Gratitude Challenge

I was nominated by the lovely Stephanie Farmer to do the gratitude challenge. So here goes...
Day 1 of 5:
1- I am thankful for my faith and my relationship with my savior. Without that, I would not be here.
2- I am thankful for my boys and being able to be called "Mom."
3- I am thankful for finally learning that it is about the JOURNEY not the destination.
Today I am nominating three people that have been on my journey with me for most of my life. (I am trying to pick people that I have noticed haven't done this yet.) So - Tomasita Carmona, Christine Stanley, and Framaris Williams. You lovely ladies, its your turn! Love you!

Gratitude Challenge - Day 2 of 5:
1- I am thankful for music. I couldn't listen to music for nearly 3 1/2 years and it has finally come back into my life. It soothes my spirit and soul and connects me to the universe in ways that I cannot express in words.
2- I am thankful for worship. It is extraordinary to be able to get lost in that special place where it is just you, the music, and the Lord. Where bondages and burdens are removed and you are restored and made new.
3- I am... thankful for my true friends. The ones that never walked out when my world was crashing around me. The ones that hold my hand no matter how long its been since we have talked or seen each other or how far away we are from one another. I love you and you know who you are. I am blessed to have as many as I have.
I am nominating Donna Morrison - my hand holder, Jennifer Marasciullo - my GB girlfriend, and Carrie Mowrey - my go to girl when the going gets rough in certain areas of my life that only she understands. Thank you ladies for always being there! (The only reason Stacey is not listed is because she has already done this challenge and I don't want to have to make her do this again!)

Gratitude Challenge Day 3 of 5:
1- I am thankful for all of the challenges I have had to overcome in my life. They have made me who I am.
2- I am thankful for Autism. Yes, you read that correctly. My journey has 2 AMAZINGLY incredible tour guides that touch my heart and inspire my soul. They also test my patience and exacerbate my limits. But without Autism, and the co-existing disabilities as well, I would not have been to Holland and met the wonderful people that are on thi...s journey with me. It has opened my eyes and my heart in ways I never knew were possible.
3- I am thankful for my own mental illness and recovery. The last several years have been difficult, but they are a part of me that have taught me so very much and have caused me to grow into who I am today. I have learned that I am not perfect, but I am not meant to be. And it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, because they haven't walked my journey. They have no idea the things I have been through.
And now to pass the challenge on. I choose Melissa Goodloff, Vanessa A. Soleil, and Airin Giltner. Three amazing women who have so much to give to the world.

Gratitude Challenge Day 4 of 5:
1- I am thankful for sleep, whenever it decides to find and keep me, which is rare.
2- I am thankful for restoration. In all the ways that it can happen. I am in the beginning, baby steps of it in one particular relationship now and it is scary and wonderful. And scary. Did I mention it was scary? But I am still thankful for it. However it turns out.
3- I am thankful for laughter. It definitely does a heart good like a medicine. In this crazy house, we laugh almost every day - especially with our Topher around. But my mom and I are pretty funny too.
I am nominate Romona Williams, Alicia Figueroa, and Shannon Beeman. I love you ladies!

Gratitude Challenge Day 5:
1- I am thankful for my family. It is broken, crazy, dysfunctional, peculiar, remarkable, and downright strange, and we have definitely earned our right to be that way (don't judge what you don't understand)... but they are mine and I love each and every one of them like crazy!
2- I am thankful for the relationship that I have with my ex-husband. Most people who get divorced and share children fight, bicker, squabble, and downright hate each other. ...Don't get me wrong, we have our moments, but he is now one of my closest friends, and for that I am truly grateful.
3- I am thankful for firefighters, EMT's, and paramedics. I have had the privilege and honor of knowing some tremendously amazing ones in my life. My best friend was one and he was taken from us way too soon. So in honor of him, I challenge the following people for my last official day of the challenge: Thad Diaz, Billy Westcott, and Cari Knaus. Three things to be grateful for for 5 days!