I am so thankful for a bit of kid free time. Don’t get me wrong, I love my kids with all my heart but as they say “absence makes the heart grow fonder”. Some times a bit of time apart can make things feel so much better. Even if my time away tonight was spent at a parenting class.

I am thankful to get to share in the simple joys of a child. Today I got to watch Aly grin from ear to ear because the teacher at play group gave her a glass of milk with her snack (she was suppose to get milk but asked so nicely they decided to give her a little). I think of those children who are never happy with what they have and I am so thankful that she is just so easy going and happy that a small glass of milk can bring her such great joy.

I am thankful for snowy smiles. Yesterday we had our first good snow of the season and it was so wonderful watching the kids big smiles as they ran around in the snow.

I am thankful today for Cameron’s great day. Today Rob and I spent most of the day doing work around the house. On days when we do that the kids often find it hard if they are left to there own to entertain themselves and we have a lot of fighting and noise. Well today Cam decided he was going to be my “best listening boy” (his words, not mine) and he did an amazing job. He was very helpful, very calm, very calm and listened amazingly well. For Cam (and all my kids) this is very out of character. Don’t get me wrong my kids are wonderful but they are very energetic and very active and to spend the day helping and calm is hard for them. Thank you so much Cam I was so happy to spend the day with you even if it was spent working. I love you little man.

Today I am thankful for the warm sunshine on my face on a cool fall day.

This morning I woke up to a post on my Facebook feed from a mom I know (through Facebook) her daughter was born with Hirschsprungs disease, the same thing Nate has. Hers was worse than Nate’s and she had to be put on to treatments and medications that damaged her kidney to the point it was failing and she was dying. She was put on the wait list for a transplant donor. She was also put on to dialysis. After a long search and many heartaches for the family they finally found a matching donor but all was not fixed. Unfortunately insurance would not cover the cost of the donors travel from another country. This family faught for their daughter and raised the money needed to bring the donor over. After many months of watching their daught strugle and fight for life today they finally get to see their daughter saved.

The post I woke up to this morning read “Morning is going to come so quick! Tomorrow will be the big day! Transplant surgery is on for 7:30! I have told lily everything she needs to know and she seems to understand, it’s easy to explain surgery since she got her trial run last week!!! (Coin removal) she is going to be so much healthier as soon as she gets out of the OR! Jenna and I have come along way since we first met on here and I am so thankfull this day is finally here. 
My mission was to keep everyone as busy as possible to keep our minds off of surgery! I am so tired I can barley post this! Mission complete!! I will keep you all updated on lily!! Goodnight!!”

After a long journey this brave and strong little girl and her amazing family will finally have their prayers answered.

I am thankful for answered prayers. And for the power that support of even a total stranger can give.

So today as you go about your day please if this crosses your mind think a happy thought or send out a prayer for these amazing people. Also please consider honoring her journey by becoming an organ donor.

If you would like to read more about her story it can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/TeamLilyanah

Thank you.

I am thankful for a good conversation. I don’t often get a chance to have conversation with another adult with out a child lovingly interrupting. It was such a nice time to just talk about everything and nothing. I am thankful for good conversation.

I am thankful for a good morning. This might seem silly but I am not a morning person, this makes early mornings with 2 boys very difficult. This morning though was very calm and everyone moved quickly and did what they need to get out on time. For me this is a huge thing and I am so thankful for a day that starts off well.

I am thankful for the joy of others, especially when I am able to have a hand in causing that joy. It is a great thing to hear the smile in someones voice when you are able to help someone in need.

I am thankful for a good work out. It is hard to stay in a good routine of working out but when I do I am so grateful for how great I feel and for the energy that it gives me. Even more so I am thankful for a great facebook work out group. It is so wonderful to have people who are there with you and for you on your journey to better health.