Been tagged... hang on for the ride!

So, I have been "tagged" for the first time with the question of what do I feel the most "thankful" for? So, here goes.... this could be a long list if I tackled everything, but I think I will focus on "thankful and important".... For example, I am thankful that there always seems to be chocolate in my home for nibbling, or that all 3 of my kids have been sleeping through the night lately (knock on wood), but that is not exactly "important"... ok, this could be the last time someone "tags" me, but here goes....



1. My husband... who would have thought 12 years ago that meeting a guy (who was with a friend of mine) in the parking lot of a University of Arizona dorm at 5am on graduation morning and offering him a ride to Dirtbags bar could lead to the life I have today. That was a crazy morning and one that I am so thankful for. Twelve years... alot of ups and downs, fun times, drama, and I can honestly say he is the love of my life and best friend. I would not change one single thing and I am thankful everyday that he is my husband and best friend.



2. My kids... other than the day I met Mike and the day I married Mike, the birth dates of my 3 girls are the most important dates in my life and I am so thankful for each of my daughters. Do not get me wrong... most days I am being driven crazy with the arguing, getting into things constantly, making messes, whining etc... But, then there are the moments when they come up and just want hugs and kisses, start laughing uncontrollably, love and help each other or tell us (like they did tonight) that we are the best mommy and daddy and all those not so great things are totally forgotten... I am so thankful that God gave me these three angels.



3. My parents... there is nothing like hard times or scary times that make you truly appreciate people in your life and that has never been more true than the last few weeks with my parents. I guess I just always have felt like my parents are and will always be there... they always have been. They have been the example of what Mike and I want our lives to be. Married almost 40 years, raised 2 kids, always treated others with love and respect... just an all around wonderful example for our little family that we are starting. They have been more than supportive of Mike and I and our girls, so when we received the news a couple of weeks ago that my Dad has Stage 2 cancer we immediately tried to think of ways that we could help my parents... I realized that just loving them and being "there" for them was enough, at least for now. I am so thankful that I have my parents and so thankful that my dad's illness has been caught early and is being treated quickly and efficiently. I am also thankful that I have had a "wake-up call" at how truly important my parents are and not to take them for granted.



4. Ok, on a lighter note :-) I am so thankful for our friends... I love my girlfriends (and you know who you are :-)) I love our times with and without the kids, the support that we give each other in this journey called motherhood and the fun times that we constantly share. I am also so thankful for the hubbies of my girlfriends... When we moved to Arizona we moved here for a better "quality of life"... I wanted Mike to get back in touch with the side that I felt he has lost in the fast-paced, work-aholic world of the Silicon Valley... friends, softball, golf, racquetball, bocce ball, bbq's, hanging out with a nice cold beer... Moving to Arizona has given us everything we wanted and we have our friends to thank for that.

Ok, that does not mean that all of our friends who are not in our backyard here in the desert are left out... We thank God constantly that all of you (and again, you know who you are) were brought into our lives and continue to be a part of our lives through email, phone calls, prayers and visits. We are the people we are because of the people who have been part of our lives. We can honestly say that our friends have been like family to us and for us throughout our lives. We love you!



5. Ok, that last thing.. cause I was supposed to do 5 things that I am thankful for... and I am opting for the "important" things that I am thankful for... Because do not get me wrong... diet coke, toilot paper, coffee, toothbrushes and toothpaste, wine, a nice hot shower, deodorant, the internet, my 2 adorable kitty cats and TIVO are also things I am thankful for... Ok, going off on a tangent again... last but certainly not least... I am so thankful for our family's health! And this brings me to our extended family and their health as well. It has been a scary time as we pray for my father, and we have been through our moments with Nana breaking her hip, Miss M in the hospital when she was younger and of course Little One being in the hospital as a newborn with RSV... We are thankful each day that except for the occasional runny nose or stomach bug our children and extended family are healthy and happy...

Ok.. so like I said.. after that I am not sure I will ever be "tagged" again... but I tag let's see... Laura, Maureen, Nicci, Nicole, Beth, Shawna, Debby, and Carrie! I guess if you do not have a blog this means create one or send an email! :-)