I’m thankful that yesterday I had over 100 wishes / messages / emails / phone calls / hugs / songs to celebrate my birthday. I’m thankful that when I walked in the back door Sophie yelled “It’s YOU birthday!” and did a little jig. I’m thankful that my mom made my most favorite dinner and that I got some pretty special gifts. I’m thankful that Ella monopolized the dinner conversation as usual. I’m thankful that I’m really only 33, even though I spent the entire day thinking I was 34. I’m thankful that I left my parents’ house with a to-go plate for lunch today, may the carb-fest never end!
I’m thankful that I came home with my precious family to our little rock house. I’m thankful that no matter how high the thermostat reads, it’s always a little chilly in the fall and winter. I’m thankful for the creaking floors and cracked walls. I’m thankful that we only have one bathroom because it means we all have to squeeze in there together. I’m thankful for the endless loads of unfinished laundry because it means that three very special people share my home. I’m thankful for the obnoxiously large dog asleep on the couch because no matter how bad my day is, she is always happy to see me. I’m forever thankful for this tiny house because she is where we brought our babies home to live.
I’m thankful for toddler cries in the middle of the night because she wanted me. I’m thankful that even though I didn’t sleep well last night, she was snuggled in the middle elbowing me in the ribs. I’m thankful for the soft snores of a big girl who never even woke up when I rescued her sister from bad dreams. I’m thankful for her sassy mouth because it means she’s opinionated, independent and not afraid. I’m thankful that when asked today at school what she was thankful for, she said family.
I’m thankful that when I lay down at night, it’s beside the most amazing man I’ve ever known. I’m thankful that after 17 years he still wants to wake up next to me every morning, even when I infuriate him. I’m thankful that he has a sense of humor and can laugh at himself, because I would make life far too serious on my own. I’m thankful that even when he wants to roll over and ignore me, he fights back and indulges my idiocy. I’m thankful that he doesn’t mind when I steal his socks or wear his t-shirts to bed. I’m thankful that even at my messiest, he loves me. I’m thankful that when I walk in the door today, he’ll look at me like yesterday never even happened.
I have more to be thankful for than most and I take it for granted every single day. My life is filled with love and joy and I ignore it sometimes. I am surrounded by the most incredible people every day of my life and I don’t stop to tell them. I pray that God would open my eyes to the matchless beauty around me and help me to really appreciate the gifts that I’ve been given. I don’t want to take them for granted for another second.
