ABC's of Thankfulness

 
A: Austin. My firstborn. He is such a big help, I'm not sure how I'd get along without him most days.
 
B: Black Friday! Yes, I am one of those nuts that stands outside in the cold with strangers for hours in the dark with no sleep. In fact, this year, I didn't even need anything and I still went out just because it's my tradition.
 
C: Chris. My awesome hubby. My partner. I really and truely don't know how people raise kids or keep a home in tact without a spouse. I'd be hard-pressed to do anything without him!
 
D: Dough. Cookie dough, pizza dough, pie crust and homemade biscuits and rolls. I love baking and it really ramps up this time of year.
 
E: Elijah. My sweet baby boy. I never thought I'd have any more kids. Chris had "cut me off" in the baby department. God had other plans. And I'm so glad He did!
 
F: Feldkamps. I love the family I married into. They taught me what family is really supposed to be like.
 
G: God. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. God is good all the time!
 
H: Homeschooling. I can't express how much of a blessing it is to have my children with me all day, learning how to "do" life.
 
I: Indoor plumbing. Running water. A toilet. The little, everyday things that we take for granted.
 
J: Jesus. My redeemer. My Savior. My King. I met Him on Christmas Eve 2003 and my life has never been the same.
 
K: Kindle Fire! The only thing on my Christmas list this year.
 
L: Love. I am surrounded by love on a daily basis. I am striving to show it more often to everyone around me.
 
M: Maggie. My little Maggie. I thought she was my last and I spoiled her accordingly. She still turned out to be a great big sister! She is so sweet and I will always have a special bond with her because she was my first long-term nursed baby.
 
N: Naps. (which I don'y get often enough, but I'm very thankful when I do!)
 
O: Our home. It's not much, it needs lots of TLC and it's pretty small for 7 people, but it's home. It keeps us dry and warm and safe. As long as my family's in it, there's nowhere I'd rather be.
 
P: Pastors. I'm thankful for the pastors, leaders and members of our church. It is an imperfect church, filled with imperfect people. So I fit in nicely ;)
 
Q: Quiet times. They don't come often, which makes me cherish them even more. You know that point when all the kids are first settled into bed for the night and you sit down and there is just silence? I love that moment.
 
R: Running vehicles. Like our home, they aren't much; but they get the job done. Out van can fit our entire family and has never left us stranded somewhere. What more could I ask for?
 
S: Sam and Sophie. My little partners in crime! I think they were supposed to be twins. LOL!
 
T: Tully's, Green Mountain and Folgers K-cups for my Keurig! I couldn't make it through the day without my coffee!
 
U: Understanding. I think to really learn anything (from academics to theology) you have to really understand it. If you have the knowledge without the understanding, it's basically worthless. I am thankful for the understanding God has allowed me to have and to pass on to my children.
 
V: Video games. For 2 reasons....first, they are a good way to keep the kids busy in between meals and school and if the games are carefully chosen, they can be not only fun, but educational. The second reason is that it is a really fun way to spend family time. The wii has been a great way to get the whole family to interact and enjoy an evening with one another. Just for the record,,,,I still hold the high schore on bowling!
 
W: Word of God. I am still working on my goal of reading through the bible before I turn 30. I have really learned to love being in the Word regularly. I am gleaning so much. It's amazing how His Word is like a living thing, meeting you where you are.
 
X: I can't think of an X word, so I will cheat and use a word with an X in it: excitement. I have always been the overly excited person in the group. I get loud and giggly and happy when I'm excited. It used to bother me because everyone else was so much lower key than me. Now I am really thankful for this excitement the Lord has put in my heart and I embrace being known as the cheerful one :)
 
Y: Youth. My kids are teaching me to value their youth instead of wishing it away. "I can't wait until...." barely escapes my lips anymore. Instead, I'm learning to be content with right now.
 
Z: Zoos. Along with the farm park, the playground, the lake and all the other fun places my family can go as a field trip together. It reminds me of the fact that my children are being raised to enjoy time with their family over time with anyone else. For that I am most thankful.