Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday

My cousin Anna always does Thankful Thursday... what better day to follow suit than on Thanksgiving.

I am so blessed by all that I have! As a member of the (love the last line of the first article>)NOW generation , I think it's important to sit back and reflect on what I am truly thankful for. It is important not to get in lost in the wants of NOW, but instead focus on the thankfulness for all that I have. My dad and I were recently talking about my grandparents, and how they had a two bedroom house for the majority of his childhood. All four boys shared a room, and he doesn't ever remember feeling unsatisfied with not having his own room. That's just how life was. Since I can remember, my grandparents lived in a beautiful home with plenty of bedrooms for kids and grandkids, but this was something they worked their WHOLE LIVES for! Sometimes I yearn to live in a time where the focus wasn't on what we have, but rather who we have.

All of this to say, I'm thankful for...

1. My husband. I have a hardworking husband who prioritizes his family and his home. He always tells me I'm beautiful (even when I don't look beautiful). No matter how busy he is, he makes time for me and Aubrey. He's ambitious, kind and loving.

He even put up the Christmas lights last Sunday, just in case it rained this weekend.

2. My daughter. After having two miscarriages, I truly realize how fragile each little life is. She's healthy, beautiful (inside and out), strong-willed and just plain fun. She is a daily reminder of God's love for me. He is so good to have given me this precious daughter to raise in His plan.

3. My home. I have a home that keeps me warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It has plenty of space for my family to grow. I'm able to prepare my family meals. I live in a safe neighborhood. My home is cute and cozy, and I'm thankful for it!

4. The Christmas season that is coming soon. I love the magical feeling of Christmas time. The songs, decorations and trees. But really what makes Christmas the most amazing is the gift of salvation. God gave us his SON...so that we may be forgiven. WOW!

5.My parents. All of them ;) I wouldn't be who I am without each of their unique qualities. In the midst of divorces, marriages and everything in between, one thing remained constant...we were taken care of by each of them- and still are.

6. My extended family and in-laws. I've always been surrounded by an amazing family that loves me and when I got married that only multiplied. I'm thankful for my sister and my sister-in-law...they're like built-in friends ;)

7. A part-time job. If there is a year that I'm having a hard time being thankful for this, this is it, but really...I have a wonderful arragement. On the days where I work, I get to do my best to mold kids at a very influential age. On those days, I get to spend more time with them than some of their parents will. Not only do I get to teach them about Language Arts, but I also get to teach them how to be good people. And I get paid for it...a decent amount, too.

8. My days "off". Although these are probably some of my hardest days, because let's face it, taking care of 3 kids 3 and under is hard work, I am immensely blessed by my time with these three. I get to not only be with my girl, but also my niece and nephew. I get to take daily walks to the mailbox, the dirt or on the tree trail. I get to watch them interact and learn new things. I'm so lucky

9. My mini-van. So that on my days "off" I can escape to Papa CC's when I'm just about to lose it ;)

10. Cozy mornings like today.