More Days Of Thanks . . .

I keep forgetting to come here, after I post my thanks to Facebook.  So today is my catchup day!

Day 8:  I am thankful for the amazing schools my children are in. After talking to other people, I realize how truly lucky they are. They have been blessed with wonderful teachers, made some fabulous friends, are constantly learning, and are experiencing new things daily.

Day 9:  Today I am thank for my 2 oldest and dearest friends. Like I said before, I have some AMAZING friends. I am truly blessed. But there is something to be said for childhood friends who CHOOSE to stick around!

I am VERY thankful for Laura Harp-Biven. I say quite often that she’s the only good thing for me that came out of high school. If you know me well, you know that I try to block those 4 years from my memory as often as possible. But if it hadn’t been for AHS, I would have missed out on a Once In A Lifetime friendship with someone who has always loved me more than I’ve loved myself, has never said an unkind word to me and will take on anyone who does, has spent years trying to build up my self-esteem, and has “had my back” for the last 30+ years. I love you more than you’ll ever know.  And I am also very thankful for Sandy Mueller Arnold who’s stuck by me for 20+ years. We’ve had our share of ups and downs, but I think it’s only made us love and appreciate each other more. Our kids adore each other, our husbands even like each other , and we grow closer every year. She was there for me nonstop while we were living in China. If anything, I think a year of being 1000′s of miles apart, only made our friendship much stronger and deeper. She makes me laugh when I need it, she gives me a shoulder to cry on, she’s my confidant and my therapist. I love you. Thanks for always being there for me.

Day 10:  Today I am thankful for my wonderful Grandma. She is the most amazing person I’ve ever known. She always loved me unconditionally, and never expected me to be anything but ME. She never tried to change me, never talked down to me, never said anything unkind to me, always tried to make me see the good things in myself, and made me feel like I was the most important person in the world. She could talk your ear off, guess I get that from her , but she was always listening, and never missed something important that you told her. She was the first person I went to when I was sad; when I was excited; when I was scared; when I just needed to know that someone was there for me. Even though she’s been gone 14 years, I still think about her constantly. I see her gentleness and her smile in Jason, her sensitivity and awareness of others in Andrew, her non-judgemental attitude and love of talking in Sarah.  The greatest compliment I ever get is when people tell me that I remind them of her. She was my idol. She IS my idol, and I miss her SO much, but I know she’s looking down from Heaven, and I hope I’m making her proud. I love you Grandma.

Day 11:  Today I am thankful for all the Veteran’s who have served our country. Thank you for your courage.

Day 12:  Today I am thankful for my job. Because even though the weather is nasty and I know I’ll be in and out of the car, I am still looking forward to spending the day with my clients while showing houses. I am also thankful for the amazing people I get to work with at the office~you’re not just my co-workers, you’re my friends.

Day 13:  Today I am thankful for my cousins. All 18 of them! I was very blessed to grow up in a family where I have LOTS of cousins. Some of my greatest memories are of summers spent in Lebanon attending cheerleader camp and going to swim meets; family picnics in Lebanon having our Jarts tournaments; Christmas Eve in Mt. Washington, watching the cars coming down the street, and HOPING they were coming to us so we could start our festivities; trips to Kings Island for our birthday. Yes, we were, ARE, very lucky. My cousins ROCK, and I love you all. 

Day 14:  Today I am thankful for my wonderful aunts and uncles. They say it takes a village, and I think they’re right. We’ve been very blessed to have amazing aunts and uncles that have always been there for us, cheered us on, loved us, and helped us grow into respectable, dependable, and responsible adults.

Day 15:  Today I am thankful for the WONDERFUL Teachers that my children have had over the years. It truly DOES take a village, and our village has been amazing. We’ve been very lucky to have some of the best teachers around, and I see my children learn new things, new ideas, and new ways to face the world, with every passing year. I know I couldn’t do your job, that’s why I send them to you , so not just today, but EVERY day, I am thankful for you and all you do.

Day 16:  Today I am thankful for my neighbors. I grew up in an amazing neighborhood, and my goal was to find the same for my kids. Third times the charm. We have wonderful neighbors that have become our friends. They look out for us and our kids and they take care of things while we’re gone. I’m glad I finally found my Casualwood!  

Day 17:  I am thankful that I have parents and a brother that I enjoy being with, and they enjoy their time with me. I hope my kids feel the same way when they become adults. Today I get to spend the morning with Mom at Male’s Craft Fair, and then Mom, Dad, and Scott are all coming to Andrew’s basketball game today. I truly am blessed to have been born into such a wonderful family.

Day 18:  Today I am thankful for the early morning moments when everyone else is still sleeping. The house is quiet and peaceful. Catching up on work and play on the computer. Christmas music playing on iTunes. A Diet Coke, (or 2 or 3), to start the morning off right.

Yes, today I am thankful for the little things. Because the little things all add up to one very big thing – a WONDERFUL LIFE with an amazing husband who works hard to make the best life for all of us and loves me despite all my flaws, phenomenal kids who always keep me on my toes and love me unconditionally, amazing family that is always there when I need them, and the best friends a girl could ask for.  Yes, I truly am blessed. Not just today. Not just this month. But EVERY day. And this “I’m Thankful For” Month, has made me realize just how lucky I really am!

Day 19:  Today I am thankful for quiet nights at home watching movies.