Thankful 2009

I wrote a post on Thanksgiving last year. As I went back and reread it, it occurred to me that even though a year has passed and many things have changed in our lives, the list I made a year ago has not changed. Even though I have more things to add to the list, I don't feel I can express my thankfulness any better than I did last year. To keep this from being the longest blog post in the history of blogdom, I will include the link to that post here:

http://marissalynne-07.blogspot.com/2008/11/thankful.html

I hope you click and read. It speaks so clearly to how my life has changed in the last three years and I didn't feel I could leave any of the things on last year's list out of my Thanksgiving this year. And the story preceding the list is, and always will be, relevant and meaningful.

To continue the tradition for this blog that I started last year, I have compiled a list of my "thankfuls" this year.

I am thankful for the best team of doctors for Marissa we could have ever hoped for. Even though one of the major players is leaving and will no longer be caring for Marissa, (I'll blog about this later) we have been so blessed to line up such caring individuals to look after her health and well being. They have played a major role in keeping her one of the healthiest trach kids I know.

I am thankful for Marissa's health. Her last illness was *gasping and knocking on wood* February of this year. She hasn't had even so much as a sniffle since.

I am thankful to be able to play with Marissa. She loves to play all sorts of games, most of which she has cooked up in her little brain. Such fun.

I am thankful for Marissa's laugh. She has the best laugh I have ever heard on the entire planet. I am sure someday, world famous scientists from around the world will study her laughter for its healing properties.

I am thankful Marissa has done well enough this year to be discharged from physical and occupational therapies. It was one year ago, November 13, 2008, that she took her first independent steps. We haven't been able to slow her down since.

I am thankful for Medicaid. It kicked in at the beginning of this year as a secondary insurance for Marissa and we have not paid a medical bill for her since. It has made a world of difference and has been a major help in keeping our heads above water. She sure is an expensive lil' tyke, but worth every penny.

I am thankful to have had two Sister's Weekends in the last year and I hope many more are in store in the coming year. Katelynn and Michelle are two of the best friends I could ask for and I am so lucky to have been able to spend some good quality time with them doing crazy girl stuff. I am still catching up on my sleep from their visit last weekend!

I am thankful for a Summer that was filled with lots of friends and fun activities. Since we try to keep Marissa isolated during cold/flu months, and because this year she was able to enjoy fun activities and little friends more than ever, we took full advantage. It was great!!

I am thankful for Elmo and Signing Time videos, Band-aids and Neosporin, nap time and date nights. 'Nuff said.

I am thankful Marissa seems to be a relatively normal developing toddler. She is doing mostly age appropriate things as far as learning and development, and we couldn't be happier for that. Even though I could really do without the terrible two behavior, I am even thankful for that because it shows she is developing normally.

I am thankful for a forgiving God. I stumble more often than not and it keeps me getting up everyday and trying again knowing that He loves me no matter how often or how badly I fail.

I am thankful for a forgiving husband. Our lifestyle has caused some major stress in our relationship and I know I am not the easiest or nicest person to live with. He has stuck with me through it all and I can't thank him enough for that.

I hope you take time to pause this holiday season to consider all the ways your lives are blessed and what you are truly thankful for.

God bless you all and have a wonderful Thanksgiving.