I Am Thankful

I've been sitting around in a black cloud lately, baby-waiting, sleeping, reading, and just generally playing the picked-on 9 month pregnant lady role to the HILT. (Unfortunately-- or fortunately-- we're out of bon-bons. I could do without the heartburn anyway...)

Then I was reading the "Nie Nie Dialogues" and had a little wake up call. I have MUCH to be thankful for. My husband, children and I are all healthy, safe, and (generally) emotionally stable. *grin* We are so blessed!

I've been reading random blogs where people make lists of 78 things people don't know about them. I want to make a list, too, but I think it should be a gratitude list...

I'm thankful:


1. For the loving way my husband looks at me
2. That I get to spend most of every single day surrounded by my children
3. For three amazing "teens" who hate the word "teenager." They prefer "Young Adults."
4. For a baby girl who looks like my mom, and even has her name.



5. For a little girl who is my clone and my heart
6. For a boy who looks just like his daddy did when he was little
7. For a clever little blond girl who doesn't know the meaning of the word "can't"
8. For a gentle giant of a boy with gorgeous blue eyes
9. That I get to teach Shakespeare to awesome homeschooled "teens"/"Young Adults"
10. That my husband is a talented cook who often comes home and takes over dinner.



11. For an organized, determined, fibberty-gibbet girl with long hair and smiling eyes
12. For our house that fits us perfectly
13. That we live out in a more rural area, even if we haven't got our farm yet
14. That Morganne can go to early morning seminary with charter school kids, instead of at the regular high school
15. For my Asperger's kids who have taught me-- and continue to teach me-- so much
16. That I can call my mommie any day, any time, and she'll act happy to talk to me
17. For time in the temple


18. For living prophets and apostles
19. That Christ can carry all of my burdens, and loves me in spite of my whining
20. For my quiet study hour in the morning while Morganne is at seminary
21. For Morganne's quiet, noble strength
22. That Brennan is constantly playing the piano
23. That Lliam is so good with the little ones



24. For garden tubs
25. For thunder storms
26. For essential oils
27. That I am an American
28. For the right to worship how I want to
29. For the freedom of speech to say what I wish to say

30. For the freedom to teach my children where, how, and what I feel I need to
31. For inspiring classical music-- Bach, Beethoven, Debussey, Ralph Vaughn Williams, etc.
32. For good bluegrass-- old Nickel Creek, Cherryholmes, Allison Krauss
33. For Jane Austen-- God's gift to women who love to read
34. For books that speak to my soul-- "Tale of Two Cities", "Jane Eyre", "Persuasion", etc. (This list would get waaaay too long, way too fast!)
35. For Thanksgiving here in AZ, with roses blooming, and families going for walks and bike rides
36. For the rhythmic hiccups of babies in utero
37. For the freedom to birth at home



38. For a good smoothie or milkshake now and then
39. For midwives who come to me for prenatal visits
40. For the awe-inspiring power of the ocean
41. For red dirt in Georgia and Alabama
42. Peanuts with lots of salt
43. Pecans, anyway I can get them

44. For GRANNY: her funny stories, for the way she covers her mouth with her hand when she laughs, for the stash of gum and snacks she always has in her purse, for the way she slips and sometimes says a cuss word, for her thick "country girl" Southern Accent, and for the way she calls back "Whoo-hoo!" when you call her name-- there is no one like her in the universe!

45. For the smell of clean sheets, dried out on the line
46. For windows open at night, to let in the cool breeze
47. The sound of lawn mowers at dusk (9 PM) in Idaho during the summer
48. Ben and Jerry's "Chunky Monkey" ice cream
49. A big, hot, well-baked Idaho spud, dripping with butter
50. Breakfast food
51. The color red, in all its shades
52. Gardenias-- the smell, the thick white petals, the succulent, dark leaves
53. My husband's warm, strong hands
54. Good hair days
55. Losing 3 pounds, even if it was just water-weight
56. Seeing my nieces and nephews, even if they don't know me from Eve




57. Singing in full belt to a packed audience
58. Speaking in public and having the audience in stitches, laughing
59. Making new friends
60. Seeing old friends
61. Talking for hours with cousins, aunts, Grandma, mother, and sisters
62. Headbands-- quickest hairdo that looks good on me
63. Great art
64. Michael Buble's voice
65. Josh Groban's voice
66. Memories of laying in my mother's lap while she stroked my hair



67. My mom's twisted fingers and her incredibly soft hands
68. The smell of leather in my dad's closet
69. Calling my brother "Bean"
70. Hugging my brother and sisters
71. Reading Homebirth stories
72. Christmas Music from September to January
73. The smell of cinnamon, orange, and pine
74. White lace curtains
75. Cookies from Grandma's cookie jar
76. The books and toys at Grandma's house when we were kids: "Little Sambo" and "Grandma Winkie"
77. Climbing to the top of a sturdy, enormous tree
78. Music by Enya

You know, I could go on, and maybe I will in my journal. God has blessed us so much. I am truly grateful...