Giving Thanks

I have about a hundred new blog posts in my brain.  Since today is the Thanksgiving holiday, however, I will put those aside and give a nod to a holiday that is all about giving thanks.  And turkey.  And carbs.  Lots of carbs.  And bourbon pecan pie.  Have I mentioned how much I love bourbon?  And pecan pie?  Put the two together and. . . well. . . let's just say heaven on a pie plate.

Because I am taking over my husband's precious computer to write this post and he is on the verge of an apoplectic fit from technology withdrawal, I need to make this short and sweet.  Therefore, I've decided to do a "top ten" list of things for which I give thanks (in no particular order).

(1)  My children, Henry and Goose.

God has blessed me with two healthy, happy, and wonderful children.  I love both of them with the fierceness only a mother can.  They each have their own perfectly unique and distinct personalities (which are two of the aforementioned blog posts -- stay tuned for further details).  They each make me laugh.  They have each brought me to tears.  They have each made me frustrated to the point of a nervous breakdown.  And they have each filled my heart so full that I fear it may burst.

(2)  My parents, Sherry and David.

I owe my parents for so very much, not the least of which is giving me life and raising me to adulthood without actually killing me (and there were many times that homicide would have been justified given my behavior.  Sorry Mom.  Sorry Dad.)  I still think my father is the smartest man on Earth.  I continue to run to my mother first when I need comfort.  And I love them.

(3)  My brothers and sister.

I just spent a lot of time introducing my brothers and sister.  The oldest of this motley crew, I still feel somewhat responsible for them.  I love David's laugh, Megan's wit, and Michael's sarcasm.  I miss my brother David so much it hurts -- it just isn't right when he isn't sitting at the kids' table with me (yes, I am still relegated to the kids' table on occasion).  Michael and I shared a lot of laughter tonight while my sister helped me immensely by corralling my children so I could shove some food in my mouth in peace.  Thank God for them.

(4)  My friends.

These are just a few of my girlfriends, without whom I would not be able to survive.  These women have literally saved my sanity.  They have supported me, prayed with me, fought for me, laughed with me, and loved me.  I am so thankful to have such strong women in my life.

(5)  My job.

Oddly enough, the only photo I can find of my office is one I took when Henry was just a couple of weeks old and I took him into the office so I could catch up on my emails and voicemails while he slept in his pack and play.  Pitiful.  Anyway, I am one of the few lucky people who actually looks forward to going into the office every Monday morning.  I have interesting cases, clients who are also friends, and partners who I respect and trust.

(6)  Cyber friends.

This is a picture of me and two of my "Mommy Board" friends.  I joined a website for new mothers when I found out I was expecting Goose nearly 9 years ago.  A small group of us split from the large website and have spent the past 9 years on a different website, sharing everything about nearly every aspects of our lives, including our marriages, our children, our family and our friends.  Basically, these women know more about me than virtually anyone else.  I seek their counsel often and have found myself both offering a cyber shoulder to cry on and leaning on my "internet girlfriends" in times of trouble.  I have a separate group of women I met when I found out I was pregnant with Henry.  I find myself checking in with them multiple times a day.  Even though I haven't met some of these women in real life, I consider them my dear friends.

(7)  Blue skies, white sand and clear water.

I am never happier than I am while sitting by the sea shore.  Enough said.

(8)  Bourbon.

Is it sad that bourbon made my top ten list?  I will ponder that when I have more time and my husband isn't breathing over my shoulder, waiting for me to log off so he can have his Mac back.

(9)  My Nana.

My Nana was such a huge part of my life.  I often described her as my second mother because of the nature of our relationship.  She loved me with the fierceness that I described above.  And I miss her so.  My son held her hand, just days before she died.

I would give anything to feel her touch again, even if only for a brief moment.

(10)  My husband.

Whit is a good man.  He handles all things technical in our household.  He takes out the trash, kills roaches and keeps the gas tank for the grill full. Not only is he a good man, Whit is a phenomenal father.

What more could a girl want?

Today is Thanksgiving.  And I am giving thanks.