My Reminder for Giving Thanks...

This is a size 2 toddler jacket that I wore when I was 5 1/2 years old. I look at it every once in awhile and really can't get over how tiny it is. The significance of this jacket, it was the jacket I wore on the day I joined my second adoptive family in the United States. I was in the first family for 15 months, but was horribly physically abused. If I would not have been adopted into my current family, I truly believe I would not be alive.

I am not a saver of things anymore, but this jacket, I will never get rid of. What a great reminder for me of the day I was given yet, another chance at life and oh what I life I have had and still have! My life today, people assume I am spoiled, I am, but it came with a lot of hard work and prioritizing of my life and the lives of my own family members.

When I look at this jacket, I think to myself, "What a cute jacket!" But the most important thing I think of when I see this jacket is how grateful I am for the life I have been given. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Oh Where, Oh Where....

Have I been? Living life, keeping busy, making major decisions that I thought I would never have to make(not ones that affect my family, sort of).

Life is crazy at times, we all have to keep our focus on what is important in life and for me, that is my family. I was out of town most of last week and weekend. My hubby was pretty funny and saying how glad he is to have me home, being a 'single' parent was very tough on him. But he does an excellent job when I am gone. I wouldn't be able to handle it if I had all of his responsibilities at work like he does, then come home and run the household, I would be a wreck! That is why I chose to be a stay at home mom. I know my limits.

It's funny to hear my kids talk about how busy they were with more responsibilities when I am gone...do they really appreciate all I do for our family? YES!!! I know they do and that is why I became a mother, so they could be kids and I could be the parent. I love my hubby dearly and love my kids dearly for stepping up to help when I am gone so that I too may follow my passions!

So, onto the election....tough no matter which way you voted, but wow, history was made and I am proud that America is the land of opportunity for everyone! But it's about how kids think too. My son was telling me about how his discussions at school yesterday and how it came to someone saying to him that he was a racist because if my son could vote, he would vote for McCain...ummm, my son is of mixed race and the student who dared to call him a racist was of a different race(other than Caucasian). I guess I am wondering why it is coming down to race for some people. I've lived with this all my life and I am able to look past any of that. I am able to take the emotion out of it too, guess that has been my survival instinct. I wonder when we can be 'judged' by who we are and not by our race or gender or income level?