11: Brave.

It's easy to have something to be thankful for today.  The soldiers, sailors and servicemembers of our military have my deepest gratitude, respect and admiration today (and all days).

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." - Elmer Davis (award winning journalist & Franklin College alumnus)

10: Thursday nights.

Today I'm thankful for Thursday nights.  I've been taking a yoga class on Thursday evenings and it has quickly become something I look forward to all week.  I get 60ish minutes in a warm studio, all to myself, to do something I enjoy.  There are no outside distractions: no cell phones, TVs, kids crying/whining/yelling, dogs barking, horns honking...nada.  It's amazing.

9: The home stretch.

I'm SO thankful today to be in the final stretch before homecoming.  I can't share the details on dates (due to operational security) but I can say Paul will be home SOON!!  The past 6 months have been long and we are so very anxious to be back in Virginia, with our entire family together under one roof!!

8: Lunchtime.

Today I'm thankful for lunchtime -- a time when both kids (generally) are in good moods, ready to eat whatever gourmet meal I set before them (HA!) and we unwind before naptime. 

And every child needs at least a few pictures of a messy spaghetti face, right?  Amelia calls it "sta-tetti" and I die of cuteness.

7: A bright new day!

This morning I feel like a brand new person!!  It's amazing what a solid night of sleep can do for you.  Today I'm grateful for Daylight Savings Time, and the smooth adjustment my kids made to the new time.  Given my under-the-weatherness on Saturday night, I sort of forgot about the extra hour of sleep (probably because I didn't get any) and am happy to report both kids woke up at a semi-normal time for them, under the time change.  So yay for that!  I woke up this morning and it was light outside...and that?  Is wonderful.

I have a feeling it's going to be a great week!

6: The bad days.

Who was next on the list for Mr. Flu?  Me.  I feel horrible for Amelia, only because now I know exactly how she felt on Thursday night while she was sick.  I have never felt so awful in my entire life.

So today, I'm thankful for the bad days, which serve as a reminder that the good days far outnumber the bad.

5: Weekends.

I have always loved the weekends -- a time for resting, relaxing, shopping and spending lots of time together as a family.  Of course, now that we're missing an extremely important part of our family, weekends are a bit bittersweet.  Paul and I are putting together a family bucket list, made up of all sorts of activities we want to enjoy as a family once he's back.  Lucky for us, the holidays will be in full swing when he's home, so there will be many opportunities to get out of the house and enjoy our time together.  And, with over 2 weeks of leave (vacation), it will be lots of "weekend" time when he's home!!

4: Sleep

Last night Amelia had her first run-in with the flu.  It was horrible, awful and I felt so helpless.  We were up all night because she was so uncomfortable and so sick. 

So today, I'm thankful for the sleep we do manage to get.  Both of my babies have been pretty good sleepers for the most part, and I'm thankful because I am NOT good on little sleep.  I need at least 6 hours, preferrably 8, though motherhood had definitely shown me I can function with even less than that!

She is feeling better today, so now we just wait and see who is next on the flu bug's list.

3: The parents.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm extremely close to my parents.  When we're not all under the same roof, it is not uncommon to speak multiple times a day.  Unhealthy?  Some might think that, but not me. 

There's nothing I can do or say (or buy) to thank my parents for their support and love and help over the past several months.  They've kept me sane when both kids have been sick, they've let me enjoy a couple of hours to myself, they've been there to give me a reality check when needed (and I've needed one more than once).  I love the way they love me, but even moreso, I love the way they love my babies.  There's nothing like watching your parents love your children...

These pics are wayyyyy old...taken the day Paul and I left Indiana after we got married and moved to our new home in Virginia.  Lots of tears shed that day!!

2: The husband.

Today I'm thankful for my husband.  We've known each other for 14 years, have been together almost 10 (in January) and next month we'll celebrate 7 years of marriage.  It hasn't always been easy...there have been some pretty awful moments in the past 10 years, but I'm proud of us and how we've stuck together instead of grown apart.  He balances me out -- the perfect Type B to my Type A neuroticism.

I miss him every day, every moment he's been gone the past 6 months, and cannot wait to see him again in a few short (actually, long) weeks.

A month of gratitude.

Oh, hello there blog.  I bet you thought I'd completely forgotten you!!  Sorry about that.

In celebration of NOVEMBER (yay!) and in an attempt to resume somewhat regular blogging, I'm choosing to copy so many others who are giving thanks all month long, by finding something to be thankful for every day.  And it wouldn't be me without being a bit late...so today I have 3 posts, for the 1st 3 days of November.

Today I'm thankful for my 2 littles.  They make me smile, they make me cry, they make me stress out until I feel every hair on my head would be gray (if it weren't for regular hair appointments of course).  I never pictured myself as a mother when I was in high school and college, and never had that deep maternal instinct until much later.  But now?  I cannot imagine what my life would be without them.  They have changed every single facet of me, and I cannot thank God enough for choosing me to be their momma.