Thankful

Thanksgiving has come and gone, yet I am super thankful for so many things. It's never too late to share, right?

We had a "possible death" experience with our beloved pooch, Bo. Thanks to excellent late-night advice from a vet friend, he survived. As a "bonus," I got to spend hours shampooing my nasty living room carpet and it looks better than ever!

About one week post-marathon my right ankle began to feel a bit odd. Not painful, exactly, just... odd. I had visions of MRI's, podiatrists, etc. dancing in my head. One trip to my awesome chiropractor's office just might have sent that oddity packing! My guy thinks my fibula was out of place. Or was it the tibia? Anyway, the bone that runs along the outside of the shin and hooks into the ankle. Technical, aren't I? He adjusted me and advised me to hold off running one more week and ice it every night. So far, so good. I'll try to run on Monday.

Remember my proclamation to start our new Dave Ramsey life about 32 months ago? Well, let's just say we have finished another "baby step." Wahoo! 'Nuff said.

Isaac is doing very well in preschool (Mother's Day Out, actually). I am continually amazed at how quickly he is growing and learning.

Chasen, who usually travels internationally about three times per year and domestically at least once per month, on average, is being viewed as a leader among his peers at work. This is not news to me, people! There is a chance that he may get to travel somewhere other than China in 2013, and a SLIGHT chance that Isaac and I might get to join him there once his duties are complete. Fingers crossed!

I am grateful for my health. I really am. I had a mole removed from my back two weeks ago. It showed up out of the clear blue. Thankfully, it was not cancer, yet "abnormal," so I'll just have to keep a close watch on its former spot (and all other potential locations) to make sure I stay A-OK. Count your blessings! Tonight I am delivering some home-cooked dinner to a family whose matriarch is recovering from a major breast cancer surgery. It's certainly the least I can do, and it makes my moaning and groaning about having to put Neosporin on my healing wound seem quite silly.

Isabelle (our German house guest for a total of 88 days) has had, by my estimation, a fantastic American experience. I am grateful to have been able to give her that opportunity. I have learned a lot, especially about  my own day-to-day life; I appreciate it more than I used to. We will bid her a bon voyage in six short days.

Last, but not least, I have reached 38-years-old. 37 presented its challenges, as do all years, so I'm hoping 38 will be a year of love, happiness, health and more marathon medals!