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Kelli (stay-at-home mom of Logan, 9, and Whitney, 7): I like to think I’m thankful year-round for the blessings in my life – healthy, happy children, a loving husband, roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food on our table.

 

Jen (dual-career mom of Jacob, 6, and Caleb, 2): Of course, it is good to have a day that causes us to take pause, stop and think about all we do have to be grateful for - even in these times of relative economic uncertainty. Family, friends, and health are key ingredients to a happy life!

 

Kelli: When Whitney was two years old I asked her what she was thankful for. She said she was “preeshful” (apparently combining appreciate and thankful) for “Mommy, Daddy, Logan, Kyber (our dog), Nana, Pa…” and proceeded to list every family member she could think of including distant relatives. She ended with, “And I’m preeshful for watching TV.”

 

Jen: I like how she calls it as she sees it. No shame in being grateful for TV. I happen to be extremely grateful for my TiVo.

 

Kelli: As I am exceedingly grateful for a 7-hour school day.

 

Jen: And let us not forget the wondrous crock-pot.

 

Kelli: And the microwave. Hot meals in minutes, certainly a gift from the heavens.

 

Jen: I have to give thanks to take-out with a big nod to Whole Food’s soup bar.

 

Kelli: Ah, and when that soup gets knocked over at the dinner table – shop towels. I am thankful for those heavy duty blue shop towels you buy in bulk at Costco. They beat the pants off regular paper towels. It’s a paper towel, it’s a wash cloth, no -- it’s both!

 

Jen: You had me at Costco. Top of my preeshful list.

 

Kelli: Right up there with Target for me.

 

Jen: Like a best friend isn’t it? Speaking of, I’m eternally thankful for good friends who pick up my kids for me from school or take them for playdates.

 

Kelli: I’m thankful for my friends who pick up my kids for me when I forget it’s early day at school and they help me play it off like that was the plan all along.

 

Jen: I’m thankful for soccer coaches, baseball coaches, basketball coaches and anyone else who sacrifices their personal time to teach my child a valuable skill.

 

Kelli: Those blessed souls and the teachers who have made my children feel so smart that they obviously already know more than Mommy.

 

Jen: That includes the preschool teacher who taught my kids “Baby Signs” even though I have no idea what my kids are signing to me.

 

Kelli: I’m thankful for last minute babysitters.

 

Jen: One word – grandparents. And aunts and uncles.

 

Kelli: Did anyone mention Caller ID? Not that I would use it to screen anyone’s calls…

 

Jen: Never. How about wet wipes? I will forever give thanks for their invention.

 

Kelli: That and pizza. Or chicken that comes in the form of a strip, nugget or finger.

 

Jen: I’m certainly thankful for Emergen-C living among my beloved little germ carriers.

 

Kelli: I was thankful for Airborne but I think I’m more preeshful of Zicam now.

 

Jen: And where would I be without a husband who holds down the fort when I’m out of town…or in town for that matter?

 

Kelli: Right. Extremely thankful for a husband who understands the value of Girls Night Out. Sometimes twice in a week.

 

Jen: Right up there with elastic waistbands, Spanx and Miracle bras.

 

Kelli: Oh, I wish I could’ve been thankful for Miracle bras in high school.

 

Jen: At least you got the ‘80’s to be thankful for.

 

Kelli: Top of my preeshful list, right after my family.

 

Kelli Wheeler is a Sacramento stay-at-home mom of two most thankful for the every day blessings in life as well as Spellchecker.

Jen Hall is a Sacramento dual-career mom of two who would like to especially thank her very helpful husband for managing the household this week while she is out of town for business meetings!

 

Ten Things to Include on Your Gratitude List

From First Lady Maria Shriver’s Novemeber 2005 Monthly Message

 

1. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. There is nowhere else on earth that promises us these ideals and does everything in its power to guarantee them.
2. Those who protect those freedoms. The military men and women who have pledged their service and dedicated their lives to defending our country are models of courage and inspiration and deserve our gratitude.
3. Family. An easy one, but one easily taken for granted. Tomorrow is not promised.  Tell your family you love and appreciate them today.
4. Faith.  No matter what your beliefs, without faith we are rudderless in this sea of life.
5. Friends.  They complete our happiness circle and validate that we are worth knowing and liking.
6. Health.  Appreciate good health and be worthy of it.  Make healthy choices and be grateful for what is right with you instead of dwelling on what is wrong. 
7. A helping hand.  Whether extending it or accepting it, to give or accept the gift of humanity is its own reward.
8. The beauty around you.  From California’s beautiful shorelines to its breathtaking forests, from its majestic mountains to its tranquil deserts and everything in between, we are surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty. 
9. Community.  It is where we find our friends, raise our families, educate our children, enjoy our leisure, and dedicate our work.  The joys of life are found within it.
10.  Yourself.  Don’t forget to appreciate yourself and your place in this world.  Whether doctor, laborer, father, sister, mentor or employee, you contribute something to what is right in this great state of California.