Things I am Thankful For...

As I was leaving Walmart this afternoon with my trunk full of groceries, I noticed four or five people waiting with their Walmart sacks at the bus stop on the far end of the parking lot. I had never really thought about those who did not have a car and how much extra time and effort had to go into just a trip for groceries. Not only do they have to plan it just right with the bus schedule, they could only purchase what they could carry which means a return trip in far less than two weeks. There are so many things in this life that I just take for granted, even having a trunk in which to put my over stuffed cart's worth of sacks and boxes. I have been so stressed about finances these past couple of weeks and have found myself wishing for some magical money tree to sprout up in the midst of that backyard jungle I have yet to tame. But you know what, I can afford a car to drive and two weeks worth of groceries and the house of my dreams over my head. We all have our areas of obvious blessing and our areas of hardship and like those people at the bus stop, when it comes to the hard parts, you just do what you have to do because three bags worth of groceries are better than none.

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With a grateful heart I drove out of that parking lot and began to think of the many things in my life that have given me the gift of laughter and smiles. I have so many things I am thankful for...some serious...some more frivolous but smile inducing all the same. Here's just a few...

• I am thankful that I was there the first time Joshy caught a joke on a TV show and laughed out loud.
• I am thankful for a husband who will stand out in the backyard and help me wash our 85 pound dog and laugh as we get sprayed by him shaking his coat and draw straws over who gets to wash the area around his "peepee".
• I am thankful for Antique's Roadshow. Whenever there is absolutely nothing on, you can always count on roadshow to be there. Yes, the pieces of history are amazing, but it is the study of people that makes it so addictive. Nothing beats the look on someone's face as they think "I don't give a flip why this teacup maker was considered American although actually French, just get to how much it is worth" while trying to hide it with "Oh, uh-huh...interesting...".
• I am thankful for how well Ben eats green beans. He just swallows every bite and doesn't spit any out. I fought with Joshy to eat anything green. He had a radar for green veggies since the moment he was born.
• I am thankful for the tree outside our dining room window adorned with purple flowers. Everyday I look out at it as we eat and it just reminds me again of how fortunate I am to be in a house surrounded by green and bathed in sunlight.
• I am thankful that I get to wake up in the morning to Joshy having a mech battle next to my head. This morning it was Snooker vs. Platus. I was personally a fan of Platus who protected me several times, at my pleading, from Snooker's attacks.
• I am thankful to be married to a man who can wrap his arms around me and make me feel small and safe.
• I am thankful for Ben's smile. His whole face smiles along with his mouth and it makes my heart melt.
• I am thankful for an extended family that loves to laugh. Every family get together I can remember is full of laughter and love. And food! Man I could do with one of Grandma's homemade cheesecakes or Pop's ribs...
• I am thankful for a handful of people in my life who really know me well. Know the little insignificant things that make you feel important and loved.
• I am thankful for caffeine. Props to God for the forethought to know that parents of infants can't live on love and determination alone.
• I am thankful that Joshy happily goes along with me when we sing everything instead of saying it. Before you know it, we have an full on opera over whether or not he likes his grilled cheese or if he has to go to the bathroom.
• I am thankful for foot rubs and a wonderful man who is willing to give them.
• I am thankful for people who wear a fanny pack in all seriousness. They will never know how much they make my day.

Your turn. What are some of your "thankful for"s?