{Gratitude}

This past month has been a hard one on our little family, on me. I do my best not to let myself go to that place…. To feel sorry for myself and our lot. I have to say that every once and while it happens, I go there. I have my moment I get sad and then just like that it always seems as if the clouds part and Heaven shines a light right on my blessings to point them out to me. I feel like I am one of the most blessed people in the world. I might not be blessed with a big mansion, sleep, riches, or nope not even a full understanding of this lot that we have been handed BUT I am blessed with what matters. Today I am grateful for…………

{I am grateful for my body} I am grateful that when I wake up my feet hit the floor and takes me where I need to go. I am grateful that my arms are strong enough to carry my child and lift his wheel chair. I am grateful that my ears can hear my children’s laughter and my eyes can see their smiles.

{God} I am grateful for my loving Heavenly Father. I know that I can turn to my Heavenly Father in prayer at any time and he will comfort me, guide me, and love me. I am grateful that he knows that I am not perfect and is willing to teach me.

{Jesus Christ} I am grateful for my Savior and redeemer Jesus Christ. I have such deep gratitude and love I have for my brother that loved me enough to lay down his life for me. I am grateful to know that because of him my family is eternal.

{My family} I am grateful for my sweet little family. To me there is nothing better than being married to your best friend while doing the very thing you love most to do in the world, be a mother. I am grateful that I was blessed with the amazing gift to bare and raise two wonderful Kidos! Being a mother is the hardest but most rewarding job in the world.

{Friendships} I am grateful for my amazing friends. Seriously, I have the best friends that can see past the “Oh I am fine” and show up when ever I need them with out even being asked. Each one of my friends make me a better person and I feel blessed to be worthy of their friendship.

{Modern Medicine} I hate seeing what TTD is doing to my sweet little boy but I am grateful to have so many wonderful things available to help him… medications, hearing aids, breathing machines, machines to feed him, a wheel chair to get him around, and more. I feel blessed that in each new challenge with Bubba’s health we are blessed with a wonderful new doctor to help him.

{Parents} I am blessed to have several sets of parents and each one of them is a strong and loving to support to me. I am grateful for the unconditional love that I am showered with.

{Braces} Yes, this one is silly but I am grateful that my parents made sure I got braces. I LOVE to smile, at times I smile because I am happy, other times I smile because I am strong but no matter what the situation is, a smile always seems to make it a little easier.

{Teachers} I am grateful to the wonderful teachers and aids that my children have been blessed to have now and have had over the years. Regan LOVES to read, she loves to learn. I am grateful for teachers that have planted that seed in her. Oh, those sweet special day teachers and aids. I have always said that they have a golden heart…. It is one thing to have a child with special needs born to you but it is an entirely different thing to CHOOSE to be with them every day. They are pure angels!

{Insurance} I am grateful to have good Health Insurance. I feel like I am fighting with them most of the time but I don’t know what we would do with out it. It is a true blessing!!

 {Trials} I know you are thinking what???!?!? No, really I am grateful for the trials that I am blessed with. In each new trial I learn so much about myself and grow.... just when I think I am going to break I realize how strong I really am.

{Photography} I am grateful all you have to do is pick up your camera and click to capture and freeze a happy moment forever. It is the photographs of the good days that get me through the hard ones.

{My home} I am grateful for our home, it might not be big and have to best furnishing and décor but it is filled with love.

{My siblings} I know that I can count on a phone call from at least one of sisters every day. I am grateful that we are not only sisters but we are friends. I am grateful for a big Bubba that may look tough on the outside but is on the sweetest and softest guys you will ever meet.

{You} I am grateful for all of you. I don’t even know who most of you are but you pray for our family, you leave the kindest and most uplifting comments, and you give me place to express my thoughts with out judgment.

{Kidos} Ok, so I know I already said them but they deserve another one. I am grateful for what great friends they are. Regan has such a connection with Bubba and loves him so much. Bubba lights up when she comes home and smiles from ear to ear when she kisses him.

{Hubs} Yes, I know this one is a repeat too but he deserves another one as well. I feel truly blessed to say that I am married to my best friend. I am fully aware that the divorce rate for parents of special needs children is very high and am grateful that after 12 years our trials have only made us stronger. I am grateful that he still kisses me good night every night and kisses me before he leaves for work every morning even if I am sleeping.

So, how could I ever feel sorry for myself for too long when I have so many wonderful things in my life to be grateful for?  I pray that you are able to have to heavens open, the clouds part, and God shine a light on the blessings in your life for you to see. If you are having a hard time seeing them give me a call I will come over with my flash light … I am sure there is something, even if it is small, to be grateful for. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!!!!!!!!!!