Thankful Thursday

Happy Thankful Thursday!  Y'all, I almost didn't think this post was going to make it up today because Time Warner has been cutting up again.  We had a few months of really good service.  But then the cable started glitching out and freezing up.  Then, our internet started to slow down and glitch up.  Well, today it just completely went off network after around noon and has just come back on at almost 11 PM.  Not the business at all.

However, that brings me to the first thing that I'm thankful for this week- having the internet back up and being able to share my Thankful Thursday post.  I feel like these posts have become a staple around here and I've gotten some tweets, a few comments and some messages about how much some of you look forward to these Thankful Thursday posts because it helps you to recenter and helps you realize that no matter what's crashing down around us, there is ALWAYS something to give thanks for!  So, I was getting really bummed at the thought that I probably wasn't going to be able to publish this post.

I'm also thankful that my throat is feeling much better today.  Thank you to everyone who kept me and JJ in prayer for healing of our strep throat.  I had an event to attend this weekend, but I'm sitting it out so that we don't spread any germs and infect the other attendees.  I don't know about y'all, but when I'm sick with something contagious, I make it my mission to stay indoors.  Just being considerate of others is all.

I'm thankful that today I got a reminder that my opinion and advice matter.  There have been so many times in my life where I've felt like my voice wasn't heard or it was ignored simply because the person I was talking to felt like what I was saying didn't matter.  Now, there are still times when I have to push myself to speak up and shake off the those feelings of inadequacy.  It's even more reassuring when you have brands coming to you for your help and your advice because they recognize and VALUE your honesty, your passion, your knowledge, etc. 

Moo is still enjoying school and comes excited everyday to tell me about what she's learned and the projects she got to complete.  I'm so grateful that what started off as rocky school year, appears to be looking up.  At the end of the day, I want her to love school and learning as much as I did.  

As always, I'm grateful for all of the progress JJ is making with his speech.  This week he said his first full sentence, "dog gone" and I couldn't be more proud.  Yes, it's more of a sentence fragment,  but I'll take what we can get.  He's started saying "bye" and "hi" and some "hello" that comes sounding more like just elloooo.  I can't help but struggle to contain my joy when I think about all the progress he'll have made by summer.  I'm too hyped.

I'm grateful for friends who check-in on me when they've noticed I've been unusually quiet or absent.  These last few weeks we've been hit hard with cold germs, I've dealt with some heavy stuff happening in my personal life both to me and some of my loved ones, I've been brainstorming changes for the blog, etc.  A lot has been happening and I do tend to retreat into my shell when I'm going through rough times, but it's nice that my friends understand and that they remind me that they're still there for me.

Recently, I found out that one of best friends and his wife are expecting again.  I couldn't be happier because he's such a great father and husband.  He's come a long way in this walk we call life.  I've always been proud of him and grateful to have him as a best friend.

Although, I have to say that seeing him and some of my other friends all expecting or having recently delivered is doing nothing to tamp down my own baby fever.  I would have been preggers like yesterday if it was solely up to me.  Pray for me y'all.  I'm seriously trying to be patient and stick to what the Mr and I agreed to, but it's hard.  I enjoy being a mom and bringing life into this world no matter how much actually being pregnant has seemed to usually not go smoothly, I wouldn't miss out on the end joy for anything in the world.

All the sleepless nights of trying to find that comfortable spot, the 24-hour morning sickness, the bed rest, the blood work and everything else is worth it for me.   I get to perform one of God's greatest miracles- grow life inside of me.  And then I get to instill great values and morals into that tiny being when their born, love and nurture them and watch them blossom.  I get to leave my mark on the world.  And in my opinion, my kids are a huge part of that.

I don't want to drag this post out because I could go on for days about the joy I get from being a mom.  However, before I go, I just want to say thank you to everyone reading this. Thank you for your continued support.  Everyday, I'm humbled that so many of you take precious time out your days to come here and visit me.  I don't take that for granted ever!

What are you giving thanks for this week?