Okay, so I've never done this before, so to call it the "2010 Edition" might be slightly presumptuous, but that's okay. :)
I was introduced to
The Frugal Girl's blog and I love it! Every Thanksgiving she does a "50 Things I'm Thankful For", I know that I'm a bit late, but I still wanted to post the things I'm thankful for. I like that she does 50 things ~ I mean
50 really makes you think outside the box, right?
(if you read her blog, you'll probably notice that I've "stolen" a few of her things!)
So here they are in no particular order...
1. Unanswered Prayers. This may seem slightly silly (or cliche) but just today my friends and I were talking about this and I'm truly thankful that some of the prayers that I have prayed have not come true!
2. God's amazing grace.
3. The loving, giving, hansom man that I have the privilege to call my husband. He not only loves me, but he is always showing me that Abigail and I are the most important people in his life.
4. A beautiful, healthy little girl. There are so many people in this world who can't have babies, or whose babies are not born healthy, and it's beginning to hit home just how lucky I really am.
(Abigail 3 months)
5. My wonderful support system. That means all of you. While Jordan was gone I realized just how much my friends and family love us and blessed we are to have all of you!
6. The blogs that I read. I've learned so much from all of the blogs that I read and am inspired by so many of the women who write them!
7. My career... I love that I have a career, not just a job, and one that I love.
8. My friends that I work with, who are more like family.
(some work friends, and a couple of college and high school friends)
9. My friends from high school. How many people can say they have a group of girls that they've been close with since high school?! I'm slowly realizing how rare our group of girlfriends is and I love it (not that it's rare, but that it
is)! You girls rock!
(this is just a small group of my girlfriends from high school)
10. That I have a warm roof over my head and food to eat each night. My house might not be my dream home, but I have a home and there's a lot of people in this world (heck! in this country) that can't say that.
11. The United States Military. I'm so thankful for each and every member of the US Armed Forces, and the sacrifices that each of them, and their families make.
12. My healthy body... I have my days, my aches and pains, but overall I know that I'm blessed to have my health.
13. My sewing machine. I haven't been sewing like I was while Jordan was gone, but I love my sewing machine!
14. Parents who love each other and who have shown me what real love, and marriage looks like.
15. The love that my parents have for me. As a child (and as an adult!) I've never wondered if my parents love me.
16. My sister. She's not just my sister, but she's also my friend, and a wonderful Aunt!
(Aunt Allison and newborn Abigail)
17. My sisters-in-law... I doubt that there are a ton of people who can say they really love their sisters-in-law (or any of their siblings-in-law), and I love these girls!
18. A babysitter for Abigail who is more like family... there are days that I wish I was a stay-at-home-mama, but knowing that we have Pam makes it much easier to go to work.
19. That Abigail loves the pool and swimming.
20.
Our new church and the fabulous friends I've made there. While Jordan was deployed one of my best friends asked me to go to church with her. Abigail and I went, and the rest is history. I've never felt more free to worship God and celebrate life.
21. For our trip to Germany, and the fact that we even had the ability to travel there.
(my beautiful family in Germany)
22. That we live in Kansas City... the weather here is (for the most part) good, and we're just close enough to each of our families that we can visit for the weekend.
23. That my parents visit often. Abigail has been fortunate enough to see her grandparents nearly every 3-5 weeks. When Jordan was gone they were here whenever I needed them. I'm forever grateful for that!
24. That all of my grandparents are still alive... as I get older it becomes more obvious to me how rare this is. My mom's father had colon cancer and passed away before I was born, but I still have a grandmother and grandfather on both sides of my family (my grandma re-married before I was born).
25. That I'm 1/2 way done with my list. Haha ~ really, this is harder than I thought it would be! j/k
25 (#2). That my daughter not only is a good sleeper, but
likes to sleep (with the exception of napping). She goes to bed easily, sleeps all night in
her bed, and rarely makes a peep!
26. Abby Cadabby... Abigail loves her and although she doesn't get to watch much TV, I sometimes allow Abby Cadabby to "babysit" while I get dinner made ;)
27. That my parents taught me at a young age that working hard is the only way to get the things you want in this life. Complaining, lying and deceiving are not the answer, and I think if more people in this world would work hard we might be in a much different place today.
28. My blog... I don't blog as often as I'd like, but I love that this is my little place on the internet where I can express myself and show off my beautiful family!
29. Coupons and sales. There's no way that I could afford half the things I want in this world without hem!
30.
My nook! Jordan surprised me with it not long after he got back. I was skeptical at first, but now, I don't go anywhere without it!
31. That my mom taught me to love reading. I don't ever remember a time when reading was a chore (although, I'm sure mom does!) and I really think that reading is what lead me to choose the career that I have.
32. Pictures and a friend who is an amazing photographer! By now I consider
Katie to be a friend, not just "my friend's sister", and she is a fantastic photographer, who has the ability to capture Abigail's personality like no one else!
33. Facebook. I know, that sounds ridiculous, right? But it's allowed me to keep in touch with friends from high school, college and family. It's probably true that I don't call and talk to my friends as often as I would like (which is something that I am working on), but I also know I wouldn't see as many pictures of them or their families without it!
34. The extra curricular activities that my parents allowed me to do. Dance, cheerleading, trap shooting, dance team, acting, 4H etc. I know that without all of those activities I wouldn't be the woman I am today.
35. That we have two vehicles that run great and that we love. Sure, I'd love to have a new (to-me) car, but we're so close to having my current car paid off...
36. Food... sounds silly, but how many people in this country go hungry every day? I am one of those people who lives to eat, not eats to live. I love food and trying new things.
37. My bed and "new bedroom" and the people who helped make my "new bedroom" possible. Right before Jordan came home a couple of family members and family friends came down and helped me paint, I got new bedding, a feather bed and we love it!! I seriously look forward to hopping into bed each night!
38. Cupcakes, cookies, homemade candy... (did I mention that I love food??)
39. Dinner time with my family.
40. That Abigail says "Amen" and folds her hands when we pray.
41.
Scentsy... it makes my house smell great, and there is no flame! Who could want more?
42. Baby Einstein ~ without those movies there's no way I would have made the countless trips to Mercer and Nebraska with Abigail by myself!
43. Hair bows and clippies. Without them Abigail's hair would be a permanent mess!
44. Ashley at
Lil Blue Boo. I know I already mentioned blogs, but this was the one that first inspired me to being sewing again. She not only sews, but paints and makes all kinds of creative things that have really brought out the artist in me!
45. The money we have and that it's enough. I'm good at being frugal and we're blessed to have all that we do.
46. Laughing so hard it makes you cry.
47. Abigail's caring personality. It kind of blows my mind that at such a young age she has such a kind heart.
48. Online shopping... I don't do it often, but it's so nice to have the ability to order Christmas gifts and fun things from the comfort of my couch!
49. Kenny ~ Abby's "Elf on the Shelf" ~ he reminds her to be good and it's always so fun to see her search for him in the morning!
50. That my husband is home and we're going to be blessed with the opportunity to spend the holidays together this year!
