Oh, February...

You are a tough little month, February.  Last year you took at run at me and you are off to a similar start this 2012. I'm glad you are the shortest of the months.  You do have your redeeming qualities - mine, along with a few other important birthdays.  And roll-up-the-rim-to-win usually begins at the end of the month (which, incidentally coincides with the start of Lent - maybe Tim Horton's is on us).  Anyhow, you schooled me on your very first day (see previous post) and have slowly been chipping away at me with runny noses and crankiness (both kids and myself).  But you will not take me down., February.  I'm on to you.  And here - just to show you that I'm up to the challenge of seeing you through with a lightness of spirit - here is a list of things I am thankful for today.

 

• my community - both the live one and the virtual one on Facebook and email that helps me feel connected to others even when I haven't left the house in days
• healing kids - the noses are drying up (as the energy level ramps up too)
• Keith - he makes me feel cute even with my giant preggo belly and my red nose
• homemade bread, toasted with peanut butter
• a coffee and amazon order arriving precicely on my birthday
• Lucy's shenanigans. Like yesterday, after she fell in a puddle playing outside was inside alone for all of two minutes while I got Isaiah.  When I found her, she was hiding in the lazy susan, eating an entire loaf of fresh bread from the inside-out.
• Isaiah's imaginiation. Seriously, I love how his little mind works, the questions he asks and how much he wants to figure out his world.
• working washer, dryer and dishwasher. They were never broken - but they really do make my days so much easier and more convenient. I don't want to take them forgranted.
• Soft kleenex. Because we don't need to make having a cold any more unpleasant than it already is.
• Antibiotics - so my Lulu can feel better so much sooner.
• Knitting - because being able to create something, making neat, orderly rows can be very theraputic when your imagination runs away with you.
• The knees, elbows and feet of the babe growing in my belly. As uncomfortable as it can be to accomodate a baby in these last 6 weeks - it is also so reassuring to feel her swimming around in there.
• A God who is bigger than my greatest fears - even if they do someday become a reality.

And so, February - here is the beginning of what I know will be a very long list of blessings and thanksgivings.  I'll look back on them as your days go by, holding them in my heart.  You may defeat me in some moments, but I think I've got you beat overall.