Thankful Thursday

I have much to be grateful for today. 

Good friends.  I've said it before and I'll say again, probably until the day I die, but good friends are absolutely invaluable!  FB messages, texts, phone calls. emails......some just to keep in touch, some with words of encouragement, and some with just an "I love you" - all bring me such happiness and fill me with such thankfulness for a life blessed with good people.  I am surrounded by them. I am blessed to have them in my life.  My in real life friends, my virtual friends, my family who are also my friends, every last one of you are important and appreciated.  

My family.  I have the best.  Splenda Daddy is a saint.  My sons are supportive and loving.  Despite a fabrication that has been circulated out there, I did NOT kick Luke out of the house. He moved closer to school and to his job.  I get so frustrated by people who make stuff up.  Who lie about me and my family.  For the record.  He moved because he wanted to and needed to be closer to the things he does.  

My sweet doggies.  Sure Jordan barks a shrill, annoying, want to rip your ears off bark, but she is sweet, obedient and loving.  Jack is a cuddler, smart and loves Chloee.  They are important in our family.  Our litter.  And I love the happiness that they bring all of us.

My son's significant others.  Right now, 'antana is girlfriend status and Karalee is fiancee status, but I love them just the same.  I see how happy they make my boys.  How much they love them.  As a mother, you love anyone who loves your kids.  Both of those girls have a special place in my heart.  And when Luke finds his perfect one - she will nestle right in on in there as well.

My health. Right now I'm injury free.  As I ran a little this morning, I found a good pace that I think I will go for on Saturday for the first race of the season.  My legs feel good.  My cardiovascular is strong and besides some occasional gallbladder pain and a sore neck from a bad pillow last night, I am feeling great.  Strong and ready for the season.  Fingers crossed it lasts this way!

A great attorney.  I can't even believe we have had to retain one (and again - to clear up a fabrication out there, he is NOT charging us 12,000 a month - my goodness!).  He is a good person, who believes in doing the right thing and is doing all in his power to make sure that little people who can't decide things for themselves are protected.  He has made sure that he uses our funds wisely but also does not take shortcuts.  We are blessed to have his counsel, experience and wisdom.

And finally, Chloee.  A Thankful Thursday wouldn't be complete without expressing gratitude for her.  She is an amazing little one who brings happiness to our family and to our home.  I expressed concern a post or two ago about her not wanting to look at pictures of her Mommy.  She has since changed her approach.  On the advice of a professional, we took the framed collage down but left it in her room where she could get it if she wanted to.  Then on her nightstand left a stack of prints without making a big deal about them.  She now looks at the prints, carries them around, asks questions, talks about them and even has slept with them the past two nights.  I take that as a good sign.  I think giving her the control over when she wants to look at them and how, is good for her.   I will be glad to meet with her therapist tonight and get started on things we need to do to to continue to help her, and to work on transitioning her to a life with her Daddy and his new wife Karalee.    We know that it's gonna take time, and I certainly hope that Corb and Kar will take time to be newlyweds and enjoy being together without having a child to care for, so everyone understands that it's not going to be immediate, but there is a great long-term plan in place and I am so grateful for all the wisdom and counsel we have received from so many professionals regarding her and her best interests. 

Wow - what a blessed woman I am.  In spite of all the tough times over the past several weeks.  The frustration, the fear, the anxiety of the unknown, the unfairness of other's actions - it is refreshing to put down all the things that I am feeling thankful for and be reminded of how blessed I am.

So what are you thankful for today?