Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you’re all enjoying this very special day, celebrating with those you love, reflecting on what’s truly important, and, of course, stuffing yourself to the brim with seconds and thirds of turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie (or for those of you who are anti-pie, like me, this incredible chocolate stout cake)!
And, since Thanksgiving really is all about family (at least for me, because there’s nothing I’m more thankful for than the people I love), I thought I’d use this opportunity to share some very exciting family news!
Jacob, Olivia, Roho, and I are thrilled to announce that we will welcome a new member to our family this May! No, we don’t know the gender yet, but we’re not particularly secretive about these things :), so you all will be some of the first to know — I’m anxious to share as soon as we find out!
And, I’m excited to bring all of you along as I work through my pregnancy ups and downs — trust me there are plenty (Jacob is sitting next to me nodding and snickering as I type)!
FUR VEST: Loft (currently 50% off!) // TURTLENECK: H&M // JEANS: Blank NYC (currently on sale!) // SHOES: Vince Comuto (old), similar here // BAG: Chloe // SUNGLASSES: Burberry
Luckily, the toughest period (weeks 8-16 for me), is just about over! It’s been rough. This time I’ve had to deal with the nausea, fatigue, and that all around blah feeling that all women usually experience, while also taking care of Livi (now 16-months) and working full-time … so I apologize for posting less frequently and being less engaged overall — I’ve just been sleep-deprived and thoroughly exhausted!!!
But, as with all things in life, you suck it up, put your head down, and work through it!
Ok, so, with that happy news finally out there (it’s been so hard not to share with you these last few months!), on to the rest of my Thanksgiving post — The 12 Things For Which I’m Most Thankful
1 — A wonderful, loving, and supportive family. Ok, this one is THE most important, and it deserves the most time and the most explanation.
Jacob. My lover, best friend, harshest (entirely fair) critic, biggest cheerleader, my rock and the love of my life. There really aren’t words to explain how deeply I love and respect this man. And, I’m sorry to say, I don’t tell him how much I appreciate him enough.
COAT: Gap (currently 50% off!) // TURTLENECK: Cat & Jack (currently on sale!) // JEANS: OshKosh B’gosh (currently on sale!) // SHOES: Air Jordans (old), similar here // HAT: Millymook (old), similar here
Livi. This little girl is the light of my life. The joy she has brought into my life is indescribable. More so than in any other way, she gives me a glimpse of God every day.
My mom. There’s no one in the world who has sacrificed more for me than this very special woman. She always put my brother and me before herself. Always. And she is the person who taught me what love really is … and that it’s the most powerful force in the world.
My grandmother. By far, the kindest, most selfless person I have ever known. She taught me to love God first and foremost, and to never lose faith.
My brother. I’ve watched my brother grow from a mischievous little boy into one of the finest men I know. I am so proud of him. We both faced adversity when we were young, and he has overcome some seemingly insurmountable obstacles, found peace and happiness, and is, together with his soon-to-be wife and two daughters, building his very own American dream.
I am also blessed to have several other wonderful family members — too many to name one by one — who have played an integral role in my life, helping me become the person I am today, and I am so thankful for their love and commitment to me and to our family.
2 — God. I’ve never experienced peace like I have when I found God, and I am so thankful for his grace and love in my life.
3 — My country. There are few places in the world where you can start from nothing but an idea and turn it into reality. America is one, if not the only, place where that is possible. This may be hard to see, especially given this highly contentious election season, but American truly is the greatest nation on earth, and I am so thankful to be a part of it.
ok, and now on to some of the smaller things 🙂
4 — Sunday mornings. This is the one day that I give myself some time — no gym, no work … just all snuggles in bed with Livi and Jacob… in other words, pure bliss.
5 — Coffee. It’s the small things in life. And I don’t care how hectic a morning I’ve had, once I sit down at my desk with a cup of steaming hot coffee …. sip after sip, all the tension and stress just melts away.
6 — Running. This is my meditation. When I’m running, there’s nothing but me and my music, and when I’m done, I’m on top of the world, with a completely clear head.
7 — Law school. Ok, truth be told, I don’t even like being a lawyer, really. But law school is really nothing like being a lawyer! And even though I don’t plan to practice forever, I will always be thankful for the rigorous analytical training I received during those three years. It taught me to see the world in grey. Even in instances where I conclude the “right” answer is option B, I can always see the merit in options A, C, and D. The ability to step outside my own perspective, and appreciate someone else’s, even when I disagree with it, was worth every penny (and more) of those seemingly never-ending tuition bills.
8 — Roho. Otherwise known as “puppa” to me. This dog … if there’s such a thing as people-puppy soulmates, he’s mine. From the moment I first held him, he stole my heart. And he’s been there for the last 8 years, through so many ups and downs. When Jacob served in Iraq, and then Afghanistan, he was my rock. He’s truly one-of-a-kind.
9 — Dill pickles. Ever since I was a little girl, I could eat these puppies by the jar full. And that hasn’t changed. I’m never without a jar or two in the fridge. And it looks like Livi has picked up the habit … whenever she see my crunching away, she just has to get in on the action 🙂
10 — My midwestern roots. There’s something about the Midwest … the people are just kind, respectful, and down-to-earth. I feel blessed to have grown up in that type of environment — you know, where people still smile and say “good morning” when they pass you by, and when you put on your blinker to switch lanes, they waive and let you go, rather than honk and speed up. Trust me, living in D.C., I really miss that.
11 — Books. There’s nothing that lets you escape reality for a few hours like a good book. And we all need that from time to time.
12 — Music. I think of it as medicine for the soul — no matter what mood I’m in, there’s a song for it. And it immediately transports me to another world, a world where I can truly experience and confront whatever emotion I’m feeling.
And that wraps things up for me … what are you most thankful for this year?
I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving full of family, friends, and a full belly! And while you’re lying around in your post-food coma, don’t forget to check out some of the Black Friday sales (many of which have already begun). Check out some of the sales below, and you can shop my and Livi’s outfits above.
xoxo, K
Ann Taylor — 50% off everything with code CELEBRATE
Nordstrom — save an extra 20% off
LOFT — 50% off everything with code BERRYGOOD
Gap & Baby Gap — 50% off everything with code TGIF50
Banana Republic — 50% off up to 5 items — use code BRFIVE
J. Crew — their first time ever offering a full 40% off — use code HOLIDAY
A FEW of MY FAVORITES
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