Thanks GIVING

I will start this post in a rather unorthodox fashion by sharing what I am NOT thankful for this year....an after hours service call by Roto Rooter to repair the leaking pipes that were caused by Benjamin Michael flushing "a lot" of toilet paper and kleenex down the toilet. To his credit, he did invite me to come see his "gigantic poop." I declined and perhaps we would not have had any problems had I taken him up on his generous offer. We would have had a much bigger mess on our hands had I not just happened to run downstairs to check the laundry about 5-10 minutes after Ben used the restroom. Upon entering the laundry room, while on the telephone with Dean who was at work, I heard running water and saw water pouring from the ceiling. "No, no, no, no, no" I yelled as I hung up with Dean and tried to figure out how to stop the water. I finally turned off the main water breaker (?) and attempted to calm down a near hysterical Ben who was running through the house crying "oh no! What is going to happen to us? Is our house going to fill with water." Can you say dramatic?!?! $200 later the leak is fixed (wax ring from the toilet was gone thanks to the Ben blockage) and we are all doing A-OK and ready for the holiday joy to commence! I was at a mommy low tonight, however, I have to admit as I was unreasonably furious with Ben. How dare he act like a 5 year old?!?! I really wanted him to feel bad for "breaking" the toilet. What is the matter with me? Anyway, I will start my thankful list off with being glad to have crossed my latest mommy dearest moment off my list and can hopefully be more in the holiday spirit and less of a grinch from here on out. Here's hoping. Among the many, many, many things I am thankful for, here are a few of the biggest and best: Joey: Words can't describe how much I love this little man. He is so full of life and love and sweet little boy goodness and devilishness. I can't help but smile when he is near. His "I yuh you mommas" and "bwess yous" and "oh goshes" and belly laughs get him out of all kinds of trouble. I am thankful for the constant reminder he provides me that it is ok and so important sometimes to just stop and sit and enjoy the company of my babies. "PuhLay Momma! Puhlay with Joe Gee" is a plea I hear many times a day. I don't always give into his request but I wish that I did and I am thankful that he has faith in me that I will stop what I am doing and give him my undivided attention, and he forgives me and loves me anyway even when I let him down. Ben: My Ben. I have loved his beautiful face since the moment I first laid eyes on him. My heart still skips a beat when I see him first thing in the morning. He is a beautiful boy inside and out and he definitely knows how to use his strengths to his favor. Ben is a CHARMER and is used to getting what he wants. I am thankful for Ben's wonderful sense of humor; he is the wittiest kid I know and always keeps our family laughing. I am especially thankful for the way Ben loves his brother. Lately Ben has made it his mission (when not destroying my house) to take care of Joey. Ben can now fix Joe "chocy milk" and help him climb on the couch to watch cartoons. He helps build villages with Joe and assemble fantastic train tracks. Without even realizing it, Ben is shaping Joey into being a compassionate boy filled with love and self confidence because he has someone who makes him feel like he is the best person on the planet. And speaking of confidence, I love Ben's confidence. That is one trait he does not get from me and I hope he hangs onto forever....speaking of confidence, Ben just came over and crawled in my lap and asked me to read him what I was writing. I did and he said "what about writing how strong and smart and good at math I am?" That's my boy!!!! :) Dean: I love my husband. I have some close friends going through some trying times in their marriage right now and I honestly have a hard time relating because I truly do have the world's greatest partner. Dean is a wonderful husband and an even better father. My future daughter-in-laws will be so grateful for the men Dean is shaping my boys into becoming. I admire and am thankful for Dean's easygoing demeanor; not too much riles him...except me, of course! I seem to have a knack for pushing all of his buttons at once!!! I am truly thankful for my husband and best friend. I do thank God for him every day, even when he thinks I like the idea of him better than the real deal! Family/Friends: I've really been blessed with some amazing people in my life and I am so thankful for their love and support. I am really thankful , too, to have become an aunt to miss brookie marie brand this year. I love that little lady with all my heart and cannot wait to watch her grow. She is so very loved and brings a tremendous amount of joy to our lives. God: Above all else this year I am thankful for God. I feel His presence all the time and I know that he is with me and watching over my family and friends. It gives me such strength and confidence to know that the world is so much bigger than just me and that there is someone who loves me and wants me to live to my full potential, but still loves me and cheers me on when I fail miserably. I thank God for the air I breathe, the health my family enjoys (for the most part), the ability to spend time with those I love, and the knowledge that I am not perfect and I don't have to be, but I am me and that is exactly who I am supposed to be. I sometimes forget this message, but I appreciate being reminded of it. Happy Thanksgiving and blessings to you and your family!