Thankfulness

I am a little late on this post, but it has been bouncing around in my head for a few days. Thanksgiving has always been the holiday that I have enjoyed the most. It is one of those holidays where I don't have to buy any commercialized products to enjoy the celebration. It's not about getting or doing or having, but about being...just being with those we love and enjoying a meal together and learning to be thankful for all the blessings we have received.

As I think back over this year, I know that I am blessed. So today instead of looking at the "glass half empty" I am going to try to look at the "glass half full." Wouldn't life be so much sweeter if we all did this....looked at the good side of every situation? So, instead of looking at the fact that my oldest daughter up and left me forever I can smile at the thought that I now have a son to add to the family tree. I always wanted a son! Instead of looking at how many places we have to juggle going to this holiday season, I can look at the many opportunities to connect with family I haven't seen in a while. OR I can count how blessed I am to have family so close to spend this time with.

You see, it is not that hard to turn things around to the positive and see the blessings we have been given. I have always loved the song "Count Your Many Blessings" so today, I am going to start my list. I may add some daily for a while. Join me in counting your blessings....let's see what God has done in our lives this year. I would love to hear your blessings. Please feel free to add them as comments. If we all look at the brighter side and give God the glory for what He has done for us, how could we not find JOY in this life!

My blessings.....
1. 22 years with my best friend! These 22 years were filled with hills and valleys, but every one added to the love that we have. I wouldn't trade any of them.....even the bad ones. They have made us who we are now and brought us to this place together.
2. My 3 beautiful girls....even though they are growing up too quickly, I am so blessed to have them in my life. They have taught me to love unconditionally and to see how God our Father must love us.
3. My new son-in-law! He is a wonderful addition to this family as well as his family. Friends have now become officially family!
4. Our family....having my parents and in-laws living near us has added to the stability of our family. I am blessed with sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws that I really enjoy being with. I love my in laws as much as my parents. We also have grandparents, aunts and uncles to add to the extended family we enjoy.
5. Our jobs....though they are not ever going to make us rich, they are steady and good jobs that help us provide what our family needs.
6. Our friends....God has blessed us with so many good Christian friends. MY COFFEE GIRLS AND SMALL GROUP ESPECIALLY! These friends have held us up in prayer at times when we have needed it the most. They have become even more than friends. They are family too.
7. Our cozy little house....I complain so often about this house being too small, but without the closeness we have had in our "cozy" home we might not be as close as we are as a family. Our home keeps us warm and safe. We have raised our babies here and shared most of our married life together under this little roof.
8. My church family
9. My Road family
10. Our health
11. Lower gas prices
12. Reconnecting with friends through Facebook and Myspace (yes, I know this is crazy, but it is a great way to catch up with friends you have lost touch with.)
13. Christmas lights on an artificial tree
14. A crazy dog that keeps us giggling
15.

Okay, so that's the list so far. I'm not finished but for tonight that will get us started. I would love to hear your thankfulnesses. Let's look at the glass half full together!