Giving Thanks with a Grateful Heart

Ever since I have had kids, I feel like I have learned a lot about what it means to really give thanks and to count my blessings. I don't wait until Thanksgiving Day to give God the glory and thanks for what He has placed in my life, but every day I spend time in prayer thanking Him for blessing me.

One thing I am thankful for is this guy. This little 2 1/2 year old that is now about 1 month away from turning 3. I am thankful for his health, his witty personality, and his constant love and affection. And this little ball of energy. My little 10 month old that has a smile to offer to anyone who looks at him. A kiss to offer when asked. A feisty personality that makes me believe that I am going to have my hands full when he is 2 1/2. I am also thankful for his health and well being.

My amazing husband of almost 5 years. Thankful that he asked me to be his with my dream proposal. Thankful that he works so hard for our family and is always willing to serve at any moment. Thankful for a husband who will see that I need help with something and won't wait for me to ask for help, he will just do it. I am so thankful that I have a husband that meets and exceeds every expectation that I have ever had for a husband. He is my hero, the rock, backbone and heart of this family. I can't imagine this family functioning without him.

Thankful for my parents who raised me up to have Godly morals. For my dad who taught me to take care of and cherish the important things in life. To invest in my spiritual life, family, and education. Thankful for my mom who has modeled for me for what it means for be a forgiving, patient mother and spouse, and loving unconditionally.

Thankful for the greatest in-laws in the world. Thankful for a family who has welcomed me into their family as their own. Thankful for these individuals who have shown me what it takes to love genuinely and to serve whole heartily. Thankful that my boys have such wonderful male role models surrounding them and the most awesome cousins, nieces and nephews. All these kids walk into a room and the place just lights up. I am so grateful that each one of these children are all healthy and happy.

I am thankful for my sister and brother in law, Josh(whom I was unable to see this Thanksgiving). She is a beam of light and has a heart of gold. I am praising God this holiday season for answering all our prayers and blessing her with the gift of pregnancy. I can't wait to hold baby M and bless the britches off him/her.

I am also thankful for my health and that I am able to get up every morning and be a mother and a wife to some of the most amazing people. My heart and mind grieves for those mothers who are sick or have sick children. I have been blessed and I don't/can't explain why God has been so gracious to me, but I am forever thankful for what He has brought into my life.

And most importantly, I am thankful for the freedom of salvation. I am thankful that Jesus died for me so that I may have life. One of my new favorite songs has been around for a while, but now that I am kind of an adult, I really understand the meaning of the words. "Jesus paid it all, all to whom I owe. My sin has left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow." I am thankful for Jesus who is patient with me everyday and each new day, it is a clean slate.

Finally, I am thankful for you who have taken the time to read this blog. I am curious if people even read this anymore since all my blog friends are on Facebook. Have a wonderful holiday season and if you don't hear from me in the next three months it is because I am a terrible planner and decided to have a baby 4 days before Christmas, get married on New Year's and have another baby soon after Christmas. I will be busy planning parties, preparing for parties and shopping. Yea for the busiest time of the year. *sighing....heavily!*