Today, I am thankful for warm November afternoons spent with friends at the park. Addie and I discovered a new park a few weeks back. We can be found there at least once a week enjoying a picnic lunch, playing with friends, riding bikes or getting a few extra miles in on the jogging trail after a morning workout at the gym. This past weekend, we were able to enjoy our favorite new park with some favorite old friends.
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Today, I am thankful for my part time job. It allows me to get out and do something for myself, earn a little bit of extra “fun” money for the family, allows for flexibility so I am not forced to compromise my mom duties and helps to encourage me to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is a great feeling to work for a company I believe in and help motivate others to live their best life possible.
Today, I am thankful for kids who try my patience, make me constantly ask for forgiveness and show me unconditional love. Here lately we have been going through a season of training and teaching with the kids. It has been very trying most days. However, when the day is over and all is said and done; Blake and I know without a doubt we have the best kids around. The keep us on our toes and force us to be the best possible parents we can. We are both very thankful that God has trusted us to be their parents. Hopefully, they know just how thankful we are for them because I know they will outgrow this season of training and teaching before we know it.
Today, I am thankful for our Veterans. Without them, we would not know the freedoms that we do. I am thankful we live where we do, are constantly surrounded by men and women who are currently serving and make the meaning of Veteran’s Day that much clearer in our lives.
Today, I am thankful for our church. With much hesitation, our family decided to switch churches almost two years ago. Blake had always gone to a Methodist Church, so switching to a non-Methodist Church was done with much prayer and consideration. However, we both felt we wanted the kids to “grow-up” in the church. When your church is a 30 minute drive away, that just doesn’t seem to happen. We have been so happy with our new church family. The kids love it, are learning and growing in God’s word by leaps and bounds and have made many new friends. Blake and I both feel that we are challenged to live a more Christ-centered life and scramble to be the first to listen to a missed sermon online. We really feel at home with our new family of believers.
Today, I am thankful for my local YMCA. Our family decided to join a little over two years ago even though it was a little more than we typically like to spend on a gym membership. However, the benefits we receive from this facility far outweigh the costs. I’ve made countless friends through the Y, as well as the kids. Both Dalton and Addie beg to go if we haven’t been in more than 2 days. They offer great classes, fun community events and a welcoming environment for all. I would truly be lost without my almost daily trips to the Y.
Today, I am thankful for my little kitchen helper. Addie and I started “cooking” together over a year ago. Our goal is to do it everything Thursday evening. Unfortunately, life happens and so cooking together doesn’t always happen. However, she is always so excited to bring out her footstool, strap on her apron and help out no matter what the project at hand will be. Last night, we tried out a new no flour, no oil, somewhat healthy banana muffin recipe. We also made some chocolate chip cookies from a mix just in case the muffins turned out to do be dog treats. It’s amazing to see how well she follows directions, cracks eggs, cleans up her own mess and just enjoys our special time together.
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PS. Dalton and I loved the muffins….Blake and Addie not so much!
Today, I am thankful that my children take time to stop and smell the flowers, pick their finds, and beg me for the perfect little cup to display them in. Even though their “flowers” may just be weeds to most, it reminds me that they are able to see God’s beauty in all of his creation. It also reminds me that I need to take time to stop and smell the flowers too!
