Thankful . . .

I am thankful for my kiddos. They love me unconditionally (even if one was mad at me when I made him put lip balm on his lips in the car pool line this morning because he "HATES that stuff! Argh!"!) They put up with my craziness, my OCD, my DIY whims and my mood swings!
Thankful for my husband who doesn't beat me when I bring home a 100+ pound foster dog for "just a little while" and he eats the seat off his scooter! He puts up with so much!
I am thankful for a job I love. I am thankful that I have been at my job for 21 years and panic at the thought of ever leaving. I love what I do. (I am not saying I always want to get up and go to work though . . . )I am thankful for friends new and old. When I began blogging in 1995, our family felt so incredibly alone raising a special needs child with attachment issues and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Blogging gave me a village of families who do this same hard work EVERY. FREAKING. DAY. They understand me, stand by me, pray for me, listen to my complaining, encourage me when I want to give up, and virtually hold me when I cry. I could not be more thankful for my community of Trauma Mamas!
I am thankful that while I joke that we are "poor" that we have a home to live in, a car to drive, clean water, and food to put on our table. It may not be easy, but we make ends meet.
I am thankful for my mother, step-father and his extended family. My mother's family is not close and his has taken us in as one of their own. I appreciate their love, support and prayers.

I am thankful for my fur babies. I love the snuggling, the wet doggie kisses, the cat head-butts, and the sweet head tilts that melt my heart and make me forget you just pooped in the foyer. (almost)