Keepin' it R.E.A.L

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Are you ready for the day? Are you prepared? Is your mind set? Whether today is a day you choose to relax on tracking, or if you stick to your guns, remember what the holiday is about. And remember it's a holiDAY, not a holiweekend. ENJOY IT! HOLLA!!!! 

It's not about the prettiest table setting, or the plumpest turkey. It's not about who wins the football games or if crazy Aunt Augustine passes out in the mashed potatoes, although that one would be one to post on insta-gram! 

It's about being grateful. It's about really realizing all the blessings in abundance we enjoy. It's about keepin' it real. Expressing gratitude for the simple things.

R.ecognize the good deeds people do for you. Start with the person(s) that has provided today's meal. They didn't have to, but it's highly likely that they wanted to, and it's also highly likely they love YOU enough, to want to spend the entire day with you and your crazy political view points . Thank them! And when you do,

E.xpress your gratitude with a "thank you" that is sincere.

A.ppreciate. Truly appreciate and

L.earn to return the favor. 

By keepin' it real, you'll start to notice all you already have. Soon you might realize, all you have at this moment, is all you need. From the tiniest things like a garbage bag for trash, to the grandest blessings. Take nothing for granted. Life is a gift. Even when things aren't running smoothly, keepin' it real, and living with gratitude makes us aware that there are always opportunities to learn, to grow and to show compassion, care and love to others. 

I love you all! I'm thankful and grateful for you. Just keepin' it real!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Ang

Blessed indeed

Today I just wanted to post a simple gratitude blip.
Sometimes I let myself become overwhelmed by life and forget to stop and be thankful for all the blessings that surround me. And maybe "forget" isn't quite the right word. Perhaps the right word is, "don't." I DON'T stop vs. I FORGET to stop. Today I stop. While my teen son sits in the orthodontist chair with hygienist hands in his mouth therefore making it difficult for him to speak or ask non-stop questions (which I love by the way) I have a moment of quiet time to clear my mind for a quick "I am grateful" post.

Today I want to give a shout out to the great women in my life. I’m so blessed with so many great women around me. Women that have such attributes I'd like to possess such as faith, perseverance, compassion, service, empathy, honesty and unselfishness!

I’ve often been surrounded by examples. Growing up, my own Mother was also a Dad. She's the one who taught me how to put on mascara but also drive a nail or check the oil in the lawnmower. She worked 3 jobs to provide for my siblings and I. My sister was my 2nd Mom and a best friend. She's the one that taught me how to curl my hair, load the washer and organize (or attempt to anyway because I was SUCH a slobbish child) my closet shelves and my desk, and also dream about my first date or my wedding. I also had teachers and youth leaders I still consider fantastic friends today. Aunts I wanted to be like, cousins I wish were other sisters and of course my Nan!

Every season of my life I can look back and see that God has given me strong women in my life. This season is no different.

I find them at work, church, in my family, through my friends, in my neighborhood, ward, heck... even the lady at the Foothill Mart that always has an energetic, New Jersey accent, "How ya doin' taday?!" There are strong women encouraging me, guiding me, supporting me, praying with and for me, crying with me, laughing with me (ok...and at me) and lifting me. I’m blessed beyond what I deserve.

As I aspire to be like these women, I realize I have way too many flaws to be perfect, but I have too many blessings to be ungrateful!

I hope some of these women read this, if so thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your love has done more for my life than you could ever know.