Happy Thanksgiving....

In the chaos of this great holiday sometimes its difficult to slow down enough to reflect on what we are most grateful for. Fortunately I am blessed to not have to participate in any cullinary olympics today so I thought I'd take the extra few minutes I have to reflect what I am grateful for...

The obvious are my family, near and far, (Joanna, Auntie Katie and Auntie Jac:))close and distant.

My beautiful three daughters who continue to amaze me every day as they transform into their own personalities and individual beings.

My husband who is a great friend of mine who is reaching way outside his comfort zone to discover ....well many things.

My mother who is my rock and mainstay. Most people would think that is your husband but for me it is my Mom and Cary understands this too. She is always reassuring in times of stress and picks up when she knows I can't go forward. While she is very sensitive she is so strong and our lives would not be the same if we hadn't had these years with her. I love you Mom.

My beautiful, intelligent and sweet sister. She is an amazing woman with so much talent, beauty and charm, she just doesn't always know it. She is a wonderful Aunt to our girls and the best friend I have always needed.

My sweet girlfriends near and far who bring such an ecclectic wonder to my life. Carrie, Kara, Veronica, Lisa, Wendy, Amy, Clare, April, Janene, Silvia, Jenny, Michele, Petrea, Heather and my guardian angel Sarah....who will never know what you mean to me. Thanks for always listening when I need you and for making me laugh. You are each the sprinkles on my cupcake of life.

Then there are the physical things I am grateful for. I know it may sound weird but we really don't know how good we have it. Here is my laundry list of those mundane items that help so much:

I'm grateful to the Speers, Lyons and Matthes families for this beautiful home we live in.

My DVR which allows me to be a good mom and watch tv when\if I have time.

My iPhone that I would be lost without. So much entertainment at the palm of my hand :)

My computers. The comfortable mattress on my bed. My mineral powder which I really think may be a coping mechanism haha.

Facebook, Yahoo Messenger, Email and the wonder of the digital camera. The world really isn't that big after all and these technologies help us stay close.

Modern medicine and the continued wonder and respect I have for the fact that my daughter is with us, healthy and happy (currently sitting across the room enjoying the sound of tearing pages of the new tabloid magazine I have not yet read!!!). That same technology which is keeping the precious baby Paul in his momma's belly as long as possible.

The progress of cancer treatment and how it was able to save my Evil Knievil Daddy who at the age of 71 after 6 months of chemotherapy decided to ride his motorbike to the Florida keys and back to see how far it was. That same technology which has saved my friend Gaia so she can mother her sweet babes and how I know it will save my new friend T as she begins her fight and conquers her cancer just so she can continue to kick my butt into shape.

For all of these things I am grateful to God. Lord I am so grateful for my choices I get to make every day and that I don't know what it is to go very hungry or cold.

Happy Thanksgiving.