Thankful day 7 - my parents

My parents are two of the most amazing people I know. I'm sure that everyone says that, but in this instance it's true. I have so many wonderful memories of childhood because my parents made us a priority in their lives. I can never even begin to repay them for all they have taught me, done for me and the example they have been, I can only hope that I am half the parent to my children that they were to me.

(Disclaimer: I actually wrote this back when I was doing my "thankful" posts, but didn't ever finish it. I saw it in my "drafts" so I decided to post it now, finished or not.)

Thankful day 6 - Rain

Today I am thankful for rain. I usually am not a fan of rain...at least not the rain we get around here. It is a cold, winter rain. We don't get warm summer rain around here, it is just dry as a desert until it starts to turn cold and then it rains for months on end. I would much prefer snow when it is cold because it is fun to play in and makes everything so pretty. I miss snow, but that is beside the point. I am thankful for rain today because it allowed me to hear the sweet innocence and giggles of my two youngest as they unabashedly danced in the rain.

Thankful day 5 - my sisters

Today I am thankful for my sisters. How many people will be in my corner no matter what life may bring my way? I have two sisters, one older and one younger and we are all very different. We had our share of sibling rivalry, but you better believe that no one was allowed to disparage either one of them around me. As the years have gone on we have each traveled very different paths, but I love them with all of my heart and know that as time goes on I can count on them whenever I need them, and I hope they know that I would do the same for them in a heartbeat. I love you TyRee and Brandee…I’m lucky to call you my sisters.

Thankful day 4 - Friends

Today I am thankful for friends. I had the opportunity to wake up at an unearthly hour, drag my two youngest out of bed and to drive 45 minutes away to go out to breakfast with a dear friend and take her to the airport. She lives in Arizona but was in town (a few towns away) for a business meeting and needed a ride to the airport. She is one of my best friends (we met in college) and years have gone by in between when we have had the opportunity to see each but every time we do it is like no time has passed at all. I don’t have a lot of friends (outside of my family) but the ones that I do have are all like that and they mean the world to me. There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for them and I know the feeling is reciprocated. So, today I am thankful for those friendships that will last the test of time, you are dearly loved.

Thankful Day 3 - Devyn

I know this is a little redundant, but today I couldn't not post about being thankful for Devyn. No, I am not more thankful for her than my other children, but today is her birthday. She is 4 years old today and as precocious as ever. She is sweet and thoughtful and so willing to share, but then there is the other side of her. She is by far my most difficult child right now. She throws tantrums at the drop of a hat, but even with all of that you can't help but love her. She has the cutest giggle and is so fun. So today I am thankful for being blessed with having Devyn in our lives. I can't imagine life without her.

Thankful Day 2 - my husband

I saw this "sign" on Pinterest today so I decided it would be perfect for my Thankful post for the day. This is my husband! He is constantly telling me how beautiful I am and that I am pretty without make-up. He tells me he is lucky to call me his wife but I think I am the lucky one. He does little things like bring me lunch or runs errands for me. He is a good father and I am blessed to call him mine. I love him with all of my heart and am thankful that I am lucky enough to have had him enter my life, not once, but twice and I don't plan on ever letting him go.

November - Thankful day 1 - my children

November is my absolute favorite month of the year. Call me narcissistic but I think a lot of it stems from the fact that I was born in November so my early memories of this month just radiate happiness to me. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, also in November. My husband gives me a hard time that my favorite holiday is one that revolves around gluttony, and yes a full-fledged turkey dinner is my all-time favorite, but I think it has more to do with the warmth and coziness and being surrounded by family. I love the soft crunch of the fallen leaves beneath your feet, the crispness to the air, wearing sweaters and having more of an excuse to snuggle up with loved ones on the couch to keep warm. So, in honor of my favorite month and favorite holiday I want to focus on everything that I am thankful for. I have seen this done before and decided it is a wonderful idea. I am going to post one thing that I am thankful for everyday this month.

Deciding where to start is the hardest part for me. There are so many people and so many things that I have to be thankful for so choosing one of those to begin with is tricky, but I think I am going to start with my children. I have been blessed to have given birth to four children and each one of them holds a separate piece of my heart. I cannot express enough how much I love them and how grateful I am to have each of them as a part of my life. I learn and grow from them, I experience the greatest heartache and the greatest joy because of them and I am a better person for each one of them having entered into my life.