Gratitude List Week Thirty-Nine

It’s Christmas Eve eve and I am sitting down to finally relax a little before the delicious madness of Christmas with the family begins. This last week has been filled with the beginning of seasonal festivities and I am grateful for every moment.

Monday: My Dad’s birthday was today and I was grateful that the whole family could get together and celebrate his special day.

Tuesday: I have found an awesome new running route around my neighbourhood and this morning was a perfect temperature for a run. I was grateful for the weather, for getting my run out of the way early in the day and for a great overall pace. Then tonight I got to go to the Bon Jovi concert! My Mum and Dad bought me a ticket for my Christmas present and I had an awesome night listening, singing, and dancing with the huge crowd. I even got to tick something off my bucket list: hear ‘Livin on a Prayer’ performed live.

Waiting for the concert to start!

Wednesday: Today was Chris and my first year dating anniversary! I am so grateful to have this caring, sharing, gentle, funny, smart man in my life. I have never been as happy as I am with you darling. I am grateful for you. We celebrated with our love language (pasta) and watched Colbert together.

Thursday: I am grateful that tonight after work I got to do some baking for a job and then bake some cookies for Chris to take to work to share with his co-workers. Time to spread some Christmas cheer! Also, my darling friend Cait launched her new running shirt design. Definitely motivation for running into 2014.

Friday: Today was my last day of work for 2013 and I was grateful to have a long lunch with my work friend after an 18km run this morning. Tonight I got to sleepover at my sister’s house and watch the Katy Perry movie, make brittle (which turned out delicious despite some burns on my hand…), and eat way too many m&ms. Grateful to spend time with my darling sister.

Saturday: Today was a day full of family. Jess and I had a great time with Mum at the markets and then I spent the middle of the day baking Christmas gifts and treats for my nearest and dearest. Chris and I travelled to Toowoomba to have our first Christmas dinner of the season. I was grateful to see his family and share a few glasses of champagne to celebrate a wonderful year.

Chocolate covered pears for dessert with the family

Sunday: Today Chris and I had a slow start and then I joined all the ladies of my family for lunch and the inaugural Christmas movie trip. We saw White Christmas, and there was not a dry eye in the house by the time the curtains closed on the screen. Chris and I attended a Christmas party at my dear friend Jenny’s home and I was grateful to see Jenny and her family for the Christmas season.

Monday: This morning it was time for a long run and then I was grateful to be able to see one of my best friends Caroline! We had a long sushi lunch and talked about all the big and little things and decided that sometimes being a grown-up isn’t fun, but sometimes it means you can eat ice cream for dinner while sitting on the couch wearing your pyjamas.

Now I am off to wrap some of my last Christmas presents and get ready for Christmas Eve celebrations. Merry Christmas everyone.

While you are reading this gratitude list you might want to enter my competition for a voucher to spend at Paul’s Warehouse. Get a jump on a healthy start to 2014.