The kids are slowly dismantling my freshly cleaned house, the brined bird is cooking faster than I want it to, the garage has a funny smell, the tv is blaring, and the guest list for dinner tonight keeps shrinking and expanding. So I thought I'd stop and take a minute to list a few of the little things I'm happy for this day of all thankful days:
Charlotte is eating cereal and prunes right now, as I type and serve at the same time, needing me to nurse less often (hip hip hooray)
The fact that I can type and serve at the same time
A clean house
A clean house with one isolated mess of markers and crayons and scissors and glue and marker mess all over the floor, and just when I'm about to pop my top, the child looks up and hands me the creation and says innocently, "Mommy, this is for you."
Checking off things on my to-do list (even when I add things at the top that I've already done like "Get up" and "Make list")
That silent first moment when both girls are asleep for a nap, when it happens, miracle of miracles
My friends here that call me just to see if they can stop by (they call before they stop by and it gives me 5 minutes to pick up before they get here -- they are truly wonderful friends)
a fire in the fireplace
There isn't a Cort-shaped hole in my front door, no running away screaming when I'm frustrated and irritable
When my kids get better after being sick -- it's so wonderful to see their energy bounce back
Finding wrapped, unused gum in the car console
Charlotte sucks her thumb -- I love that
Sleeping in clean sheets
The minute when Cort gets home, even if things get crazier soon after
When my kids thank me for the meal I made -- what a difference "thank you" can make (hmm, can't remember saying thank you to my mom for her meals. Oops.)
That feeling of accomplishment I get after a really long walk, even if my hip is sore or my feet hurt
When Cort and I are on the couch watching Letterman and he absentmindedly rubs my feet
When Claire takes her pacifier out, throws it on the bed, and says, "I don't use that. I'm a big girl."
The world of imagination my kids live in before school days, homework, and "cool"ness
When my oldest proved to me he can empty the dishwasher and fold clothes, what a moment that was
The art my kids come home with -- some of it is framed
When during night time ritual, I got an extra squeeze and one of my kids whispered secretly, "You're the one I love the most." (I'll never tell which one)
Each of my kids and the darnedest things they say
Cort's dicing celery and onions while I sit here and blog -- mental note: I have to stop and go help!
Since we don't travel much (at all this year), I love flying to different locales via the blogworld and visiting my much loved friends and seeing what they're up to. Even if I don't comment, ladies, I am visiting and I miss you!
Daydreaming of the future and it feels like we're on a good path
I could go on and on. I joked the other day that my life went from Norman Rockwell to Edvard Munch in the span of about a week (traffic ticket, sick kids, feeling overwhelmed and crying and screaming -- all by me) -- but I am thankful for all the problems I have, I don't think I could handle anyone else's.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Some of you know how hard to get a perfect picture with 4 smiles and faces moving, so I could only narrow it down to two.
2 comments:
Love it! I am so thankful for you and your beautiful family ~ have a super week!
C
Okay, first - when are you coming to Houston? Seriously.
Second, I love your list. I laughed out loud on the to do list items of "get up" and "make list." You are awesome.
I need more of that awesomeness. Please come visit Houston. I think Court's family (or whoever it is that lives by us) really misses you guys.
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