Ten Things I'm Grateful For...

(Re-post from April 30, 2012)

After a rough few days.... I've decided to take "The 10 things I'm Grateful For" challenge as issued by You Know it Happens at Your House Too.

I thought I'd have to really think about this, but luckily I know what I'm grateful for!  I happily could fill more than ten spots.
Here are my 10:

1.  First and foremost, I'm grateful to have God in my life.  I know not everyone is a believer.  I'm thankful that I am and that I could feel how much my relationship with Christ has grown over the past 10 years.  Without Him in my life, none of the rest of this would even be possible.  I truly, completely believe this.

2.  My hubby.  This man is truly a gift from God to me.  I am no piece of cake.  I'm spoiled, moody, impulsive and pretty much a total whack job - and he loves me anyway.  He doesn't try to change me.  He lets me be me.  I couldn't ask for more.

3.  My beautiful, wonderful, amazing children.  I am so incredibly proud of my kids.  My son is the light of my life.  He has proven to me that not only is there a light at the end of a very difficult tunnel, but it shines even brighter every day!  I always knew my son was a shining star - but he's surpassed all of my expectations.  He makes me so proud!

My daughter is also an amazing bright shining star.
She hasn't required a whole lot of elbow grease (yet) but give her time, she's only 9.  She's smart, beautiful & she's got an amazing heart full of love.  She has shown so much love and compassion to every single child that has come through our home without a hint of jealousy.  (Well, maybe once or twice.)  It truly makes me proud to see her interact with these kids.
She is such a good girl with a beautiful soul!

And last, but not least, my little chickadee.  I may not have given birth to this beautiful little angel, but she's MINE.  I hope one day we will have the opportunity to make that official.  For the time being, she lights up our house with her bubbly, bouncy little personality.  She amazes me in the way that someone, who's been through so much at such a young age, still draws pictures of rainbows & flowers.  Smiles big smiles & gives great big hugs.

4.  With chickadee in mind, I am also thankful for the opportunity to be a foster parent.  I love kids.  I would have had like 5 of them if my body agreed, but this was clearly God's plan for me - and I love this too.  In this, I'm also thankful for being given the gift to relate to kids who need love, attention and proper guidance.
I love being able to make a difference - even if it's a small one.

5.  I'm thankful for my amazing friends.  I may not hang in a giant group of friends, but I don't need to.  I have Lynne who I've been friends with since 8th grade, as well as my other "forever friends" and friends I've re-acquainted with (thank you, Facebook) whom I forgot how much I loved and missed until I saw them again.  I've got Trish and my "mommy friends."  These are the most amazing and wonderful women I could ever ask for.  Muwahh ... kisses to you all!

6.  I'm thankful for this blog and for all of you reading.  Believe me, I know some of the stuff I post leaves you thinking... What the heck did I just read??  I know there are days I get all gushy and emotional, sometimes totally pissed off and ranting, but sometimes - just sometimes - I've got something good to say that makes a difference.  Also to all of my fellow bloggers.  I've learned so much from you & I love this little bloggie community!  So thank you all, you wonderful people!

You do know this is sarcasm, right?

7.  I'm thankful that I never actually "let people go".  I get pissed off, I say what I have to say & I'm done.  Sometimes the other person doesn't want to deal with me ever again, but I'm like a dog with a bone.  I love everyone & unless you're a total tool or just a mean awful person, I want you in my life.
I like you there and you're stuck with me, darn it!

My kitty, Salem :)

8.  I'm thankful for my beautiful little kitty cat who is asleep on my lap. She is the sweetest, most beautiful princess kitty there is.  She "talks" to me every day.  I ask "where's my kitty" and she has her little special meow that she answers in.  She is my very own personal alarm clock.  I'm very thankful for that during the week, not so much on Saturday morning.

9.  I'm thankful I have a job!  I know I only work part time & truth be told, my husband could really carry it all - but I don't want him to.  I make good money and I like it!  I keep my brain active.  I'm productive & I'm good at my job!  I love the company I work for & even if "the Italians" don't always get me, they're very good to me.  I'm treated well and respected for the job I do.
Thank you for keeping me in shoe shopping money. 

10.  Finally, I'm thankful to still be among the living.  I know this should be closer to the top - but without all the rest of the stuff I posted, this wouldn't mean nearly as much to me.  I was really sick a few years back.  The doctors were scratching their heads and it didn't look good for me.  It was a really scary time.  I said good bye to people & made peace with my past...and then I changed medicines and stopped taking medicines & suddenly started improving.  I've come a long way & have learned to live well with Lupus.

I know I made this list seem much longer.  It really was hard to stop at 10!  I know sometimes we forget about all the wonders we really and truly have in this life.  Especially when the crap starts to build up so high you can't see anything positive on the other side.

I now pass this challenge onto each and every one of you.  If you are a blogger, please put your blog site up so that others can come show you the love.

If you feel moved, please mention a few of your favorite blogs so we can share the love.  Mine are: (first the foodie chicks)  My beautiful friend, Carrie @ Carrie's Experimental Kitchen, The Happy Little Tomato and Forkful of Comfort. Now the non-foodies:  Underachiever's Guide to Being a Domestic Goddess,  I Want a Dumpster Baby  and the very cute Faith @ Little Moments by Faith  (I think she's adorable)  -- Oooh, Crap - and Jenn @ People I Want to Punch in the Throat  - I just modified because I hate to leave certain folks out.  I've learned a lot about blogging from these wonderful women (yes the men bloggers too, I will pay homage another day.)  Thank you, Ladies!

Please go visit these sites & don't forget to visit the issuer of this challenge: You Know it Happens at Your House Too

I know I've left many off, next time - promise!  The blogging community is a wonderful group of folks

So, get started!  I pray you all see the good so brightly that you want to add more than 10 items as well!

Thank you all so much for reading my blog!

Lots of love,
Jenn