i am so grateful for:

1) my husband: when i first met him i knew he was a seeker, a seeker of truth, a seeker of light. he never ceases to thrill me with new thoughts or ideas. he listens to me and doesn't always agree; he is not a yes man, but a man of truth and honor. he challenges me to be better than i am, to reach higher, to be my best. we have never had a moment of *the silent treatment.* he is passionate and opinionated, silly and boisterous.

2) my E: her giggle: infectious. her voice: mature and soothing. her thoughts: precocious. her manner: responsible and organized. for so many years i honestly felt that she hated me. as she grew older and learned of how i felt that the love scale was unbalanced (she was a complete and total daddy's girl), she makes a HUGE effort to show her love for me now. kisses and cards, snuggles and gifts, help with chores and lots of one on one time. it's like she's read the 5 love languages and showers me with all five.

3) my boy: playful, imaginative, driven. i remember when he was little and would throw these massive temper tantrums lasting hours, we knew then that he would be able to list sticktuitiveness on his resume someday. as much as E is my mini me, F is the mini me of the hubs. very serious and stoic, nearly pious in the way he sees things. but also extremely active and playful. being a boy of few words, we listen when he speaks.

4) my G: she holds the key to every persons heart. she reaches out and loves the unlovable. she climbs into the laps of strangers, both worrying me and melting my heart. i can't be mad at her, no matter what she's done to my house. she's changed all the rules of the house, i've become a much more relaxed and happy mom... when i'm not pulling my hair out. i find wadded up pieces of toilet paper in my contact case, but i have to see them as gifts from her.

5) my baby: oye vay! she has become quite the trouble maker lately. but still, through all of the hitting, biting, pinching, and scratching... she is my little bird. she never leaves my side for long. when i sit on the floor she cuddles into my lap, scooting away to pick up a toy, and then returning to show me it. she is fiercely protective of me. i am certainly loved by her.

6) my motha and brotha: times have been hard, we've been through a lot. but in the end i have a mother that loves me and a hardworking brother (and wifey!) that love me too. having my mom closer has been a huge blessing, she has in times past dropped everything in order to take care of my kids when i was sick, or given us the night off and babysat my kids. she does my dishes (even if she doesn't load my dishwasher the way i like! ;-D) my brother and his wife are a beautiful couple who are so great with my kids. my kids just can't get enough of them!

7) my in-laws: hands down i have the best in-laws in the entire world. they love me for me, they encourage my growth, they are easy to be around, loving, and helpful. they do the most selfless things for the good of MY family. in the beginning i felt a little judged or misunderstood, but i have since come to the realization that it was actually ME being judgemental and misunderstanding them. we laugh, a lot. but we're also ok just being.

i love my dear family.