Thankful, Days 3, 4, 5, and 6

I know, I know.  It's November 6th and I am four days behind.  This should not surprise anyone who knows me and if you don't know me, learn quickly. 

Day 3:  My Laptop:  It is a simple thing for most people, particularly around this area.  Almost everyone I know has a laptop, the most recent iPhone, a Wii, giant flat screen TVs, etc.  I have not had a laptop in years, since the last one I owned was somehow ruined by orange juice.  This laptop was a gift from E's mom, who could have easily sold it when she upgraded.  Instead, she let me have it and now I am able to sit and write, something I have been wanting to do for months.  Thank you, S!  You are kindness and generosity personified.

Day 4:  My Daughter's Health:  On November 4, AEM turned four months old.  She was born four and a half weeks early and has been nothing but happy and healthy since her birth -- since her conception, really.  The pregnancy was hell on me but AEM survived a ruptured placenta and emergency C-section to weigh in a six pounds and measure almost 19 inches (I can't imagine how big she would have been at full term!).  She is a smart, silly, wonderful baby.  We love her incredibly and can't imagine our lives without her.  C and I were worried.  We did not know if we had enough love in us or how we would love anyone like we love AAM, but we needn't have worried.  AEM makes all of our hearts sing.

Day 5:  Our House Hunt:  After nearly seven years, a short-sale, tons of bills in collections, being on food stamps, WIC, and unemployment, and borrowing money left and right to survive, we are finally financially solvent enough to purchase a house and for that I am eternally thankful.  It is truly the American dream, to have a place of our own for our children, to put down roots and give them a sense of permanence.  We want our children to have the same friends from nursery school to nursing home.  C moved year after year until he reached junior high and it affects him to this day.  I moved once, in third grade, and never felt fully accepted.  Our children will never have to endure what we did because we are blessed to be able to afford a house.

Day 6:  Blade:  Today, November 6, 2011, we put our dog Blade to sleep.  He was 12 years old; C received him as a 21st birthday present, when Blade was a crazy, energetic dog who could leap onto the backs of couches or jump six-foot tall fences effortlessly.  He loved to cuddle and C liked to carry him around like a baby, which was pretty funny given that Chris is 6'4''.  He had the greatest grin and sweetest disposition; kids could pull on his ears and he wouldn't move, though as he got older he would look at us like, please, can't you do something here?, and he would move from couch to couch to avoid ear-tuggings.  We will miss you, sweet doggy.