Hello from Bucks County, Pennsylvania!
So far, every day of our Thanksgiving trip has been jam-packed with fun and incredible moments, and I’d be lying if I said I’ve been getting enough sleep. (Yawn, haha.) But I’m currently taking a moment to slip away from the craziness, and I’m sitting down on the exact couch you see above to reflect on some things. (Emma’s sleeping upstairs; Noodle’s to my right, snoozing; and Mitch is to to my left, working.)
This year has been the best of my life. Mitch and I welcomed the most precious little girl into our hearts, and she alone changed everything… because she is everything. Every smile, every laugh, every adorable little sigh–she lights up our world. Emma has brought us closer with family and friends, she’s helped us realize what’s actually important, and she’s shown us the true meaning of love. Just when we think it’s impossible, our hearts grow another size. We love her beyond meaning.
Life isn’t perfect, though, and I do hope I’ve been somewhat successful in showing the highlights but also talking about those little, everyday struggles. Mitch and I are undoubtedly juggling way too much right now in an effort to give Emma the upbringing we’ve always dreamed of giving our children, and sometimes it’s hard. We’re spread too thin, we don’t get enough sleep, and we often feel like we’re always dropping the ball. There just aren’t enough hours in the day! But I can honestly say that this is the first year of my life in which I want for nothing, and that’s something SO special.
When I was in high school, for example, I desperately wanted to get into a good college, and when I was in college, I so badly wanted a particular job and a great GPA and a “plan.” In my 20s, I was focused on obtaining love, a more stable living environment, a job that brought more happiness than sadness, and children. And now… I don’t know. It’s this crazy feeling of just being. I am happy, and I don’t want or need anything else.
Here’s the thing, though: I think it’s so easy to keep wanting. Even when we get to a place in life that’s really, really good. I mean, it would be quite easy to say to myself right now, “Hmmm… But I’d probably like a bigger house.” Or “I so want another child one day.” So I don’t want to get to that place again. I want to be thankful for all that I already have. It’s more than I could ever hope for.
Today, I am thankful. Like, super thankful. So thankful that my eyes well with tears when I think about it.
I’m thankful for Mitch, thankful for Emma, thankful for our families, thankful for our friends, thankful for our home in Chicago, and thankful for you. You make my life better in so many ways, every single day. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting this little blog, for your friendship, and for your continued kindness. You’re also a big part of the reason I’m able to stay home with Emma, and Mitch and I could never thank you enough for that!
I hope that today, we’re all able to appreciate everything we’ve been blessed with, and express our love and gratitude to the people we love most.
And again: thank you. Thank you for coming along on this wild, messy ride… and for being my friend. <3
