Thankfulness

I haven't blogged in a while. There are few reasons for this. The main reason is that it hurts to write sometimes and the other times I feel as though I have nothing to say. But I made a commitment to myself to share our journey and that is what I intend to do. 

As you all know, Thanksgiving is tomorrow and of course it is a time to reflect on what you are thankful for and gorge yourself with food. Some watch football and most spend time with their families. We will be with The Ireland side hopefully NOT watching football but the gorging will happen. 

I will reflect on how thankful I am. 

I am thankful for Neal, for a man that loves me and our kids with all of his being. I am thankful that God brought me a partner that can be both the calming agent in my hectic life and a formidable opponent when I need to be brought down a notch or two... Or three or four... I am thankful that he worked hard to become the Man he is today and that he has overcome many obstacles. Most of all I am thankful that he looks at me as a good mother and his best friend when I feel like I am shattering under the pressures of life. 

Of course I will feel thankful about Max, our feisty one year old. The baby I did not think I was ready to have. I will thank God for his knowledge and plan.  I will humbly admit I know nothing about raising a mini me (stubborn, strong willed and extremely passionate) but am thankful that I have education and family and friends and God that will guide me every step of the way. I am thankful for Max's energy and his zeal and his love for Mickey Mouse and cuddles and I am even thankful for his dangerous "Battle Cry." 

Tomorrow I will be thankful for my friends.  All of them but more specifically the ones I have met on this special needs journey. I will be thankful for Cassie, her kind heart and soft words. Her ability to get me without having to explain myself at all! I will be thankful for Amie, who also has a child with severe low tone. I will be thankful for her generousity and the way she listens to me when I need to just vent. I will be thankful that I can say to her "you too, I thought I was the only one." I will also be thankful for Staci, a very new friend, but a friend that has stepped in to an incredible role very quickly. I am thankful that she says it like it is. That she listens to my fears with tears in her eyes (because she gets it) then tells me to buck up and deal with it! And also brings me healthy snacks. On that note I am thankful that Amie and Staci are crunchy/granola types and try to help me find healthy alternatives but I am also thankful that Cassie and I can talk about binge eating and feeding our kids junk food. 

I am thankful for family. My parents who love my children tremendously and are always always available to help. And my sister, even when she makes me crazy, she loves us and helps out all the time. And we share a love for all things pop culture! Especially the new Alexander Hamilton Musical. 

And for Neal's Family. And the support and love they give us. They helped us get a van and are always a phone call away if we need.  I have to specifically say I am very thankful to my sister in law Beth who is also one of my very best friends for always listening and offering incredible advice. 

Of course I am thankful for The Children's Spot, Variety Charities of Greater KC, and First Steps for all having such a big part in Charlotte's development. 

And... I am so incredibly thankful for my Lottie. She has worked so hard to meet the milestones/inch stones she has met. She endures multiple doctors appointments, therapy and tests and does most of it with out the slightest complaint. She is pure joy to all who meet her and we know she will continue to amaze us and the world. Because God is doing immeasurably more in her little life than we can ask or imagine. 

After Thanksgiving we will face another MRI and our blood will be drawn for the exome test. I will blog my fears and experience with all that after I come out of my Turkey coma on Friday. Happy Thanksgiving readers.