A Month of Thanks - Day 12

Today is Emeline's 5 month birthday, so I waited and saved this special day for her.

All the days of my life, I will be immensely grateful for Emeline.  She is the most precious gift we will ever receive.  And five months later, I'm still in awe of Emeline and our birthmom who so graciously placed her in our arms forever.  Emeline is the greatest joy of my life.  Life is not always easy and neither is motherhood, but to see her gummy smile complete with dimples melts my heart every single time.  To know she is happy, makes me happy - no matter what.  When I think I can't love her anymore, I wake up the next morning to that gummy smile and somehow...I do.  

A Month of Thanks - Day 11

Today, I am thankful to the men and women who protect our great nation.  Because of you, we can live our lives in peace.  "Land of the free, because of the brave".  Thank you for ensuring our freedoms.  I couldn't be more grateful.  Happy Veterans Day. 

A Month of Thanks - Day 10

Today, I am thankful for my parents.  I love them immensely.  They support me in any decision I make and they are there for me when I need them most.  I'm one lucky girl to have such loving parents.

A Month of Thanks - Day 9

Today, I am thankful for my health and the health of my family.  Everyday that we get to wake up healthy and able to conquer the day as we wish is a huge blessing many take for granted.  

A Month of Thanks - Day 8

Today, I am thankful for the knowledge and desire I have to eat healthy and keep my body strong and functioning as it should.  Kris came to me back in March with an interest to start eating Paleo.  At the time, we were currently grieving over our failed placement and the baby we lost.  I thought he was crazy - how could he think of anything else?  We'll, I reluctantly obliged and I have to say, so many things changed for me and my body in a matter of days.  You feel so light on your feet and energetic when you aren't weighed down by processed foods or foods your body fights to digest.  Two months ago, we took a break from the lifestyle, but now we are back and more eager and motivated than ever.  If you are interested, here is a brief summary of what Paleo is (taken from link referenced above). 

The Paleo Diet

is based upon eating wholesome, contemporary foods from the food groups our hunter-gatherer ancestors would have thrived on during the Paleolithic era, the time period from about 2.6 million years ago to the beginning of the agricultural revolution, about 10,000 years ago. These foods include fresh meats (preferably grass-produced or free-ranging beef, pork, lamb, poultry, and game meat, if you can get it), fish, seafood, fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and healthful oils (olive, coconut, avocado, macadamia, walnut and flaxseed). Dairy products, cereal grains, legumes, refined sugars and processed foods were not part of our ancestral menu.

Decades of research by Dr. Loren Cordain and his scientific colleagues demonstrate that hunter-gatherers typically were free from the chronic illnesses and diseases that are epidemic in Western populations, including:

• Obesity
• Cardiovascular disease (heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cancer
• Autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, etc.)
• Osteoporosis
• Acne
• Myopia (nearsightedness), macular degeneration, glaucoma
• Varicose veins, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, gastric reflux
• Gout

 And many, many more.

Choosing to eat the Paleo diet isn't easy, but it's so worth it.  Take it from a once skeptic to another.  

A Month of Thanks - Day 7

Today and everyday, I am thankful we have the means and abilities that allow me to be a stay-at-home mom.  I just simply can't imagine my world without Emeline in it every second of the day.  I hope to never miss a milestone and I hope I can always be the reason behind her smiling face each day.  This time is precious and I know it will pass in a blink of an eye.  And I certainly couldn't write this post without again thanking my wonderful husband for working so hard to make this dream a reality for our family.  I truly treasure each day Emeline and I spend together learning and playing.     

A Month of Thanks - Day 6

Today, I'm thankful for the right to vote - the right we earned to have our voice heard.  

The Simpson Family voted a couple of weeks ago, but here is our beauty supporting her favorite candidate on Election Day 2012.