Thankful 30

Day 30: I am thankful I have so much to be thankful for...so many blessings. 30 days and I really didn't have to give it much thought. I definitely need to start using my gratitude journal again. What a wonderful and simple way to infuse your life with joy! Even on horrible days there are things to be thankful for. I feel I am leaving this month a happier, more joyful person. Maybe I'm crazy but I think doing this for a month (almost...I started late) has helped me be more positive which has been a chain reaction. I've been more patient with the kids, I've been cooking more, I've started reorganizing the house having finished the kids' rooms and kitchen, and Nick and I are continuing to improve. It really is a wonderful life!

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Day 29: I am thankful for the little guy I watch, Brodee, and his family. If it weren't for having that bit of extra income here and there over the past 18 months, things would have been much more difficult financially. I've also found another best friend in his mommy. It's been nice having another friend my age; especially one who lives 5 minutes away. We haveenjoyed having their family over to our house for dinner and going over to theirs as well. It has also been good for Nick getting to know Brodee's daddy. Daegan and Maddy absolutely love Brodee and now that Lilly is bigger, she does too. Their family has become part of ours.

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Day 28: I am thankful for Maddy's preschool. She loves it so much and from what I can tell, they do an amazing job. She is always counting down the days until her next day of school and comes home nearly every day with a craft they have done. She's so creative and I love that they are learning through creativity rather than trying to squelch it already and just have them do workbook stuff. I know we made the best decision financially sending her to the 3 day a week preschool at the church rather than full time at the school, but I truly feel this program also fits Maddy better. I think she would have been bored going to preschool full time. There are plenty of years of full time school ahead of her. In less than 9 months I'll be sending her off to kindergarten.

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Day 27: I am thankful for the ability to be warm when it's cold outside. I am thankful for coats and blankets, fire and shelter. I greatly dislike being cold and am thankful we have made enough advances in our society that we don't have to struggle for warmth.

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Day 26: I am thankful for the ability to cook as well as bake. I know some people who can ONLY cook, some who can ONLY bake and some who cannot do either. It's so nice to be able to do both. I can see or hear about a recipe and be able to make it if I want to. I've also been doing so much cooking lately that I'm starting to come up with recipe ideas of my own...I never thought that would happen! I LOVE baking - a little too much I think. It's therapeutic for me. I've always loved baking cookies and cakes and this year I've expanded my bread repertoire. Now I'm starting to expand into the crockery cooking category. Half of the recipes on the menu for next week are crock pot ones. Apparently I'm ready to break ours in - I think we've used it once. Hopefully one day I will get a stand mixer. Then I can really bake up a storm!

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Day 25: I am thankful for Christmas spirit but I wish it were more prevalent all year long. It's so nice when people are cheerful and smiling, wishing complete strangers well. It seems like most everyone is more joyful around Christmas-as they should be. I wish we were all more aware of our salvation than just around Christmas and Easter. All the lights and decorations at Christmas are fabulous too. I don't know how you wouldn't be able to look at a magnificent light display and feel full of joy and wonder. I still feel like a little kid driving around looking at the lights. And now I have children of my own who also adore the lights. Nick put ours up on the house today and I can't wait for our big kids to see them. They're having a sleepover with GiGi and G-Dad. Lilly kept pointing at them making sweet little noises. How I love Christmas...the financial part is stressful now but the celebration of Jesus' birth, family getting together, wonderful food and beautiful decorations are incredible. Tidings of comfort and joy.

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Day 24: I am thankful for my entire dysfunctional family! ;) My immediate household of course: the hubby and my 3 babies, my mom and step-dad, my dad and step-mom, my grandparents (SO happy I still have them), my uncles and aunts, my cousins, my in-laws, nieces and nephews and all of my many adopted siblings. I have such a fabulous network of family and friends. My heart does ache today for my baby sis who had to spend it without her hubby and baby while she awaits her transfer. Thank God they get to be together for Christmas.

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Day 23: I am thankful for spending time with friends and family. Today I got to have a long overdue reunion with one of my besties that went through a divorce and became a recluse. It was amazing catching up and just enjoying each other's company. Plus, the kids all had a great time playing. Then I got to spend the evening with my little brother whom I don't see enough of. It's always so wonderful when he comes to town. I've had a very blessed day full of incredible people.

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Day 22: I am thankful that God always provides. There are months I'm not sure how we will make it financially yet we do. I have been at the end of my emotional rope numerous times and He gives me the strength to make it through. It is only through Him that we made it through all of Lilly's surgeries with our sanity intact, that Nick and I are still together, and that we have survived on one income for 19 months tomorrow. I believe this journey was given to us so we might know Him better. And we do...God is so good and ever faithful!

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Day 21: I am thankful for our vehicles. Yes, I can find things to complain about with both of them, but I am thankful we have two running vehicles. It's nice to have the freedom to go and do as we please and not have to depend on other people for rides. It's also great to have vehicles period. It makes everything so much easier. Getting supplies(diapers and groceries), moving, visiting friends and relatives...the list goes on and on. It is truly amazing all the ways technology has made our lives easier.

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Day 20: I am thankful for the hubby's job. It is so nice that he has a full-time year-round job with benefits. It's wonderful knowing he has a steady job.

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Day 19: I am thankful for answered prayers. I am so glad God answered my prayers and the hubby quit drinking 5 weeks ago. We are very much on the mend and I couldn't be happier about it. I'm glad we got to see a dear friend and his kiddos but it's sad they are no longer a single family, but two separate ones. For the most part the kids are being put first. I'm so glad it's not us.

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Day 18: I am thankful I got to spend almost every day for the last four weeks with my sweet baby nephew, Logan. What a gift to get that much fabulous auntie time. There were certainly challenging moments and days, but I wouldn't trade it for anything and wish it were longer.
I am also thankful for the rebuilding of my relationship with my dad. It has been tumultuous over the last 13 years, but we're going from the present and it's been wonderful. I'm so happy we are moving forward and my children get to have so many loving grandparents in their lives. What a blessing.

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Day 17: I am thankful for technology. Though I curse it at times, it's amazing how it brings people together. I'm amazed at the people I'm reconnecting with from my childhood through Facebook. It's amazing. It's also great getting to keep up with people through that medium at my leisure rather than trying to have a phone conversation with screaming children in the background.
And cell phones...I remember how we survived before them, but I couldn't go back. It's easiest for me to have a phone conversation when we are in the car because all the little demons are strapped in with nothing to break. Add the ability to text message and oh boy! It's nice sending quick notes back and forth across the country to my sister.
The Internet...you can find anything on there! I'm still amazed by it ever day. There's SO much information! It truly is ridiculous. Email is fabulous though. And Skype. And Pinterest. Ah, Pinterest. That's my latest addiction. I could spend days on there. It's probably a good thing my app keeps freaking out on me and either kicking me off or telling me I'm out of pins. How can I be out of pins? They're virtual! Technology....yes, I'm still thankful. :)

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Day 16: I am thankful for laughter. It cures everything. Almost. There is not a better sound in this world than the laughter of children. It makes my heart so happy when I hear the kids giggling...especially at each other. They are hilarious when they giggle back and forth at each other. Even on my worst day, something funny enough to make me laugh can change the direction of my mood. And it feels incredible when I laugh until I cry. And the ability to laugh at myself has made me much more easy-going and I'm certain I'm more fun to be around now. Laughter may not be the best medicine at all times for everything, but it's certainly the best overall all-natural medicine.

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Day 15: I am thankful for dear friends. I have had so many people get in touch with me to check on Maddy today. I am glad technology can bring us together even though we live apart. I am also thankful for cold medicine. Without it, I'm not sure how well I would have fared over the last week. I love fall, but the weather change wreaks havoc on my sinuses. I am glad cold medicine helps me breathe and still be able to taste what I'm eating. It's so I unsatisfying to eat something you can't taste.

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Day 14: I am thankful for modern medicine. Without it, who knows what the outcome would have been for Lilly and it gave me peace of mind tonight. Maddy broke out in hives. Thankfully, urgent care stayed open until 8 so we were able to get in. I would not have slept well worrying all night if her airway was okay. I don't know why Maddy has hives, but I'm sure glad we can all sleep more easily tonight.

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Day 13: I am thankful I am able to stay home with my family. We definitely don't have the financial freedom we once did, but getting to be with my kids all the time and not have to leave them screaming for me at a sitter's house is priceless. I feel like I missed so much with the older two because I was working all the time. There are days I feel like I might rip my hair out but if that ever happens, I'd rather rip it out over my kids than over a job.

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Day 12: I am thankful for my grandparents. I am so fortunate to still have them and they are able to be a big part of my kids' lives. They are two of the neatest people with some incredible stories. My grandma is an incredible cook. I've never eaten anything she has made that I haven't liked. My grandpa is the most hardworking man I know and he would never complain about it. I hope they stick around for a long time but I cherish every moment I get with them.

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Day 11: I am thankful for men and women who are willing to put their lives on the line for complete strangers. That, to me, is the ultimate act of selflessness. Thank God for people who are willing to do this...to protect our country, to fight for our country, to fight against injustice around the world and to proudly represent our great nation. I am so proud of my cousin Austin serving in the Air Force.