gobble gobble.

thanksgiving.

it's almost laughable to try and squeeze every blessing we are thankful for into one blog post.

have you ever noticed that with each holiday that passes comes a fairly dramatic blog post? truth times: holidays amplify it all: they amplify where you are now. where you were the last time this holiday passed. they amplify where you hope to be next year when this holiday pops up again. how much he's grown. how much i hopefully haven't ;) how much we've accomplished since this holiday mile marker. are we all okay? and this one particular holiday marks a big one on my heart. my first holiday swinging solo. maybe a bit dramatic considering i whisked us to ottawa on a plane last weekend to celebrate an early t-gives tallman style. but with the whole city abuzz with pumpkins. butterballs. stuffing. and tidings of happy t-gives at every wal-mart, superstore + health store check out? it does amplify that tomorrow is the first real.live. holiday where i will drive marcus to his dad's and drop him off.

which is all good and awesome even if it slightly blows that my 'actual' t-gives will consist of a kale salad, maybe a mini bottle of red wine + if my sister lo has anything to do with it, fried chicken. i am all for sharing holidays. i am all for supporting marcus' relationship with james. i am for supporting my relationship with james as it keeps evolving. i am all for every step of our path + trusting it gets easier with time.

so back to being thankful.

we have more to be thankful for than i can possibly list. that, and we do a top three list [each] of what we are most thankful for in our bedtime prayers together. but specifically this weekend and this holiday of giving thanks - here's a short list:
1. we are thankful for our friends + fam. near + far. the amazing fam jam last weekend with the tallmans + what is sure to be a bean, biscuit, gravy + red wine filled fam jam with dad's side tomorrow. marcus is baking his dad's fave dessert - pillsbury milk chocolate chip cookies - as a surprise addition to the menu. we are so lucky to have two healthy + happy families let alone the most awesome friends to boot + will be even more thankful for each of them tomorrow ;)
2. we are thankful for the past year. our family shape has changed, but the foundation is only stronger as we've built an awesome bond this year. i truly know that marcus feels more trusting + secure with me than ever, and that as our family continues to evolve, that foundation will keep each of us firmly rooted. i know i've learned more about myself- my values, my goals in life + love, my faith, my health, my impact + my contribution - in the past year than likely the rest of my years cumulatively! it's been an important and incredible year for both of us. marcus is really showing us that he understands the changes that this year has brought, and we are so proud of him for being so loving, open + honest to those changes.
3. we are thankful for each being blessed with an awesome environment to grow in: marcus with his school, and me with my work - we are both really working harder than ever before and in the perfect environments for growth and development. which means we are also playing harder. from hot wheels to his first hole-in-one, we are truly living by 'work hard, play hard' and i am so proud of this amazing + smart little boy.
4. i am thankful for the love in my life. in broad terms, but also in very specific terms as i have never felt more filled with love or more lucky than i do. right. now.
5. we are thankful for pumpkin spice lattes + friday night starbucks dates.
6. i am thankful for an incredible career that makes me feel energized + passionate + provides for my fam.
7. we are thankful for a wonderful computer tech who spent all week showing this pc some love and fixed it up so i could get back to my blog.
8. i'm thankful [like seriously. totally. absolutely.] that people read this blog. because it's so much fun for me and it's honest and it means a ton to me that you clicked on the link.
9. i'm thankful for ebay during weekend naptimes. at least i'm honest people.
10. i'm thankful for an amazing son who fills my life with a fulfilment only a mother knows. because he brings a smile to my face + joy to my heart + is - to this day - my greatest accomplishment. and he wants to share his own list of what he is thankful for:
1. i am thankful for my love for mommy.
2. i am thankful for my love for daddy.
3. i am thankful for cars. blankie. puppy. tinse. my books. beans. my ipad [side eye]. my apps [double side eye]. molly. and my health. [!].

happy thanksgiving. whether you are spending it at a mass fam jam with a prize-size turkey, fancy linens, a centrepiece, good china, and pumpkin pie - or swinging it solo with a quiet evening, vanilla spice candles, a glass of red wine + a great book. we are sending you our warmest pumpkin spice holiday wishes and hope they find you all pumpkin spice warm + thankful.

this weekend + always.

-kare
xo