On this Thanksgiving Day here are a few of the things I am thankful for...
1. My three children. Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of them with the fall leaves this year, which is by far my most favorite time to take pictures of them all year. I must get back into using my camera more often!!
2. Safety on the roads. I am driving more these days, and Paul drives 12 hours a week commuting to and from work. It's been over 14 years since I was in an accident. Paul has had two accidents in the past couple of years, but they were both one car accidents as in both case he collided with a deer carcass on the road. The most recent incident didn't do any significant damage to his vehicle. I don't safety on the road for granted!
3. I've been talking to Maurice and Yvonne on the phone a lot more regularly the past few months. I am so thankful for all three of my siblings and the fact that the four of us love each other and get along so well. It is my prayer that my three children will love each other and get along when they are adults.
4. My kids love this show they first were introduced to on Right Now Media (which our church gives us access to) called Friends and Heroes. It's set in the Roman Empire after Jesus. The kids really wanted to see the 2nd and 3rd seasons, but only the first season is on Right Now Media. I found that all three season are on PureFlix, and so I signed the kids up for a free one month trial. Each episode features a story of what it was like for Christians enduring persecution in the Roman Empire, and they also retell one Bible story in each episode as well. I'm so grateful there are such wonderful shows out there that the kids really enjoy which teach spiritual lessons as well as about ancient history at the same time.
5. Paul's mom is responding well to the latest type of chemo. I remember in the fall of 2014 I was concerned that she might not make it as she was getting so sick (pneumonia) from the chemo she was getting at that time. I recall crying at my mom's house about it and my mom hugging me to comfort me. I had no idea at that time that my mother-in-law would pull through but my mom would actually be the one to pass away from cancer less than two years later.
6. for my job. I enjoy teaching, and the income is greatly appreciated. It means we can work on paying off the mortgage as well as makes it possible for splurges of varying sizes. We are enjoying having the money to buy things like take-out pizza. I still try to be as frugal most of the time, but it's nice to know it's okay to splurge now and then. For example, I recently ordered Ian a personalized eight year old t-shirt (with his name on it and BB8 from Star Wars). I paid far more than I usually do for a t-shirt (keep in mind I buy almost all their clothes at yard sales), but I think he'll love it, and I knew we could afford that splurge.
7. Tab is a wonderful babysitter for our kids. She's a good teacher, and the kids enjoy playing with her two sons and their two dogs.
8. This week off has been heavenly. I've exercised four days in a row! I have gotten many things done on my to do list. I have been able to do things like couponing at CVS that I haven't done the past few months.
9. My mom and I had longed for the day my parents would move up closer to us and be able to spend far more time with my kids and I. That didn't happen as my mom went to Glory and my dad has moved farther away from us (to Virginia). This makes me all the more thankful that Paul's parents live only one hour away from us so my kids do have grandparents they can see regularly. Yesterday Nadia and Ian spent the afternoon and evening with Paul's parents. Originally the plan was for all three kids to spend a day with them, but Oliver has had some behavior issues lately so he lost the privilege. He spent the day with Mommy yesterday instead. We baked cookies, rough housed, worked on reading, etc. Ten of us spent the day at Paul's parents' house today.
10. our country. I'm thankful for the freedoms and prosperity we enjoy as Americans.
11. yummy food. This time of year we eat some foods that we don't eat at other times of the year. I've recently made pumpkin cranberry bread, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and pumpkin pancakes. I think on Sunday I'm going to make sweet potatoes. Nadia and I love cranberry sauce. Yum!
12. music. I love music although the boys have one cd that they want to play incessantly (actually they only play TWO of the songs on that CD which makes it even worse). Yesterday when Oliver and I had the day together I decided to break out the Christmas music (in part to escape that same CD being played for hours on end). I love Christmas music and although I like to wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate, it's hard to wait until then to listen to beautiful Christmas music.
I could add many, many more things to this list, but I'm exhausted and heading to bed. My bed is something else I am thankful for!
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