grateful tonight

I'm thankful for many things, but tonight I feel especially grateful to hear the sound of the door opening and TEC's keys jingling...of Bea getting excited about that familiar face she's missed over the last couple of days...of 4 wonderful kids whose faces would light up right now if they were still awake...of the tremendous blessing I have of being a mother, but not a single parent. I am grateful for peace from prayers to get me through days and for strength to do a better job than I did today. I'm grateful for children who give me a fresh chance each day to be a better mom (and for the simple fun we manage to have together through it all). I'm grateful for my own mom who worries about her girls and for the countless ways she is there for me. I'm grateful for friends who also make it through days on their own with the kids and their examples to me...for the way we can find strength through others. I'm grateful to have a husband who works hard and loves his family. And it's good to have him home.