Can You Take a Moment to Be Thankful?

Some things I'm thankful for:
My 16 year old son still gives me a hug before he leaves the house.
My 14 year old son shares his creative movie making ideas with me.
My 21 year old daughter is coming home from college next week.
My 23 year old daughter thanked me for watching her cat.

That's sad.
My 4 year old is super smart, remarkably thoughtful, funny, very honest, and a little cowboy, which makes me smile. Out of the blue, he will just say "thank you mommy" or "I love you so much" and the whole world is at peace.
My 1 year old is hillarious, his smile lights up the world, and he has a way of wrapping his arms around my shoulders or grabbing me by my ears and hugging me hard, with a little sigh or coo like I would do him when rocking him to sleep. That makes me melt!
I'm thankful for my husband also, for a million reasons. I've been blessed with a wonderful family and I consciously try to not let myself take them for granted! Time is short...

My 17 year old son is funny, respectful, honest and smart
My 15 year old daughter is talented, kind, helpful and funny
My 10 year old daughter is sweet, smart, funny, and helpful
My 7 year old son is funny, tender hearted, loving and smart
My 1 year old son is smart, loving, funny and sweet

I'm so thankful for my awesome children and I'm thankful that they are all healthy!

I love that my 3 year old son gives the best hugs and kisses. He grabs my face and kisses one cheek then turns it to kiss the other cheek and sometimes he will keep kissing. Melts my heart every time he does it.

I love that my 5 year old daughter is becoming so creative. She loves to decorate her room and herself as much as she can. She asked me to help her dress fancy for story time today. She is adorable.

I love that my 20 week unborn baby is moving more and more and I am feeling it so often. I can't wait to find out if it will be a boy or a girl next week.

I love everything about my children because every aspect, even the ones I don't *like* sometimes, make them the amazing little people they are.

I love that my oldest is learning by leaps and bounds every day. I see the pride just radiating from her when she remembers the sound a letter makes or how to write a new word.

I love that my middle daughter is starting to stand up to her big sister. She's not content to just go with the flow anymore; she's forming her own ideas and opinions and is *demanding* to be heard.

I love that my youngest is still so small. The baby stage goes by SO ridiculously fast that I'm really trying to relish every adorable infant moment with her. The cutest thing she's doing right now is blowing raspeberries when she finishes nursing :o)

Some days I feel like curling up in a little ball and crying. But all it takes is one hug, one kiss, one 'I love you mama' to snap me out of it and re-focus on what *really* matters. I love my girls more than I'd ever DREAMED possible.

I am so sorry to hear about the death of the baby. So heartbreaking.

I love that our daughter is her own person. She is strong, but when she needs a hug, she feels strong enough to ask for it.

She has great empathy and people say she is a great friend and caregiver.. We are very fortunate parents indeed.

My DD is 3 years old, and she tells me to be safe driving to work, loves giving me hugs, kisses and "zerberts", loves to help, and will tell me "I love you Mama" or thank me for things without prompting. I love her reaction when I come home, like it's the greatest thing that has ever happened to her. She would rather play with tape measures and calculators and a magnifying glass than her toys. Her big thing now is drawing "maps" and explaining them to me. I love when she gets something down that she's worked on or hits the next milestone and you can tell how proud she is of herself. I love that she is curious, enthusiastic, smart, confident, independent, healthy and able to stand up for herself - even to me and Dad.

Most of all, I just love that she is here - because she almost wasn't. ;)

I am so, so very sorry to hear about the baby in your community. That is just heartbreaking.

We should all take a moment to appreciate the wonderful things in our lives, thank you for the post.

I love that it gets more fun all the time.
I love when my kid asks if I want a hug and a kiss.
I love how curious and observant my kid is.
I love the my kid still lights up when we come home/pick up from school.

I have more but it is time for dinner :)

((hugs))

My heart breaks for that family!
I am very thankful that my kids woke up this morning. I worry about their blood sugar dropping too low in the night, and I am thankful to see their smiling faces every morning.

I love the hugs and kisses, the fact that they want me to play at any given day, I love their excitement when they get to head off to "work" with daddy, and the way my daughter says "I just need to give you something, mom" and then kisses me on the arm.

After your post, I certainly will appreciate the piles of legos in every room in my house, the dirty undies on the bathroom floor, and the spilled honey on the dining room table.

I will pray for the family who lost their baby. What a heartbreak.

**I am thankful for a 14yo son who will sit & watch Glee with me.
**I am thankful for a 23yo son who will sit & play "Simple Man" by Lynyrd Skynyrd ....on his guitar....for me. I consider it my "life song" for my sons.
**I am thankful that my 14yo son is happy & thriving daily.
**I am thankful that my 23yo son is once again embracing his family. He did not function within our circle from 16 to 21. It totally sucked.
**I am thankful that both of my sons share a wonderfully close relationship.

& I am thankful to you, H., for posting such a wonderful question/request.

How very sad.

I love that my friend is a defender and champion of weaker kids. I love that he is kind to all. I love that he sees that differences are not weaknesses. I love that he thinks outside the box. I love it, that at 8, he is getting a "global" world view and is interested in current events, as well as world history. I love that he cheers on his friends in sports. I love that he is getting excited about reading. I love his sense of humor. I love his sweet smile. I love that he loves me back. Which, at 8, he will rarely, readily say out loud--but it slips.

I love that my son is such a sweetheart. I love that he is so silly and his imagination is so much bigger than he is! I love his smile, and I love the fact he is always willing to give me a hug and kiss.

I love that my daughter is so independent. I love that she still will cuddle with me, and I love her sense of humor. I love her silly little grin too! I love how beautiful and kind she is as well.

I found out yesterday I am pregnant again, and I am already so in love with our new baby and can't explain it.

I don't believe I could go on without my children either.

My kids... are very self-aware and expressive, and opinionated and articulate for their ages. Sure, its not always easy, but I nurtured them that way. My late Dad, raised me that way too. To be an "individual." To be self-aware, which is different from being prideful. And I am so proud of them.

They also still have a child's heart. Even my 8 year old girl. They are not all jaded like I see some kids, already are at these ages. A Teacher even commented about that, about my daughter. And how that is nice to see... amongst all the kids that even at this age, act like Teens or dress like one.

My son, for a boy, is very feeling and expressive. He knows himself and his feelings and will say so. He even, when he was delayed in speech when younger... is now the most talkative one in our family... and he has an astounding vocabulary. He told me today as we drove around, that the laborers at people's homes are called "construction workers... they know how to build buildings..." And when describing something big, he will say it is "Humongous... " He knows all the names of Dinosaurs. And he freely says "I love you..."

My daughter and son, still love sitting on my lap, even if they are SO tall and too big to sit on my lap.
I love that they still like to cuddle... and they love to chat about their day. They have really great ideas and conversation skills.

Like any Mom, I just think my kids are great.
Sometimes when they are icky, I just wanna laugh.
Because they are so earnest and genuine, in their reaction.

Growing up is so fast.
Someone I know, died last week.
He'd bring his Grandson to all his lessons after school.
His Grandson, misses him dearly. It is so sad.
When one passes and leaves such an imprint on our hearts....

I love that I heard my 4 year old daughter ask my husband the other day, "are you being a pill?"

She IS a little Momma...no doubt about it. (right down to putting her crayons in the fridge like "Momma" does the chicken for dinner...all while "talking" like me.

THAT, and she tells our bird things like, "try it, you'll like it!" and "dont spill on the floor"....oiy!!!
She's such a button!!!

I get teary eyed over stuff like that too. I have a friend who lost her 2 year old to an accidental drowning and when she talks about it I still get all teary eyed (it's been two years). I just can't imagine. My prayers go out to that family.
I LOVE that my (2 year old) girl is.....
silly, goofy, has tickle fights with me, has my dads beautiful blue eyes, that she uses the lazy boy to spin herself around giggling the whole time, cuddles with me, she gives me kisses and hugs sparatically, she gives me high fives (makes me feel accomplished lol even if it is just giving her something to drink), that she lets me paint her toenails, that she will pretend to rub my feet, she was increadibly sweet when I was sick and let me lay down and rest (I now have a new love for wubzy), she has a great imagination, I love that she has a fondness for being outdoors/music/dancing (we dance together)..ok I need to stop, because I can keep going.
Basically just having her saved my heart, she really is the light of my life, and as I am typing this she is on my lap cuddling with me.

I love seeing my girls play and laugh together! They are 10 years apart but they both get excited to see each in the morning and after school/daycare! I am Thankful my girls ARE healthy! I don't know what I would do if I lost either girl. My world would be torn apart!

I am thankful for SO MANY things my girls do! I am thankful that my 7 year old makes me laugh EVERY DAY...and enjoys doing it! I am thankful that my 11 year old still wants me to tuck her and every night and still wants a hug & a kiss!! I am thankful that I have to wonderful, loving, smart & healthy children!

I love the fact that both of my boys are amazing -and VERY different! They're both very sweet, but they have really different personalities and ways they show their sweetness. I absolutely adore watching them together -particularly when they don't know I'm watching. The oldest is so well-spoken and mischievous but really thoughtful, and the youngest just emanates a sweetness and always has. He has the most precious little voice and laugh. Yes, they drive me insane on a regular basis, but they are so incredibly wonderful!

***And so sorry about the baby in your community. People should regularly stop and be thankful for healthy children if that's what they have. In the end it all comes down to how healthy your child is -not the gender or the million other things posted about on this board. More than anything, that's what I'm thankful for with both of my boys -they are healthy.

I love that my son is smart, independent, and lovable! I love that when i don't feel good physically or emtionally he will try to comfort me in any way that he thinks will make me feel better. lol and i also like that he finds my change and outs it in his piggy bank so that when we go somewhere he will offer to pay sometimes. he is my world!

MY 15 year old son has a lot of compassion for animals, finds time to spend with his siblings and has a goof ball sense of humor, he tends to try and cheer me up when I am cranky and loves to sing with me when we are doing errands in the car or while playing the Glee karaoke or Rock Band.

My 10 year old daughter is sweet and thoughtful, doesn't have a selfish bone in her body, never talks back, has an amazing imagination and quite the budding artist.

My 3 and 1/2 year old son is my smile and laughter walking outside my body, he constantly reminds me not to take things to seriously, he makes me see the world through a child's eyes all over again, he may have been given a label by the medical community as "special needs" but to me he is simply special!

I love each of my children for different reasons, but all three have a special place in my heart and I could not ask for anything more, I am thankful for my children, love each of them with all my heart and cannot imagine our lives without any one of them gracing it.

Couldnt have said it better. Thank you for reminding us that life is precious and we shouldnt take for granted anything that we have. Should find a reason to be thankful everyday.

I love that my son is healthy, happy, and loves me. I love that he smiles when he sees me and gets excited when I walk in his room every morning when he wakes, and nuzzles my neck because he is happy to see me. Warms my heart everytime I look at him. I never thought I could love anyone so much. He truly is my heart, and my reason for living. I love my boys!!!

oh I love that my older son is so smart! He is so quick and the way he comes up with things blows my mind. Like a couple days ago there was some song on the radio about picking up girls and just being a womanizer so I switched the station. He asked why I did it, I said "because that song is yucky" He goes "yeah because it talks about not needing to have a wife? When I grow up I am gonna have a wife!" He is the bomb!! I also love that he picks me flowers and tells me I that he loves me and my hair looks beautiful...I could go on and on! He is so awesome and he is only 3 :D My little one is such complete and total cuddlebug and has this adorable and feisty little personality but he is so sweet!! He will just hug you and kiss you and just lay with you. I LOVE that:D So my boys are awesome, even on their days....we all have them ;)

I am a first time mom with a four month old (which took a long time to get this little one here!), and i think I love everything about him. I love when he smiles, and when he stops and listens intently when I sing to him. I love his expressions when he discovers new things. I love his beautiful eyes (along with a lot of other people, strangers often comment about that). I love making him laugh. I love watching him learn

I'm thankful that Bella always gives me hugs and is always so excited to see me. I like how to her I'm the "Tickle Monster" and that I get the chance to introduce her to Disney movies. It's cute when she says or does something silly. I'm glad that to her every day is a "party day". I love how my BIL and I make up silly songs with her.

I'm thankful that Paul gives everyone high fives and it's so cute when he waves at me and says hi, or just comes up to me with a big grin on his face. When he was learning to walk, I would hold him beneath the armpits and help him to walk around and he would be so happy and want me to do it again. Every day he does something entertaining.

The other day I had a little bit of a breakdown. The pregnancy hormones and stress just caught up with me and as I was grabbing laundry and dreading the long haul upstairs I just couldn't hold it back and I started crying. I felt guilty because there is nothing all that "wrong" in my life... I just feel really overwhelmed at times.

Anyways... My two year old came up to me and i tried to wipe my eyes and regain composure and she said "your crying, mama?" I said "yeah... mama just wants HER mommy right now" (she lives a ways away and is at work) My daughter thought for a moment and went off into the other room. When she came back she had the phone and dialed some random numbers... she said "Phone, Mama!"

And It made me cry all over again... but I felt 100% better! I am really blessed!

Thanks for posting this!

I love that when I am stressed or not feeling well, my cuddly little man's hugs or snuggles make it so much better!

I love seeing his giddy little face when we play outside, go for an adventure in the car, or get to eat something sweet!

I love that I knew I wanted him, I prayed for him, I planned for him, when everyone else said he was a girl, I knew he was a little blue eyed, mischievous little boy and that for all the things life may be lacking-with him in our world, it's complete!

He melts my heart everytime he says "purple."

I love, love and am SO blessed that I have been home with him full time and get to continue to be!

Wonderful :) I am thankful that there are 8 cardboard boxes 50 or so army men and GI joes as well as pieces of train set an hot wheels track all over my living room. WHY?! Because it is spring break and my 3 children who really can be the bestest of friends spent this afternoon constructing an entire city out of the junk all over my floor. I am thankful I spent this beautiful day with them and I am thankful they love me as much as I love them.

I love that my 7 year old son is such a well behaved and sweet kid, he tells me several times a day how much he loves me and what a good Mom I am! I love that my 16 month old boy/girl twins argue and wrestle each other in order to be the 1st one to sit in my lap the second I sit on the floor to play with them; I also love listening to the twins crack each other up in bed when they are supposed to be sleeping :)

Thanks for posting this great reminder!!

I know it is a sad,sad world out there today. my little "pudding pop" that's what I like to call him sometimes...lol,is 5 years(6 in july)and he tells me all the time that he loves me..... he has his moments but sometimes you need to look at those moments and remember that we have moments 2...(big moments sometimes)and we are older....we have no excuse really lol...and also,that they are healthy enough to be a little hell raiser sometimes..! but,he is such a loving little boy with such a big heart and he cares for everybody. thanking god for him and the sweet things he shows me each and every day.

I love that my 21-year-old recently told me, "Mama, I'm glad you raised me the way you did."

I love seeing my son smile and feel the love he has and see a light in his eyes like no other. He is so gentle with babies and so sensitive when a friend is upset. He always tries to give love and happiness when he sees someone is not their cheeriest. He enjoys the great outdoors and there is nothing better then watching him discover something new or an odd bug. He has shown me why life and living life is so important and I am so proud of him for being him! His image is all I need to make me smile or tear with happiness. His laugh is infectious. Thank you for posting this! Hope we all can appreciate from time to time what blessings we have! Enjoy your day Mommas!!

Thanks for posting this.... It is so easy to get overwhlemed by the bad in the world, or even our own personal/family frustrations.....

I love my son. He is funny, and intelligent, and loves to try new things. He is very empathetic, even as young as he is.

One of my alltime favorite movies is Parenthood (with Steve Martin).... There is a line it where Keanu Reeves (playing a young, dumb teen) says [paraphrasing], "You need a license to catch a fish or drive a car, but any one can have a kid...." Great movie. It will make you laugh & maybe cry, and love your family even more.

I love my smiley little baby and the way she doesn't smell, but somehow she does and it is wonderful! I love the way my little imp of a boy rhymes and plays with words and likes to have his hair washed with swim goggles on. :) Take good care, H..

thank you so much for having me take time to ponder this. i thank God everyday for my daughter because she came to me 10 weeks early and survived without any medical problems. I am thankful she is with me (i was one day from placing her for adoption). i love that she is empathic, and will notice when i'm sad or not feeling well and ask me what's wrong. i love that at two she has an attitude the size of a teenager, even though i hate it at the time. I love that she learns things from her soon to be step brothers. and that she adores my fiance, his kids, her daddy, and me. i love that she loves to sit on my lap and give me hugs and kisses and play and wrestle.

i am also very thankful for my fiance's kids. they aren't mine, but i love them the same as if they were. i love that the oldest is smart and empathic. when his daddy and i got in a huge fight, he came over, and hugged me. i told him it was ok, he told me, no its not, because you're crying. mommy and daddy fought like this before the divorce. i don't want you and daddy to get a divorce. it was so touching that he could put his thoughts into words like that. and i love that the youngest is a daddy's boy, even though it annoys me some days. and i love that both of the boys love me and respect me.

i'm so thankful to have all three of these children in my life. i cherish them more than anything else. :) and now i'm crying.

My heart goes out to all families that have lost their children.
I am extremly grateful to God for my children and hope to be blessed with more. I have a tenacious, loving, cuddle bug, smiley, 2 year old boy. Has a gift of bringing in the sun on gloomy days and can make anyone laugh. His sister is an energetic, caring, always laughing and learning 8 month old. Keeps me on my toes and teaching me a thing or two about life :) also loves to cuddle and warms anyone's heart. They are a handful, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I appreciate life even more because of them! I feel so loved and blessed to be their mom :)

Ok now I just want to drive to my son's elementary school and take him out of class and just go have ice-cream somewhere!!!! :))

Oh he is every breath I take. He's getting older so fast and at times that makes me extremely sad. I love to watch him play, I love the way he drags the huge blanket out into the living room and plops down on the couch in the mornings before breakfast, I love the way he coughs ( yea I know I'm CRAZY ) I love to hold his hands, I love having long conversations with him aout the WWE wrestlers ( well ok, he loves that more than me ) I love how he sings to himself as he's doing stuff around the house.....I could go on and on.

sigh....I'm stuck here at work and want to go hang out with my boy! hahha

I love love love the fact that as I am sitting here reading and thinking of all the love I have for my son, he piped up and said, "mommy, can we 'nuggle". He's four and he still wants to snuggle with his mommy. I couldn't really ask for more. When I found out I was having a boy I was soooo worried I wouldn't know what to do with a boy since I am an only child raised by a single mother, but it has all come very naturally and he is the absolute joy of my life.

I love that my son and daughter (6 & 3.5 respectively) say "I love you, mom" about a thousand times a day - as well as to eachother! I love that my son still doesnt mind me calling him my "little baby boy". I love that every night, when he comes into give me and his sister hugs/kisses, that he doesn't just stop with one. I love that my daughter just about bowls me over with hugs when I don't expect it. Kids are a wonderful thing - so much joy!

I love everything about my two little boys! Even the crying and constant wanting me to see this and that and the talking ALL of the time because I know I will miss this when they are grown up and that all seems to happen way too fast!!

I love that my almost 14yr old son still comes up and hugs me for no reason. I love that my almost 10yr old son and I can just look at each other and get the giggles.

Oh, I am thankful every moment of every day for my children's health. I have several close friends who have children and of these there is one with severe autisim, one with a severe heart defect, one who just battled retinoblastoma, and is cancer-free,(YESSSS!!) but lost his eye, and one who was born with a rare genetic defect that can cause autism-like delays, as well as physical deformities. I have 2 girls that are healthy as can be (knock on wood!!!) and there is nothing I am more grateful for than that.
As for the fun part...well my girls are so different, and so so special in their own ways. My 5 yr old is SO smart, and it is just so cool to have conversations with her- she is the *best* big sister, looks after her sis, is so patient with her, teaches her things, is a bit patronizing, but in a loving way (will look at me and roll her eyes and smile when her sister does something goofy) We have a great tradition of talking about her best and worst parts of the day at night, and it is a great time for us to re-cap the day, and wind down, and have a real conversation without the distraction of "The little one" (What she calls her sister on occasion)
My 'baby' is 21/2, and she is the exact opposite of her sister- except what a great sister she is. She is my snuggler, is truly the devil with angel wings, she keeps us on our toes, is a drama queen, for sure, and is such fun to hang out with - if you can keep up!
Thanks for the question- I could go on and on aboutr my babies!!

What a great thought to send out and such fun responses!

I love the way my daughter enjoys reading and doing math problems during spring break, for fun (she's almost 6). I love the way she sparks when I ask her to help with cooking or doing something else more grown up (other than cleaning).

I love the way my son invents toys to fit his "when I grow up I'm going to be..." play acting. I love the way he gets his bat, racket, whatever and swim stick to sing Crocodile Rock (he's 3.5 and know all of the lyrics).

I love the way my kids have so much fun in the bath together and get me so soaked, I might as well join them. The way that they swim- they are amazing in their ability. Love the way the just run and run and play and play and never seem to tire, but I get exhausted just watching.

I love the way my dd is so passionate about soccer (darn, I wanted her to love softball as much as I do).

I love that they both love to do gymnastics and that we all found a place to go and workout together. I could go on and on.

Thanks for getting us to stop and think about the good things!

My 3-year-old son:
He looks like a perfect blend of me and my husband.
He gives original and heart-felt compliments. For example, he told my husband tonight that "this was the best dinner ever."
He spontaneously brings toys for his baby sister to play with.
He helps me rinse the dishes before I load them in the dishwasher (and has higher standards than me). "That cup's not ready yet, mom."
He loves to dance and is quite good at it.
He has an incredible imagination and is genuinely a joy to play with.

My almost-8-month-old daughter:
She said mama for the first time today, which melted my heart.
She reaches out her hands to be picked up.
She just started waving.
She laughs out loud when we play airplane.
She is healthy and sturdy despite a complicated pregnancy and being born 2 weeks early.

My husdand and I just returned from a weekend getaway (2 nights). While we had fun, we couldn't help but wish we were at home. Its not that we don't always miss our kids, but they are at such a fun age (3 and 6) that we for the first time probably would rather be with them even on the toughest days that be without them for fun.
I am not sure if this makes sense to anyone. We love our kids and wouldn't change anything about them, but when life gets stressfull we usually want a break, until now. I don't want to be anywhere without them. My husband feels the same way. Its a great feeling.

They just had a news item here in NY about a child who was abused and weighed only 18 pounds at the age of 4 - it just makes me sick to hear stories like that.
To answer your question, I am thankful for my 2 children every day - it is an awesome gift to be able to be a parent. I love my daughter's fierce determination and enthusiasm for life. I love my son's kind and gentle spirit. All our children are precious individuals and deserve to be treated so.
Have a great day :)

I love the way that my babies smile at me.

I love that my daughter is so full of energy!!! I love when she hold my face and says "I love u mama". I love that she taught me what true love is...

I love that my sons are such sweet little boys. Give give them a smile and they come running for a hug and turn on the music and they shake their little booties.

Thanks for this question. We hear all the time how hard it is and how much work having children are so I like being able to talk about all the great things that children bring to us. I love to snuggle with my daughter in the morning when she is just waking up and not ready to get out of bed ( the best snuggling time I think). I love working out in the garden and just taking time to see the world through her eyes which gives me a new perspective on everything. My list could go on forever. She is the best thing that I have ever done.

Best love and wishes to the people who lost their little one. I can't even imagine the pain. :(

I love what a little dancer my 3 year old is. Even though we can't watch GLEE with her because everytime they start singing, she gets infront of the TV and says "WATCH ME!!" while she grooves to the beat. LOL!!!

I love my 2 month old's toothless Cheshire Cat grins. And when she gives me a disgusted "what do you think you're doing?" look when I try to but a binky in her mouth. So funny.

Within a week, in PA, two families lost 8 children in fires. One family lost a 10 month old -and another lost 7 of their 8 children. I cried for days-I'm with you when it comes to children. You're sweet-and your son is very lucky to have you!