Come Follow Our Blessings...: In Thanksgiving

11/28/13...I get woken really early by the sweetest little voice, "Mama? Mama..." So go into her pink, castled room and she says, "Mama, I had a really bad dream about a beautiful witch at our party who was handing out papers. The papers turned people into witches."

As frightening as it was to her, it was delightful for me. I had the chance to snuggle and ask questions about the beautiful witch and whether or not she avoided getting a paper handout, etc. All while she's placing her cold little feet up against my feet. We hug, I smother her with kisses, when all of a sudden I hear the precious snore of her little body. Out. I lay there very cozy and realize how lucky I am to have such a gift. She was the most amazing little apprentice yesterday afternoon as she eagerly learned how to roll out pie crusts and follow recipes for pumpkin pies and fresh blended red chile! Today's the day we apprentice homemade bread! She's my mini minion and oh how I love her eagerness to learn.

Last night, the kids and I decided to get in mama's bed and watch Stuart Little. Well, we only make through half the movie, but the joy of having them "cozy up" with me is the thanksgiving I truly appreciate. The littlest one somehow managed to stay in bed...I heard daddy attempting to carry the little body that has someone enlarged and is not as easy to pick up and carry back to her bed like a brand, new baby! That was a blessing to have them by my side!

Thanksgiving is hearing your precious boy awake in his normal capacity of....yes, singing. Who wouldn't be in thanksgiving to hear that amazing voice awake in singing joy and contentment. I love how he's been awaking and hugging his mama...the hug has changed...that little boy body isn't there, but this new big boy body somehow has a way of hugging his mama in the tightest way possible. I love it! I also love his gently nightly kiss he gives my cheek every night before bed. I still even like his "puppy breath." I can't wait to hear his ooh and ahhh over the "doll icious" food today!

Thanksgiving is having quiet time w/o any distractions, sipping that first cup of HOT coffee, reading the online ABQ Journal, watching the tail-end of local weatherman, Steve Stucker, and catching the first 15 minutes of GMA, all while typing this and absorbing my many thanksgiving blessings...any minute now, I'll hear the pitter patter of my 8 yr old's feet running down the hallway and into my arms...so I need to wrap up pretty soon.

One of my favorite times is sharing coffee with "my boyfriend" on his day off. I'm the luckiest mama to have the coolest sole-mate who also appreciates a good cup of coffee after immediately waking! Just last weekend I had an extended weekend get-a-way with "my boyfriend" for the first time in over 11 years. It made both of us appreciate the 16 pre-kid yrs. we had "living it up," yet also made us appreciate the last 11 of being a family...we both agreed we're not staying away or that far again for a long time...one night is okay...but this is who we are, this is what God intended for us. Having a family is the best gift God's given us as a couple. I'm glad I had the most wonderful man to share this with!

Yesterday, I visited by almost 100 yr. old grandma...she just held my hand and continually thanked me for coming over. She's frail and can barely see and her walking is weak and heart not beating the way it's suppose to, but her voice and questions and concerns are real and her touch was soft and genuine. 99 Thanksgivings she's had and one of her continue and fond memory she remembers and talks about is her wedding day, 77 years ago to her husband on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26th. I'm thankful for her.

I'm thankful for my little family of 4 but I'm also thankful for the family in my life...my sister who always remains a constant, my brother and their families, my cool nephews and special nieces, my parents, my Tia, my uncles, all my cousins, my oldest/youngest/dearest friends, my sisters in Christ, my BFF, my LTs, the gift of health and most of all the gift of knowing Christ as my personal Savoir.

God is Good Indeed.