OK, as a Tradition I usually post what I am
most Thankful for on a "Daily Gratitude" post. I am going to keep up
with that tradition, I also encourage you to post what you are most
thankful for in the comments with me each day!!
Day of Gratitude One: I am thankful for my loving husband! I would be lost without his love and constant support!
Day of Gratitude Two: I am so thankful to be blessed by four wonderful boys! After my first was born in 1993 it took us 10 years (5 1/2 of that on fertility treatments) before we were able to have another child. I love them all so much, and thankful that they forgive me when I fail them. Each one of them is so unique, so special, and so talented in their own ways. Thank you for being mine!
Day of Gratitude Three: Today I am so thankful for my daughter. She is not my daughter by birth or adoption. She came to us by way of Kazakhstan as a foreign exchange student. She calls me mom and I am in love. She teaches us words in Russian and we assure her that her English is almost perfect (because it is!). She takes me out for a walk every night. She is so funny and talented! I had to wait 20 years of my married life to get a daughter, I only get to keep her in my home for a year, but she will be in my heart for a life time.
Day of Gratitude 4: I am thankful for all my friends near and far who support me in ways even they will never know. I am eternally grateful to all of you for touching my life in some not so small ways. Thank you!!
Day of Gratitude 5: Today I am completely thankful for my parents. They taught me right from wrong, even when I didn't follow their impeccable examples, they love me with all their hearts. I haven't lived near them in 17 years, but I always know that they are both only a phone call away.
Day of Gratitude 6: Today I am thankful for my right as an American citizen to cast my vote. I hope you all took advantage of this privilege as I did.
Day of Gratitude 7: I am so grateful that as a church "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the
dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege,
let them worship how, where, or what they may." (Article of Faith Eleven)
Day of Gratitude 8: Today I am grateful to have 4 siblings . I am the oldest sissy to my 3 sisters and 1 brother. They are each special, talented, funny and a blessed addition to our family. They each have their own spouse now, who I am glad to call my brothers and sisters too. We don't get to see each other all that often, but when we do, it's as if time has never gone by. Love each of you!
Day of Gratitude 9: Today I am thankful for YOU! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who take the time to read, share, inspire, and support my blog.
You Are Awesome!
Gratitude Day 10: I am thankful for sleeping in!
Day of Gratitude 11 (Veteran's Day): Today I am thankful to all of our veterans and those of you still serving...thank you! I honor you today and all throughout the year! Thank you for securing our Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!
Day of Gratitude 12: Today I am so thankful that all the Halloween candy is almost gone (I may or may not had a hand in this, and some of it may or may not have made it's way into the trash).
Day of Gratitude 13: Today I am so thankful for my health. I am not in the best of shape, but I strive to do one healthy thing a day. I am drinking a gallon of water, walking around the block and watching my portion size. I am grateful to wake up and enjoy each day with my husband and my wonderful children.
Day of Gratitude 14: Today I am thankful for my house. I am thankful I have shelter and a roof over my head. I hate the master bathroom (that is another story for another time) but it's mine and I am thankful to have a place I can make a home for my family.
Day of Gratitude 15: Today I am thankful for the companionship of furry friends. I can't remember a time growing up that we didn't have a cat (or two) in the house. My cat Nibs (like black licorice Nibs) came to us at just 3 days old. He was rescued from the ceiling vent above a restroom by my hubby at 3 am (he worked nights at a college then). He called me on the phone and put the tiny mewing kitten up to the receiver. How could I say "no" to that? He is 2 1/2 years old now. He's crazy, but I love him!!
Day of Gratitude 16: Today I am thankful for my in-laws. I cannot say that I am thankful for my parents, and my siblings, and not mention my in-laws. Not only did they raise an amazing son (and his four siblings), they treat my children wonderfully. They always try to be there for my family.
Day of Gratitude 17: Today I am thankful for electricity. I am so glad I was born when it's so readily available. I love it when I can turn on the lights, cook, clean, have my air conditioner in the summer (that's important here in AZ), run the heater when it gets cold (yes people it does reach freezing temps here sometimes), and that I can blow-dry my hair. Thank you Ben Franklin!!
Day of Gratitude 18: Today I thought I knew what I was going to say I am thankful for....But then we had this event happen during dinner that made me change my mind. My 71/2 yr old choked on a piece of meat. He got this horrible look on his face (he even said later "mom I was about to die"). But my medical training (I am a CNA) kicked in and I knew just what to do. After a couple of rounds of the Heimlich he was fine. So today I am thankful not only for my son's life, I am thankful I have the training to save that life!
Day of Gratitude 19: Today I am thankful for "Date Nights". I have dated the same wonderful man for over 20 years now. It gives us a chance to reconnect, talk about our 5 great kids, remember why we love each other, romance one another, and run-away for a while. Even if we don't leave the house, we always make sure to take the time to be together. I am also thankful to my sweetheart who continues to ask me out each week.
Day of Gratitude 20: Today I am thankful we have a washer and a dryer. When we moved to AZ 6 years ago we sold our set in Indiana. Once in AZ we expected to buy a new set shortly after our arrival. But a miracle happened, the renters before us had left theirs in our house. The rental company told us we had to call the former renter and ask if they wanted them back. We were told that they were a gift to us! I have had that same set for over 6 years now, and they have worked for me everyday! Which is a good thing with 5 kids!!
Day of Gratitude 21: Today I am thankful I love to cook and bake. I am also thankful that my children have an interest in learning more about doing it with me. I am a one woman machine in the kitchen and sometimes forget to teach them or to let them help. I am trying to get better at sharing my kitchen space and my love for creating tasty food. I even let my daughter "help" me this year, since it's her first ever American Thanksgiving.
Day of Gratitude 22: Today I am thankful that we could share Thanksgiving with our daughter (foreign exchange student). This was her first American Thanksgiving celebration. I feel so grateful to be able to share it with her, our family, and our friends. Oh, and that I tried to keep my OCD's in check and I let her make pancakes in the kitchen, almost all by herself! (They were tasty too!)
Day of Gratitude 23: Today I am so thankful for leftovers!!
Day of Gratitude 24: Today I am thankful for have a second car. There are time in our marriage that we only had one car, and time when I had the car and hubby had a motorcycle. But, right now I am thankful that we have 2 cars that work!
Day of Gratitude 25: Today I am thankful to have callings (unpaid duties) at church. I haven't been in our Young Woman's Program (for girls ages 12-18) for 26 years. I had an understanding with God, he wouldn't put me in that calling and I wouldn't shoot myself in the foot! ;). That being said with some jest, I also told him that I would only ever agree to serve in this capacity if and when I had a daughter who needed me to be in there with her. I felt 100% safe in making this deal, I have 4 boys. My how my tune changed when I received a wonderful daughter all the way from Kazakhstan who needs me to be in there with her! I am so stinking nervous, but I feel so blessed!
Day of Gratitude 26: Today I am thankful that we got our 3 mile "wog" (walk + jog) in. I have an acute case of cynophobia, I am NOT exaggerating when I say we ran into every nasty dog in the neighborhood tonight, and only 2 of them were on leashes (and they still managed to give me a heart attack). I have enough adrenaline racing through my body to burn off 1,000 more calories. My heart might return to it's place of origin, and come out of my throat soon.
Day of Gratitude 27: Today I am thankful for the sound of music (most of it anyway). I love that my daughter is talented and plays the piano for me everyday! She has even sparked an interest in me to play again, not any where near as well as she does. But I am thankful I can hear and I can still sorta remember how to play.
Day of Gratitude 28: I had already typed out what I was thankful for yesterday, and then my son called me from Colorado on his way to Canada to serve a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was so marvelous to hear from him. He has been gone 3 weeks, I haven't missed him as much as I expected to. Because I know that he is doing the right thing at the right time. I am so proud of him. I do miss him, but for now it's OK.
PS I did just get a bit misty-mushy when I was uploading his missionary picture to my blog just now!
Day of Gratitude 29: Today I am thankful for people who like to craft. I on the other hand like to watch them do it. I really enjoy the finished project, not the process so much. I have MAJOR OCD'S when it comes to getting my hands "gucky". I even cook with surgical gloves on (Shhh now my secret is out). I did however really enjoy getting together with the sisters from my church and making mod podge ornaments!
