Thankful and Appreciative.

     Some reflections.....
     I am so thankful I have a husband that respects and nurtures my feelings.  I appreciate all the times he builds me up (complimenting me for cooking or creating something, telling me he thinks I'm cute or smart or funny) or breaks my butt down (When I'm too wrapped up in my own problem at hand and don't notice his feelings).  I'm thankful I can always count on him and appreciate him treating me like his partner and team mate.
    I am thankful I can spend so much time with my kids and appreciate that Matt doesn't ask me to work more than weekends, even though it means cutting our budget and has seriously changed his toy collecting hobby.
     I am thankful I have 3 awesome children.  I appreciate their unique personalities which force me to stay on my toes!  I appreciate the love they have for each other and their parents. I even appreciate all my new gray hairs that I am sure are caused by them!
     I am thankful I have a good relationship with my Mom even though we are many states apart.  I appreciate her trips to see us and the cost of that travel, and the fact that she stays long enough for a good visit.
     I am thankful for brothers and sisters that stay close together despite crazy lives that pull us apart physically.  I appreciate that they visit and call me and that they allow me to get to know the special people in their lives.  I really appreciate that my Stepmother had a photographer at her wedding so I finally have a family picture!
    I am thankful for great in-laws.  I appreciate that my "in-loves" are close to my family and we can all get together for special occasions.  I appreciate all the wonderful things my mother-in-love does, but ESPECIALLY all the babysitting she does!  It's nice to have someone that loves your children help take care of them.
    I am thankful my bro-in-love picked an awesome wife.  I appreciate that she shares pictures and stories so we can be a part of their lives, even though we are far apart.  I look forward to hearing from her every day!
     I am thankful I had the time to spend with my Grandmother before she passed away this year.  I appreciate my husband soooo much for letting her live with us for the past few years and for letting her live her last days in her own bed, surrounded by loved ones.  I appreciate all my family members that helped me take care of her, sent her cards and called or visited her.  It cheered her and me up.
     I am thankful for my home.  I appreciate all the hard work my husband has put into it physically and by working to pay for it.  I appreciate the sacrifices he makes so we can have things like a new roof and furnace.
    I am thankful for a wonderful group of women on-line.  I appreciate your messages and comments even though you have busy lives.  Spending most of my time with toddlers, I look forward to seeing what you are all up to each day.  Your intelligent opinions, caring comments and hilarious writing (yes, that's Lori! She should write professionally!) keep me sane.
     I am thankful my family has seriously reduced our consumption.  I appreciate that everyone managed to handle a Thanksgiving without any paper plates, paper towels, paper napkins, water bottles or pop bottles/cans.  Everyone recycled, composted and saved their plastic silverware for the dishwasher so they can be reused.  I appreciate that this is not the usual order of business for most of them, but that they respect my desire to do so, without comments and with a smile!  You all rock!
     I have so many things to be thankful for, I could go on and on!  Life is good.