gratitude, mom style

Since Thanksgiving is almost here, it seems appropriate to write a post about things I'm thankful for. And since this blog is mainly about my misadventures in motherhood, I thought I should list things that I'm thankful for that are focused around that. So here is my list of things that I, as a mom, am thankful for this year.

I am thankful ~

~ for my kitchen counter tops that hide dirt so well that I don't even realize they're dirty until I've leaned across them to grab something and my shirt sticks to them.
~ for nap time
~ that no one has flushed anything, besides toilet paper, down a toilet in the past 6 months, at least not that I'm aware of
~ that my boys have listened to the rule about not bringing bugs or worms or salamanders into the house
~ for that one magical night when we sat down to dinner and no one said "this is disgusting"
~ that I only have one child left in diapers
~ that my child only threatens to punch me in the face and that he doesn't actually attempt it
~ for big, round cheeks that are just dying to be kissed
~ for whispered prayers and goodnight kisses
~ for those moments when my children do the right thing without needing to be reminded
~ for preschool
~ for play dates and time with other moms who help remind me that I'm not alone
~ for 5:30 pm when the reinforcements arrive
~ for Jem, Truett and Caia, who fill my life with love, laughter, messiness, challenges and joy and who are training me to be a better person every day

photo by: Madison Faith  http://www.flickr.com/photos/madisonfaith/8145101096/