2014 - Thankful.... Day 1

Here we are again, in the month of Thanksgiving. I've neglected to seek out the positive in my life... often times taking it for granted. If it's a good day that I'm having, well then it goes by unnoticed... it's only the bad days when I can't help but stop and curse the world for all the wrong in my life. It's time I stop and reflect on all that is good. After all, this year has brought about SO MUCH GOOD for me. For US!

Day 1 - I'm thankful for warmth. There are all kinds... There's the warmth of the heart. The other day, I was checking in on the meal account for the girls, and my heart swelled, seeing the things that Ava chooses for her "extra" at school. My little girl used to be so small.... and now I envision her standing before an array of choices, and she chooses ice cream and pudding cups to top off her daily lunches. It's small, and may mean nothing to others. But I know my Ava, and these choices warm my heart.

Or yesterday, when I was rushing the girls into their school clothes, and struggling to find Victoria's glasses. I was running late, and my voice was rising and Victoria was frustrated because she couldn't help me find them. We found them, finally, lying on her bed - where she'd taken them off the night before to put her pajamas on. Then, at the LAST minute when I'm turning off lights and preparing to load up into the car, Victoria runs back into the dark house because she'd forgotten her breakfast. I told her to come ON! We're late! She comes sulking out of the house, head sunk low... when I asked her what she was doing, it was the sweetest answer... "I went to get my cheese crackers." Only when I went to help her find them, they weren't where she thought they were... so for the first time in forever, she went to school empty handed. (don't worry, they serve breakfast at daycare!)

Last night, I was scrambling to get the girls ready for Halloween. Stevie desperately wanted to wear the fake eyelashes, so she was hurrying to try to get them on. I'd never applied them before, so it was a learning experience for me, too. She was almost in tears because she couldn't get it, and I was REALLY hoping that my friend would show up who was much better at the whole makeup thing :P but she was running later than we'd expected. So I finished up the littles, and I turned to Stevie and said "here, let me help you." Oh, the warmth that comes with accomplishment... When you're able to do the things that your kids need you to do!

And at the end of the day, when my body is weary with exhaustion... after 8 hours of work have been accomplished... after walking the dog, and feeding the kids, and bathing them.... and tucking them into bed. When the world settles into sleep, and a chill sets into my bones.... there's nothing better than the warmth I find when I curl up next to Nico in the middle of our king sized bed. When his arms wrap around me and he tucks my cold feet next to him... This, is the greatest warmth of all.

Oh, how I am thankful - for all of it.