO my tribe.  Don't get me wrong, my sweet little family are my tribe, but the family that raised me are the cloth I was cut from.  I say "they" raised me, not because my parents were incapable of doing so on their own, but because everything we've ever done seems like a group effort.  And, in my opinion, that's as it should be.  My parents are those sickeningly cute people who have been married for nearly 40 years, have five children and still adore each other.  They are the reason I am a completely hopeless romantic.  They are unbelievably supportive and have always encouraged us to be who we are and be true to it.  And they gave me some of the best gifts in my life; my sisters.

I look forward to the day when we can bless Colin as we were both blessed with siblings.  There is nothing that makes a childhood more fulfilling.  Sure, we spent our time fighting and messing our rooms up and bugging each other, but these girls are the best friends I've ever had, hands down.  I can be goofy, dorky, make-up-free me around them.  I can read their thoughts and usually crack up simultaneously.  They each hold a piece of my heart that can only be held by someone that speaks the strange low-voiced language that we somehow all adopt when together.  I pretty love them, that is all.

4. Nieces and Nephews

kisses to Norsey, Conkey J, LeLe, Matty, Jimmy Man, Fi and ColeBug

Oh, these beautiful babies!  I have always looked forward to the day when I would have a baby, but until it was my turn, I was thrilled to share my sweet nieces and nephews with my sisters.  I can still remember when I found out my sister was expecting her first baby and I could not have been more proud or excited.  I have done nothing but benefit from having each one of them in my life and learned so much watching each of them grow.  I am thankful that I could learn through them how to raise my own baby to be happy and thrive!  And Colin is more than blessed to grow up along side each of them. 

5. In Laws

the Hills: Clancey, Ron, Melanie, Ashton, Kendall, Justin, Whitney, Adam and Cole

Most people don't really think before they get married about the people that come along with the one they say "I do" to, but I am more than happy with the ones that came with Jordan (as well as the ones who chose my amazing sisters).  I gained this amazing second family in the Hills and even more sisters and brothers to love.  They have a great family dynamic and closeness, like the one that I grew up with, which is so important to me.  And though some are very far away, I know how blessed we are for the time we have with all of them, especially now with Colin.  Thank you for making "in-laws" a good thing!

6. Extended Families

Beyond our little circle of families, we are surrounded by love.  We have these amazing examples of love and family that extend far across the miles in our aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.  I am beyond grateful for the stories, the childhood memories and the new memories that we're making with all of them.  Colin is a very lucky boy to spend time with all of them and especially his great-grandparents.  I know that is something he (and we) will cherish for a long time to come.

7. Friends

love you Jessie, Kimmy, Randy, Amanda, Sammy, Linds & Ang

We all go through our lives making and moving on from friends, but it's the ones that stick with you that really make an impact.  My friends from growing up and my friends from college will all hold a special place for me (especially those that I lived with).  But sometimes, you make connections that you know will last and I have a small group of those that I know will continue on with me through the years to come.  They've known me through crazy, drunk, moron, popular, new mommy, hermit, etc.  And believe it or not, they still like me...I think!  They keep me smiling and know that very moment when it's been too long since we last saw each other and need to break away.  Here's to many more years of breaking away for crazy, probably drunk and definitely hilarity!

These are the tip of the iceberg guys, but already I feel my heart swelling with love and positivity.  As I take this journey to rid myself of the negative, please join me and pick out the things/people/moments that make your life great.  I promise, it will take over and change you for only the better.  Come back next week when I delve into the tangibles (no, not Starbucks) that are changing my attitude to gratitude.  And in the words of a man whose bones I would marry (ask anyone on this list), "count your blessings" with me.