I guess the first thing would be that I got out for a run after putting the kids on the bus (school day number 2!) this morning and that gave me time and mental “space” to think about all the things I’m thankful for! After about the top 11+, they are not really in any particular order (kind of hard to compile the final part with a five-year-old talking incessantly in your ear while wearing an Olaf costume).

1. A loving and forgiving God who picks you up and fills you up in all the many moments every single day! 🙂
2. Super Tall Guy– within all his grumpiness, irritability and anger, he is sweet and loving and trying every day to do his best.
3. Mr. Ornery – ornery as all get out, but such a sweet, creative, snuggly delicious little boy!
4. The Little Guy – the most resilient, tender, kind, extroverted being I’ve ever met who approaches the world head on. He’s a game-changer!
5. My parents – their unconditional love, missionary heart, and constant encouragement has meant the world to me. And their current support of my sister and I in our parenting is priceless.
6. My sister – she started us on this journey of parenting and I will never forget that! Love her.
7. My brother and his family – such a faithful, loving big bunch. Wish we lived closer.
8. All my other family scattered around the States and the world! So thankful for them and the love they share.
9. My best friend from college – her boys are just two days older than my three and we commiserate and support each other practically daily.
10. Countless friends who are always there in so many different ways from all my educational experiences (a TON of education) and a wonderful medical community of friends and so many other places. I am so grateful!
11. Our Cavadoodle Mitzy – she’s such a gentle soul….and patient with the boys….soooo patient with the boys!
12. My health – enough to try water-skiing again last month and getting out to run.
13. That my boys are physically healthy (though behaviorally they drive me nuts!!)
14. A developing church family.
15. A fellow foster parent who made parenting a newborn possible ten years by offering to do childcare for Super Tall Guy until he was 6 weeks old and could start at daycare. She made our “story” possible.
16. Growing up as a missionary kid in Thailand as it had such an impact on my life and is my forever home in my heart.
17. The opportunity to travel throughout the world (though the passport became unused once the boys arrived….).
18. Friends around the world thanks to my parents’ wise decision to have foreign exchange students when we were in high school.
19. Living in the U.S. where we have so many opportunities.
20. Super Tall Guy’s “big brother” from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program who has been a blessing to our whole family.
21. Good school for the boys where they are safe and cared for and have many opportunities.
22. Ben & Jerry’s Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz ice cream – it’s out of this world. Try it. You won’t stop.
23. The fact that Target has just started stocking Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz! One-stop shopping is key for single moms!
24. Living in Pittsburgh which is a small town big city in which everyone is “related” by only 2 or 3 degrees of separation.
25. Starbucks nonfat no-whip mocha…..just addicted…that is all.
26. Ability to work a job that gives me tons of flexibility at work doing so many different things and and flexible hours so that I can be at kid events and available when needed.
27. A camera that lets me document my boys’ antics and cuteness – photos are sometimes a necessary reminder of why I love them! 🙂
28. Friends that helped me purchase a minivan when my crew grew and three car seats wouldn’t fit across a row anymore!
29. Opportunities for my boys to get involved in sports and receive coaching and mentoring and meet new people (though I miss them when seasons end)
30. Living in a community with neighbors who help out whenever needed.
31. Texting – I just love texting….I’m an introvert….enough said.
32. Having a home. Even though we’re looking for a new place to move to, it’s nice to have a comfortable place to be in the meantime.
33. A comfortable bed. Beds are wonderful. I can’t wait until all of my boys feel the same way about their OWN beds!
34. Showers are great – especially the first one after a beach vacation and you finally feel like you got the sand out of your toes.
35. Okay – the opportunity to take vacations. Not everyone can and I don’t take them for granted.
36. Grass under foot, trees overhead, flowers in bloom, leaves that change color, snow that falls.
37. Fireplaces – I love fireplaces.
38. And garages, oh how I wish I had a garage (it’s on my bucket list before I turn 50!).
39. A basic ability to cook and a joy of baking.
40. The opportunity to live in peace and safety (most of the time).
41. Having a big “safety net” around and under me when it’s needed.
42. My grandma’s piano in the living room and an occasional moment to tickle the ivories.
43. Jigsaw puzzles – always a soothing activity to me.
44. Access to technology and a basic understanding of it so that I can communicate with it, compile memories through it, and connect with others.
45. A little wine or beer or margarita sprinkled into life.
46. Sunshine.
47. Knowing that I am loved.