Things We’re Thankful For

I’m not sure about you, but time flies in my mommy world and because time flies, I hardly have time to sit back and reflect on the wonderful things I’m grateful for. With Thanksgiving around the corner (AHH it’s tomorrow!) we thought it would be appropriate for us to spell out a few things we’re thankful for and encourage you to do the same. If time permits (we know we all have families to visit or turkeys to cook) comment below with a couple of things you’re thankful for and YOU could be the lucky winner of $50 Uchi dollars! I know…we’re not stingy with the Uchi money!

Top 5 Things Vanessa is Thankful For…

5. Technology-I can’t spell out just one thing, but technology as a whole. I’m so grateful that even with my hectic travel schedule, thanks to Skype, I can see my beautiful family every day and when I’m feeling down my best friends are a quick phone call away. I’m also grateful that I can multitask effortlessly because of great technology!

4. Family and Friends-Again, not just one person but sooo many wonderful people in my life. I am so grateful to have a close knit family. I read terrible stories about families who haven’t spoken to each other in years and I can’t go three days without talking to mine. Very blessed. Same with friends. I am so grateful for all of my wonderful friends. I deeply cherish my relationships and wouldn’t be who I am without all of them and as I’ve gotten older I have a new appreciation for the importance of great friendships!

3. Our Home-When we moved to Austin I was not a happy camper that we would be living in an apartment until we found a house but this time of year makes me realize how grateful I am that I have a roof over my head, a warm bed to sleep in, a table to eat dinner at (thanks Diana!) and many other luxuries I take for granted. And a car to drive. Does that fit into the home category?

2. My Job– I am very grateful that I have a job. I’m grateful that I work for a great company that has afforded me the opportunity to transition to the Austin area even though our headquarters are in Dallas. So grateful.

1. My Husband and Daughter- I don’t know what I would do without my husband–he’s so hands on, smart, handsome, good in the kitchen, interested in watching crappy reality TV just so he can sit next to me, helps me with laundry and brings me flowers every time he’s at the grocery store! He makes my life so easy and full of love! He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me…well at least he was until we made our gorgeous daughter…SHE’S the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I am grateful to her for making Matt and my relationship stronger than ever, teaching me that a small flower in the parking lot is worth stopping for and that playing peek-a-boo with a 17 month old can make you laugh harder than you’ve ever laughed in your life. She has taught me that all you need in life is love…and Elmo!

Top 5 Things Allison is Thankful For…

5. VMWare– VMWare is the company my husband works for and they have been so unbelievably and unknowingly good to our family. Wesley deserves most of the credit, but he gets #2 dedicated to how wonderful he is so #5 goes to them. Without VMWare we wouldn’t have our house, our new furniture, food on our table, or grass planted in the backyard. And without VMWare I wouldn’t be afforded the opportunity to stay at home with our beautiful son and watch all of his milestones in person. Thank you, VMWare!

4. Friends– I love my amazing friends! They tirelessly listen to me talk about the mundane details of my day just to give me adult conversation. They come over to my house on their day off because they know how much quality time means to me. They take me to a traffic ticket/court appearance so I’m not alone downtown at night. They don’t disown me when they aren’t asked to be a bridesmaid in my wedding because I had too many girls EVEN though they know they should have been up there with me. They take me to the grocery store when I don’t have a car, or help me do the move out cleaning in the apartment we used to live in. They give me part time work so that I can have extra spending money even though they could easily hire someone with more experience. They have known me since I was a pubescent 14 year old and love me still at the ripe age of 30. They treat me to lunches, brunches, and happy hours just because they want to do something nice. I’m incredibly blessed to have the bestest of friends; and not because they feed me, but because without a doubt they are ALWAYS there if I need a hand or a shoulder.

3. Family– Oh where do I begin? My family is awesome! And not just my immediate family, but my extended family as well. Wesley and I have such a huge family support system. I would turn this post into a 10 page blog if I wrote out everyone individually and what all they contribute, but let’s just say, there isn’t anything that both of our families wouldn’t do for The Macks… and they ALWAYS see things MY way or at least lead me to believe they see things my way :).

2. Wesley- I’m so grateful for having met this wonderful person! I’ve put him through the ringer and given him countless reasons to MOVE ON in life without me, but he never did. In some masochistic way, I tested him over and over… Wesley deserves an Olympic Gold Metal for standing by me! He sees all positive and “rarely” the negative when it comes to me. He loves me unconditionally, shares my values in life, and I can’t imagine life without him. Cheesy as it sounds, I never knew real love until Wesley. Also, I’ve been open with the fact that Wesley wasn’t in love with the idea of me being a stay at home mom. In fact, he hated it. With that said, I almost went back to work a month or so ago and as my start date approached he HATED the idea of me working more than me staying at home. My how the tides change. My life is richer because of Wesley and without him, he wouldn’t have given me the #1 thing/person that I am MOST thankful for in life.

1. Lincoln- Lincoln forced me to grow up. He has helped teach me patience (a work in progress) and makes me laugh everyday. Saying I love him doesn’t even measure up to what I feel on the inside. I was forever changed that late July morning in 2010. Thank you, Lincoln for all the little things… spitting up in my hair, biting my shoulder, drooling in my mouth, pooping on my hand, depriving me of sleep, telling me “no”, pushing me away, cuddling with me, crawling to me when Dada chases you, preferring me over everyone else in this world, spitting food, and most of all, thank you for being persistent by staying in my belly for 9 full months, loving life, and reminding me every day not to take life so serious and that messes are okay.

So, what are you thankful for?