Five Days of Gratitude-Day 5 Part II

I can't let the Five Days of Gratitude pass without telling you why I'm so grateful for my husband. Therefore, today deserves two posts of gratitude.

I don't think there can ever be another human that loves me more than Joel. And for that I am forever grateful. He accepts my shortcomings and irritable traits (though he doesn't like them) while constantly reaffirming how wonderful he thinks I am, how beautiful he thinks I am, and how lucky he feels to be married to me every day. I feel the same, but can't express it nearly as well as he does. I am grateful that he is free with his words of kindness and love, even when he might be having a hard day or when I'm not as deserving of them. He doesn't want a day to pass where he hasn't told or shown his love to me.

I am not anywhere close to deserving of his love and admiration. Sometimes, I am sad to say, I'm also not very accepting of it. Usually it's because I don't feel I qualify for his praise. But apparently he thinks I do, which means I need to believe it.

I'm so thankful that he agreed to marry me, raise kids with me, and figure out this whole "rest of our life" thing with me. I really really can't see myself doing this with anyone else.

Nor do I want to.

Five Days of Gratitude-Day 5

There are two things I'm most grateful for in this whole wide world.

This......and this.
Happy Thanksgiving. I hope and pray you are feeling just as grateful for your many blessings as I am today.

Five Days of Gratitude-Day 4

Every night when we are putting the girls to bed, we go through the same routine: jammies, teeth, book, and prayer. During prayer time, we start with a little children's prayer that I helped Padyn memorize last year (Be though with me...) and then I ask her what she is thankful for. It has taken about a year for her to say something other than "nothing" or "I don't know." Now she will actually list a few things out. The amazing thing is Kate gets it. As soon as we say, "What are you thankful for today?" she says, "Papa." Then together, they list all the other things and people that we are going to thank God for that evening. Here's their typical list. When it comes to the objects, you can probably figure out who is thankful for what.

Papa
Ducky
Paci
BooBoo
Mimi
Grandpa
Mommy
Daddy
Kate
Padyn
BonBon
Grandma
Grandpa Lane
Josh
Emily
Owen

The list varies, but these are the usuals. If Bella or Coley happen to be visiting, they are on the list. Auntie and Auntie Erica were on it this weekend since they were staying here. So was Baby Abby.

I'm hoping that one day they add more abstract things that they have to be grateful for. Like the freedoms that the country we live in provides. Or the immense wealth we are blessed with that most of the rest of the world can't comprehend. For food on the table everyday, a shelter over their heads, family and friends that love and care about them, and the opportunity to try almost anything they want to attempt.

Someday. For now I'm happy that they know to be thankful that people and things that they love.

Five Days of Gratitude-Day 3

It goes without saying that I am grateful for my two beautiful girls. On their good days, they are loving, charming, cuddly and adorable. On the not so good days...well, I just have to remind myself of all of their good qualities. That's were today's post is going. Of all the things about my kids I have to be grateful for, one that is near the top of the list is that they are good sleepers.

I know that not everyone is as blessed as we are in this regard, and I tend to be quick to complain when we have one bad night or one too-short nap. But really, they are great sleepers and I truly believe that is one of the things that keeps me sane in this game of motherhood. Usually (because there's always an occasional exception) they happily go to bed by 8pm. They don't whine or cry about it. They don't get up 13 times before settling in for the night. They don't demand more books or water or a brighter nightlight. (Although lately, Padyn has been trying to control and extend the nighttime routine by demanding more hugs and kisses once she's already in bed.) We don't have to threaten them with bodily harm or throwing away all their toys. They stay in their room until their CD alarm clock goes off and they are happy to see us when either Padyn comes running in our room to tell us Bob and Larry is on, or we go in to get them up. I'm SOOOO grateful that they don't get up at 5am.

They typically like taking naps, although Padyn is at the age where I can't tell her to take a nap anymore. It's "quiet time" now, but still...she goes willingly most days. Kate lunges toward her crib, she's so happy to be there for a nap. I know way too many people whose kids refuse to nap or rest by 2 and a half years old. UGH! How do they get anything done around the house like laundry or dishes? Or blogging?

Also? They don't have physical sleep issues. Sure, Kate can't find her pacifier in the middle of the night and requires us to go in with a flashlight to locate it, but she doesn't have breathing issues or night terrors. They don't have sleep apnea. They sleep comfortably through the night without much intervention from us.

Definitely something to be grateful for.

Five Days of Gratitude-Day 2

Today, I'm thankful for little things. That is appropriate because it's often the little things that steal my joy and drive me crazy. So, the following things are what counteract the tantrums, the piles of laundry, the dirty dishes, and all the other minutia that threaten my day.

I am grateful for...
* A good cup of coffee (especially the ones J brings me in bed in the morning)
* The laughter of my kids
* 10 minutes to curl up with novel
* A backrub from my hubbie
* Wireless Internet
* Full Episodes on TV shows on-line
* A full tank of gas in traffic
* The feel of my baby's hand in mine
* Handwritten notes from friends
* My iPod
* Cute shoes
* Naps
* Fresh cut flowers
* A working oven
* Sunsets
* Fresh baked cookies
* Clear roads when you are expecting traffic

...and many many other things. This is just want I thought of in 2 minutes. You can add yours in the comments.

Five Days of Gratitude

I was having trouble deciding what to blog about today. I thought about telling you how Padyn refused to take a nap or how bratty she was for the babysitter last night. But I didn't want to write a complaining post, especially since I had a very enjoyable weekend with my cousin, my sister and some good friends. So then I thought I should post something that I'm happy about, but I didn't like that so much either. Then it hit me. Thanksgiving is five days away. Why not set a challenge for myself to post every day this week about what I am grateful for? Feel free to copy.

So, there are many many things I am grateful for, and I can't list them all today. I have to pick just one or two. So today I will tell you how grateful I am for my friends. I was reminded again yesterday (and actually told by someone) what great friends I have. Many are linked over in my sidebar, but there are so many others out there in the world (and I do mean the world). I could only hang out with a few of them last night due to distance or kids or other plans, but it made me think of all of them and how blessed I am. God just keeps bringing these great people into my life who are warm, generous, and genuine. I surely am not that deserving. It's truly something to be grateful for.

Your turn. What are you grateful for this week? Cause really...it can't just be about the turkey and mashed potatoes.