Young House Love

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What We Put In Our Thanksgiving “Thanks Jar”

We promised to share some of the things that we dropped into our Thanksgiving-inspired “thanks jar” over the last month, which we finally got to read after a month of blindly writing without knowing what the other person was jotting down each day.

Thanksgiving gratitude jar filled with colorful notes

Here are a few highlights:

  • For finally figuring out what the heck to do with this thrift store glass jar. – John
  • That Clara’s birth was a miracle and she’s a healthy & happy little girl. -Sherry
  • That we sold our house & found a new one that we love (fingers crossed for a smooth closing).- Sherry
  • That Clara finds Burger as hilarious as we do. She just cracked up watching him.- John
  • That John has an amazing family. I love my in-laws. – Sherry
  • That when sick, Sherry’s far more fun to be around than I’d be. -John
  • That Clara is in the 90th percentile for height. My tall girl! So proud. – Sherry
  • For only having 1,500 sq ft of stuff to move and not 2,500 of it… this time. -John
  • That this time six months ago, Clara was born. -Sherry
  • That Clara gifted us with another 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep last night. -John

Clara, Clara, and more Clara. Apparently we’re obsessed with the girl, as well as being mindnumbingly predictable when it comes to listing things like each other, our pooch, our current house, our new house, our family and friends, and our life in general. Oh yeah and did we mention our baby girl?

Thanksgiving thankful notes handwritten on fall colored notecard

But there were a few wild card mentions that we tossed in there just to keep things interesting (I seem to be thankful for a lot of edible items):

  • For feta cheese. – Sherry
  • For Burger’s preference for my lap. Haha. He loves me more. -Sherry
  • That Clara seems to enjoy music videos as much as her Daddy does. -John
  • For Dexter. Best show ever. -John
  • That Einstein Bagels’ Mushroom Asparagus Thin Sandwich is so good. -Sherry
  • For Google. -Sherry
  • For thick socks on cold floors. -John
  • For spellcheck. -John
  • For the funny videos that come up when you search “chihuahua” on YouTube. -Sherry
  • For Oprah. -Sherry
  • For Tina Fey. -John

Any random people or things that you guys are thankful for? Any fellow feta cheese lovers? Or Tina Fey fans? And I know Oprah isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I love her. Also have to agree with John about spellcheck. Can’t live without it. All of our posts would be spelt likee dis.

Looking for more Thanksgiving traditions? Check out these posts:

Thanksgiving craft traditions with chalkboard and printable notecard

Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15! 

Comments

  1. Kate says

    Great post! I hope this isn’t an intrusive question, but I don’t know that you guys have ever shared Clara’s birth story on here. I think you guys mentioned that it was an emergency C-section (with obviously an excellent outcome), but other than that, how did everything go down? Would love to hear the story of your beautiful miracle’s birth :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Kate,

      Clara’s birth was both traumatic and miraculous, so I never wrote a post expressly about it (probably because it still scares the pants off of me). It can be summarized as this:

      I noticed on Friday morning that I was having some pretty intense contractions and by the time I started timing them they were four minutes apart. I called John who was out to lunch with all of his coworkers to celebrate his last day and told him to get home fast! By the time we got to the hospital my contractions were already two minutes apart and they sent me straight into labor and delivery. As we waited for the doctor to arrive and check my progress (I was already 3.5 cms dilated and 80% effaced at my last appointment) my water broke in the hospital bed- but instead of being clear it was bright red. So much blood. Very scary.

      Immediately the room filled with frenzied nurses and doctors and they explained that I was having a placental abruption, which happens when the placenta inexplicably detaches from the uterine wall before the baby is born. This is extremely dangerous for the baby (since they get their oxygen/nourishment from the placenta) and the mother can hemorrhage so it was a pretty dire situation all around. Within about a minute they had me in the OR and within three minutes they had sweet baby Clara out thanks to an amazingly fast emergency c-section. They saved her life by acting so fast.

      Once they opened me up they saw that not only was she in distress from the placental abruption, but the umbilical cord had somehow been pinched (which is called “cord prolapse”) so she was struggling to get oxygen from that complication as well as fighting to make it through the abruption. She was limp, pale, and didn’t cry when she came out. She got a 4 on her initial Apgar test (which we’ve heard is the lowest score you can usually get before permanent brain damage). Thankfully, by her five minute Apgar test she pinked up, cried, and got a 9 (which is the test that they say really matters most).

      Basically it was the scariest day of our lives, but we are SO THANKFUL that the doctors and nurses worked so quickly to come to our rescue. We were practically floating on air because other nurses and doctors in the hospital dropped in to see us for days just to tell us how lucky we were (news of our complications spread and they couldn’t believe we had such a happy ending). But no one is more glad than we are! So that’s the story of the scariest/best day of our lives. Whew. No wonder we’re obsessed with the girl.

      xo,
      s

  2. Melissa says

    I’m thankful for my husband. He is the ultimate DIY handyman. Painting, woodworking, plumbing, electrical work. There isn’t a project he can’t tackle. Can’t wait to work on our next bedroom together. Baby #2 is coming soon.

    Reply

  3. Laura says

    I was feeling pretty thankful that my 10 month old slept for 7 hours last night before her first wake-up, but now I’m all deflated about it. 11 hours, really?? sigh No no, good for you though! Really, I mean it!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Laura,

      She’s such a sleepy girl at night! But it’ll probably make you feel better to know that she hardly gives us 30 minutes of nap time during the day. When she’s up in the morning, she’s up for the long haul…

      xo,
      s

  5. Mary C says

    Anderson Cooper 360 – I’m a news addict, and he’s so good at what he does. BTW, he’s coming to Richmond in January!

    Reply

  9. Allison says

    Gift idea for John — Smartwool socks! They’re designed to keep the temp of your feet (and toes) regulated. Love that they come in all styles — cushy/warm, running, dress…

    Reply

  10. Brandi says

    You guys are so sweet! I love reading these and it’s inspiring me to create my own daily notes of gratitude. I too am grateful for OPRAH! I adore her. Thanks for sharing your sweet, funny and thoughtful notes!

    Reply

  12. Amanda says

    I’m thankful for google too! And cell phones/house phones; without them I wouldn’t be able to talk with my boyfriend multiple times a day who lives in another Province. I’m also thankful for blogs (yours especially) and Christmas breaks .. Which haven’t happened yet, but I can’t wait — I’m so tired of school. OH! And pillows .. I love a soft squishy pillow!

    Reply

  14. Paige says

    I love Oprah too. My “fun” thankful stuff includes tea, magazines, blogs (like this one!), scented candles, everything bagels with scallion cream cheese (I’m from NY – gotta love NY bagels!)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Not sure about these days, but she was 26.5″ at her last checkup (a few weeks before 6 months). Every inch of my 5’2″ body is excited about her I-take-after-my-daddy height phenomenon.

      xo,
      s

  17. carolinaheartstrings says

    There are just too many things in my life to be thankful to list them all here. However, this past year we started our own blog and I cannot tell you how thankful I am for a wonderful friend to do this life journey with.

    Reply

  18. Heather says

    Sooo thankful for Dexter too! And thankful that my hubby loves it just as much as I do so we get to watch it together on Sunday nights! :)

    Reply

  19. Carolyn says

    Well, on the serious side of things, I am thankful for God’s love through Jesus Christ. For being able to live in a safe and free country….freedom from political and religious oppression, war, famine etc.. a wonderful husband, a happy, healthy, toddler daughter.
    I am also thankful that I can go to the supermarket and buy as much feta cheese as I like! That and kalamata olives. Can’t. Get. Enough. ! I should own a sheep or a goat and make my own cheese…love a salty snack :)

    Reply

  22. Liz says

    I’m thankful for Dexter. We’re only 3 episodes in, but LOVE THAT SHOW! We started watching it after your last post about it, btw, so I guess I’m thankful that you posted about Dexter. Totally with you on Tina Fey and just yesterday we were singing the praises of Google. But really, I’m thankful for a whole lot more important things. I’m thinking of starting this tradition, but with a twist. I want to start it on Thanksgiving and read them on Christmas, then bundle them together on a ring and hang them on our tree. And hopefully we’ll do that every year and have years and years of thankfulness ornaments. And one more thankful shout-out to the Oregon Ducks. GO DUCKS!

    Reply

  23. LauraC says

    Aww, Sherry, I got all choked up reading about Clara’s birth. So, so scary, and such a wonderful blessing that she is healthy and great!!! I’m thankful for you guys too! Our little Jonathan is two days younger than Will Bower, and while not the sleeper that Clara is (I only dream of 11 hours of sleep), is such a great addition to our family! We thank the Lord for him every day!

    Reply

  24. Taylor says

    First- this idea is so fun, I think I’d like to do it every month with my husband!

    Second (and more random)- I’ve been seeing people “karate-chop” their throw pillows. Do you know what I’m talking about? Where the pillow has a V in the top from where it’s gotten a karate chop? Is there a reason for this? I think it looks strange, but am wondering if somehow there’s a benefit…. like scaring off potential thieves because they’ll see you’ve got fists of steel…

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Some people just love that look. We think it’s a bit more high-brow-ish. Like they’re fancy enough to spend time doing the karate chop. We’re just lucky if our pillows are on the sofa and we’ve showered. Haha.

      xo,
      s

  25. Jamie says

    Wow, Sherry, reading the story about Clara’s birth gave me chills! That’s some serious stuff. I’m so glad (as I’m sure all your readers, friends and family are) that the story ended so happily! Such a reminder not to take a single moment for granted.

    Reply

  26. Amanda W. says

    Sherry & John,
    I am so thankful for your website! It has seriously given me so much joy and it helped me get through my Masters! I know you both get tons of e-mails, so if I could just ask a quick quesiton about all your couches. I know two are from Rowes and the other in the living room is PB. Have you been pleased with all of them? Is the fabric holding up well and are they easy to clean? I am FINALLY getting new furniture (the hubby ok’d it cuz the Masters is done! ), so I want to get something that will last and will last with the future fam we are planning. Thanks!!!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We prefer the Rowe sofas (they were both hundreds less, have cleaner lines- which we like, and came in a hugely large variety of fabric choices- way more than PB). But both the Rowe and the PB ones have held up well and are really easy to keep clean thanks to slipcovers.

      xo,
      s

  28. tabi says

    that birth story is intense!!! LOVE that the story ended happily :)

    i don’t know if you guys watch jimmy fallon’s late night show but sometimes he writes random thank you cards similar to yours (with slow thank-you-card-writing music in the background by the Roots)…. pretty awesome idea :)

    Reply

  29. Little Person says

    “That Clara is in the 90th percentile for height. My tall girl! So proud. – Sherry”

    FYI, those of us in the 10th percentile for height are cool too.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Little Person,

      I agree! As a 5’2″ momma I’m just so amazed that I created such a long little girl! Quite the shocker since my mom’s 4’11” (I assumed Clara would share the short girl gene with us). Guess she takes after her tall daddy!

      xoxo,
      s

  32. katy says

    Dexter rules!! We got into it kinda late, so we went to Blockbuster and began renting it from the first season…..bit by bit and way too much $$$ later in rentals, we are all caught up and totally hooked. That show gets my blood pumping like no other!

    Reply

  33. Tara says

    Wow – that was a remarkable birth story. Thank you so much for sharing. You mention that you heard that a lower than 4 initial APGAR score can be indicative of brain damage? Can you share where information from? A close friend had a baby recently with an initial APGAR of 2 and I want to be sure to pass on any relevant info to her – thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Tara,

      Some of the doctors and nurses who cared for us during the birth mentioned that an initial Apgar of 3 or below can indicate more long-term learning disabilities or brain damage if the second 5 minute Apgar isn’t noticably improved (although I’m sure there are exceptions). Apparently as long as the Apgar goes up by the five minute test (which the doctors kept saying was the most important thing) it can be a great sign- which was the case for Clara and hopefully for your friend’s child as well.

      You can read more info here (I just googled it for you, since my original source were the docs at my hospital). I’m sure your friend would have been told if they suspected any long-term issues though! And these days they can do amazing things, like test the blood from the umbilical cord to estimate how long the baby went without oxygen (which they did with Clara to determine that she was ok). Sending your friend and her baby lots of well wishes!

      xo,
      s

  34. Andrea says

    I LOVE feta cheeseeee! Who doesn’t? We get the big tub from Sams and I get all stingy when it gets towards the end and encourage the fiance to use the cheddar.. I’m so mean.

    Reply

  37. laura k. says

    I just stumbled on your blog the other day I can’t stop reading and learning about all the fun DIY :) Thank you for all the cool ideas. My hubby and I live in a one bedroom apartment, do you have any links or recommendations on revamping an apt without leaving too many permanent damages after we move out?

    Reply

  39. Maya says

    My brother got a ZERO on the Apgar scale when he was born (with the cord around his neck) and today he is a computer programmer for Google… no evidence of brain damage there. He was fine a few minutes later after the midwife gave him CPR, so I guess that really is a better indication.

    The crazy thing is that he was born at home, and if he had been in the hospital they probably could have done a C-section to get him out much faster… and yet I was born, three years later, also a deliberate home birth. Can’t believe my parents had the guts to go through that again!

    Reply

  40. Britt says

    I had a Greek salad for every meal (except breakfast) when I was in the hospital after having my daughter 3 months ago. I was in there for 5 days so that’s a lot of Feta. Since then I buy it all the time! I always liked it but now I am craving it. The best is the imported Feta from Costco. Its expensive but delish.

    Reply

  42. Melody says

    Feta cheese is my absolute favorite! Maybe it’s the Greek in me!
    Will you keep your jar comments? I think it’s cool to look back on a month of thanks, but imagine looking back over five years of thanks…what would the progression look like?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hey Melody,

      Yes! The plan is to wrap the stack of them up with ribbon (crisscrossed like a present to keep them all together) and put them in our little shoebox full of momentos in the closet. That way we can look at them each year and compare what we we’re thankful for.

      xo,
      s

  43. Sarah H says

    Wow, thank you so much for sharing Clara’s birth story. What a precious miracle you have! Also, I have made a mental note that a “thanks jar” is a must for next year.

    Reply

  44. Liz says

    Hi Sherry,
    Thanks for sharing your birth story. I have a miracle baby as well. It was a situation that usually doesn’t turn out well, but we were lucky and it got caught in time. Every day I’m beyond thankful that she’s here! Glad everything turned out well in your situation!

    Reply

  46. Jarel says

    I love that you love Dexter! And I am also thankful for feta cheese. True story: my Mom actually gave me feta as a housewarming gift when I got my first apartment. That is how much I love it.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      No way. My BFF buys me cheese all the time because she knows I’m a cheese freak! The best is that she’ll call me a day later and ask how it is and it’ll be gone already. Can’t. Put. Down. The. Cheese.

      xo,
      s

  47. claire says

    that is a good idea to keep the thanksgiving going all year long. a weekly drawing would be good, and only come to 52. i might try that this year….or next year since thanksgiving has passed :(

    Reply

  48. Brooke says

    Feeling a little bummed that the day you wrote this I turned 30… Yep, I saw that little post-it mentioning the relief of turning 29 rather than 30 this year. Sigh. It was already hard enough. Thanks for rubbing it in. ;)

    Reply

  49. Julia says

    WOW, just read your birth story and it’s SO great to hear of a complicated birth that turned out so great. As a mom-to-be I often hear the negative side/complications of birth but rarely are the miracles shared. I guess sensationalism sells even in birth stories. Thank you SO much for sharing your amazing (and terrifying) story so that other moms like me can hear that even though things don’t always go perfectly in labor & birth, babies are strong & resilient and can overcome so many issues! Your Clara is a true miracle and I know you are aware of that every single day (especially after 11 hours of sleep!! another miracle, if I say so myself!).

    BTW the Hubs & I recently became lovers of Chevre and are working our way towards feta. I love it but Hubs must have some Italian in him because he still prefers good ole Parmegiano Regiano– so much so that he asks for it in his stocking EVERY year! Yay for Costco!

    Reply

  50. Meredith K A says

    Who has two thumbs and is a big Tina Fey fan? THIS GIRL! And my hubby. 30 Rock is the best thing on our TV since Arrested Development. It’s not Tina Fey, but if you haven’t seen Arrested Development, you need to go to your Netflix queue RIGHT NOW and get all 3 seasons and watch them. Seriously. And then when it’s over and you’re crying that it was onl 2.5 seasons and how could they cancel a show that awesome, you can go watch 30 Rock from the beginning and you’ll feel a bit better.

    Reply

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