Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving. That word has new meaning for me this year. Alot of people did a daily "thankful" post on Facebook this year, but I'm too forgetful and crazy to remember to do that everyday, so I decided I'd just make a composite list of 30 days of thankfulness. There's no real way to sum up everything I'm thankful for. This list could go on and on and on. This is just what sticks out in my mind at this moment in time. Next year, my list will probably be different. So until then..... Enjoy.

1. I'm thankful for my sweet little family of 3. I love the times we get to spend together doing things that we may not otherwise get to do if there were more of us.
2. I'm thankful for a husband who works as hard as he does to provide everything we need. He does so much more than any of you will ever know, and definitely works much more than a regular teacher ever thought about working. And I can say that because I used to be one. I've seen both sides - he wins.
3. I'm thankful for my sisters. We're very different in many ways, but when it comes down to it, there's no one else I'd rather go through it with.
4. I'm thankful for my momma. I'm thankful for her life, her health, and her continued recovery from the awful ordeal she's been through the past 3 months. There's never been a more generous, kind, caring, tender-hearted, compassionate, helpful person on this earth. She didn't deserve the crap she's been through, but she did it with grace and dignity. She pushed through, she accepted the help she needed every day, and she's finally returning to normal. And for that I'm ever thankful.
5. I'm thankful for my daddy. He's always there when I need him. He's been there through the whole thing with my mom and never once complained or fussed about anything he had to do.
6. I'm thankful for my mother in law. I definitely lucked out in that department. She is wonderful in so many ways and I'm glad I have her.
7. I'm thankful for Aloette. I love my job and I can't imagine my life without the wonderful women I've met through this business. They are truly great women and I'm blessed to know them.
8. I'm thankful for the roof over my head and the clothes on my back. So many people are less fortunate than I, and I truly am grateful for what God has blessed me with.
9. I'm thankful for heaters. I HATE to be cold.....
10. I'm thankful for teachers. I know the sacrifice and effort it requires to be a good teacher and I'm so glad that so many wonderful people have chosen to be a part of our school district.
11. I'm thankful that I live in a town with such a wonderful school district as a whole. Private school is not necessary when you live in Clinton, and I'm so grateful for that.
12. I'm thankful for Diet Coke. Yes, that's petty. But some days, it's the only way I make it through.....
13. I'm thankful for doctors and nurses. They have incredibly hard jobs and without them we wouldn't survive. My mother would be dead right now. Yep. Thankful.
14. I'm thankful for the country we live in and the men and women who protect us daily - all branches of military, police forces, fire departments, all of them.
15. I'm thankful my mother is alive.
16. I'm thankful Jack is alive.
17. I'm thankful for my grandparents. The traditions and values that they upheld are what shaped our family into what it is today.
18. I'm thankful for massages. My body literally feels like rocks some days, and Robert is always willing to give me a back rub. But I'm really grateful for the pros.
19. I'm thankful for rocking chairs. I love to rock my baby girl, and even though she's outgrowing it, I still love to sit and rock her some days.
20. I'm thankful for school supplies. I know, that's silly. But I LOVE school supplies.
21. I'm thankful for El Sombrero (our mexican restaurant). The sweetest people work there, they know us by name, and they absolutely love Caroline. She plays with one of the waiters every time we eat there and he is so sweet to her. They've asked about my Mom and Dad every time I've been in the past few months. I'm glad we have places like that in Clinton that care about people, and not just your money.
22. I'm thankful for my garbage men. That's a dirty job, and I'm glad they do it.
23. I'm thankful for my church. I love the people and the way we worship.
24. I'm thankful for music. My life wouldn't be the same without it. It can make you feel better, bring back a memory, or make you cry. It's my favorite form of expression and I'm grateful that God gave me the ability to sing.
25. I'm thankful for laughter. Especially from a child. There are so many reasons to laugh and smile, and the sound of true laughter is absolutely wonderful.....
26. I'm thankful for extended family. My family is huge - HUGE. I have 2nd and 3rd cousins that most people wouldn't even know their names, but we share holidays and special occasions with ours. We call each other to share successes or worries. We text or email regularly just to say hello and I love you. Most people don't have that and I'm glad I do.
27. I'm thankful that my mother and Jack are alive. Yes, I'm doubly thankful for that.
28. I'm thankful for family and friends that have helped us all struggle through the past few years of our lives. It's been quite a road with many twists and turns, and without all of the wonderful people that we are blessed to know, we wouldn't have made it. It says that God never gives you more than you can handle. I think that promise is a little vague..... There were many times when I couldn't handle it, and someone else had to handle it for me or with me. So I think what that really means is : God never gives you more than your friends and family can help you handle. Yeah - that makes more sense, at least in my family.....
29. I'm thankful for freedom of speech. They say opinions are like, ahem... well, you know - belly buttons. :) We've all got 'em. I'm grateful for the ability to express mine without fear of persecution or criminal action. Not that I'm all that controversial, but I have the right to be if I so choose. :-)
30. I'm thankful for children. They are the best way to stay grounded, to stay real, to stay focused on what's important in life. They're honest and innocent and perfect in God's eyes. There is no explanation good enough for why they get taken too early from this earth, but I'm thankful that there is a Heaven wonderful enough to keep tiny angels safe and sound until their families get to be with them again.

And at the end of the day, I'm just generally thankful. All around..... I pray every night for God to keep my family safe, healthy, and here on this earth until they're old and gray. And that we all get buried in the right order. So far, so good..... Thank you, God.