Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Let Me Count the Ways...

Let Me Count the Ways That I'm thankful!

(I know, I know, poor Elizabeth Barrett Browning would be rolling in her grave if she heard me using that phrase as such....but, alas, she's not alive, so oh well!)

I decided to start a new family tradition.

Well, Ian doesn't know it yet, but we are starting one.

Every year, we will list things we are thankful for, how every many years old you are that year. So, for example, I'm 22 this Thanksgiving, so I need to come up with 22 things!

I think this will be a great tradition to carry on when we have children, because it is something even young children can do!

So, without further delay, my Thankfulness List for 2009....

1. For my sweet, wonderful, loving Husband. He spends so much time taking care of me and making sure I'm alright!

2. My sister. For giving me someone we can laugh, cry, scream, or smile with and in the end it will all be alright.

3. My parents. They are wonderful. Seriously. Wonderful.

4. For a roof over our heads and a bed to sleep in. We may have been out of job and "homeless," now for almost 8 months, but our families have taken care of us!

5. For my in laws. I may not always understand how they communicate or why they do things certain ways, but they love me and I love them! I'm so glad I don't have an "everybody loves raymond," type of situation.

6. For my friends! They really are the best. They have really stuck with me despite my moving all around (and the future moving around!)

7. For my Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. I am so glad that God gave me extended family that tries so hard to stay involved!

8.For blogging....it has been such an outlet for me over this stressful year or so. I can't wait to see where I go with it and what gets recorded!

9. For my camera. Though I really have a love/hate relationship with it right now, I know that it is a good camera and that it could really last me a long time if necessary!

10. For the Florida Gators. They make me happy. Even if they weren't doing so great (and I really don't think this year is as good as last year,) they are still my team and provide me with great joy.

11. For books. Um, do I really have to explain?

12. For the ability to travel. I can't imagine how different my life would be if I lived even a hundred years earlier!

13. For Chocolate. Oh how I love thee. I have missed you greatly since living in my {health nut} in laws home!

14. For our church family. We have quite a few of them now, since we have been moving around, but our real home church makes me feel like I just stepped into a giant hug when I come home!

15. For a job. Though we aren't on payroll yet (one more month!) we do have a job and it is such an answer to prayer!

16. For our freedom. I don't think about this often enough. And I know I'm not thankful for it as much as I should be!

17. For prayer, because it is what brings me peace in stressful situations and joy in the day to day breathings of life.

18. For coffee. I am really getting into coffee lately. I'm not really a coffee snob either...I can even go for the instant stuff!

19. For my softie. A lady gave us a blanket for a wedding present and for whatever reason it has become a great source of sleeping comfort to me. Maybe because we had to pack up all of our other sheets and blankets so this is the only constant. But seriously, I'm like a 2 year old with a blankie with it...I can just pass right out for the night if I have it on me!

20. For Icy Hot. I pulled a muscle in my neck on Sunday and it is all bruised and swollen and uncomfortable right now.

21. For children. Like, in general. haha. I love kids so much and they have brought me so much joy!

22. For my intelligence. I know this one is especially strange, but I am so glad that God created me like He did! I can't imagine what I would be like if I wasn't into learning, reading, and growing!

So, that's it for now. I skipped into the other room and let Ian know we have a new tradition. I told him he better get writing! Maybe I'll post his....we'll see!

7 comments:

xoxoKrysten said...

Oh I love this idea! I may just steal it from you! Love your blog by the way!

Kelley said...

i love this idea!

Hannah said...

what a fun tradition!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Elizabeth said...

Those are wonderful things to be thankful for and great reminders for all of us. Some days I think we forget how much we really do have! We have a God that does love us! So much to be thankful for. Blessings to you and Ian. Have a wonderful thanksgiving!! :-)

Anne @ Sincerely, Britches said...

Great list! SO many random things in life that we can be thankful for. Camera, coffee, chocolate, oh yeah. I'm' all about that. Husband, Sisters, Parents, Church...the bestest ever.

Happy thanksgiving!!!

Callie said...

I like your idea too - maybe I'll steal it next year!

Jessica said...

What a great idea for a tradition each year!