Thankful 2012

I'm hosting my family, so the next few days are going to be a little crazy.  But lest you think me ungrateful, I will post this now.  Here are the things I am most grateful for this year.

god.
the captain.
clara.
the rugrats.
a respectful teenager.
re-election.
knee-high boots.
my health.
my childrens' health.
opportunity.
jax teller.
forgiveness.
winning bets.  (you know who you are.)
carbs.
this side of pregnancy.
yoga pants.
dr. brown.
hope.
a recovering real estate market.
laughter.
progressive talk radio.
daily manna.
my mom.
understanding.

Wishing all of you a happy holiday and blessings as you celebrate your own gratitude.  God be with you!

 

The other night, I laid my head on my pillow with my gorgeous and loving husband next to me.  I thought of my teenager sleeping downstairs, rapidly outgrowing the twin bed he's always slept on.  I imagined my two rugrats sounds asleep on their bunks.  And my sweet baby girl, across the hall, taking sweet little baby breaths all swaddled up and warm.  And I thought that if I had no other possessions in all my world, but these -- this roof over our heads, and this safe place to be together, it would be enough.  Lord, let me always determine my value by these gifts alone.

Thank you, Jesus.

Happy Thanksgiving

I need to wrap up my Thankful posts.  Tomorrow we're celebrating the holiday with my husband's family and I am really looking forward to it.  Last year I hosted my WHOLE family (sans Amy's, maybe...?) and it was a zoo.  This year, I get to show up and bring a vegetable.  While I enjoy the chaos, I'm looking forward to a little less of it this year!

I've really enjoyed doing the Thankful statements.  Next year I'll probably just do one week, but it really has been a good exercise to say what I'm thankful for out loud.  There is so much to be said for gratitude.  I am thankful for it, in itself.

1. I'm thankful to be a woman.  To be living in an age and country where women are allowed to be strong and intelligent is one of my greatest blessings.  I told Cory recently that it's too bad for him he didn't know he married a feminist.  In all fairness, I didn't know he married a feminist either.  In the past few years, I have realized more and more how strong I am and how empowered I am by my gender.  I might blog about this again in the future...if I didn't already.

2. I'm thankful for all of you.  All of my friends.  My sisters.  Bits and Pieces.

3.  I am thankful for my children.  All of them.  They are beautiful, intelligent creations of God.  I am overwhelmed at the responsiblity God gave me to raise them, but am honored that He did.  They are a joy.

3.  I am thankful for Jesus Christ, my Lord.  That I am free because of His sacrifice. 

I wish all of you a happy and safe Thanksgiving. 

All my love.

Gratitude

My cousin Lesli posted a note in her facebook status that from now until Thanksgiving she's going to say one thing she's grateful for. I think it's a charming idea, so I'm going to play. However, I'm going to use this blog from time to time to talk about my daily status update if I can't fit it in the "what's on your mind" box.

I encourage you to do the same!

Today, I am thankful for Shannon. She is my oldest friend. I think. Pretty close. She is one of my closest friends today. We talk on the phone many nights after the rugrats go to bed. Our conversations are thoughtful and usually lengthy. I feel like I can share anything with her. Interestingly, we have very different views of the world. But I understand why she has her viewpoints; her life is much different than mine.

But mostly I love her because she loves me. No, more than that. She understands me. She gets me. And when she doesn't, she pushes until she does. And I know I drive her crazy. I know our arguments discussions get the best of both of us, but she always forgives me. We have worked through so many disagreements, and shared so many great moments. She's always supportive of me, and shares in my excitements, frustrations, and joys. I pray that I can be as good of a friend to her as she has always been to me.

I saw the photo in my post below on Saturday. Shannon didn't read my blog, but when she drove by it today, she posted in in her status update. Because she said it made her think of me.

That's how well she gets me.

I am grateful.

For Julie

This is a really hard time of year for me.

I love fall. The colors are startling beautiful. I love fall desserts. I love the feeling of a warm fire and apple cider on a chilly day.

I also despise it. It's the last hurrah before it's bare branches and snowflakes. Actually, I don't mind the snowflakes. I just hate the cold. It's so hard to have two little rugrats who need to be bundled everywhere we go.

You know what? Never mind. I'm going to make the best of it. Here are the winter positives:

1. We can play outside. Jack is 2 1/2 and can really enjoy the outdoors this year!

2. They can kind of dress themselves. Yes, we'll have sloppy wet clothes, but I'm going to come up with a drying solution in my mud room. I've been blessed with a really great big room inside the garage that I can come up with a better system than we've had in the past.

3. I have an electric blanket. I'll be warm at night. :)

4. And before it comes, I get to enjoy Autumn. I'm not going to let the winter 'foliage sleeping' season to bring me down. It's my choice, right?

Happy weekend, everyone!

Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoy your holiday with friends, family, those in need (thank you to those who volunteer!)!

"It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High!" (Psalm 92:1)

My Thanksgiving ABCs

It took me a long time to get mine up. But here they are, unedited, just as they came to me.

Attitude. It’s the thing that can make or break your day!
Beauty. Like Libby says, “finding it in the ordinary and the extraordinary”
Cory. Of course. I married the best guy on Earth.
Doughnuts. Shouldn’t probably admit that.
Ellen. Now that woman has good energy.
Forgiveness. Boy, I’m thankful I get a chance to redeem myself.
Gas prices. $1.59 at Holiday today! Can it sustain?
Holidays. I love the chaos.
Imperfection. Admitting you’re weak makes you stronger.
Jobs. Grateful for both Cory and I having work!
Kids. Cole, Matty and Jack…I love being a mom to boys.
Love. I know it seems overused, but it is the most important thing.
Mom. Both my mom and my mother-in-law are invaluable to me.
Newborns. For those who are waiting for one, my prayers are with you.
Others. Do to them as you’d have them do to you!
People. I am fascinated by people and am touched by so many.
Questions. What a better way to learn?
Rest. I’m thankful for quiet time and good nights’ sleeps.
Sunshine. Good ol’ Vitamin D.
Travel. I have so many places I want to visit!
Umbrellas. If you want to see a rainbow, you gotta stand a little rain!
Vacation. Praying we have one soon.
Water. It’s a luxury for some; important to not take it for granted.
eXcitement. I have much in my life.
Yesterday. May I take away many lessons.
Zealous. Be it in all things important!