30 Days of Thanksgiving in 30 Minutes

A lot of my friends on Facebook have been posting something they are thankful for each day in the month of November, in honor of Thanksgiving. I didn’t really want to do it every day, but I want people to know that I have a massive amount of things to be thankful for this year. I’m sure I can think of thirty. Here goes, in NO particular order...

1.) The Internet. Oh sure, laugh, but chances are, if you’re reading this, you’d freak out a little if you woke up one morning and found you weren’t able to log on.

2.) My Dogs. Max and Mattie are such awesome pets and they’ve never once been aggressive to the kids. Max lets Charlie tug on his eyebrows without so much as a growl, and Mattie even tolerates Jamie trying to ride her like a pony.

3.) Our House. So many people aren’t fortunate enough to have their own home.

4.) Tyler’s Job. Even when time’s get hard, his job is set up in a way that makes it easy to recoup.

5.) My In-Laws. I have heard some stories you would not believe about other people’s in-laws, and even compared to the more tame stories, my in-laws are excellent. Having un-crazy family members is always a super plus. Steve, Tracy, and Ryan would do anything for our family, and I’m so thankful knowing that.

6.) My extended in-law family. They’re all amazing. I can’t believe I’ve known them all for so long now. I’m completely aware that a lot of people don’t even have family and I appreciate how they treat me like one of their own and are all so great with the kids. I’m thankful for Betty, Lauren, Kenny, Wendy, Andy, Matt, Hunter, Mike, Leanna, and Maggie.

7.) My soon to be sister-in-law. As sister-in-laws go, (and first sisters, in my case) I don’t think my brother-in-law could’ve found anyone more awesome. Not only is she everything I love in a woman, (smart, strong, sarcastic, snarky, hard-headed^_~) but she makes SURE to make time for our family, despite the fact that her and Ryan have unbelievably hectic schedules. I love her already.

8.) Starbucks. Oh cinnamon dulce latte and caramel brule latte, how many morning have you kept me perky?

9.) Snuggle Time with my boys. There’s almost nothing as awesome as the moments when the guys slow down long enough for me to hold them.

10.) My Childhood. Again, I know a lot of people who had a totally messed up childhood and I am thankful EVERY day for the chances and childhood I was given.

11.) My Parents. Not only were they awesome then, they’re still awesome now.

12.) My Brother. I wish I got to see him more, but having a younger brother is one of the coolest things I’ve ever had in my life. ^_~ I’ll never forget the moment in the ICU this year, when I talked to him on the phone. It will affect me forever.

13.) Erin. It means sooo much to me that my brother has found such and sweet girl that loves him, that he loves, too. I want only the best for my little brother, and she’s the best.

14.) Flip Flops. Yeah, seriously. I might kill over right now, if someone told me I could never wear them again.

15.) Photographs. My memory gets worse and worse with each child, and I’m gonna need all of these photos to look back on these times... even if I do take a ridiculous amount.

16.) Assys. A group of fabulous girls that I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know over the last year and a half. It’s important to have friends who understand exactly where you are in life. I’ll never forget these girls and the things they have given me and friendships we’ve formed, as long as I live.

17.) Old Friends. So many people don’t keep in touch on a regular basis with people they knew in high school, let alone middle or elementary school. Sandy and Desiree are still my 2 best friends and they’re more like sisters than anything else. I love all of my high school buddies.

18.) New Friends. Emily, Erika, Jessi, Jesse, and so forth and so on. I know they aren’t really that new of friends, at this point, but compared with the middle school friends... well, you get the idea. I love you guys, and I’m really thankful to have you in my life.

19.) Andrea and Jeremy. Friends, neighbors, family, saints, call them whatever you like. They’re amazing and I really don’t know where we’d be without them. Jeremy rushed to the hospital straight from work to pick up the boys so that my husband AND mom were able to stay with me. Andrea stayed with my mother-in-law to help her watch the boys during that time, and that’s just one example each of the MANY things they’re done for us.

20.) Brandon, Brittanye, and Bailey. After having a new baby, I was lonely not knowing anyone else with a baby. Then here comes Tyler’s best friend dating a girl with a baby Jamie’s age! And she’s fabulous. I’m so glad that they became a family and I’m totally grateful that they’re still a part of our lives.

21.) My Shows. I love having something to distract me on television when I finally get a chance to take a break at home.

22.) The Holidays. I love them. They make me warm and fuzzy.

23.) Nanny. If you have met my nanny, then you know why I’m so thankful for her. She’s amazing and everyone wants her for their very own.

24.) I’m thankful that my uncle is trying really hard to conquer his addiction, even if it’s difficult and even if he sometimes makes mistakes. It makes the whole family so much happier, especially Nanny.

25.) Jessica. The day I found out Jessica was going to have a baby, too, it put a whole new awesome meaning to our relationship. I’m so amazed by her and thankful that she’s my cousin.

26.) My extend family is the bomb. Great Aunts and Uncles, cousins, 3rd cousins twice removed. You probably can’t find a family more fabulous than mine.

27.) Tyler.

28.) Jamie and Charlie. I feel like it’s pretty obvious why I’m grateful for the last two numbers.

29.) The Flood. Bear with me here. It may sound crazy to be thankful for that ridiculous flood, but if it hadn’t happened, Tyler wouldn’t have been off of work to take me immediately to the ER, and he would’ve come home to find me dead and the boys all alone in the house without me. Every nurse, doctor, and specialist said that if we had waited even 5 more minutes, I would’ve been dead for certain.

30.) The thing I am clearly the most thankful for this year, is that, for some reason, God saw fit to leave me on this earth to take care of my children and help them learn and grow. I was so scared of everything I would miss and I know, I KNOW, that all of the prayers that were pouring my way played a huge part in why I’m here today. I am just so grateful to be alive.