Today, I am thankful for the ups and downs of life. Without sadness, we would not fully appreciate the happy days. Without frustrations, we would never embrace the excitement of daily living. Without sorrow, joy would feel incomplete. The mountains are only majestic because of the valleys that surround them and so it goes with life. No one wishes for hardships to come, but when they do we are able to look forward to what is to come with deeper appreciation.
Today, I am thankful that Christmas shopping is complete! The last few items have been ordered and should arrive sometime this week. It helps that we are taking the kids on a trip this year for their gift, which cut our shopping list in half!
Today, I am thankful for chilly November afternoons. They make the best ironing weather. Ironing is usually one of my least favorite chores and since Blake needs to be well pressed 6 days a week, I spend A LOT of time at the ironing board. However, when the air is a bit chilly inside and out, I look forward to ironing and feeling the warmth of the freshly pressed clothes against my chilled hands. Luckily today is just one of those chilly November days and I can get caught up on the last three weeks of ironing.
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.
