Happy Thanksgiving!

I am very lucky. I have a lot in my life to be thankful for.

Firstly, I'm thankful for Jason. Even though he makes me steam sometimes, he really is the best husband and father anyone could ask for. He works his rear end off to provide for us, and to take care of our home. I know I take him for granted, especially when he's being all PMS-y. But I really do lerve him.

I'm also thankful for my two beautiful babies. Lauren, because she's just the funniest kid I've ever met, and because she's so loving. Even her teacher said that she's a very loving, empathetic child. And even when she's all teenager drama queen, she still makes me laugh. And she loves her baby brother to pieces - for now anyway. And my sweet baby Christopher. Anyone who knows me knows that I was afraid to have a boy, but he's the best boy ever. I love his little noises that he makes (constantly). I love that he's just beginning to smile. And one of my absolute favorite things is how he attacks his pacifier as you put it in his mouth, as if he's never had it before. Both of my babies are just these two amazingly beautiful, special children. I never knew it was possible to love two people this much.

My home - as much as it drives me insane sometimes with it's size, I'm so thankful that we have it. We worked our butts off for it, and I'm proud of that. We are lucky to have a home in a time where so many people are losing theirs.

My parents and mother in law - they all just rock. My parents do so much for us, and they love Lauren and Christopher to pieces. I never got to know my grandparents all that much (except for my one Grandpa, who lived far away), and my children are so lucky to have them. My parents raised me to be who I am, and I think they did a pretty good job, even though that whole crafty, neat freak gene skipped me. My mother in law also raised a good man. He is who he is because of her, even though he didn't have the easiest time growing up. She's also a phenomenal grandparent. When Lauren was born, she was worried that Lauren wouldn't know her, because she lives far away and can't be here all the time like my parents are. But she is one of Lauren's favorite people, and they have such a special bond. I'm sure as Christopher grows, they'll have that too.

And lastly, my girlfriends. I have a group of some of the most awesome women any person could ever ask to have for friends. We're scattered all over the country - New Jersey, Ohio, Texas - and we rarely get to see each other, but when we do, it's like we were never apart. They've been there for me at my worst moments and my best. And I can't forget my Gumdrop sisters. I always knew these were some of the best women in the world, but I don't think I realized how truly great they are until one of us lost a husband. The way we all came together for Andrea...it was just amazing. People don't "get" us because we met on the internet. But we rock all the same.

So, Happy Thanksgiving everyone.