30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 30

I am thankful for the many blessings in my life. 
I have a husband who loves and supports me, happy & healthy children and wonderful friends and family.
I'm thankful that my mom and D are on their way to us right now!  Their long journey of three flights & two long layovers started at 4am today and we are so grateful that they make the trip each year.  My kids are beyond ecstatic that Grammie is on her way!
I'm thankful for turkey & stuffing, Cowboys football and Christmas decorations!
Happy Thanksgiving.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 29

I am thankful for Christmas music.  Much to hubby's dismay, I've already started listening to holiday tunes in my car.  To me, there's nothing more uplifting than a wonderful rendition of a Christmas classic like O Holy Night or Silent Night.  Here's one of my favorites:

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, which means I'm officially allowed to start celebrating the season!  Christmas music will be playing, decorations will be put out and lights will be strung.  I can't wait! 

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 28

I am thankful for my house.  It's not big or fancy or flashy.  It's twenty years old and definitely "lived in".  But my hubby built it with his own two hands and it's where we have made a home for our family.  It has curtains with wrinkles, dust on the mantle and a torn-up front walkway (compliments of my stepson who decided to redo it).  Our yard has more weeds than grass and my garage is overflowing with junk.  All of that is minor when I think of the people who don't have a home at all.  I'm thankful for a place to lay our heads, a place to celebrate the holidays, a place to raise our children. 

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 27

I am thankful for chocolate.  Because my Dove dark chocolate peppermint bark told me to.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 26

I am thankful for my cat Pumpkin.  He passed away a year ago this week and my heart still hurts when I think about him.  He was big and fluffy and sweet and kind.  If there was a picture of "gentle giant" in the dictionary, he'd be there.  He was a affectionate & loving cat and was so great with my kids.  He is missed!

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 25

I am thankful for my husband who always, always has my back.  We may not always see eye to eye on everything, but when my feelings are hurt or someone does me wrong, he is my staunchest supporter and helps me to realize that it's their loss.  I love him!

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 24

I am thankful for my children.  I may have already done this one, either separately or together like this, but today especially I have to say it (again).  I may argue and nag and out-stubborn them, and sometimes even scream like a mean banshee lady because their rooms are a mess, but nobody on this planet loves my children more than I do. 

I cherish their laughter and their smiles.  I admire their warm hearts and compassion for others.  I am impressed with their imaginations and I am lit up from within when I hear "I love you Mom".  I suffered a miscarriage shortly before getting pregnant with each of my children.  Some people may cringe when they read that, because to be honest, nobody really talks about it.  But it happened and I want to talk about it today.  I know that if I hadn't gone through those two dark times I wouldn't have J & K in my life now, and I am more grateful for these two amazing little people than anyone knows.  But a loss is a loss, regardless of when or how, and I want to take some time to be thankful for those two babies who never had a chance.  They never had the opportunity to grow, they were never named, they were never born... but they were mine, and they are loved. 

Please take a moment and pray today for a family in our community.  I don't know them personally, but a lot of my friends do, so their plight really hurts my heart.  Rex Fleming is a boy in J's school and he is about to begin his journey home to God after a two year illness.  I know so many people have prayed and lifted this family up and they will need it even more in the coming days/weeks/months.  Please ask God to make Rex's journey a peaceful one, and give comfort to his family as they mourn the loss of their little boy.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 23

I am thankful for the beautiful fall weather.  For a lot of the year here in west Texas, the weather leaves a lot to be desired.  More often than not it is windy, windy, WINDY (and I hate wind!).  The summer lasts forever and can be Godawful hot.  Winter is too short (for this NY girl) and not enough snow falls for my taste!  However, in early November when the sun is shining, the wind is NOT blowing, and the temps are around 60, I am a very happy lady.  Even the bright, crisp mornings are nice, as long as I have my sunglasses, a turtleneck and my heated seats!

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 22

I am thankful for my bed.  It's been a long, BUSY day!

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 21

I am thankful for heated seats in my car.  Best.  Invention.  Ever.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 20

I am thankful for the Diet Coke my hubby had waiting for me at work this morning! 

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 19

On this Veteran's Day, I am thankful for all of the men and women who serve in our military in order to keep our country free.  There are so many who make sacrifices in order for us to live in the best nation in the world, and I am so grateful. 

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 18

I am thankful for my husband.  He is a hardworking man who loves his family.  We've been together for over twelve years and I don't see how it can possibly be that long!  It seems like just yesterday that we had our first date at Waffle House at 1am!  We've been through so many of life's ups & downs.... our marriage has definitely covered the "in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer" but I have to say there hasn't been any "for worse" between the two of us.  He is my strongest supporter and my best friend.  I love our life together and hope & pray God blesses us with many, many more years together.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 17

I am thankful for Cinnamon Streusel French Toast at Cracker Barrel.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 16

Oops - missed a day!
I am thankful for a new job.  I haven't worked outside of the house in over eleven years (although I work harder as a stay-at-home-mom than I ever did at any "job"!).  As of this week I am employed part-time with a very flexible schedule.  I'm glad to have the opportunity to earn some money while also still being home when my children are.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 15

I am thankful for my family.  I don't just mean hubby & the kids.  I'm talking about my parents, my brother, my in-laws, my stepson, etc.  Every family has their quirks including mine, but I really am blessed to have such wonderful people in my life.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 14

Today's post is simple:  I am thankful to live in the United States.  It truly is the land of the free and the home of the brave, and I am proud to be an American.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 13

I am thankful for the wonderful teachers that my children have been blessed with.   I know that every child has their quirks and qualities that make them different and sometimes difficult, and I think the mark of a great teacher is being able to relate to and work with a student, no matter what. 

Last year I learned that my son has a habit of moving around during class... a lot.  He fidgets, he tips his chair, he leans over the desk & table, etc.  None of his teachers complained... in fact, they reassured me that as long as he's doing his work and not totally disrupting everyone else, they don't care if he has to sit on the floor!  My daughter is very timid and sensitive.  I was so relieved last year when she ended up with the same kindergarten teacher that J had.  We know and love Mrs. O and it helped K immensely by having her first schoolteacher be someone she was familiar with, and who was so loving with my little girl.  I didn't know any of the first grade teachers, but I was nervous before this year over nothing.  Mrs. T is sweet and kind and K loves her. 

I thank God that He has blessed my children with teachers who love and appreciate them and are able to teach in a way that encourages a love of learning.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 12

I am thankful for my son.  Even on days like today (thank you time change) when his bad attitude is bigger than he is, I love him more than life itself.  J is so smart and funny and creative and thoughtful.  He's a typical boy, so he's also selfish and oblivious and stubborn.  He makes me laugh every day.  He loves trains and Legos and video games.  He hates school (except for seeing his friends) but he excels at everything he puts his mind to.  He plays football and golf and inherited my sweet tooth.  His eyes always have that special sparkle - just like him!  Even though he's almost my size, he will always be my baby boy. 

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 11

Today I am thankful for my daughter.  She is the kindest, most sensitive and loving child I've ever seen.  She has more compassion in her little pinkie than most people will ever have.  I am taking medicine that at times makes me VERY ill, and K was beside herself today when I was sick.  She was almost crying, she kept saying it makes her sad when I'm sick.  When I was laying on the couch, she brought me her trash can (in case I got sick), her kitty that she sleeps with (in case I got lonely when she went outside) and her Rapunzel blanket (to keep me warm).

I hope and pray that the kindness she feels toward other people never leaves her.  I hate that she gets her feelings hurt by others who aren't so careful, but I love that her true, loving heart shines through regardless.  Anyone who crosses paths with her knows that they are blessed, because K makes them feel that way.  She is a wonderful daughter, a thoughtful and fun friend and a truly special person.  Anyone would be lucky to know her, and I'm doubly lucky because I get to be her mom.

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 10

Today I am thankful for my BFF.  T and I have been friends, real TRUE friends, since I was twelve years old.  I sat behind her in homeroom in 7th grade, and we've been best buds ever since.  We were inseparable in junior high, high school and college until she moved away.  We each know the other's strengths and weaknesses.  She can tell people things about me that nobody else knows (thankfully she doesn't!), and vice versa.  Her family is like my family.

For the last two decades we've rarely lived even within driving distance of each other, and yet the bonds of friendship remain strong.  She lived near me when my first child was born, and she lived within a few hours of me when my second child was born.  My kids are friends with her kids and always ask when we will see Z & J again.  Thankfully our parents all still live in the town we grew up in, so we are able to see each other every summer when we go back to visit.

T is undergoing treatment for stage 3 breast cancer.  She has had chemo, surgery, more surgery and now radiation.  She is the strongest, most resilient person I've ever known.  Throughout her journey I've never heard her say anything negative.  She never complains, never gives in, she just takes each obstacle as it comes.  She does what needs doing in all aspects of life.  Her laid-back, go with the flow personality is the exact opposite of my routine-oriented, type-A obsessiveness and yet we mesh so well.  I miss her and hate that I am so far away.  Because of her illness she was unable to go "home" this past summer, so it has been over a year since I was able to spend time with her.  I wish I could have been there for her in a way other than holding her hand long-distance, but all I can do is say prayers and let her know I think of her often.

She is the sister of my heart and I'm so blessed to have her in my life. 

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 9

I'm thankful for sunshine.  You people in the pacific northwest?  England?  I don't know how you do it.  I'm solar-powered.  I'm much happier when I am infused with vitamin D - and not from a bottle!  Today it is a glorious fall day and it makes me happy to just stand outside and soak up the sun.  I know we need rain.  Lord, I live in Texas, we always NEED RAIN!  But I would be perfectly happy if the liquid precipitation would limit itself to the nighttime hours!

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 8

I'm thankful for modern medicine - even when it makes me feel lousy!  I've been suffering from a mystery illness for months.  My symptoms come and go.  Sometimes I feel perfectly fine.  Sometimes I don't want to get out of bed.  I've had test after test, checking my heart, my lungs, my immune system, my thyroid, my hormones, you name it, I've had it checked.  I've been to three different doctors, had blood drawn twice, had an EKG, a stress test and x-rays.  I finally have a diagnosis and (hopefully!) a treatment.  Unfortunately the medicine I am taking makes me feel worse than the illness!  I've read that that's a good sign - it shows that the diagnosis is right and the medicine is attacking the bad stuff & I feel crummy because of the toxins struggling to leave my body.  Aren't you jealous?

30 Days of Being Thankful - Day 7

I am thankful for family traditions.  I'm thankful that I grew up in a family that made (and kept up) traditions, and passed on the love of them to me.  We always open one present from family on Christmas Eve.  We have turkey on Thanksgiving (much to hubby's dismay).  We always, always have a real Christmas tree (although we don't set it on fire & run up and down the street after we take it down like my dad did all the years I was growing up!!).  We carve pumpkins for Halloween - and it never fails that J gags until I end up scooping out the guts of his jack-o-lantern.  These traditions are what make wonderful family memories, and I'm so glad that I have a family that (mostly) appreciates them!