my three boys

1. First, I am grateful for Somebody. I'm grateful he was willing to hold my hand and cheer me on and be immensely supportive. I could not have made it through this morning without without him. He was totally worth waiting for and every single day I am grateful that he is my husband. I love him.

2. Second, I am grateful for Gulliver. I can't imagine that someone could have a more delightful first child than I have. He is funny and smart and helpful and playful and makes me laugh a million times each day. I find him so cute that I sometimes can't stop staring at him. His hugs and kisses are always good parts of my day. I love him.

3. Third, I am grateful for Baby. He forced me to wait and wait to meet him, but then surprised me by rushing right into arriving as soon as he had made up his mind to come. I know everyone says that pregnancy is worth it because of the baby you get at the end, and I'm grateful that the statement is true--that all the unpleasantness of the past nine months just disappears the instant that screaming, goopy, slightly swollen baby gets laid on your chest. I hardly know him, and I love him already.

i think that was a real snort

Happy Thanksgiving!

1. I am grateful for a refrigerator full of Thanksgiving leftovers.

2. I am grateful that dinner tonight was walnut-crusted fish and sweet potato fries (and, fingers crossed, strawberry shakes) instead of Thanksgiving leftovers.

3. I am grateful that Charity taught us how to play "Tap Tap Oink" today and that we all could laugh and laugh and laugh while we played the game. It almost made up for the fact that I am still pregnant.

And a bonus gratitude quote for Thanksgiving:

There was a time when I was in a state of utter despair, immersed in guilt over promises made on which I had not delivered. I went to my vocal coach, Fred Wilkerson, weeping copiously. He asked what was the matter. I responded, "I'm going crazy, I am almost at the brink of suicide." He offered me a legal-size, lined yellow pad and a pen. He said, "Write down your blessings!" Furious that he didn't understand my condition, I shouted, "Don't talk nonsense, I'm telling you I am going crazy." He said, "Write down that you could hear me say 'write down' and think of the millions who can not hear the cries of their babies, or the sweet words of their beloveds, or the alarm that could help them seek safety. Write down that you can see this yellow pad and think of the millions on this planet who cannon see the smiles of their growing children or the delight in the faces of their beloveds, or the colors of the sunrise and the softness of the twilight. Write down that you know how to write. Write down that you know to read." Wilkie, as he was known, gave me that lesson in 1955. Fifty-five years later, I have written 31 books, essays, plays, and lyrics for songs--all on yellow pads. I remain in an attitude of gratitude.

-Maya Angelou

an early turkey day

1. I am grateful that family was able to gather for a yummy, fun, laid-back Thanksgiving dinner tonight, leaving all day tomorrow and Friday and Saturday for relaxing.

2. I am grateful for modern medicine and the ability my doctor has to "look" inside my body and tell me that the baby is still doing just fine.

3. I am grateful that Russell (and Charity) and Heidi made sacrifices to their schedules (and finances) and traveled long distances to be with us in Kansas for Thanksgiving this year. I am also grateful that Joe and my parents live nearby and we were able to find a time we could all be together and so we had an almost complete family gathering. I had a wonderful time visiting with them and laughing and telling stories.

seriously does not want a surprise party

1. I am grateful for Somebody. Today is his birthday. Happy Birthday, Hunny! I love you! He doesn't want a surprise party. Or cake. Or really acknowledgement of any kind. But I am so thrilled that he was born that I have a hard time not wanting to celebrate. (Note to new baby: Dad said he would happily share his birthday with you. Come on out, now.)

2. I am grateful that Gulliver (and Somebody) have a natural body temperature noticeably higher than mine so that sitting next to either one of them on cold days is like sitting with a heating pad. Tis awesome. I don't love this so much in the summer, so it's a good thing this gratitude list happens when the weather is chilly.

3. I am grateful for my friend Janssen's suggestion to use the junk mail paper with blank back sides as junk printing paper for maps and coupons and other throw-away type things. I LOVE not wasting my good paper on things that I'm not going to keep.

look away. i'm hideous.

1. I am glad that Somebody and I were able to make very last-minute plans to rush out and see the Harry Potter movie. Other bonuses: my dad agreed to watch Gulliver, the huge theater had only 20 other people there so we had great seats, my pack-along and eat in the car meal of pizza twists worked great, I didn't have to leave the movie to go to the bathroom, AND I got to spend two and a half hours holding my husband's hand. It was a great night.

2. I am grateful that the new baby who doesn't want to be born yet is at least very healthy. And maybe if he wants to go even a few more days of not being born then I'll get to spend Thanksgiving with my family instead of in the hospital.

3. I am grateful for my home teacher, especially when he brings his lovely wife and children over to visit with him and we get to laugh, share a spiritual message, and get to know each other better. Love it.

i bribe my son with suckers

1. I am grateful for Baby Signing Time and how Gulliver has embraced communicating in sign language. It has made this period of time when he knows what he wants but doesn't have the vocal skills to tell me about it a much easier time. I love that he can sign to me what he wants.

2. I am grateful that our burning bushes are finally starting to turn red. We were worried that they were defective, but apparently they are just slow bloomers.

3. I am grateful for gift certificates that allow me to get, for little or no cost, things that I want but don't need and so would never make it to the top of my purchase list.

officially overdue

1. I am grateful for a laptop computer so I can sit on my comfortable couch and surf the internet.

2. I am grateful that I was actually able to fall asleep in the car today and get a much needed 20 minutes of rest. I'm also grateful that then, when we got home, Somebody was willing to remain on duty as the primary parent so I could sleep another hour.

3. I am grateful that next door to the optometrist office we went to today was a donut shop. What a happy discovery! So of course we went in and made a purchase. And they had this delicious orange glazed donut that just rocked my world. Oh yum, yum, yum, yum.

even caramel corn is not making me feel better

1. I am grateful for my mother. Today is her birthday. Happy Birthday, Mom! I am grateful for her good example; her enthusiasm; her desire to plan ahead; and her mad, mad cleaning skills.

2. I am grateful for unexpected field trips that get us out of the house and allow Gulliver the opportunity to run around...with someone other than me willing to chase him.

3. I am grateful that my doctor is not forcing an induction and is letting me wait until I go into labor naturally. Perhaps I will be less grateful for this when I'm a week past my due date, but for now the waiting feels like the right thing to do and so I'm happy to have her complete support.

are they all yours?

1. I am grateful for friends who are willing to share their Costco membership benefits with me. And who will walk around the store with four little girls in the cart, attracting all kinds of lovely attention, just so I can pick up some garbage bags and diapers.

2. I am grateful for the smell of clean laundry. I don't mind doing laundry anyway, but the yummy, fresh, clean smell makes it an even easier chore.

3. I am grateful for Gulliver's curls. They often cause people to assume he is a girl (why? because only little girls have curly hair?) but I think they are just the cutest things and will be sad if/when he outgrows them.

just a spoonful of sugar

1. I am grateful for blankets for warmth and tissues for wiping and a not-so-small baby to snuggle while I wipe a gucky little nose and hold a tiny little hand and hope that no one else in this family catches his cold.

2. I am grateful that I get to be here to see the little developmental growths in Gulliver. For example, just now he was trying to fit two pieces of toy together that didn't match--he was trying to match a blue piece and a purple piece. Across the room were other pieces in a variety of colors and I pointed to them and said, "You need to get a blue piece. Go over there and get more. Get a blue piece." And he walked over and picked up a blue piece and brought it to me! Coincidence? I kind of think not. He is getting so good at understanding my directions and actually doing most of the things I ask (as long as they don't involve the words diaper, nap, no, and DON'T PUSH THAT BUTTON!). It is delightful to watch him grow and learn and discover new things.

3. I am grateful (at least I'm trying really, really hard to be) for each additional day I have without a new baby so that I can continue on with cleaning the house, finishing projects, cooking meals, watching movies with Somebody, playing and reading with Gulliver, and as much as possible trying not to focus on the fact that I can't control the moment when everything is going to change.

"you are not allowed to start any more projects"

1. I am grateful that so many friends and family members so willingly pass along the baby items that they are not using anymore. It has saved us hundreds of dollars and it is kind of fun knowing that Gulliver (and, soon, the new baby) is enjoying the toy/bed/clothes that the children of those I love have also enjoyed.

2. I am grateful that Somebody was very, very patient with me tonight as I worked hard to finish yet another project (sadly, it is not yet finished) even though I was neglecting everything around me. He didn't complain at all about having to cook dinner, wash dishes, put the baby to bed, fold laundry, and clean the living room while I furiously sewed and sewed and sewed some more.

3. I am grateful that a temple is being built in Kansas City and that this time next year we will only have a 35 minute drive to the temple. How wonderful!

brought to you by neighbors with sesame oil

1. I am grateful for the moment of relief when I actually do something that I have been dreading doing. It makes me wonder why I sometimes procrastinate things so long and live with the guilt of the unfinished assignment, because the relief of just getting it done is so sweet. I could have been guilt free for weeks! I could have moved on and put this thing behind me! But no, I dragged my feet and stalled and whined. I made excuses. I made myself busy with other "very important things." But tonight I just sat down and didn't let myself have even one more cookie until I did the things I had committed to TWO MONTHS ago. And it only took me an hour and a half. And a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Man, this is a good moment.

2. I am grateful that this afternoon was the perfect weather for a long walk around the neighborhood. I'm kind of dreading the next three months of cold temperatures and icy roads when the sun will not shine and it will be too cold to play and so we'll sit in the house all those cold, cold, wet days. I am grateful we had an unscheduled afternoon and were able to enjoy what might be our last hurrah of fall.

3. I am grateful for go-to recipes that the whole family will eat and that come together with less than 20 minutes of kitchen time. Are you looking for one for tomorrow? Here you go.

this is not a time-suck

1. I am grateful that when Gulliver turned off the power on the computer power strip last night, turning off the computer just as I was finishing my gratitude email, that gmail actually saved my writing at the last second and when I got on the computer today my list from the last two days was still there.

2. I am grateful that Gulliver is a very snugly boy who loves to sit in laps, give hugs, hold hands, and in all ways be physically connected to those he loves (especially when he has been recently bathed and smells delicious). I do also appreciate the time he prefers to play independently and run around on his own, but I love, love, love that in the end he always comes back for comfort.

3. I am grateful for lessons at church that touch on a subject/quality/area where I know I could be better and that actually motivate me to make changes in my life.

errand and laundry day

1. I am grateful for color. Colorful flowers. Colorful trees. Colorful pictures. Colorful clothes. Color.

2. I am grateful for a warm bed and flannel sheets.

3. I am grateful that most days are not like today. That most days I have a lot more patience and a lot more energy and a lot more enthusiasm for being awake.

everything is better with bacon

1. I am grateful for reasons for family to get together for dinner, and even though the family members came from several points around the metro area that everyone drove safely in the heavy, heavy rain.

2. I am grateful for the friendship Gulliver has with his cousin Joe. The nine year age difference doesn't seem to matter at all and the two of them love spending time together.

3. I am grateful for restaurants that serve free bread with dips and that keep that bread and dip coming throughout the meal. It is also nice when the waiter agrees to bring me a few loaves to take home (even though my request for them may have embarrassed some of my family.)

slide down my rainbow

1. I am grateful that I got three huge things crossed off my to-do list today and that now, officially, the baby is free to come at any time. Not that he will, of course. I'm sure he wants to continue to kick me internally all the way up to his due date. I'm just saying that now I'm ready.

2. I am grateful that Somebody had today off work and was able to get even MORE things crossed of my to-do list. Oh, what a productive day!

3. I am grateful for music mixes that my (much more) musically in-tune friends send me. I love having fun music to listen to in the car on days when I have long drives.

down to single digits

1. I am grateful that the weather has stayed relatively warm and that we have been able to spend some time outside each day this week.

2. I am grateful that Somebody has taken over the dish washing chore last week and this week. And hopefully for the next month or so. Washing dishes is pretty high up there on the list of chores that I really dislike (right after taking out the garbage and washing floors) but it is one that typically falls to me to do because Somebody already has the evening duties of getting Gulliver ready for bed. Somebody has been a good sport about finishing the "putting the baby to bed" chore and then going right into dish washing even though all I've been doing is sitting on the couch. Oh, and growing the baby. But my point is that I am SO grateful that Somebody never makes me feel like I'm not doing my fair share and has just started doing more to cover the areas where I am doing less.

3. I am grateful for a reliable Internet connection.

if wishes were fishes

1. I am grateful for good friends. I really feel like I have at least one life-long friend from each stage of my life and it is comforting to know that women, living all over the country, care about me and support me and pray for good things for me and my family. I also have, right now, what is certainly the largest group of "bosom friends" that I could ever hope to have living all in one place. I love the times we are able to get together and laugh and tell stories and unwind from the routine of our daily lives. I know I am richly blessed.

2. I am grateful that I am finally really noticeably pregnant and am able to wear maternity shirts without feeling like I just put on a tent. It's about time.

3. I am grateful that Gulliver is a social child and loves to interact with other children. When we go to the park by ourselves and he tries to makes friends with the strangers, well, sometimes I think he is so persistent that he creeps other kids out. But when we meet our friends at the park I really enjoy watching him laugh and play with his little friends.

stockpiling

1. I am grateful that my dad was willing to watch Gulliver for several hours today so that I could get some cleaning and organizing done.

2. I am grateful that the new recipe I tried tonight (and optimistically doubled) was a big hit. I doubled it because it was a "great for freezing" recipe so now I can freeze half and know that when this shows up on the dinner menu next month everyone will happily eat it.

3. I am grateful for ice cream and strawberries and that sometimes they combine to make yummy strawberry shakes.

soon the bells will start

1. I am grateful that when I suggested to Somebody that perhaps we should put up our Christmas decorations this weekend so that we made sure they actually went up this year and didn't get lost in the post-baby chaos that he immediately agreed. It's kind of strange to look into the living room and see stockings (especially when, this year, for the first time, I've been less than delighted with the Christmas music on the radio because it is "too soon. too soon") and lights and the tree, but I'm sure that in three weeks I will be thrilled that it is out and done and ready to be enjoyed. Or maybe I'll be sick of it. Uh...I doubt it.

2. I am grateful that there was a pear tree in the yard of the house where my dad was staying in Arizona and that he picked buckets and buckets of pears and brought them back with him. We were able to can a dozen pints last night and also make some pear-sauce and pear juice. Now, when I say "we" I obviously mean that I sat on the couch and offered helpful advice to my dad and Somebody as they peeled, cut, cooked, jarred, and processed the pears, but I really feel like I was involved in the process because I came up with the perfect sugar/water ratio for these particular pears. At one point when I expressed how tired I was, Somebody said, "You've just been sitting there all night." And I said, "I know. It's SO hard to be me." And everyone actually agreed: yes, it IS hard to be Jennifer right now. Here, have another piece of Halloween candy.

3. I am grateful that we turned our clocks back last night and I was able to get an extra hour of sleep. After the really hard evening I had (see gratitude #2) I really needed all the sleep I could get and ten hours turned out to be the perfect amount. Who on earth sleeps for ten hours? Babies and pregnant women who have taken a sleeping pill, that's who. And as a bonus, I'd like to say that I'm thankful that sleeping pills are something I can actually take because otherwise last night would have been more like sleep for two hours, awake for two hours, sleep for three hours, awake for two hours, sleep for one hour. And that, my friends, is not nearly as restful as a ten-hour snooze.