Gratitude

This year I am grateful for so many things. 

I continue to be grateful for my children and their health.  I am happy to have normal, healthy kids who drive me crazy with their whining, fighting, begging and stalling.  Two beautiful children who make me laugh and inspire me to try to be a better person.

I am grateful for my husband.  He is the one I have, the one  to go through everything with.  The one who laughs with me and cries with me, or sits with me while I cry, letting me do it.  There have been ups and downs this year, as with any.  Times of stress and times of joy.  I am reminded again this year that we are so much alike.  We can’t really play games like checkers or tic tac toe, or even rock paper scissors – because it always ends up in a tie.  We are too well matched.  There’s no one I’d rather face this world with.

I am so grateful that my parents came to see our new home and be with us for this wonderful time of year – for Burgundy’s birthday and Thanksgiving.  I am grateful for everything they have done for me in this life.  And to have them here with me and my family is a wonderful blessing.

I am grateful for Cody’s parents and family.  They are my family on this side of the country.  I have always felt loved and have nothing but love in return.  And though people are scattering themselves throughout the country and the world, I am grateful that they are finding their homes and am looking forward to seeing them all again.

I am grateful for my good friends.  I have experienced this year that what you think are good friends may not actually be so.  And it makes the genuine friendships all that more obvious and sweet. 

There are so many things to be grateful for.  Our new house, our new dog, my sister and her amazing family, food on the table, precious memories, hopes for the future…

I wish for you the very best for the coming year.  Know that you are in my thoughts, and I am grateful for you.