TGIF and Other Things I'm Thankful For

It's been awhile since I did my Thankful Thursday post... That's because I was advised that it's not "effective" blogging to copy everyone else in the blogosphere for post ideas. In truth, I think we're all thankful for vaguely and/or drastically different things depending upon our specific experience any given week. That said, I'm here to remind myself of all the good things going on so that all the tough stuff doesn't get me down. I apologize if this isn't "effective" for you... But, as this is my happiness project and it helps me immensely to dwell on the positives in my life, I NEED a "Thankful Thursday" post... even if it's Friday!

Matter of fact, "THANK GOD IT'S FRIDAY!" because I'm not sure I could take another weekday this week. No, you won't find me dwelling on the happenings that brought me down this week... though from my list of things to be thankful for, you may be able to guess (LOL):

[1] I'm thankful that my boys are NOT allergic to dairy. We spent the first 2 years of their lives dairy- and soy-free -- myself included since I nursed them -- because they had allergic colitis due to their 8-weeks-early births. Bleeding intestines are no fun. Neither are irritated bowels -- for me or for them (read between those diaper changes)! Strained from too much dairy... so ends the birthday tradition of Carvel ice-cream cakes in our family. I'll take "sensitivity" over allergy any day of the week!

[2] I am beyond thankful that The Boys are MY boys and that I get to raise them as I see fit. They're doing WONDERFULLY growing up big and strong and healthy so I must be doing something all right! That said, I am not an extremist at anything much and so living life anything-free is not really my gig. I do not knock others for going gluten-, soy- or dairy-free nor, I hope, should others knock me for NOT doing it. Variety is the spice of life and it's a spice I love!

[3] I'm grateful to Dr. Raina at NorthShore LIJ who took a chance first on changing, then dropping, my dear aunt's blood pressure meds. Granted, it's only a test during which she'll be closely monitored. But, she's been so many years on the meds that everybody's taken for granted that her blood pressure is high and continued the meds without question. Her 5-day stay in hospital for tests ended this week and did not demonstrate high blood pressure at all. As a matter of fact, she was admitted for extraordinarily LOW blood pressure, dizziness and fainting. We've long suspected that the meds she was on were causing other problems. Perhaps now we can get to the bottom of it all. Thanks Doc for stepping outside the comfort zone and actually listening, seeing and treating the patient as an individual.

[4] Oddly enough,I'm grateful for all the testing my very typical now 5-year-old identical twins who happened to have been born with Down syndrome have been perpetrating against me! Yes, you heard right! I'm GRATEFUL! Because if they're testing, they're understanding the rules and they're understanding that what they're doing [tormenting me, truth be told] goes against those rules. Testing also means they're thinking! That they're cognitively capable! Something some people who don't know them quite well enough [but think they do] don't actually believe enough!

[5] Finally, I did HORRIBLY with my weight loss efforts this week. One might say I was on a weight GAIN effort instead.... 'cause that is what happened. Just the same, I'm 4 lbs less than I was when I started (though the "group" I belong to doesn't know that), I'm eating healthier (except for the cookies that helped me survive this week) and I'm actually getting in more exercise than I have in years (not enough but it's a good start)! So Brava for me that I'm NOT gonna get kicked by that horse! I'm gonna get right back on and ride off [thinner next week] into the proverbial sunset!

Signing off... grateful for another chance, another smile, another sunrise... with my beautiful children. I wouldn't have it any other way!