Confessions: A Month of thankfulness...and beyond

It is November, which means Facebook is flooded with everyone's daily comment for what they are thankful.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the gesture.  However, our gratitude for our blessings should extend throughout the entire year.  Our country has been so blessed, especially compared to the blight of other countries.  I often times am so engrossed in the things of my life, I neglect to think of others around the world.  My cousin Stacy, has really put that into perspective for me.  She and her husband Daniel, our preparing to adopt a little girl from the Congo to add to their family of four.

The Congo has been in a civil war since the mid nineties.  Minerals used to make computer chips and electronic parts are abundant in the Congo.  As a result, a war to gain and control these mineral deposits has been an ongoing issue.  Due to the wars, there are five million orphans in the Congo alone.  Many of these children have been tossed to the street and disowned by their families.  Girls as young as five are forced into prostitution to survive.  Most children do not survive to their 5th birthday due to diseases.  Regardless of my small struggles, it is nothing compared to what others face around the world.  Prayers to Daniel and Stacy as they embark on their journey to adopt and prayers to all other families who have been led to adoption.

So in comparison, my blessings are innumerable.  So in the spirit of the month of thankfulness, I will list my 30 days of thankfulness, but am humbled everyday by all that I have in my life.

Day 1:  Jesus--I am thankful for his birth, his life, and his unselfish death.  His willingness to hang on the cross and die a painful, long death for MY sins and the world's sins, while He Himself was sinless.  He had to feel a separation from God that was undeserving so that I might have everlasting life in Heaven.  Through Him, all other blessings flow.

Day 2: Josh.  He makes me laugh and cry, happy and mad, and he loves me with all his being.  We have a fun marriage and I am devoted to him and love him with all that I am.  He is my best friend.  He has made my life happy.

Day 3: Abby.  I love this little girl with all her dramatic sassiness and her loving heart.  She loves to dance, sing, and pretend.  She recently started clogging and I am enjoying watching her grow in this skill as well as academically. I also love her prayers at night...a child prays from a totally different perspective than an adult and I love it.  She keeps our family hopping!!!

Day4: Micah.  All boy!!  Whether he is dressed as a cowboy or Batman, he loves to play.  He says "fatman" instead of batman and hair hawk instead of Mohawk.  He is very loving and sweet and makes me laugh all the time.  I love him so much!

Day 5: Jude.  There is NOTHING in this world like a baby.  Jude is so sweet and cuddly.  He smiles at everything and has recently started giving "hugs."  If  you are a mother, you will understand this, but I love to hold him and smell of his head.  It makes my heart melt.

Day 6: My family.  I am so thankful for my parents and the way I was raised.  I am thankful that I grew up with my grandparents.  Every Sunday was spent with Grandma and Grandad.  So many precious memories were made at their house with my siblings and Jennifer and Jill.  My other grandparents, Mamaw and Papaw, lived right next to me.  Mamaw was even my first grade teacher!!  I am thankful for all of those memories.  I am sad that all of my kids grandparents are so far away, but I know that their time spent with Nana and Papaw Jeff and Mamaw and Papaw Steve will still be precious to them.  Iam also thankful for Stephanie and Chris and the fun memories we had growing up.  I hope our kids make some too.

Day 7:  Church.  I am thankful that I was raised in church and that my children are being raised in church.  I love our church in Kentucky and it will always be home, but our family has been so blessed with a new church in North Carolina.  God has truly blessed our family in that area.

Day8:  America.  Although I am often frustrated with politics, government, and our society, I am also thankful that we live in a country that allows us freedoms...especially freedom of religion.  So many places in the world, like to Congo, live in war and fear.  For the majority of Americans, this is not a fear we have.  I am also thankful for those that serve our country and defend our freedoms.

Day 9: Technology.  I am thankful for medical technology, like my mom's insulin pump, that allows life to be a little easier for her.  I am thankful for other types of medical technology that keeps my family safe and healthy. But I am also thankful for digital cameras, iPads, Facetime, and cell phones.  Makes life easier.

Day 10: Our health.  I cannot express my thankfulness for my family's health.  Josh and I were blessed with three healthy pregnancies, three healthy newborns, and three healthy children.  So many of our friends and acquaintances cannot say the same.  I know that it could change any second, but I am thankful for the here and now.

Day 11:  Simple " necessities"--toilet paper, running water, electricity.  Imagine life without it.  I know I would have a hard time without it.  The end!!

Day 12:  A sense of humor.  A necessity of life, I say.  Especially with children. 

Day 13:  Staying at home.  I am SO thankful that I have the opportunity to stay at home.  It is something that I have wanted to do since Abby was born...my first year teaching.  Although it didn't happen when I wanted it to, it happened when God saw fit.  We moved away to make it come to fruition, but these kids will only be little for so long and I could never get their childhood back.  So thankful!!!

Day 14:  My car.  Glad it is dependable, roomy, comfortable...and that it is not a horse and buggy!!

Day 15:  The ability to read.  I know that seems an odd thing to be thankful for, but as Abby is learning to read, I realize that it is a blessing to have this skill.  I pray that my children enjoy reading and don't struggle, as so many of my old students did.

Day 16:  Cameras.  You can't keep a child little forever or a grandparent from aging, but you can freeze a moment in time and capture it in a picture to relive for a lifetime.  What a blessing!!

Day 17:  Coffee and creamer.  A moment of solitude in the morning...priceless. 

Day 18:  My Bible.  It is a blessing.  One that I should turn to more often.  Perhaps if I spent more time in the Word, problems would seem much smaller.

Day 19:  Mrs. Matthews.  Abby's first grade teacher.  I am not a worrier by any definition of the word, but I was very concerned about Abby's transition into the first grade.  It has been an easy one thanks to prayer and to Mrs. Matthews.  She has an abundant amount of love for Abby and it shows in her face, her actions, her teaching.  But the neat thing is, she shows it to ALL of her students.  She is a great teacher, but also a great person.  She has truly been a blessing in our lives. 

Day 20:  Disposable diapers.  I tip my hat to my mother, my sister-in-law Pam, and all mothers who use cloth diapers.  I wish I were a mom who could pull it off, but I'm just not.  Since I now stay at home and change every diaper, I realize how many are required for a day.  I can just roll them up and throw them away.  If they were cloth, that would just be one more chore to do...and laundry and I really don't see eye to eye.   

Day 21:  Laundry?. My mom is probably laughing right now because she knows how much I despise doing the laundry.  However, because I have the constant chore of laundry, I know how easy I have it compared to other women.  I am thankful for a washer and dryer that works and is dependable.  If only someone else could fold and put the laundry away.  Oh, did I mention that I love disposable diapers!!

Day 22:  Friends--old and new.  There is nothing like an old friend that knew you when you were an annoying kid or an awkward teenager or a know-it-all college kid.  But it is also neat to meet new friends as an adult and get to learn about them.  It is nice to have someone to complain to and listen to.  I have some great old friends and am meeting some new ones.

Day 23:  The park.  Watauga County has a great park system and we have taken advantsge of them all.  Since we are living in a condo and don't have a yard, the park offers a great place for the kids to release some energy and way for me to maintain sanity.  However, winter is looming in front of me.  I dont know what will we do on cold, winter days.  I guess we will have to take up skiing!!:)  Of course, that would require something I don't have...athletic ability and all that entails!!!


Day 24:  My bed.  When I finally get to sink into it at night, I am thankful that I have a warm, soft, comfy retreat that is always there.  I know where I will lay my head and that I have a roof over my head.  I am thankful.

Day 25: My iPad.  It makes me sound materialistic, but what a neat invention.  I use it for researching, cooking, blogging, catching up with friends, and all on a little iPad.  I just love it!

Day 26:  Cooking.  I love to cook.  I am by no means a chef, but I love to cook and have moderate success with my concoctions. 

Day 27:  Baby Orajel!! If you have ever had a teething baby, you can relate.  Enough said.

Day 28:  Chocolate milk.  It brings joy to Micah's eyes!!  A glass for me every now and then is a good thing too.

Day 29:  Agriculture.  I am thankful I grew up on a farm.  I am thankful I had Intro to Agriculture as a freshman.  I am thankful that I was introduced to FFA.  I am thankful that FFA influenced my major and college choice.  I am thankful that Josh was also an agriculture major and the same school...how else would this life had happened.  God knew what He was doing.  Plus, I love to eat!!!  So I am thankful that someone has the ability and the desire to raise food for all the world to eat.

Day 30:  My life.  I am alive. I am healthy.  I have a beautiful family.  It may not be perfect, but when I reflect on all that I have, I realize there is little to complain about in this life.