I am truly thankful

I am thankful for the sun outside and the chance of rain this coming weekend.  That my husband has a job, that I am healthy and my girls are on the mend.   I am thankful that we have a house to live in (and one on the way) and a kitchen full of food (oooh, I can't forget to go get eggs today).  I am thankful for children's motrin and warm blankets.   I am thankful for supportive family that risks exposure to swine flue to help out a tired mom.  I am thankful for microwaves to warm my coffee after life prevents me being able to drink it while it is hot.  I am thankful for double strollers so we can go on walks. (Hmmm, maybe later we will walk to rite-aid and see if they have eggs.) I am thankful for God's strength and support at 2am when a little one wont go to sleep.  And for his patience beyond reason that he occasionally loans me - and always shows me.  I am thankful for doctors that can help make my babies better (did you know all of Hanford is out of the Therma-flu stuff?) and for thermometers that tell me whether or not we need to go see the doctor...again.  I am thankful for fly traps and dishwashers.  I am thankful for music, for laughter, for my children, for my amazing supportive husband (and I'll say it, I am thankful for God's gift of sex!) I am thankful I can be thankful for whatever I want, and the freedom to tell anyone I wish the things I am thankful for...did that make sense?  I am thankful God helps me to discover a thousand times a day the ways to keep my little one alive - where she got that small piece of plastic just now I have no idea.  But it is out of her mouth now.  I am thankful that despite the odds she seems to create for herself a thousand times a day...my youngest is still alive!  I am thankful for my big one's soft heart, even if it means we have tears all days some days ("why are you crying Taylor?"  "I don't know, I just can't stop!").  I am thankful for one car that works, and a husband that is willing to share that one car so we can save money right now. I am thankful for fresh bread, for apples in my frig. that are in danger of becoming a pie today.  For blogs, so I can share with those I love the crazy things that go through my head.

I am thankful for grace, for forgiveness.  I am thankful I am loved, and that everyday I am learning to be the person I was designed to be. 

I have learned much from my children lately.  I have learned that Taylor is better at being sick then Ayla is.  Oh goodness the whining!  And she wont let me put her down, at all.  And if I DARE to hold Taylor, or give daddy a hug, or even LOOK like I may want a moment without touching anyone at all?  Oh the tears, the screaming...now it is one thing when she is well.  It is a quick reprimand and a trip to her room and a moment alone and she gets a little better (or at least gets the idea).  But when she is sick?  Well, for one, I feel bad punishing her for wanting to be held.  But I get to the point where I am in tears because I really really can't take it anymore!  If I put her down she is immediately glued to my legs.  Have you ever tried to cook, do laundry...or really tried to do anything while dragging along a sick toddler?  I have thought I should get out my baby carrier again and see if she would allow herself to be put into that.  If this does not improve today I may.  Though knowing her escape expertize she may try to get out of it just so she is not contained (and if she wants out, she will figure out a way even if she has to use her teeth).  She wants to be held, but she wants to be held on her terms. 

Taylor is very patient.  I am very proud of my big girl.  She has a fever of 100.7 today and has had one about like that for a while now.  You really would never know.  She just kinda hangs on, and she has been so good at obeying lately!   She has made these past few weeks easier.  She will come out of her room and proudly announce "Mama!  My coughing is all gone now!"  and then a second later cough and say "Oh, I guess I just had one more...NOW my coughing is all gone!"

Ayla has taught me lately that I really don't feel any different during the day whether I get 4 or 8 hours of sleep...of course it has been so long since I got a full night now that maybe 4 is just the new 8 and I have gotten used to it.  I DO feel different in the morning.  Oh so hard to wake up at 6 when I was just up 4 hours ago trying to get a little one to go back to sleep!

Well, we sign more papers tonight.  If all goes well, then we are set to close on the 23rd.  Yes, that is one week from today.  And no, we have not started packing.  I am still scared!  We will start this week if it looks like all is going well.  Thanksgiving week will be a whirlwind - pray we will not be to stressed.  We are going out of town right in the midst of it all.  Anyone want to help us move/clean the weekend of the 28th?  Come on, you know you want to!!

Let me see, 9:33am.  I think bbq chicken pizza for lunch which means I need to put the dough in the bread machine in the next 30 minutes.  Oooh, that is if I have bbq sauce...hold on, let me check........................ .......................................................yup, just enough.  k, good to get the decided.

I will close today with a prayer for all.  May God be with you all - through the joys and sorrows of this day and the week ahead.  Funny how this time of year thankfulness becomes almost a fad.  I am not saying it is a bad thing mind you...and I could be cliche and chastise us all for not being this way all year.  But I wont, I"ll just jump on the wagon and spend some extra time each day counting my blessings and wishing joy on those around me.    May you be filled with the ah-inspiring thankfulness this time of year helps us remember. 

And may I remember to buy eggs....