i can't keep it in...

I try to stay away from the "canned" thankfulness of Thanksgiving.  I am so very thankful every single day of my life that sometimes I think that if I voice it at Thanksgiving people might think I am only thankful on this single day.

Today I can't help it...granted it's the day after Thanksgiving but I can't keep it in any longer.  After all, Thanksgiving IS my favorite holiday!  Here are a few of my honest to goodness thankfulness-es...

The night before Thanksgiving day...yes that would be Thanksgiving Eve...Philip rounded up the kids and they all set the table for the big day.  Then on the big day - again he got the kids together and peeled potatoes, boiled eggs, potatoes, made a casserole and many other misc. things in the kitchen.  I am thankful for this in and of itself but the fact that he did it without being asked and involved the kids so that they could learn to work -- WOW -- he is appreciated around here!

I am so thankful for Neurofeedback...our Garrett has gone from being frustrated with almost everything to learning how to be happy  -- and how to show excitement.  I can't explain it very well -- all I can say is that he is a changed boy.  He will always have aspergers -- but his ability to relate to others, specifically those of us in his home, has done a full 180.  He has a desire to do better in school, he made the Honor Roll last quarter.  I am so grateful for  the path that brought us to find out about Feedback.  When I first asked Garrett if he would cooperate with this therapy he said "Will it make me like things? I don't like anything.  If it makes me like things, I'll do it"  Well -- mission accomplished  -- and he's still excited to go (3 times a week) because he loves how it helps him to be more tolerant, caring and happy.

Our Gavin gives us so much to be thankful for everyday.  He always keeps me on my toes while showing such responsibility himself.  He can eat a box of corn dogs like no ones business and he's starting to learn to be mischievous -- I have to say I do love his smirky smile he gives me when he gets caught.  He has such a love of reptiles...it grosses me out but I love how passionate he is about them.  He spent about a month begging for a leopard gecko and has researched every kind of snake there is.  I am thankful for his ability to manage his time well, make friends, sing in the choir, tell me about his most recent crush, all while giving me that heart breaking smile. 

Libbie (or Elizabeth as she is called in school this year) bring absolute joy and absolute frustration all within the same hour of every day.  I am grateful for her because she helps me to learn more about me.  My Mom always wished a "me" upon me....well she got her wish, and I'm thankful for that.  I understand Libbie and her frustrations in life.  I understand how she needs to be treated gently - I don' t always do it - but I understand.  I am grateful for her creativity & imagination (definitely not something she got from me!) and how much she LOVES to teach her stuffed animals.  She is also an excellent missionary.  I love how she is not afraid, at all, to tell everyone about her religion and what she believes to be true. 

I am grateful that we live where we do so that Libbie can have (more obvious) opportunities to be a missionary, Garrett could get an opportunity to be on the Honor Roll (due to the way they have the classes structured here, he has a better opportunity to succeed), Gavin could experience a growth he never thought possible by enlarging his circle of friends and diversifying his experiences and Philip could experience great missionary opportunities in his network of friends as well.  I too, have had an opportunity for growth since we have moved and some days it hurts but most days I like it.  I smile inside because I know we have become and will continue to become better people for what we are learning through this journey. 

I will admit, I have always had a secret dream of having both of our extended families in a very large castle type home with each of us having a wing and a central area where we could mingle when we wanted to.  We all know that's a dream that will never happen and probably shouldn't.  The Lord sent us away from him so we could learn and grow.  I feel like we've been guided to where we are, whether it be near or far from our earthly families, so we can learn and grow.  I have learned to absolutely love all of the ward families I have lived in and I know that's how the Lord would have it.  The larger my family circle becomes (both genetically linked and spiritually linked) the more I learn, grow and have the ability to become more like my Savior. 

I am grateful for my Savior, for His Atonement.  Without Him I couldn't find these realizations.  Without Him Philip and I wouldn't be.  Without Him I would be truly lost.  As my Mom pointed out to me the other day...I see my path, whether full of trials or not, as just that - MY PATH.  No one else can walk it and I am going to do my very best to keep on it and get to the end.....with gratitude.