Thanks be to God

This touching post (with one of my favorite bloggers quoting one of my other favorite bloggers -what could be better?) from Elizabeth today reminded me that I have been meaning to repost my last lost post - you know, that one that went up right before Between Daydreams bit the dust. It was the start of a gratitude list - and I'm grateful that Elizabeth rescued it for me! :)

Here it is (written on Nov 1st):

1. my dh
2. dd #1
3. dd #2
4. dd #3
5. dd #4
6. ds(!) #1
7. LB's safe pregnancy and birth
8. that my dh doesn't mind the pit our house has become because LB is always either screaming, nursing, or asleep on my chest while I sit on the couch. There are started and abandoned "projects" everywhere!
9. my dh has learned to see what needs to be done and does it - on a regular basis (I have mentioned before he is a saint!)
10. my girls have also learned to be more self sufficient and helpful towards their siblings
11. knowing how to type well one handed while nursing, bouncing, holding...
12. my laptop (so I can do this from the comfort of my couch!)
13. my 4x experience with breastfeeding elimination diets, because it looks like I'll need to do it again
14. a wealth of food choices at the store to make it somewhat easier
15. our new neighbors seem nice
16. we can afford disposable diapers in bulk because ds goes constantly and the cloth I spent (too much) money on just exacerbates the rashy-ness -and that dh isn't upset that I bought cloth but am almost always using disposables! We'll try again someday...
17. my girls have not totally lost their minds from the constant baby screaming (the jury is still out on me, lol)
18. the communion of saints - have called on them many times lately!
19. my favorite prayer warriors on the 4Real forums (including those who are sorely missed lately!)
20. the box of baby/toddler boy clothes that arrived in the mail yesterday from an old friend
21. Halloween candy! :)
22. God is allowing me to feel a deeper love for my children (something I struggle with)
23. our little book club - 4 friends who get together every other month or so to talk about a Catholic book for five minutes and then life in general for two hours ;-)
24. this sounds silly - but the parking space that St. Anthony helped procure for me on book club night - it was late and I had LB with me...I got exactly the spot I had envisioned, in a lot notorious for being full!
25. last but certainly not least for today - the ability to safely worship as a Catholic and attend Mass any day I am able (esp. today - the feast of All Saints!


and I'll add some more for today -
26. Thankful for my mother, who when I told her I was having some suspected skin cancer removed just went, "Oh that's no big deal, glad you are taking care of yourself, I've had it done several times myself" (as opposed to my dad, who called me later practically in a panic with worry about that, and the fact that I would be driving in holiday traffic, and this, and that, and OH MY how are you EVER going to handle it???? *sigh* ...love the man dearly, but let's keep things in perspective here shall we? I will actually LIKE driving in holiday traffic...a little more quiet time by myself will be a blessing tonight) ;-)

27. That the baby doesn't mind getting food dropped on him. Since I'm holding/nursing him all the time, more than his share of toast crumbs, oatmeal, and juice has found its way onto his head and shirt. :)

28. Google Med School and Google Lactation Consultant Certification Training. Both are helping me figure out how to keep the baby's tummy feeling better.

29. The Kids with Food Allergies support forums and Good Eats recipe database. What a wealth of knowledge and companionship as we all struggle to help our children feel better and stay safe!

30. Listening to my 2yo help me read her favorite books. Which I remembered because she just came up to me with another. Off I go!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

ETA: scratch #26 -my mom's email was a ruse! She called last night after the procedure sounding like someone had died (seriously! I was sure she had horrible news for me...) But no. "I am soooo woooooorried about you," she says. Ugh. So let me change 26 to say, "I am extremely thankful for St.DH, who keeps a proper perspective on everything and is SUPPORTIVE, not falling apart expecting me, the one who is actually going through this, to pick up the pieces.

Now, off to scarf some pie. ;-)