Thankful Thoughts

At the beginning of November, being the month for Thanksgiving, I decided to acknowledge the many things I'm thankful for on a daily basis. Yes, I know, I should acknowledge these things everyday throughout the year, but, I am human and this doesn't always happen.

So...here they are, in no particular order.

-I am absolutely thankful for three, healthy, beautiful, spunky, full of life children :-)

-I am thankful for a husband that knows me inside and out...and still loves me and makes me feel special everyday :-)

-Thankful that my kids are abundantly able to yell and scream at one another(the alternative horrifies me).

-That we have found a new church home closer to home. Felt so welcomed there.

-For a mom and dad that, since we were little, have gone without at times so that my brother and I didn't have to.

-That my belief in Jesus Christ is so strong that it won't let me worry about who is President of the United States...or anywhere else.

-For a brother that is an amazing uncle to my kiddos.

-For my beautiful, spunky, sassy niece, Nikki. And for her mom, Nicole.

-For my mother-in-law, who even though she's battling cancer right now, still somehow manages to keep her big, beautiful smile on her face and see God's grace everyday.

-For a father-in-law who inspires so many with his wisdom and who has shaped my husband into the man, father and husband he is today.

-For my 9 year old's love of sports. He has more knowledge than most men and teaches me whenever I'm confused.

-For knowing and being loved by my grandma who passed away 21 years ago November 11th.

-For my little girl that reminds me everyday what it's like to have a true best friend for always.

 -That God has blessed me with a son(Ethan) who is so much like me. Attitude, stubbornness and determined will. It makes us both stronger everyday.

-For online shopping ;-)

-For both days of the week that start with an "S".

-That we have found a church my kids actually ask to go to :)

-For date nights and date night do-overs with my love.

-For the love my parents have for my children. Even though they don't see each other nearly enough, when my dad comes to town, my kids consume them.

There are others but they all seem so trivial now.

On Black Friday we spent the day at home and that night the boys headed out to a football game with my dad and brother. My mom joined Taya and I for a "girls night". We went to Toys-R-Us(spent the entire night there) then had a great dinner at Olive Garden, my fave.

Saturday night I decided to take the boys to the Under Armour store in Allen and let them give me ideas for their Christmas gifts. Recently both Ethan and Corbin can't get enough of this UA stuff. On our way, we were sitting in ridiculous traffic listening to the radio. A song came on(an old song from my high school days) that I have heard a million times over the years. However, in that moment, I looked  to my right and sitting in the seat next to me was Ethan. At first I was being funny and obnoxious singing it to Ethan but the more I sang and pinched his cheeks the more I realized I was actually singing it TO Ethan. The words are priceless for a mother to say, let alone sing to her children. I could tell by the look on Ethan's face he felt it as much as I did. And the words I was singing to him meant so much more than I ever could have imagined fifteen years ago when the song came out. It's called "You won't ever be lonely". Here's the youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_xsyYCYIY4

Well, after that song we changed it to Christmas music. James Taylor came on and he lost every one's interest. Ethan actually asked who he was and "what happened to Jingle Bells because this guy is terrible?". I couldn't help but chuckle. One of my favorite Christmas songs then came on. The Christmas Shoes. It's a sad song but I can never change the station. The kids asked why it was so sad and what was it about. I explained that it was about a little boy wanting to buy his very sick mommy these special shoes because he wanted her to be beautiful if she met Jesus that night. As I explained it, tears were filling my eyes and again, Ethan could see the emotion. After the song was over we talked about it some more and went on with our night. The very next day we were in the car, all five of us and again, the song came on. Matt went to change the station when all three kids hollered and said that was their favorite song. Melted my heart. Once Matt listened to the song, he too was hooked. I hope I have many, many years with my babies but I can only hope and pray that if I were ever in that situation my kids would all do the same for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpkI7GW2V34

Anyway, Corbin just came and told me my blog is super long, so I'll do us all a favor and call it quits.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!