I live in the middle of the country, but my roots are Southern. Want proof? Listen to my daughter talk for any amount of time. I guarantee you’ll hear her say, “Thank you” at least three times. If not a hundred.
Because that child of mine? Is thankful.
She says thank you for her milk, thank you for her waffle, thank you for her Elmo, thank you for turning on her movie, thank you for changing her diaper, thank you for helping her up the stairs – you get the picture.
And while it is possible that she’s just hooked on this phrase (similar to how she has, on occasion, been hooked on the word, “poop”), I also think it does reflect our family’s attitude. Mark and I aren’t perfect by any means, but we do work really hard to appreciate each other. Even in the little things.
I chalk it up to those Southern roots.
Last year I posted daily in November, writing about something I’m thankful for. I’m so glad I did that, but woo-eee, it was hard. Never has November been so long! This year I’m going to stick to weekly thanksgiving posts. I’ll add a MckLinky, so you can link up your Thankful Thursday posts, too.
I’ve got to tell you: I’m cranky. I’ve been on the phone with Time Warner customer service for the last 90 minutes. And despite that hour and a half I cannot get back, a new modem and an exercise in extreme patience when the fifth (FIFTH!) customer service person I was transferred to asked for my phone number AGAIN and then had me reboot the router FOR THE THIRD TIME, my internet connection is still out of whack. I kind of want to yell at someone. So being appreciative of the little things is probably a good idea. Here goes . . .
- Absolute best part of my day on Wednesday was getting my 2010 planner. I’m not just excited to see the blank pages full of possibility – although, I am. But this year’s planner came in a Trapper Keeper! Okay, not a Trapper. It does not have a velcro tab or neon colors, but it is a nice, leather portfolio with lots of pockets. It’s so soft and pretty, and I want to pet it, George. And, yes, I’m an office supply nerd. That’s been established, thank you very much.
- We took Annalyn to get her pictures taken on Sunday. We hadn’t gone for professional photos in almost a year, because a) it’s so darned expensive and b) our last two experiences were terrible. So I was kind of dreading this, but it needed to be done. Grandparents were getting antsy. And though our photo session went straight into naptime – also known as dangerous territory! – I’m happy to report that thanks to an extremely patient photographer and a highly entertaining photographer’s assistant, we bought way too many super cute pictures! Seriously – who needs 64 wallets? It’s not like these were her senior pictures! Although . . .
Nice pose.
I realize those are two minor things to be thankful for today. But it’s what I’ve got for now. I’m sure I’ll think of 27 other things I’m way more thankful for as soon as I hit “publish.” Maybe I’ll write them down for next week.
What are you thankful for today?
That's a cute picture of her! I would see why you would want to buy so many :)
What a great idea! I'll try to link up later . . . I have an idea.
Oh, those senior pictures! Start saving your pennies now. Our photographer was so good (last summer) that we wanted to buy every last one of those proofs. I guess we needed proof (get it?!) that that gorgeous girl was really our daughter. :)
And just so you know, we "up North" say thank you too. :)
Sorry, Shelly! You're right – good manners in general and thankfulness in particular are definitely not only found in the south. Sorry to my Midwest and Northern friends!!
cute pictures!
going to link up:)
Have lived half my life in the south and wish most of them had grown up in the midwest like I did: far more polite in cheese/dairy country! But lovely, lovely pictures of your sweetie!!
ADORABLE picture! :)
How wonderful having such a polite child! In this day and age, you should be so proud! There doesn't seem to be a lot of good manners left in the world!
Question for you – is the "being thankful" picture yours? I'm doing thankful posts this month, too, and I thought that pic might be nice… but I don't want to take something that's rightfully yours!
Im thankful for God's immense mercy.
Mary, I'm thankful for you and other wonderful women bloggers that I've discovered in the last 3 months.
Thank you for sharing your life, thoughts, and book and TV show recommendations. You are great!
Cindy in PA
I am such a supply nerd, too! I LOVE pens and paper and organizers and sticky notes and inks and… I'll stop there.
Such a cute picture of your baby girl. What a sweet little bug she is!
I'm grateful today, to know that there are office supply nerds all over the place. :) I love this kind of stuff! And have plenty of friends who do, too!
Such a cute picture! It's wonderful to hear that she's learning to say thank you so much!
Thanks for the topic to write about today. It's one of my faves!
I love the pic and I'm a supply nerd, too (of course).
I am thankful for healthy kiddos at this moment. And loads of other things, but I will take health any day of the week. :)
I've been pondering how to document the little things (and big) that I'm thankful for this month, but, like you, I think a daily posting might suck the fun right out of the project. Your idea for a weekly posting is perfect–thank you for hosting!
Office supplies, especially Pilot Precise pens, are quite thrilling.
It's wonderful your sweet daughter is an enthusastic thanker!
You're right about the roots. I remember back in college, you quoted your mother as saying, "Mary, I hope you were grateful. If there's anything I've raised you to be, it's grateful". Or was it "gracious"? Anyway, you're right!
thanks for reminding us to be thankful!
since i started blogging and met so many of you true southerners,i have been reminded of good ole hospitality and what being polite really sounds like.
yes sir
yes ma'am
why, thank you very much
im well, sir…how are you today?
pardon me, ma'am – you have beautiful hair.
seriously…all so southern. i love it!
ok, thankfulness…
honestly…im thankful that my son is healthy enough to play sports eventho we have to get up at 5:30ish in the morning to get him to practice. with so many children battling life threatening diseases now – i have two healthy children. and with each day the Lord allows us…i will be thankful for that!
ryan says thank you all the time too. it cracks me up, because i'll roll down his window just a crack and "thank you!" and right after that i'll roll it back up again and, "thank you!" it's so cute the things they can be thankful for!
and ADORABLE pic! i'm so glad that the session went well for you guys!