Thankful Thirty

A lot of my blogging friends have been posting a "I am thankful for..." for each day of November. I have decided to just do it all in one shot. In no sequential order here are the many things I am thankful. Some are more serious, some less serious, and some redundant.

I am thankful for....

1. My Husband: He is stinking great! He helps with chores, grocery shops, and does laundry. He is a great dad. He is beyond compassionate and fun. Very very thankful to have him.

2. My son: He's awesome! I love him so much my heart could explode. We are so blessed to have a happy healthy little man.

3. My Dad: He always been supportive and great. What else can I say.

4. Time with my mom: My 27 years with my mom was too short, but I am very thankful I had them. Cancer came the first time when I was 10. I am truly thankful for the additional 17 years I had. I try to remember that every time I start to feel cheated. My mom was so great. I was so lucky to have an awesome mom when so many have sucky ones. I miss her tons and love her lots.

5. My job: Last spring I didn't have a job. Then I had one I was not exciting about, but then I got one I totally love. We are really fortunate because others who were pink slipped got nothing. I am truly thankful to have a job I love at a great school with great people.


6. My students this year: I am so thankful for my class this year. They are so amazing. They are smart, well behaved, and good humored. For a first year at a new school I couldn't ask for a better group of kids.

7. My friends: I have never been good at making friends but God has blessed me with a few phenomenal keepers. No matter how far away we are, we make a valiant effort to stay connected. I know that when I need them they are but a phone call away, and no matter how long its been we seem to be able to pick up where we left off. They sympathize at the appropriate places, offer great advice, and call me out when I'm being an ass. Sue, Sal, Howard, Rach, Clar-ie-o you rock my face off...just so you know!

8. Life Group: Eric and I have taken a time out from our life group, but we know we are still loved. Life group was something Eric and I pursued at our church about 3 years ago. We were scared to jump into a bible study with strangers but it worked out really well. We made some great friends whom we love dearly. God truly blessed us through this group of people and we feel very fortunate.

9. Blogging: I am thankful for blogging. It is a great way for me to feel connected to my friends and family far away that I miss so much. It also provides an outlet for all the stuff whirling around in my head.

10. My Sister: She is beyond great. I am so thankful for a sister who will take time out of her busy life to listen to me complain, answer my new mom questions, give me cooking directions, or just talk.

11. My Home: We are lucky to have a house in a safe neighborhood. This dawned on me earlier this year when my new principal took us on a tour of the neighborhood. Some of the houses were really nice, but other lots had several shell trailers on a litter filled space. I know that some of the trailers had no electricity and others had huge holes in them. The places surrounding the homes was littered with broken down cars, abandoned trailers, and other super unsafe things. I am beyond blessed to have a nice home with heat and running water with a yard for my child to play in and be safe.

12. Naps: I love sleeping. I used to take naps all the time but now they are few and far between. So, now when I get a chance to take a few extra minutes for rest. I am truly thankful.

13. Humphrey's Teething pelts: well I am super thankful for this herbal invention which seems to soothe Emmett and allows me to sleep through the night.

14. My Car: I think I take for granted that we have 2 cars. We are really lucky we can swing that. Without which we would have trouble getting both of us off to work. A lot of the families at my school have only 1 car or some have no cars. We are very fortunate to have transportation without which we would have difficulty getting to our jobs far away.

15.Cool Mornings: I am thankful for the reprieve from the hot weather . I hate the hot. I love the the brisk mornings when everything things clean and new.

16.Quiet Time: My time when it's just me and God. No noise just reflection, prayer, and sometimes worship if the song on the radio is strikes me.

17. Drives to Work: My drives to work are my quiet time.

18. Hot Showers: We are lucky to have running water and that it is hot. I think so many of us take that for granted. Hot showers are often the relaxing end to an otherwise stressful day. They are also one of the few times during the day when I'm able to have time to myself.


19. Music: I am thankful for music because it soothes my soul. It express how I feel in a lot of circumstances way more concisely than I could ever express.


20. Chocolate: comforting and delicious. Need I say more?


21. Pictures: Photos have preserved the best memories I have. Now that my mom is gone, I'm so glad to have pictures to remember. I also love to see how much everyone has changed Emmett, Eric, my family, me. It's just cool.


22. Sweatshirts and PJ pants: warm, cuddly, cozy best clothing ever. Makes me feel safe and relaxed.

23. Coffee: warm and delicious. Some mornings I am just not able to function and it pushes me on.


24. Cuddles: I have a cuddly husband and son. I'm cuddly too you just wouldn't know it because I don't like people touching me. Anyway, it's the best part of the day when the 3 of us cuddle up in bed or on the coach. Simply perfect.


25. Kisses and Hugs: Emmett now gives kisses. They are wet and sloppy and full of tongue but they make my heart smile. We do family hugs with all 3 of us and Emmett giggles. Eric's hugs are big and huge and make me feel safe. They all just make me so happy!


26. Airplanes: We would otherwise be unable to go back home as often. Thankfully airplanes allow us to make the trip in 1 day vs. 3. Airplanes bring my dad out to visit several times a year. All of which I am so happy about.


27. Modern Medicine: Modern medicine allowed Emmett to be born safely and to be healthy. It extended my mom's life by 17 years. It saved my brother's life who would have otherwise died on a few occasions. I am thankful for medicine that has blessed me and my family.


28. Prayer: I love talking to Jesus. I'm so thankful for a GOD who lets us communicate directly with Him. Who listens to us in both the good and bad and will never forsake us no matter how awful we are.


29. Writing: I really enjoy writing. It as an outlet to the many swirling whirling thoughts in my head. I would love to be a writer some day. I am thankful for the ability to write and can do so.


30. 8pm-9:30pm every night: This is the time of day when I get to hang out with Eric. Emmett is in bed and we are still up. It's our quality time. I am glad we have that time to ourselves. It's just nice.