Counting My Blessings

Things I am Thankful For:

1. My husband. He is a great provider, a great dad, a great husband, and fun to be around. He loves me more than I deserve most days.
2. My children. I have four beautiful children. They are all amazing kids with great personalities and gifts and talents. It is so fun to watch them grow and change! I would take 10 minutes of "baby stage" with each one of them to savor over again, but I really love the people they are today.
3. My parents...My husband's parents. My husband and I are very blessed. Our parents are all still living, healthy, and love us. I had one living grandparent growing up--My children are blessed to have met and have relationships with all of all of theirs.
4. My siblings. Such wonderful and talented people! Each making their mark on the world in different ways. I love and miss them very much!
5. My husband's siblings, who have helped shape my husband into the person he is today.
6. All of the people who have loved any of the people mentioned above and have married into our family, with all of its drama (what families don't have a little bit of drama? :o) ), and made our lives a whole lot richer.
7. My friends. I watch my friends overcome adversity, deal with disappointments, make difficult decisions, support each other, stand up for what they believe to be right, laugh, love, work, play, raise kids, have husbands, and the myriad of other things they do on a daily basis. They are all such inspiring women of God.
8. I have a roof over my head and food on my table. My children are clothed, warm, and healthy. We have always had our basic needs met.
9. I have been encouraged to follow my dreams. First by members of my family of origin, and over the past fourteen years, by my husband.
10. This country. Even with all of its issues and things it could improve, I know I am blessed to live in the United States of America.
11. Laughter. The ability to laugh is one of the most amazing aspects of the human soul.
12. Tears. The ability to cry is another one of the most amazing aspects of the human soul.
13. Coffee...and chocolate.
14. Education. As much as I balked as a child about going to school, I love to learn new things and be involved in the process of education. I could totally be a professional student (without tests and papers). I enjoy getting to experience my kids' education along with them. I am learning so much the second time around!
15. Great literature. I realize this is subjective. However, there is nothing like the way the written word can inspire, impassion, or even anger us.
16. An amazing God who is faithful all of the time, even though I am constantly falling short. Sometimes in very big, very evident, and immediate ways. Sometimes in small, barely noticeable ways.
17. The fact that tomorrow is a new day. And the next moment is a new moment. And we always have choices.