Thankful

I am thankful for so much. I don't think I have to tell you how thankful I am for my family: my mom, dad and brother. I love and admire each of them for their individual qualities.
Of course, I am thankful for Papa and Lane - they are my life.
My friends - old and new - are priceless. I love each one of them and adore their children.
I try to live my life Each Day with these people in mind.
And I try to remind myself and them - throughout the year - how special they are to me, how much I love them and how I am thankful they are in my life.

However, today, on this day to give thanks, I am thankful for our little Cape Cod on Allison Drive.
I love this house.
I love its unique look.
The moment I walked up its brick front steps and saw the dragon fly door knocker, I knew this house would be my home.

I love the large yard filled with trees.
I love the woods filled with deer, bunnies, chipmunks and birds that back up to our house.

I love the way the sun shines in the kitchen each morning.
I love the way all the windows are shaped differently throughout the house.
I love that the upstairs keeps only our bedroom and Lane's little nursery.
I love Lane's nursery with its unique nooks and crannys that only a Cape Cod can have.

I love the color of the walls - blues, greens and browns - all picked by me.
I love the wide hardwood floors.
I love that papa and I saved our money for more than a year in order to buy those floors.
I love that all of the little changes, updates and additions on the interior have been done by papa's own two hands.
I love our covered back deck overlooking the yard.

I love the doggy door.

I love that this home is still a work in progress.

I love cooking meals in its kitchen.
I love serving family food in the dining room with its vintage wood table.
I love the mix of new furniture with family heirlooms.
I love watching movies in the basement.
I love decorating the fireplace mantel for each season.
I love watching the dogs play in the backyard.
I love our large garden plot.

I love the spot on the kitchen wall where we marked Lane's height when he was just six weeks old.

I love this house because I feel comfortable here.
I feel safe.
I feel loved.

Most of all, I love this home for housing all of the many memories we have made here.
And because it is where we will make many more.

Happy Thanksgiving.