Gratituesday: Thankful for My Crazy Life

In just a few short days, many of us will be gathering around a table laden with lots of delicious food, laughing and chatting, reminiscing with family and friends. We'll say grace, eat too much, watch football, nap, relax and enjoy a day of Thanksgiving.
  Minus the football, mine will be much the same. I'll see an aunt I've not seen in a few years. My mother is overjoyed to have her sister with her for at least one holiday. She'll be sad that some family members can't make it this year, and I'll try to drag her back to realizing the blessing of what she has now--all the while finishing up the cooking, making plates for the Hubby and his two co workers, and send him out the door to his job after eating a bit. 
  Many times I wish for the huge family gatherings and I grow misty eyed when I watch old Walton's reruns, especially the Christmas and Thanksgiving episodes.But reality sets in and these days I'm more thankful when the get togethers are small around us. J is not at his best in crowds. He gets quite anxious, truthfully, and it takes him awhile to warm up to people he doesn't see often. Too much noise and activity can send him into a nasty meltdown because he doesn't have the words to say"Enough. I need quiet. I need space."
  Looking at my life, I don't live a typical one, if there is any such thing. I am a homemaker, albeit a struggling one. My husband works at a job where his hours are 4pm to 12 am and his weekend is Tuesday and Wednesday. Our son has autism and a few other diagnoses that tag along for the ride. He's nonverbal but in most cases manages to communicate what he wants or needs. There are nights that no one gets to bed before three in the morning because J is wide awake and thrilled to be so. 
  My house is almost never spotless. In fact, on most days if you come in you're likely to find things scattered on the floor, a child scurrying to find clothes to put on because he has gone through just about everything in his closet (in one day, mind you, never mind the reason why) and two cats rushing out of his way. The dishes and the laundry are multiplying. Someone online or on the phone needs my attention at the same time the Hubs asks where his work shirt is and all the while my mind is racing with projects, budgets, and schedules. Oh my! 
  But you know what? No matter how much I want to tear my hair out or how much I complain, and sometimes need a break from it all, I love it. This is my crazy, wild, chaotic life and I love it. I'm so thankful for all of it, to be honest. Maybe not all the time, but I do enjoy it about 95% of the time. Give or take. I am grateful for chaos J brings to my life because he fills my heart with love. I am thankful he's no longer on behavior medicine because even though he's more wound up during the day, more of him shines through. He's more apt to give hugs, more apt to interact with me. 
  I'm thankful for a roof over my head, my husband's job, a car that runs, all of that. But I'm especially thankful to God for the family he has given me, and this includes those adopted and grafted into my life from all different directions. Some I wish I could see and hug again, others I wish I could meet just once but family they are indeed. And last but certainly not least, I'm thankful to you who reads this blog and encourages me with your messages. 
  Happy Thanksgiving to you all. What are you grateful for today? I'd love to hear from you.
  This post is linked to Heavenly Homemakers.         Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Gratituesday: An Abundance of Blessings

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

I'm not rich by today's standards. Not even close. We've had our share of financial problems. Indeed, we've had many troubles and difficulties come our way in the twenty one plus years my husband and I have been together. More will come, I'm sure. It's part of life. However, if I sat down to count my blessings, I'd be sitting here for a long while. 
  I am the child of God. Way back in time He knew the faults I would have --the stubbornness, failing faith at times, lack of "want to" in being submissive --and yet he loved me enough to send his only Son to die one of the most cruel deaths imaginable, so that I might live. He gave this gift to us all.
  I have a husband who is a hard worker, a Christian, passionate about what he believes in. I know where he is at night and he loves me.
  I was blessed with two beautiful children, one of whom died early, and one who has autism. Both have been huge blessings to me. One is my treasure in heaven; the other is my treasure here and continues to teach me about life.
  I have a good family, on both sides. They are all for the most part healthy and happy. They are there in good times and bad for the most part, and I am blessed to have them all in my life. My greatest joy would be for all of them to become baptized believers.
 I have friends who care about me. Some I've never met in person but they make a huge impact on my life. One in particular cares enough to nag me about my health and other matters, because she wants what's best for me. I in turn, do the same for her. I doubt she'll read this, but I'll say it anyway: I love you, woman! 
  My health is much improved from several weeks ago. I am thrilled of that. 
  This year as we are preparing for a day of feasting, and family and friends and football  and shopping (for some), I realize I have much to be thankful for. The people and things mentioned here don't even begin to cover it. It's only the tip of the iceberg. What are you grateful for this year?

Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God hath done.. 

Monday Morning Report

 Beautiful morning out here in my neck of the woods, not too chilly at all. In fact, outside it already feels really nice. I've already been outside to drop off my netflix dvds in the mail --got some great ideas from Martha Stewart's Classic Thanksgiving. While I was outside a man stopped by, seeing my trail of kitties following me. His wife had been down in the dumps lately because her kitten died, so one of my younger ones got adopted. I'll miss the little guy, but I'm so thankful he's found a new home. Still looking for homes for one more kitten and a few adults.
  Speaking of being thankful, if you are on Face book, you may have noticed some of your friends posting each day in November what they are thankful for. You may be doing that yourself. I am, and while there is so much that I am thankful for each and every day, I think it helps to write things down, and it starts the day on a positive note. 
 The hubs is continuing to look around locally for a job. He has a job already, and we are thankful he has it, but right now we live 52 miles away from his work so financially we really need to either find a job closer to home or else find a home closer to work. We are trusting God that something will become available one way or the other. Truthfully, I like the area we live at now, and I love the congregation we are a part of. However, our plans are not always God's plans so we shall see what happens.
 I've got my list of chores I need to do for the day -cleaning the kitchen and laundry being at the top of the list. I think those are never ending things though. I also have to look for some paperwork that was mislaid. That should be fun. 
 Sometime this afternoon I will be going to my mother's house to talk a little about Thanksgiving and see what needs to be done. I know she's already bought some things, and we need to decide who is going to cook what. I think she's planning on making a pie or two, and maybe handle some of the veggies. I'll take care of the turkey and hubby will make his dressing. Yummy! I'm hoping to make a cheesecake as well. Oh, how I love all the foods for Thanksgiving!  I love having the family together even more than the food, though. My dream is to one day have a home big enough so that the entire family can be together for the day. 
 Well, I'd better get to moving if I'm going to get anything accomplished today. How is your day shaping up? Are you preparing for the holidays?