Every once in a while I notice that I’ve had a string of blog posts that are relatively negative – a sort of venting if you will – as I get it all out there that’s bugging me so I can get you to commiserate with me, and maybe I can offer a bit of “you’re not alone” hope to you.  I will now take a break from crawling through the trenches to lay on my back, look up to the sky, and praise the Father for all He has given to me.

• I’m thankful that I have three healthy children.  I know far too many Littles with serious health concerns, may I never take the health of my children for granted.
• I’m thankful that Grace’s heart breaks for orphans and her plan is to one day adopt some babies from Haiti.  For her this is a when, not an if.  May her tender heart never ever be hardened by this world.
• I’m thankful that Eli sees the whole for its parts.  He wants to know how it works, if he can take it apart, and if he can put it back together.  He is curious and smart and always learning.  He can do anything he wants someday.
• I’m thankful that Ada is her own person.  She is not easily swayed, but she’s not stubborn for the sake of being stubborn either.  Her world is just very black and white.  I can’t wait to see what God has in store for her.
• I’m thankful that Chad is my traveling partner for this journey.  He makes me laugh, he lets me cry, he holds my hand, he challenges my stubbornness, he knows when to step back and he knows when to step in.  He knows me.
• I’m thankful that we have enough.  Someday we would like to have a bigger house and a bigger yard and a second car with air conditioning.  But right now we have a big enough house, and we have a yard, and we have two cars.  We have so much more than most other people and we are blessed.  We have enough, and that’s enough.
• I’m thankful that Grace likes to be outside.  One interesting thing we’ve discovered about her with her anxiety is that when she’s outside, she seems free.  Her body is looser, she is calmer and happier; she physically and emotionally needs to be outside.  It’s so simple, and it’s something that I can provide for her.
• I’m thankful that Eli is so much like Chad.  He likes to be goofy.  He is a bit of an introvert.  He is rather intellectual (for a 7-year-old boy).  I’m not really worried about him since he’s like his dad.  He’s going to be just fine.
• I’m thankful that Ada is so rational – yes, I know she’s a 6-year-old girl, but really she is.  For the most part I can reason with her like a grown-up, but with little girl words.
• I’m thankful for a God who loves me so much that He decided I was worth sending his Son for.

What are you thankful for?  Maybe today’s the day to make a list and put it where you can see.  These trenches get deep, and muddy, and filled with booby-traps, and sometimes we can’t get rolled over to look up and catch a glimpse of the sky.  Sometimes we need to be reminded of what we have up there, what we have that’s worth crawling through the mud for.

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