Today I am just really thankful. So I thought I’d make a list here of things I’m thankful for. You see it’s been a long winter. A really long winter. Hard in many ways and some heavy loads to bear……but also a time when some really amazing things have happened. Today it rained. And rained. And rained. But somehow a ray or two of sun found it’s way through the clouds, not just the clouds in the sky but those in my mind. Today I was able to see clearly again through the clouds.
I am so very thankful for……….
My new job.
The fact that I get to stay home with my little Byrdie. I realize not every Mom has this luxury and I am intensely grateful and appreciative of every moment. It’s a miracle that I was able to have her and every inch of her is a gift.
My husband.
I could go on and on about him but that would be a whole post of it’s own. I am so proud of him for going back to school, getting great grades, working hard and being an amazing husband and father. What I would do without him I dare not even imagine. A good man is hard to find. Having waited till I was 32 to find him (if you don’t count the seven years we were friends), I know this all too well. I love him so much.
My family.
So much love. Each one dear in their own special way. A great big bunch of people that I couldn’t make it without. From my parents to my brothers and grandparents and in-laws to my friends that feel like family…I’m so thankful for everyone and for the life we get to share together.
Friends.
I didn’t always have great friends. I know what it is like to be lonely. To sit alone in the lunchroom or with people who don’t include you or understand. For every one of those moments I cherish my sweet friends.
Spring cleaning.
I have a secret to tell you….I think I like to clean. Last friday my husband took our little girl out for some “father-daughter time” and I … got to clean. I cleaned like I haven’t since I was nesting last summer. It was a beautiful thing.
The Food Network and HGTV.
Lets just keep it real. If you are a Mom you will understand when I say that having a baby turns your world upside down. In a good way…but still…upside down. And then sideways and upside down again. So during the sleepless nights, the repetitive tasks, the days that seem to all melt together into one…you learn to really appreciate the things that haven’t changed. The stable things. Big things like your husband’s love and his hugs, calls and texts from your Mom or a good friend and yes little things like….television. The Food Network and HGTV and their constant stream of cheery, sunny programming. No Judge Judy or Judge Alex or soap operas for me. When I need a little escape I like to go to the channels where I can also learn a little something along the way.
The World Wide Web
In the days before the internet I bet it was alot more lonely and isolating to be a new mommy at home trying to figure things out. However these days with Facebook, Twitter, blogs, instant messaging, iPhones and email you are only a couple clicks away from a friendly word of encouragement, a hello from a long lost friend or something to inspire you.
Coca Cola.
The nectar of the South… You may get your zip from coffee and sometimes I do too but give me an ice cold Coca Cola and things instantly are looking up.
Laughter.
My husband keeps me laughing. My little girl is a morning baby and wakes up with a smile every single day and is quick to laugh and smile. Charlie Chaplin once said “A day without laughter is a day wasted.” I agree.
My dishwasher.
Have you ever spent years washing dishes by hand only to finally get a dishwasher? Then you know my joy. If you don’t have one, unless you just happen to love washing dishes (I do know some folks that do) then I hope you get one soon too.
The Lord.
I have love for everyone but I don’t know how I could make it one day without Jesus.
I truly believe the best prescription for feeling down is thankfulness. There is always, always something to be thankful for. Even if it is just the air you breathe you can always thank God for something. Your very life is a gift. You are a miracle.
Philippians 4:4-8 (New International Version, ©2011)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
4 Comments
whenever I read that scripture I always remember singing that song in Sunday school and having so much fun singing it as fast as possible
I’m thankful for you too looty
I am not surprised to find you writing in that I have known you since you were a wee lass aspiring to make a mark with F&L Stationary Inc. Blogging wasn’t even a thought in the ether in your formative days; yet here you are still spilling your thoughts onto the ready page… not with stencils & pen but with strokes of thankfulness designing a sublime message to lift the souls of social media afficidados. Keep it up my sweet young woman… mother… wife… friend… and lover of Christ. The world is a far better place because of your voice.
I am thankful for two new teheacrs we have at Afflerbach. A 6th grade student told me to give her teacher a 4. When I asked her why she said because he helps me learn my facts, he explains things whenever I need him to and I know all of my multiplication facts now and am learning my division facts. A 1st grade student said our teacher been teaching us good when asked what he meant by that he said he is learning his numbers and how to use a number line and he knows how to add. Both of these comments were unsolicited by me so they mean even more. I’m thankful for our teheacrs.
I love to read your thoughts. I can ditto all those points except spring cleaning and The Food Network. I can’t get past the fact that I CAN’T TASTE THE FOOD! Anyway, you are a lovely blogger and a lovely friend. I am thankful for YOU.