Thankful Thursday...

So, I can't promise I'll update the blog as often as I'd like, but I was thinking earlier this week...a lot of people use a blog as an outlet, to get their feelings out about whats going on in life. I dont want this to end up being all about me telling you guys, as readers all about my "crazy" life. I want to make sure I never take things for granted. When I was little, about 11 or so, I got a diary for Christmas. My grandmother (my Ging) suggested that after every entry I write, I should also write something I'm thankful for. A blog is kind of like a diary....but not private, right? So I decided to have "Thankful Thursday" so that no matter what has happened earlier that day, or week, I still take a moment to reflect on at least THREE things I'm thankful for.

Today, its a little difficult. I started thinking, and making my list of what I was going to write about earlier today...but then the "5 oclock" meltdown occured. Does that happen at your house? Everything seems totally fine, kids are being good, dinner is close to ready, house is relativly clean...but then 5 oclock hits, and all the craziness begins....I don't know what it is...maybe the kids are hungry by then, or just tired of Mommie and ready for Daddy to be home...but at my house, everything falls apart around 5. So all my stuff I was planning on telling you I'm thankful for, are the same things that drove me crazy today! But---I'm still thankful, so I'll tell you all about it! :)

1. I'm thankful for my kids. I have 2 of the cutest girls I have ever met! (I may be biased though). One day, I'll figure out how to upload pictures to my blog, so you can see them too! Believe it or not, there was a point in my life that I didn't know if kids were part of God's plan for me....but I'm so happy that they were! I can't tell you right now if we are done having kids or not...but for now, I do know that Addison and Kathryn are my pride and joy (most of the time)

2. I'm thankful for my hubby's job (and him too...but thats a whole other story!). Without my hubby's job, I wouldn't have the opportunity to stay at home with my kiddos. Once again, I never planned to be a stay at home mom...My mom worked outside of the home, and there was nothing wrong with that....my sister and I turned out just fine as far as I'm concerned! I went to college (even got my MBA) and had every intention of working...after all...why would I pay all that money for my college education if I weren't going to use it? Well, once again...God had a different plan for me! About a year and a half ago, I unexpectedly lost my job...and *reluctantly* became a stay at home Mom. During this past year and a half, I have met some extraordinary women whom I may have never crossed paths with, had it not been for me being a stay at home mom. I've been able to be a part of not 1 but 2 amazing MOPS groups and have learned so much from all of these lovely ladies! Also, some of you may know my dad had a cancer scare recently and had surgery to remove a tumor last week...Thanks to my hubby's job, and my job as stay at home Mom, I was able to fly out to visit with him and help out during his recovery. If I had a "real" job...I would have had to take vacation time to do this....and probably wouldn't have done it. I'm so grateful that my hubby is able to provide for us so I can grow as a wife and mom!

3. I'm thankful that God answers prayers. I mentioned briefly that my Dad had a cancer scare ealier. I won't bore you with any details, but basically, he was diagnosed in October 2010, did chemo and radiation in November, then had surgery in January....this all happened very fast, but I know A LOT of people were praying for him...and for me and the rest of our family...He is now officially cancer free...its so amazing what God can do! Dad is doing fine now...fighting a bit of infection from the incision area right now...but he'll be back to normal in no time!
I'm also rejoicing with a special friend right now as she's *finally* holding her adopted daughter....this child has been prayed for for so long...I just know God has special plans for her life. This is one special family who has had some pretty awful setbacks recently, but God's Word says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" This has been my "theme" verse since I first memorized it back in middle school....but it still holds true. God has it all planned out....This family has never doubted that...and I know I have learned a lot by observing them...and I know many others have as well. (This mom is one of those extraordinary women I never would have met had I not become a stay at home mom)

So, there you go....I'm thankful for my kiddos, hubby's job, and answered prayers.

What are you thankful for on this Thankful Thursday?