Giving Thanks

Ok, so I realize that Thanksgiving was like 4 days ago, but that doesn't make me any less thankful for the things I have - it just makes me a litle late in verbalizing the thankfulness is all. So, without further ado, I bring you "The Things I am Thankful For".

Chris - I seriously could not ask for someone better to spend my life with. If you've read this blog for any length of time (pre-Chris, of course) you might remember some of the dismal dating escapades I've endured, and believe me, there were many prior to that. If I knew that the result of all of those would be Chris, well, I would do it all again. He is everything I had on my mental list and more. He makes me laugh and he listens to me and he cares about me and he takes care of me. He's a great dad and a great man - I always know he appreciates me and he does stuff around the house and he's the best snuggler. My mom has said "you can tell Chris really loves you" - and he does - I never doubt that. I think about how when I found out that he was going through a divorce, I almost didn't take a chance on him. I didn't want to go through the pain of another Not Boyfriend. But, since I'm not known for my good sense when it comes to things like that, I ignored the prospect of a repeat performance and jumped in with Chris. I have never been so happy that I ignored the safe road and barreled down the unknown path, because having him in my life has shown me what loving and being loved by "The One" truly is.

Riley & Abby - Being a parent is a hard thing in itself, but being a parent to kids who are already 8 and 4 years into their lives is harder. BUT, I am thankful for my girls. I'm thankful that they are sweet and smart and that they have accepted me into their lives as part of their family. I am thankful that I don't have to fight the battle of kids who harbor the illusion of mommy and daddy getting back together and see me as an obstacle to that. I am thankful for hugs and kisses and my baby who wants to be with me from the minute I get home until she goes to sleep. I am thankful for funny things they say, and the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of people who are not yet cynical and for who so much is new and wonderful and interesting. I am thankful for my little family.

My parents and my brother - I am always thankful for my family. I hope I can be the kind of parent that my parents are to me. They never stop being willing to help and I always feel loved. I talk to my mom at least once a day and it is great to have her to listen to me freak out and give me advice on being a mom. I don't talk to my dad as much, but that's because he's a guy and doesn't need to talk to me 85 times a day. But both of my parents are awesome and they have not only accepted Chris as part of our family, but have totally embraced the girls and love them. I am thankful that I get to see what amazing grandparents my parents are - because they TOTALLY ARE. I am thankful for my brother and that I get to see him grow up and achieve a lot of really cool stuff. I am thankful that whenever I talk to him on the phone, he always says "I love you" before he hangs up. I am thankful for my family.

My friends - I have often said that I have the best friends in the world, and I am reminded every day that I really do. I have a circle of people in my life who care about me and love me and take great care of me. I have a life full of memories and history with amazing people. I have more love and support in my life than I could ever repay, and for that I am infinitely thankful.

I am thankful for my life and all of the people and things in it that make every day an enormous blessing.