Thankful

I'll be honest...I kinda think the Thankful Days of November posts on Facebook are a beating.  I know, I know - I'm a Scrooge!  I just think it's a bit silly to announce all the things you are (obviously or maybe just should go without saying) thankful for.

With that said, I am thankful for a few things I wasn't this time last year:

I'm so thankful for the past few years.  They have been hard.  They have been full of challenges that I have failed at.  They have been not without heartache.  They tested me more than I really felt like it was fair.  But, I am so glad for all of those failures...because I wouldn't have learned the lessons I did, found out who my true friends are and learned to make better choices in the future.  I'm so glad for the heartache, because I think it just stretched my heart so it could be more full.  I'm glad for all the tests because even though I'm a terrible test taker and I suffer from extreme test anxiety, I think I've passed most of them and have a steady "B" average.  I like where I'm at now.  It's a good place to be.

I'm thankful for my house.  I have not always loved this house, and this time last year I started to get really "house jealous" of those moving into bigger and better places.  I looked it as an ugly starter home with no potential, but when it was suddenly taken from me it was all I wanted to go home to.  Ugly ass linoleum floors and all.  I'm so thankful for RJ, who dropped everything and made it a beautiful home, one I still get excited to walk into (especially after Stephanie has been here to make it beautiful).  This home is ours - we picked the floors, the paint, the counters, the design.  We brought our babies home to this house.  It is special.  The memories will never be erased, but now there is just newer and prettier surroundings to make them in!

Speaking of RJ, I'm super thankful for him.  I joke about being the customer that never goes away, but honestly - I'm glad he wanted to keep me around.  I never dreamed that the week I'd be moving home would be the week I lost my job.  What a slap in the face.  Thankfully, he finds me entertaining and somewhat useful and I love every day I get to work for him.  It's been a huge blessing for my family.  It's changed our lives completely.

I'm thankful for my health.  I'm also thankful that I decided to quit being a fat ass and figure some things out to get better.  I am glad I didn't stop at a few dead ends or "I don't really know" and trusted myself to find out about gluten and what evil things it can do to someone that has an allergy to it.  I'm growing into a hippie more and more every day, and I love it.  Pass me a poncho and let's twist my hair into dreads!

I'm thankful for running.  It's by far the most rewarding things I've gotten myself into, athletically speaking.  The feeling I had when I crossed that finish line at my first race was indescribable.  It has been something I constantly have to work at, but something I miss when I don't do it.  I love the feeling I get when I pound the pavement, and the esteem when I can truthfully say to someone "I'm a runner."  It's really cool.  I'm glad Misty pushed me, and I'm really glad I didn't tell her to leave me alone (even thought I kind of wanted to).

I'm thankful for ole Seanny boy.  He knows why.  I was thankful for him last year, and the previous like 12 - but I love him lots and lots.

I'm thankful for my funny, funny boys.  My kids are the coolest.  Seriously.  Like, don't even argue with me.  :)

I'm thankful for friends, fun nights, wine, whiskey, fabulous high heels and dresses that fit again and look amazeballs.  I'm thankful for God, His mercy on this silly girl, and His love for me even though I don't always follow the rules.  He is a pretty forgiving dude.  Thank goodness, but I figure it isn't His first rodeo with a spirited lady.  :)

And lastly...I am thankful for those that are still reading this journey.  As of today, I'm officially 25 pounds lighter and three sizes smaller.  My back hurts less and my 5K time is shorter.  I want people to know that you can make a change, even when you think you just can't.  You can go big, or you can do one thing at a time.  Just do it.  It is worth it.  It really is.