In a 5-minute Happiness Meditation with Cody this weekend, he talked about how it's often "the little things" that bring us the most happiness in life. The small, seemingly insignificant things can bring so much joy and light into our lives when we're present and paying attention. A big part of why I have this blog is to help me remember and appreciate those things, and it's working!
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I haven't written a Thankful Thursday post since August, so with that in mind, here's a recap of the various little things that have added joy to my life in this season:
1. Going to the OSU-Texas game with Dad and Charlene and Jace Michael on Halloween... a super fun day all around! I love the town of Stillwater and have lots of fun game-day memories there, and it felt extra special to be there for a game in the midst of the pandemic, which I'd imagined would prevent us from going back there for quite a while. The crowd was smaller and more spread out, but joining in the communal "orange power" chant and the "Friends in Low Places" song has never made me happier!! ❤
2. Sam-Puffins and Ella-Bellsy, the two best girlfranz in the world, who I got to see on Christmas Eve! They turned 7 on October 24th, 2020, and I sent David this collage of them as puppies since he didn't know them in that precious season! ❤
3. A really fun Labor Day weekend where we reconnected with Holly Dei, Kate Marie, and Megan Elizabeth! This included a lake trip with Holly and Paul, a final summer swim day at Mom and Dad's pool complete with desserts made by Mom, a trip to Ted's for old times sake, memorable conversation, and the world's longest game of Uno with the kids (made longer because Holly paid them to keep me from winning - lol - mess)!
4. Getting to watch my endearing niece play volleyball (and practicing with her outside - I'm a good setter, but that's literally my only vball skill!), getting to see the Moss fam for a socially distant dinner and cupcakes for JEM's 40th birthday, lunch dates and great talks with Elizabeth, early Christmas decorating fun with Mom (the first time in my newly redone home made it more fun this year), learning ALL THE THINGS about the Transformers from Jaceman, helping Sarah prepare (and failing miserably as a buffer) for hosting Rosa and Eric's baby shower, painting the boys' rooms at Rach's new house, learning that Sarah is pregnant and getting to buy them their first baby gift, aaaaaand lots of entertaining bike time with Cody (particularly the XOXO rides)!!
5. A memorable and tasty family Thanksgiving with the great eight - the immediate fam and the four kids - I was thankful that T&C got to join us! Also thankful for the hilarious prayer pic of Jace. =)
6. All the laughter and fun times with the Wilsons and Fultons, our first Parrish fam photo shoot in this new season, the cuteness of Tater-tot and a happy outdoor Friendsgiving that included two pregnancy announcements, a couple park walks with Dad and the kids, hair days with Janelle at Ihloff, refreshing fall/winter walks at Crescent Park, and Jace's eye therapy progress!!
7. A lovely Christmas Eve that included cookie decorating, Mexican food, family pics, playing outside, seeing the girlfranz with Tman, and a fancy steak dinner at The Ranch with Bill & Jill - yes, please!! Immediately followed by our Christmas pancake and bacon breakfast by Jace, then our Christmas family dinner where the Miss K drew and colored something for everyone as a Christmas gift! #preshface The only negative here was my epic layer cake fail, but that was definitely more funny than sad, and I got to bake another chocolate cake WITH Mom and then watch Tara bake a lemon cake we all enjoyed... so I'm counting that as a win in the end! ❤
8. Ringing in 2021 with the Wilsons and Shoemakers and getting to see Tate's Christmas gifts, helping color the playhouse Rach got Kyndal, the fun slumber party with all the kids and Mamaw, my new Pioneer Woman dishes - still not over it! lol, finally making my own pancakes, my new Echelon spin bike, a tasty lemon cake and fun times with Tara Jeanette, and watching J&K do their new secret handshake that ends with them saying, "Work hard to get birds!" lolol (And by work hard, they mean get along well with each other without fussing for an entire week - that's been the condition for months now, and so far, zero new pets have been earned. lol)
9. On a deeper note, I'm thankful for being reminded of this truth. Actions really do speak louder than words, and that is true in friendship, in marriage, and in our relationship with God!
10. I am deeply thankful that God is on the throne yesterday, today, and forever. He alone is our strength and shield, our help and our JOY!! ❤
And finally, I'm grateful for YOU and happy to have a few of my regular readers back! Happy Thursday, friends!! Hope it's a great weekend ahead for you!
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