On Being Thankful.

I am thankful. I don't have a perfect life. But I have a good life. I wanted to share some things I am thankful for this season of Thanksgiving :)

1. I am thankful for the health of my family. This year this has meant more to me than ever before. My heart aches for families struggling with sickness. I pray almost daily for the continued health of my family and children, and for the healing of those I know to be struggling with terrible illnesses. I think I spent most of my life taking health forgranted, I do not anymore.

2. I am thankful for children who laugh. My children are not always the most mannerly, and I am surprised sometimes that does not bother me more. They are people, people who though I have tried, cannot be put in a box. They have strong opinions and personalities, and I am thankful for it. Honestly, sometimes when I see parents with super mannerly children I catch myself thinking how boring their lives must be. I don't have whiny children (usually), I have strong willed, laughing, loud children. And I am thankful for them.

3. I am thankful for parents who care. When something happens in my life big or little, good or bad, my parents really do care. They feel joy and pride on my good days, and compassion on my bad days. They are full of good advice based on experience. What is a big deal to me, is a big deal to them, and I am thankful for that. Everyone needs to feel understood.

4. I am thankful for a husband who tells me like it is. Tim is a mild mannered man. He speaks with wisdom, and he is respected for the way he handles things. He is so smart, truly, so smart. But, he doesn't feel the need to show off or prove you wrong. He is confident in himself. But I want you to know, he doesn't mind telling me like it is. He doesn't sugar coat things with me a lot of the time, or encourage me to be meek and passive. He encourages me to be bold, and strong. He doesn't try to tone me down. (Maybe he should?!) He encourages me to follow my passion and do what I know to be right. What I know to be best. And I am thankful for that. Less confident men, might prefer a mild wife. I am thankful he loves me and encourages me to be who I am.

5. I am thankful for my friends. I often say.. "friends are the family that you chose". And I believe it. I don't have a sister, so I found my own. I found strong women, who I learn from and love. You really don't need a thousand friends, you need two or three really good ones. You can quote me on that.

6. I am thankful for Aunts who turn into friends. I am thirty years old now (that hurt to type), and so it is natural that these women would become my friends. I am thankful for their love and support, I am thankful for their encouraging words and texts, I am thankful that I can call them for advice. They really do give some of the best advice.

7. I am thankful for my grandmom. She has always been a best friend to me. We have a special bond, and I thank God for it. Often people tell me I am just like her, and she tells me I got all of her bad qualities (I disagree!), but I love being like her. I love that that means standing up for something, that means trying to be generous, to truly be like her would mean.. less of me, more of THEE. Because she really does everything with a sincere belief that she is trying to do what's right in the sight of the Lord. She is godly woman. And I love her entirely.

8. I am thankful for my granddaddy. Tim is so much like him, and I love that too. He doesn't need to be the center of attention, he makes other people feel important, and I have seen him life until he cried. One of my favorite memories with him. He is smart, and has let my grandmother be herself all these years. Some men might have tried to tame her too :) Their love is beautiful, and permanent, and made a lasting impression on me.

9. I am thankful for my inlaws. They are always there when we need them! They love my children, and they are vital part of our "village"!

10. I am thankful for Tiffany. I am thankful for the way our relationship has developed as she has become an adult. I am thankful for the life she is working to create for herself, and her family. I am thankful for her love and her friendship.

11. I am thankful for Jessica. I am thankful for her ambition and her desire to be successful. I am also thankful she decided to attend UofA! Roll Tide!

There are so many more things I am thankful for. More than I could ever list. And maybe I will add more to this list before Thanksgiving comes and goes. Take time and think about what you are thankful for, maybe it will bring the smile to your face it has brought to mine :)

I am better because of Cates. I am better because I am her mom. She turns three on Monday. And while I try not to be one of those mom who tries to stop time, and complains about her children growing up, I do have a knot in my throat about it. I literally find myself trying to catch every second with her, and while I am SO thankful for each of her birthdays, it is a reminder of how fast time goes by.

Here is a list of her favorite things as we approach her third birthday!

*She always tells me I am her best friend. And when she is laying beside me, or riding in the car, she always holds my hand.
*People constantly comment on her ability to communicate and her vocabulary. She is very articulate.
*She loves playing with baby dolls. She tells me she doesn't want me to have any more babies, but she wants to grow up and have 8... but they all can live with me.
*She calls everyone on her play cell phone, and when they don't answer.. she "send them a text".
*She talks and points her finger and bosses people around most of the time.
*She is beautiful. Everyone always tells me how much she looks like her daddy :)
*Every morning on our way to school she says her prayer for the day. She always prays for her friends and family and that we will all feel "well".
* I thank God for the friendship she has with Andrew. They are best friends. Sometimes when he is kidding with her she will say.."Just tell me the twuth, Andwew!!! Are you swerius???"
*She loves her family. And when she prays she prays for most all of them by name. And she never forgets Uncle Bert's dog OG either.
*Her favorite color is pink.
*She loves Dora, Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, and Paw Patrol.
*She tells me she is going to grow up and marry her daddy :)
* She sings all the time.

Big Events!
* She went on her first field trip this year to the Pumpkin Patch. Andrew went with her. Bop and Yaya did too.
*She potty trained this year too.
*She got a Jeep for her second birthday that she can now drive almost safely ;)
*We went on vacation to the beach in July.