35 Things I am Thankful for

I am 35 today!  Yikes.  This year, I find myself swelling with thanks to God for:

1.  Allowing me to have a relationship with Him

2.  My amazing husband who knows everything about me from the good to the ugly and loves me continually

3.  Elizabeth Rose - God's gift to break me into parenting gently.  She is beautiful, obediant, loving, kind and genuine. I am so blessed to be her Mama

4.  Pete - my little rambunctious love.  He brings me so much joy, makes me laugh and makes me mad as a hornet some days.  But the relationship I have with my son is special

5.  My Mom - For so many reasons but the most important is that Mom taught me about Jesus. I am forever grateful  

6. My Grandfather - Grandpa is hands-down, my favorite person in the world, outside of my immediate family.  I love this man deeply.  He teaches me so much about living life with integrity

7.  Rosemary and Ken - I hear all sorts of negative stories about "inlaws"  but not in my family.  R and K are second parents to me.  They are the most generous, loving, wonderful people.  I can not say anything bad about my relationship with them.  I pray my children will be as blessed as I am when they marry 

8. Stan and all of our extended family.  I could not have a better family.  We may have moments of dysfunction but we love each other like crazy.  I love them so much.  I am so thankful for them

9.  Harry - in my humble opinion, dogs are like people except dogs don't judge.  Harry is our 3rd baby and we love his sweet, calm demeanor.  And I love how he wants follows me around 24-7

10. Our home - a dream come true.  It is such a gift, that we don't deserve. We are so excited to raise our children here and we hope our place will bless many others

11. Friends - God has given me the most amazing group of friends who call me out when needed, love me and challenge me

12.The new fridge in my garage - Rosemary, you know my love language.  This fridge holds so many more groceries than my little, tiny, side-by-side in the kitchen.  I LOVE IT

13. My bed with clean white sheets - I love white bedding

14. The sunrise this morning - it was absolutely goregous and perfect

15. Flowers - I am a flower girl.  I love landscaping and I love cut flowers.  Peonies, hydrangea, geraniums, poinsettias. I could go on and on

16. The color red 

17. Our church - it is a place devoted to God, a home away from home

18. Wisconsin - an amazing place that holds so many dear memories

19. Monograms

20. Clinique All About Eyes - it keeps me looking human

21.  Mariage Freres Tea - the best in the world

22. Paris - it is magical

23. Bible Study - like brushing my teeth, it is a must each day.  I don't know who I would be without it

24. Health - one of the easiest things for me to take for granted, until I am sick

25.  Warm weather - the cold and I do not get along

26. Jo Malone Orange Blossom Perfume - a lovely scent

27. Decorating - another hobby I enjoy

28. The blessing of being a stay at home mom.  It is such a gift

29. The honor of being American.  I love my country

30. The tough times in life - I have been through tough times and I know there will be tough times ahead, God promises that.  But without those times, I would not know how wonderful the good times are.  And I would not know how to trust in the Lord.

31. Lipstick - Bobbi Brown Slopes

32. Cooking and canning - fresh and organic

33. Silver - the way light dances off of it is beautiful

34. Online shopping - crowds are not my thing

35. Living close to family - we have lived all over but there is no place like home

Comments

[Katie]

So many wonderful things for which to be thankful!

I hope y'all are enjoying a festive, full, and blessed December!!

[Ali]

Happy Birthday! Loved your 35 things to be grateful! It was encouraging and lovely to read! Wishing you another blessed year!

~ Ali

[Linda A. Young]

I think it's great that you celebrated your birthday by being grateful for as many things as you are old! You have so many wonderful blessings, big and little things!I like the sunsets too, and often take pictures of the sky at dusk!
It was a blessing to me to read of all these good things! Happy Birthday and thank you for sharing and reminding me to be thankful too!