Thankful for ONE more year!

I was awoken this morning to a glorious, wonderful, and totally off-key rendition of Happy Birthday by none other than Grace. So sweet. She made me 8 cards yesterday. 8! You can bet I am keeping every single one...crazy spelled words, hot dog shapes and all. And made sure to tell me at least every hour "Happy Birthday Mommy!" and "I love that you showered today because you smell so wonderful". Poor kid doesn't see her mommy clean enough I guess. ;) She was home sick today, so had lots of time to chat. The day was wonderful. So thankful for my children, so thankful for my husband, and so thankful for God deciding to keep me around a little longer. I've seen enough of the bad stuff in life to know that each day is a gift, and I plan to spend as much time as I am here not taking that for granted. Loving the "little things" we are trying to notice in each day. Today my FAVORITE was just an hour ago while I was putting Maddie to bed. I was laying next to her thinking she was asleep and she told me in her sleepy, sweet voice that she didn't like her name anymore. I, of course, asked her what name she could possibly love more than Madeline..and she informed me that starting tomorrow I was to call her by her new name...Christmas. So stinking cute! So tomorrow I will greet "Christmas" with a smile and a fresh cup of apple juice as she descends from the stairs.