being thankful

It's interesting to me that at this time of the year we focus so much on being grateful, recognizing the blessings we enjoy year-round, looking for opportunities to help and to give.

I hope that I find myself being thankful every day of the year and not just now, not just on Thanksgiving Day and not just during this holiday season.

I have so much to be thankful for.

-my health (though over the last couple of months I have forgotten what it really feels like to be healthy- I can't seem to get feeling better and we keep getting hit with other bugs and I just feel- yuck- but there are so many others who are worse off than I am. We have a friend whose dad is dying from brain cancer. So, I am thankful for my health.

-my family. (I have a wonderful, loving husband and three sweet girls who can cause a few grey hairs now and then but I love them, they are all I have and I am so thankful. We also have family in town this week and we've been able to spend some time with them. Because Sarah was sick last night I don't know if she and I will be able to spend Thanksgiving with everyone but still, they are here. We have family and it's such a blessing. My own side of the family is far away and I miss being able to see them.

-a warm home. (Yes, our house is larger than perhaps I think we need, it's a pain to keep clean but it's warm, it protects us from the storms that pass through and inside it we try to daily share love with one another.)

-a loving Father in Heaven. (I could not forget this because it is the most important and the reason I have everything else. I don't often get religious on this blog, not that I am hiding my beliefs but most of this blog is scrapbooking related and I neglect to talk about other things at times. But, I am thankful for a Savior who died for me and a Heavenly Father who allowed Him to do so for me and my shortcomings. One of these days I just might get it right, I just might have a day when I feel at peace with how I've conducted myself but usually I have lots of things that I wish I'd done better. So, I am thankful)

-food to eat. (We have been preparing a feast for todays festivities and today- pies and rolls and turkey and all the trimmings- Sarah and I will probably not get to partake of those yummy things but we will not go without food to eat. I spent a year and a half as a missionary in Bolivia about ten years ago and I saw hunger like you would not believe. People didn't know where the next meal would come from and so I am again thankful.)

-a good job. (Matt has a great job, one that allows me to stay home with the girls and attempt to be domestic. I will admit that my home is less than tidy but we have fun, the girls are happy most of the time and I love being home with them. We have more than we need. I can buy scrappy supplies and not worry that doing so will cut into our food budget. I am so very thankful.)

I hope that we'll all take a look at what we are grateful for today.