Celebrating Thanksgiving

So, I've been thinking the last couple of days about the holidays (obviously :). As I've been thinking, I've realized that I usually just kind of pass Thanksgiving by a little bit. Don't get me wrong. I totally love it, and I get very excited to hang out with my family and get some days off work, etc. :) But I'm usually kind of waiting for Christmas, or life just kind of goes on and then all of a sudden it's Thanksgiving and then it's over.
I want this, and the future years to be different. I want to "get in the mood" for Thanksgiving, if that makes any sense. I guess this was reiterated by a fabulous Stake Conference that I had this weekend where one of the things emphasized was the importance of being grateful.
So now I'm pondering on things I can do to both more fully recognize the many blessings I have been given and also to show my gratitude to my Heavenly Father. I've come up with a few things, but I'm wondering what you do.
How do you prepare yourself for Thankgsiving, or what do you do that makes it a little more special?

Let the holidays begin!!!

And I'm not just talking about Thanksgiving and Christmas. I believe that every day should be a celebration. And if you don't believe me, here's a list to prove I'm right. :)

Let's Start with Today -
Nov. 4th - National Use Your Common Sense Day (So please use it)

I hope you didn't miss the last couple days
Nov. 2nd is plan your epitaph day and Nov 3rd (yesterday) was Housewife's day, Sandwich day, and National Cliche Day.

If you missed those, there are still lots of events to celebrate coming up! (Side note, I did not include all holidays on this list. So there are others as well...)

Nov. 5 - Diwali
Nov. 6 - National Men Make Dinner Day (Who's going to come make it for me???)
Pumpkin Chunkin Days (the 6th-8th)
I Love Nachos Day
Nov. 7 - National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day
Nov. 8 - Cook something bold and pungent day
Nov. 9 - World Orphans Day
Nov. 10 - Area Code Day
Nov. 11 - Veterans Day
Nov. 12 - National Sundae Day
National Pizza with the works except anchovies Day
Nov. 13 - World Kindness Day
Nov. 14 - Loosen up, Lighten Up Day
National American Teddy Bear Day
Nov. 15 - I love to write Day
Nov. 16 - International Day for Tolerance
Nov. 17 - Homemade Bread Day
Nov. 18 - Mickey Mouse Day
Nov. 19 - Great American Smoke Out
Have a Bad Day Day
Use Less Stuff Day
World Toilet Day
Play Monopoly Day
Nov. 20 - Name Your PC Day
Nov. 21 - World Hello Day
Nov. 22 - Start your own country day
Go for a ride day
Nov. 23 - Fibonacci Day
National Cashew Day
Nov. 24 - Celebrate Your Unique Talent Day
What do you love about America Day
Nov. 26 - Thanksgiving Day
Nov. 27 - Black Friday
Buy Nothing Day (Hmmm.... which one do you celebrate???)
National Day of Listening
Pie in the Face Day
Nov. 28 - International Aura Awareness Day
National French Toast Day
Nov. 29 - Square Dance Day
National Chocolates Day
Nov. 30 - Computer Security Day

And if the days aren't enough, here are some things for us to be celebrating this month...

National Peanut Butter Lovers month (Yup, that's me!!!)
It's also Family Stories month - feel free to share
It is the National Month of the Pomegranate
As well as National Roasting Month, National Writing Month, National Sweet Potato Awareness Month, and National Healthy Skin Month.

Personally, aside from Thanksgiving, I very much look forward to celebrating peanut butter, homemade bread, Mickey Mouse, toilets, saying hello, and cooking some crazy things. I hope you all find something this month that you love, as well as something to celebrate each day. Enjoy the start of your holidays!!!!