Happy Thanksgiving!

There are so many, many things to be thankful for this year!

I am thankful for my family.
I'm thankful for my husband who works hard to provide for us and gives me the chance to stay home with our children. I'm thankful that he listens to my rants and rages without judging. I'm thankful that he indulges my little obsessions and laughs with me on a daily basis.

I'm thankful for my children. I'm thankful that I have them here to give me gray hairs :). I'm thankful that they trust me to shelter them and know that they can come to me in a time of need. I'm thankful that I have been entrusted to kiss their boo-boos and comfort them, to raise them to be strong and independent little people and good citizens of this world. I hope that I'm doing my job well.

Today I am most especially thankful that Clara has finally given in and is essentially potty trained!

I am thankful for our parents who love and support us. Who still provide a listening ear and lend a helping hand. Who continue to nurture us on this road called life.

I'm thankful for my home.
I'm thankful for the refuge it provides to us. For the quirky little pieces and items that make it OUR home. I'm thankful for the quiet moments that we spend here, and the not so quiet moments, too. I'm thankful most importantly that we have a place to call home when so many others do not.

I'm thankful for a loving God.
That he loves us in spite of it all.

I'm thankful for friends.
The ones I lean on most in time of need and suffering. The ones that laugh with me and cry with me. The ones that help cart kids to and from places. The ones that call daily (multiple times a day). I'm thankful that they listen to my complaining, they encourage me when I'm down and they party with me when things are good. I'm thankful for finding best friends that I know I can count on to be there even when I'm not totally there myself. We are going to all make some rockin old ladies, and for that I'm thankful!

I'm thankful for the community that is my home. That we know someone everywhere we go. That there is a true sense of community and support. That we look out for each other. That there is pride in our city and it shows. I'm thankful.

On this Thanksgiving, I count my blessings and I am humbled by how many they are. Even on the days that I forget, I know that they are there--- and I'm thankful that they stick around and wait for me to notice them again.

What are you thankful for?