From Chef to Chef Boyardee to Chef Menopause

Just a few of the things I am thankful for today:

1.  I am thankful that it is three days before Christmas and I am done shopping and wrapping! 

2.  I am thankful that we managed to get done all the things we wanted to accomplish this Christmas season.  Almost.

3.  I am thankful that I get to spend today with my children doing whatever they want to do (with the exception of getting haircuts) and it is the last Saturday before Christmas.  I will not be locked in my room wrapping presents, or wildly running around trying to pick up last minute gifts.  We will decorate sugar cookies today and go see Alvin and the Chipmunks.  (We didn’t make it last night) And drive around tonight with hot chocolate in the car and look at all the beautifully decorated homes in the area.

4.  I am thankful that I have two beautiful, healthy, intelligent, and thoughtful children.

5.  I am thankful that my children are still innocent and naive.  My youngest, LB, last night in the store was lamenting the fact that he hadn’t gotten anything for me for Christmas yet.  I said, "Wow, I wouldn’t mind having one of those…"  (talking about the waffle irons we were standing in front of at that time that just happened to be on sale for $12.99) "Just think, I could make you homemade waffles for breakfast!"  LB said, "You would really like that mom?"  "Yeah, I said, I think it would be great."  LB says, "Mom can I borrow $15 bucks?  And, will you go stand over there and not look?"  So I gave him the money and walked a few paces and turned around.  He then put his gift in the cart, covered it with his coat, checked out in line right behind me, hid his present in the backseat of the car, made me hide while he brought it in when we got home, wrapped it up, and put it under the tree.  And the best part is that he thinks I have no idea what he got me!  I love it.  Oh to be that young and innocent again!

6.  I am thankful that the shoplifter running from the store that bumped into my son last night did not pull out a weapon when he was tackled right in front of us.

7.  I am thankful that I have a well-stocked fridge and pantry, warmth coming from the vents, and water coming from the faucets, and presents for my children and others underneath my tree, all in my lovely home this Christmas.

8.  I am thankful that I received an e-mail this morning from my friend who is serving our country in the military overseas in a war zone because that means that as of this morning he is still alive and well. 

9.  I am thankful that I do not have to rip my children from their home three days before Christmas, with them not having any idea where we are moving to, having to leave their friends with no way to keep in touch, having to leave a school where they have grown up with all their friends, all because I cannot escape any other way from the man who is beating me on a regular basis and threatening my children.  Yesterday at BB’s class Christmas party, one of his friends came up and gave me a big hug and said goodbye.  He proceeded to tell me that after school he and his mom and brothers were moving when they got home and he did not know where, but he knew he would not be back to this school.  He had tears in his eyes as he clung to me and I asked him if everything was ok.  He broke into tears and answered a quiet, "Not really."  I took him out into the hallway where he proceeded to tell me the circumstances of their departure.  It is pretty hard to look a 10 year old boy in the eyes and see fear of both the known and unknown, anxiety, sadness, and attempted bravery.  I gave him a big hug, told him I understood (having been there myself), gave him our phone number so he could stay in touch with BB and in case they needed anything, and slipped him some money to keep in his pocket to take care of his mom in an emergency.  I do not know if he will ever need to use it, or if it will get spent on Pokemon cards and candy, but the look in his eye and the hug that he gave me told me that he had just become the man in his family. 

10.  I am thankful for my savior, Jesus Christ, who is the reason for all of this.

For all these things today I am very thankful.