Monthly Archives: November 2012

Thanks

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So the big thing on facebook is to post something you are thankful for each day. I have a hard time just remembering to post, much less every day. So, you get one big ol’ thankful post right here and now.

The list of thankfulness is in no particular order. It’s just what is going through my head. I’ve learned that I have to do things as they come or they’ll be gone so bear with me.

I am thankful for my husband. Dustin came back into my life at a time when I was ready to give up on guys. He showed me what real love looks like. When we stood across from each other in the chapel that very hot May day, we promised to stand by each other no matter what. We are partners, growing and experiencing life together. We may bicker here and there. We may not see things exactly the same all the time. We do listen to each other though. We help one another and lift each other up. I am thankful I was able to marry my best friend and that we get the chance to get old together.

I’m thankful for my boys. As often as they drive me completely crazy, those two boys are my world. I remember that day they said we could leave the hospital for the first time as a family of three. I was scared to death that they were going to just give us this little being and I had no idea what I was doing. Now I look at them and they play and actually care for each other. They are funny, brave, smart, loving, and learning more every day. In all of that, they are teaching me about the world and about myself. I count myself lucky to be able to be their mom and I only hope I can do things enough right that they continue to be the wonderful boys they are now.

I’m thankful for my parents. I distinctly remember being a teen and in the middle of one of my screaming matches. Mom’s response was, “Go yell at your Dad!” I think Dad heard and went to hide. Now I look back and remember all of the times they were there to drive me, encourage me, cheer for me, and push me. I wouldn’t trade having my mom around for anything, even though I may have complained about all those darn kids in our house. It is truly love to wipe noses, sit through bad recitals, and help an ungrateful child succeed.

I am thankful for friends who support and love me. I know that I can be a bad friend. I forget things and fail to follow through far too often. That doesn’t mean that I don’t care about you all. Each of my friends plays an important role in my life. I know I don’t say it enough but I am thankful. Everyone needs true friends that will keep coming back, celebrate when things are going well, and listen when things aren’t so great.

I’m thankful for medicine. As weird as that sounds, it’s true. Just a few years ago I would have never imagined I’d be saying that. Now I grumble every time I have to stick myself. I get awesome bruises, welts, and dents. But even with that, I am learning to look at it as a badge of honor. Science has come far enough that I am able to take that stick and help protect my poor brain. It allows me to put up a fight and say that I’m going to do my best to stay strong.

I’m thankful for my doctors too. Not everyone can say they have a primary doctor, an eye doctor, and a brain doctor they can call on. Each does their part and knows my case. They are working together to keep me afloat.

I’m thankful for my house. It may not be a mansion but it’s home. We have somewhere to go to stay warm and dry. We have the ability to gather together as a family and space to find alone time. Of course there is always things to fix and there will always be something bigger or better but this one is ours.

I am thankful for work. In the morning I complain about getting out of bed and who really loves going to work honestly. But in reality I am fortunate. I have a job that accepts my quirks and that I love. Nowhere else do people get paid to play. The kids in my class can be trying at times but they really are sweet, lovable, little kids who I would take with me in a heartbeat. It’s awesome to be able to help teach children and show them even just a little bit of the world around them that they didn’t know about before. I’m proud of being called George, getting awkward hugs, and working with a wonderful group of women.

I’m thankful for a wonderful daycare. Because I work, I have two little boys that need care. It’s hard to trust someone else to give your children to. We talked to multiple places before we decided. I remember walking out of one home and just saying no. Dustin wanted to know why and I didn’t have any words to explain but I just knew it wasn’t right. Sheila has become more than just the daycare lady. We all have gained by expanding our family.

I am thankful for hope my future. I don’t know what will come and that makes things exciting. I have become who I am because of the experiences I’ve had and the people who have crossed my path. Not everything or everyone has been awesome. It’s taken awhile and some days I still have to remind myself that it’s okay to be that way. I can take what I know and move forward stronger and smarter. I can see things differently and be more than just okay with where I am and where I’m going.

I’m thankful for life’s basics. Too often we focus on what we don’t have but when you take a step back, we are pretty lucky in life. I have heat in the winter and air in the summer. I have a fridge with food inside. I have shoes to keep my feet safe. When all else fails, remember that there is toilet paper hanging in the bathroom and things just don’t seem quite as bad.

I know there is so much more that I could list to be thankful for, but for now I will just say thank you to it all.