Thanksgiving. Giving Thanks.

Thanksgiving is always a mixed feelings kind of day for me. It's generally about being thankful for what you have and knowing that someone else has a lot less. And also wishing you could share some of what you have, with someone who doesn't have it.

On the morning of thanksgiving, while I was cleaning up, I realized my boys were fighting a lot worse than usual. Not only that, but it seemed like they were enjoying it. Purposely tormenting each other. I'd never been through this as the parent before so I took a deep breath, said a quick prayer...and opened my mouth without the faintest clue of what might come out.

I did feel led to certain phrases and it did seem to work. I am very thankful that my children have the gift of reasoning. I'm not very thankful that my children have long memories. We played a game after this as I was done with the housework but we weren't ready to leave yet for the in-law's. I went first and I mentioned all the things (big and small) that I'm thankful for. Then I asked each child what they were thankful for.

It really made me think. Really. I was thankful for things for myself (and my family) I hadn't thought to be thankful for anyone else. My 5 year old said this:

"I'm thankful for my brother! [apparently the talk we had was still fresh in his mind] and my mommy, and my daddy, and Dusten, and Katie. And I'm thankful for this house even though it's too small and has stairs because there are people that don't have houses at all! I wish everyone in the world was able to have a house, even if they had to share with someone else"

I'm very grateful to have what we do have. I'm grateful to have a caring husband who is supportive of nearly everything I do (he naturally isn't supportive of me taking on so much that I crack at the seams), that works hard to provide for us, that loves us and shows how much he loves us every day. I'm grateful that he finally found a new job. I'm grateful that we have a running vehicle. I'm grateful we have health insurance, even if it is medicaid. I'm grateful that while I sit here missing my most recent angel, that I have 3 healthy angels upstairs sleeping right now. I'm grateful to have a family that has my best interest at heart and so many caring wonderful friends, who I've met over the years through pregnancy, healthy living, even trying to learn how to care for my hair better.

I'm grateful to be alive, and to have so many loved ones still with me. It doesn't get much better than this :)