What I'm thankful for this year

I love this time of year even though it kind of drives me nuts. It's a hectic time. I'm trying to get everything done for Christmas and with four kids... it can get pretty wild. I shop all year round and I'm usually totally done with my shopping by now but this year I've fallen a little behind so WOW is this going to be frantic doing some last month shopping so I'm thankful for Internet stores.
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I have a ton to be thankful for this year. I lost 30 pounds which wasn't easy but I really did it. Of course I need to lose more - 25 pounds would be nice - but I'm super happy to have lost that 30 AND I kept it off. LOL. I had 4 kids, I had some health issues after the birth of my 4th, and I just put on a lot of weight that I wasn't well enough to get off. I've always been a smaller person than I am now but for 7 years... not so much. I want to lose the remaining weight, I want to wear my old clothes and I'd love to just feel smaller again. LOL. I drink a lot of coffee (McD's and I have a love affair going on with their Carmel and vanilla iced coffees), I cut back on chocolate and other junk, and I took up exercising. It has worked and I'm hoping to say that I have lost a total of 40 pounds my Christmas. That's my goal for finishing off this year.
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No one in my family has really had a rough year which is rare and I'm grateful. Those who did have bouts with illness or bad luck have survived, gotten better, or are hanging in there strongly which I am thankful for. I've been to way too many funerals in my lifetime but this year...knock on wood... not a single one. I'm super thankful for that. The economy has been rough on everyone I know, has touched everyone including my family but I'm thankful that it has drawn everyone together rather than apart. I've helped neighbors and friends and they have helped me. I'm thankful for the wonderful people that I know, have met or have talked to this year.
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I went from full time housewife/mother/taxi driver/maid...and the list goes on to add new titles. Published author, contracted author who will be a multi-published author soon and I'm really thankful for that. I've been writing for a lot of years for the love of telling stories but to get them out there, to make a career out of it... wow am I thankful for that. How cool is that? I get to daydream, write it all down, and get paid if people like what I fantasize about. That... is... awesome! Of course I've learned it's not all fun and giggles. Edits are rough, reviews are terrifying concepts, and I've learned there are a lot of things I had no clue about until Ral's Woman came out. I used to imagine the lives of authors. Man was I off. LOL! (I do wish for an assistant so if there are any fairies out there out of work that want paid in chocolate bars... CALL ME!) LOL!
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I need to write a lot more than I did before, it's harder to keep up with the house and the kids than it ever was before and alright is TWO WORDS I've discovered along with a thousand other things I'm still learning and will continue to need to learn. LOL. I'm thankful for it all though and wouldn't change anything because as hectic as it gets... I LOVE IT!
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I'm thankful for all the new friends I've made this year who make my life a happier place. I never expected Ral's Woman to get the kind of welcome it did and it still floors me, humbles me and makes me teary eyed because I've gotten such warm and wonderful responses from people who read it and let me know by taking the time to write to me or leave comments on various places across the Internet. I read every one (I'm pretty sure I didn't miss anything...LOL) and I am so thankful for that.
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Last but certainly not least...I'm so thankful for my children and my husband. I've got four beautiful, wonderful kids who are all different and terrific in their own ways and I have a husband who supports me in every way. He's warm, loving, funny and keeps me smiling always. I can honestly say that every night when I curl up to him I know I'm home, where I belong and truly loved by someone I truly love. It doesn't get any better than that.
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I hope everyone takes the time to stop and look at the wonderful things in their lives.