Sleep or the lack of

I'm wide awake tonight.  Why, I have no idea.  And after the long work week I've just had, I sure don't understand how I can be awake at this hour!  Right before I sat down to write this, I remembered that I had not taken my Benedryl tonight, like I usually do.  So, now I have and I will probably want to sleep until noon tomorrow!
It's funny because I was thinking about how I used to stay up late at night when the children were small to catch up on housecleaning or laundry.  I have had times when I have done that over the years, but it usually catches up with me eventually.
I have a lot to be thankful for these days.  This would be a good time for a review...

• I have a husband that is kind and thoughtful and doesn't mind going above and beyond to help make things run smoothly around here.  I simply cannot imagine being stressed out about my relationship at home with so many others things to think about.  It is a sweet relief to come home at the end of an often LONG day to find Steve here. (and often cooking dinner!)
• My three grown children are healthy and happy.  I even have two son-in-laws that I have a good relationship with.  They are taking good care of my daughters and that is their most important job.  
• Greg is working hard in graduate school.  He has matured so much in the last year that it sometimes amazes me.  He is becoming more responsible and taking care of business.  He has a fun sense of humor and a gentle spirit that I love.
• Mary Beth has just recently found out she is pregnant and actually due on Rachel's birthday, September 12th.  She and Jon have started making plans to convert their office into a nursery.  They have no clue, really, of the changes that are about to take place in their home....and neither do their two dogs!  The excitement has begun!
• Rachel is settling in to married life and redecorating their home, learning to cook new dishes and enjoying life in New England.  Thank goodness for technology that allows us to talk frequently and keep up with those little daily things that mean so much.  She and Chris share their life with Nash, who has no clue that he's a dog.   She is so smart and beautiful...hard to believe she is mine sometimes.
• I love my job(s).  I really do.  Even though it has been a difficult, and often trying adjustment to the new job and a cut in salary, we continue to survive.  The new friendships and support at Bost have helped me adjust to the change.  Even though change doesn't come as easily as it once did (did it ever really?)  it is apparent that the reduction in stress has been good for me.  My private practice is growing and starting to pay for itself.  
• I'm thankful for my self-taught computer skills.  I can't imagine not being able to do what I do on the computer.  The thought of learning on to type on an old manual typewriter in high school is pretty funny to think about.  I was, however, a speed demon on it!  
• I'm thankful that we have a beautiful home in a nice, quiet neighborhood.  Although we wish the mortgage payment weren't so high and that it was a bit closer to work, it is wonderful to come home to at the end of the day.  When we had everyone here during Rachel's reception in December, there was plenty of room for everyone.  And it looks absolutely gorgeous decorated for the holidays.  
• I'm thankful for my ornery cat, Zoie.  She makes me laugh almost every day.  She has such a pampered life and not a clue that it is so.  
• I'm thankful for having a DVR to record our favorite shows to watch when we have time.  How in the world my parents made it while we were growing up with only 3 television channels is beyond me.  
• I'm thankful that I took a million photos and that we took videotape of so many of the children's activities and special moments.  I'm thankful to have finally found a VHS-to-DVD machine to change them all over to a product that will stand the test of time.  Now, if I can ever get around to scrapbooking all of those photos!
• I'm thankful that my mother insisted I take piano lessons growing up.
• I'm thankful for still being close to my parents and having the chance to talk to them almost daily. 
• I'm thankful that my parents never even gave me an option about going to college and did everything to encourage me to go back to graduate school.
• I'm also thankful for some of my decisions in life that were difficult at the time, but turned out well...such as 
• moving from Wynne to Fort Smith in 1985.
• going to graduate school even with a toddler at home.
• knowing when to hold them and knowing when to fold....in many things.
• And finally, I am thankful that I am who I am.  I have my faults, but I am glad that I stand strong in my love of my family and friends, always cheer for the underdog even when it may not be popular, and have a tender place in my heart for those with disabilities, those that know the pain of losing a baby, and for sweet little old people.  Life has been a bumpy road, but if it had been always easy I wouldn't know what I know now for sure.
• And that's it for tonight!  The benedryl is finally kicking in, so I'm off to bed!