I Am Thankful

August Samuel woke us all up at 6:30 this morning singing his favorite Thanksgiving songs. At the top of his lungs. For a few weeks now he has been practicing for his Thanksgiving Feast (he could only pick one guest though and that was of course Grandpa Sammy). He loves "Hello Mr. Turkey" and "I'm a Little Turkey" and I love those songs too. But I have to admit, when he sings "I am Thankful" and says that he is thankful for his Mommy and his Daddy and his friends, my heart melts. Auggie Boy loves big. Always has. And I am so thankful for him.

Aug's morning serenade got my mind going and little did he know, he completely changed my mood and outlook. Maybe he should start my day more often. Yesterday I felt grouchy and stressed. I am behind on school work (inevitably forever), behind on house work (also inevitably forever) and just some other stuff happened that put me in a funk. What a nice way to start this week of Thanksgiving. Grumpy and un-grateful. 

But not today. Today as I drove to school with Auggie's little yet loud voice in my head, I decided not today or the rest of this week or the rest of this holiday season. I have an over abundance of things to be thankful for and that is what I am going to concentrate on. There. Take that bad mood. 

I am incredibly thankful for my husband. Ladies, get you a man that puts up with your busy schedule, makes sure your littles are happy, picks up the house, and doesn't forget to send you pictures at bedtime because he knows you are missing them. He makes me laugh, he always seeks what is best for our family, and he lets me do pretty much whatever brings me joy. Does he put away his laundry? No. But do I love him more today than yesterday? Yes. Always yes. 

I am thankful for my babies. My Emery and my Auggie and my Bennett. I have sat here staring at the screen trying to put into words what they mean to me. How much they have taught me. Words to describe the measure in which I love them. And there are no words that do them justice. 

I am thankful for their laughs, their unique personalities, their health, their unconditional love. I fail at this whole Mom-thing a lot. But they just keep loving me through it. 

I am thankful for the lessons that they teach me daily and for their contagious joy and happiness. I am so excited to celebrate this holiday season with them.

This year I am thankful for help. Not that I haven't always been thankful for help but my goodness I have had to rely on my village a whole lot this year. And it really, really does take a village. My help mostly consists of my family--my mom and Doug's mom (of course Sammy too) do so so much for us. But aunts, good friends, our babysitter, coworkers--people who are busy themselves, have graciously helped too and wanted nothing in return. I hope I can someday return the favor. 

I am thankful for my girlfriends. My pal lives too far away but I am lucky to say that some of my best friends live just a mile through the woods. Some are always there for a laugh, some are always there for prayer and some are always there for a good mom-rant. I have been taught life changing lessons by them, I have been kept accountable by them, I have been pushed to become a better me by them. Friendship has treated me well this year and I look forward to new memories and fun.

I am thankful for my job. I can honestly say that I look forward to coming to work everyday. Okay--I hate getting up and I hate grading papers, but those things pale in comparisson when it comes to all the other parts of my job. This week I had my sophomores journal about what they were thankful for and I smiled when I read that I had made some of their lists. And now they have made mine. I get to teach giving, passionate, hard working, talented and funny kids (They drive me crazy too. Don't worry.) This school year has been really good for me and my family. My job is an example of God's timing and plan for my life and I am very thankful to be a Bulldog.

This holiday season, I am thankful for memories.  A student and cheerleader of mine sadly lost her Mother this past week. I cannot imagine. And while my heart broke for her, I found myself transported back to August. Back to funeral arrangements and the overwhelming exhaustion that comes from crying through heartache yet smiling through happy memories. I hadn't cried for my Grandma in a few months but grief hit me hard last week. I miss her and this holiday season will be our first without her. But I have my memories. As the first snow fell last week, and Auggie excitedly asked us if it was Christmas, I thought about what this Christmas will be like without her. She worried about her food being good enough or her gift being just right--but I wish she would have known that absolutely none of that mattered. Those aren't my cherished memories. She brought me so many happy memories that I am thankful for and I promise to make traditions and happy memories with my babies in honor of her.

None of my thankful list would exist if if were not for my Lord and Savior. I am thankful for His patience, His unending love, His promises and His perfect plan. God has given me a life greater than I could have asked for and even though I fall short every single day, I know I am seen and heard and loved. Oh so loved. 

I am thankful for my pink robe with pockets full of toys, missing socks and dirty kid Kleenexes. I am thankful for coffee and strong tea, kitchen dance parties, a good nights sleep, morning snuggles (with either Auggie or Douglas) and wine with supper on Thursdays. I am thankful for so many little things and clearly so many big things too. 

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. With a thankful heart, I plan on just enjoying.