I am thankful

As Turkey Day Thanksgiving approaches, I feel like I should probably share the things (and people!) I'm very thankful.

And honestly, I will never be able to sum up all the things I'm thankful for. The list would be longer than the Internet would ever allow. Truly.

But I'll give it a go anyway.

I'm thankful for my children and husband. Obviously. They're the three most precious people in my life, and every second with them is a blessing. I do not take them for granted for one single second.

I'm thankful for how understanding and progressive J is. I'm thankful he's so chameleon-like and adaptable to meet all of our needs. I'm thankful he is such a sweet, passionate, and attentive husband. And I'm thankful that he's an even better papa.

I'm thankful that my two brilliant children are healthy. That despite concussions and split chins, even despite lead poisoning, I have two children who are strong and overall healthy.

I am so thankful for an amazing (ex) step-dad who has truly stepped up to the plate and been there for J and I, and has been such an amazing Grandpa to my two little babes. Every day I am thankful that he took on a role in our lives that he certainly didn't have to take.

I am thankful for my baby sister. I am thankful that I can talk to her about anything and everything without fear of judgment, even when we vehemently disagree. I'm thankful that she's made herself an available person in my children's lives and that she loves them nearly as much as I do.

I am thankful for a ridiculous amount of friends who have really pulled through and shown their true colors when needed. The friends who helped out during my lowest points of B's lead poisoning. The friends who have done small acts of pure kindness that have brought the biggest of smiles to my face. The friends who have been there for me, any day or night, when I've needed them. Sometimes I forget that I have so many friends who truly do care, so thank you for continually reminding me.

I am thankful for all the books, people and websites who have shown me this beautiful way of parenting my children gently, peacefully, and non-punitively. I don't think I would have truly ever believed that a child could be raised without punishment, but all ready I know. And it works so well and keeps us all connected and in harmony. And for all that information, I am grateful and thankful. I am a better mom, and my children will be better human beings for it.

I am thankful for mommy nights out with a great group of ladies who keep me sane on this adventure.

I am thankful for the ability and the resources to purchase healthful and whole foods. And the time to make my children and husband nutritious and real food meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Sometimes I forget that that is truly a luxury.

I am thankful that some days, when I feel a little overwhelmed by financial obligations and the other things they call "life," I'm able to step back and help others out instead. And then my meager problems don't seem like such a big deal when I'm able to give to others.

I am thankful for the ability to be home with my sweet babes each day. I am thankful to be in such a fortunate position that I don't have to leave them with a nanny or in daycare/school if I don't wish to do so, but instead can be there. Until they tell me to "go away" anyway.

I'm thankful for Netflix. I can be totally materialistic here. I'm thankful it has old school shows I'm enjoying after the babes are in bed. And I'm thankful it has "The Magic School Bus" which is totally educational enough to make me happy to let H & B watch it, but is just boring enough that they rarely ask to watch more than one episode in a day.

I'm thankful that I somehow tripped into this hippie lifestyle, and that I'm continuously learning and embracing more of it. It keeps me frugal, honest, and healthy.

But really, I'm just thankful to be alive, still a part of this awesome journey, voyaging forward with the beautiful family God helped me to find, learning every day from all the wonderful people around me.