Today I am thankful for...

my family.

I'm in Ohio visiting my parents, and I'm very grateful to have parents within driving distance. They both have minor health ailments, but nothing that prevents them for living pretty normal lives, so the kids LOVE to visit here and play with them.

It's so fun to see the joy on their faces -- the kids' AND the grandparents'!!!!

Today I am Thankful for...

MY CAR!!! I'm sure that's another shocker to some of you because I have complained a lot since August that my car keeps breaking down. And it does. But for right now, it runs. And since my neighbor had a car stolen, I'm just grateful to HAVE a car today!

Today I am Thankful for....

my children. I have been through so many ups and downs this year, and through it all, I've found hope and comfort in my family...particularly my kids. They have no idea what I've been through this year, but they make me smile and laugh when I need it most. They give me the strength to fight, even when I feel like giving up. They truly give me a reason to wake up every morning, especially when I want to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. It took four LONG years of infertility treatments to get these kids, and I think that probably makes me even that much more grateful to have them in my life.

Today I am thankful...

for the end of our election process this year! As I have known for sometime, my choice for President did not win. But this isn't why I'm happy that the election is over. I'm thankful that the process is complete, and that it went off without any major issues. I'm HOPEFUL this means that we, as a nation, can move forward TOGETHER to improve our country and get things back on track.

I'm thankful that the election is over so that the character bashing of both candidates will end. Today is a new day. Let's move forward and make it a good one.

Today I am thankful for...

our democratic process. I'm sure this is on the mind of many today, but I am truly grateful to live in a land where we have a democracy.

I went to the polls this morning and voted before going to work. And even though I'm quite certain my candidate is not going to win, it felt good to cast my vote anyways! We also had some important local races and two issues I wanted to vote on, so it was a very important year to vote.

Today, I am Thankful...

for my health. I'm sure some of you are wondering how I can say that with all the whining I do about my tumor and the pain it causes me. But you know what? I am thankful that I'm not suffering with anything fatal or that would cause me to be completely incapacitated.

I am thankful that God gives me the strength to step out of bed each and every morning--ESPECIALLY the mornings when my pain is so great that I'm not sure I could roll out of bed without Him by my side.

I am thankful for wonderful doctors that are working tirelessly to help me manage my pain and move forward with my life.

November?!

Today is November 3rd. How in the world can it be November already?! I just can't get over how quickly the years go by anymore. When I was young, it seemed that I was always complaining that the time was going too slow. I remember my mom telling me to stop wishing my life away--live in the now and enjoy life. Boy, do I wish I would have listened to that advice!!

Now I'm 31 years old, and I feel like every week flies by. I try to take time to stop and smell the roses, but I haven't done a very good job. My goodness---it seems like we just did the kids' birthday parties!! Where in the world have the months gone?!

Tomorrow is the election, and I'll be so glad when it's over because I'm sick of the ads. Thanksgiving is in 3½ weeks, and then Christmas is only 4 weeks after that. I'm not ready for another year to come to an end. I need time to slow down so that I can enjoy my kids and have memories of this winter. PLEASE SLOW DOWN, TIME!!!