thank you

I am grateful.

For all that have. For all that I will have. and (for today at least) all that I have been through.

For having a best friend since junior high who was there to help me get through puberty, a marriage, a divorce, many bad haircuts, many bad decisions. She was there for my first loves, my heartbreaks and my current fairytale come true. My children rarely see her but they know their "Aunt" well because of how much I talk about her. I love knowing that she and I will still be friends when we are grey and crumbly.

For having my own bathroom that I only share with children when ABSOLUTELY necessary. I mean like going to wet my carpet necessary.

For having the Internet to find lost friends I've missed and to shop for items in China, London and Greece all from the comfort of my bed.

For having a high metabolism. I am active. I eat somewhat healthy. But I know that I don't have to work as hard to fit in my jeans if I want to eat ice cream sandwiches (yes that was plural) in the shower.

For getting an A in keyboarding as a freshman in high school. I can type really fast and this is comes in very handy in our electronic age. (also love spell check for when I'm fast but sloppy)

For having great neighbors. My neighbors are the kind you love to visit with and hang out with. We loan each other eggs, mow each others lawns (ok, they mow ours), but you don't feel obligated to go small talk when you're getting your mail. A wave will suffice and no one thinks its rude if you want to go hang out with your own family.

For having a flexible job. I still don't like my boss but for most part I can do my job without seeing her more than once a week. (She prefers to converse in email from her office which is 10 feet from my desk.) But there are some great people I've met. And if my kids are sick I can work from home without having to burn up vacation days. When you have 7 kids, this is a VERY VALUABLE job perk.

For caller i.d. I am on the phone most of my work days. Its nice to say "that can go to voicemail."

For lollipops. I've mentioned them before but they are such a small thing that can make me smile.

For the buffet of personalities in my children. They drive me nuts, crack me up, leave me pondering their observations and keep me up at night concerned for their futures. My soul is stirred up. It is invigorating.

For date night. For much needed adult time breaks from the above referenced buffet.

For enough money to feed my family, but the creativity to whip up a meal from a bare cupboard when the funds are running low. (Can you say pancake night?)

For books. I will never run out of books to read, to smell, to discuss, to underline, to quote and to use as decoration in my surroundings. Words are cool.

For blog comments. This is not a guilty plea for comments. I just find how much I enjoy others thoughts, feedback and yes I am even open to constructive criticism. I like to be engaged. It motivates me to leave comments for the many blogs I read as well.

Happy Tuesday. And yes, I can say that I am actually happy today.