Giving thanks

So the holidays are coming up quickly. To be honest, I'm not a big fan of them. The older I get, the more I realize that they're more for kids to have fun and adults to stress out about. Normally, there are about five places to be at once on the day of and about as many things to get done before hand. That and it just tends to be financially stressful..

My husband has to work Thanksgiving day and blitz (black Friday) this year, but my parents are going out of town to spend Thanksgiving with family in Arkansas. He, of course, told me to go.. But I have no desire to spend a day of giving thanks without the one person I am most thankful for in my life. So I'm staying here. We're going to have thanksgiving with his family the afternoon of Thanksgiving and have no other plans. So I am going to cook dinner for us on blitz, which, with my history of cooking, will probably turn out to be a disaster.. but it's the thought that counts, right?

Just a few things I am thankful for.

My number one.. A wonderful husband who gives me everything I need, most things I want, rarely says no to me, and loves me even though I can be cranky, mean, and ditsy as hell sometimes. The only man who will ever fully understand, love, and embrace every weird little big part of me. And who has been there for me since day one of walking into my life.. I wouldn't have made it through all the things we've been through this last year and a half without him.

A mom & (step)dad who have taken care of my husband and I in all bad times, and have been there in all good times. I can't imagine it possible to have parents that are more amazing, understand, and forgiving than mine are. My mother is the only person on earth that has been there for me since the day I was born, I would not change that for the world. Richie has been more of a father figure in my life in the last few years than I can ever remember having in my childhood.

Two beautiful and healthy step-children who could not be better kids, who I love more than I ever thought possible.

Having less than a handful of close friends who I have the best time with.

The health and safety of my loved ones.

All the wonderful memories over the last year.

My own health.. and sanity.

And, as weird as it may sound, all the mistakes that I (we) have made over the last year.. and learned from.