Thankfulness

*This is a long one- you've been warned :)

I had really decided to forgo the whole "30 days of Thankfulness" on FB. It just kind of stresses me out! A) I have a hard time remembering to post every day B) I forget what I've already put on previous days (mommy brain!!)  C) I feel like I have to "rank" things starting with what's most important and then it gets me all off track.... So, I decided I would just enjoy reading other's posts and not worry about my own. BUT yesterday at church we had an amazing sermon that really got me  thinking. We're having an entire series this month Titled "B Thankful" and yesterday's message was on being thankful during all seasons of life. It was based on David and the premise was that he was most thankful when he was in his hardest seasons (hiding from the king, fleeing for his life, living with nothing) not while he was living in the palace and had everything he could ever want. It's easy to be thankful when everything is going great and we should be, but how often are we thankful for the hard times that teach us the most valuable lessons??
So, what I've decided to do is list 30 things that I am thankful for, in no particular order :)  Some are the obvious things and others are things that you may be surprised by and that until yesterday, I probably wouldn't have added to this list. Here goes!

I am Thankful for:
1. For my savior Jesus Christ. Without him I wouldn't have any of the blessing in my life and the assurance of something so much greater.
2. For my parents- they love and support me way beyond what they have to and they make some pretty amazing Grandparents to my boys!
3. For my Grandparents. How lucky am I to have Godly Grandparents on both sides that have paved such a great path for my family. And the fact that I'm 30 and still have 3 grandparents alive today is such a blessing!
4. For my husband. Crazy how we ended up together, but obviously not by accident. God knew I needed someone like Aaron who could love me even when I make it hard. He's a great provider and amazing Daddy.
5.On that note, I'm thankful for my single days and days of dating other guys.  I learned so much from that time in my life. What I needed and was looking for in the person that I would spend forever with. Without those times, I might have missed out on Aaron :)
6. For Wyatt. This kiddo made me a Mama and I cannot imagine life without him. Even on the days he drives me bananas, he can still make me smile like no other. He is funny, kind hearted and stubborn like his Daddy :)
7. For Grayson. My sweet little man. His smile can light up a room! I cannot wait to continue to see this little guy grow and watch his personality come to life. I think between him and his brother, I'm gonna have my hands full!!
8. For Aaron's job. He works hard and it is blessing to our family.
9. For getting to be at a stay at home Mommy right now. I love this time with my boys at this precious stage in their lives.
10. For the time that I worked and Wyatt was at daycare/babysitters. It wasn't a fun "season" of my life, leaving that kiddo BUT it sure did teach me to appreciate my time with my kids and especially #9.
11. For my education. I don't say I'm proud of myself for many things, but I am proud that I can say I have a college degree and Masters.
12. For my true friends. I have a great group of ladies that I am blessed to call my real friends. They are the kind of people who stick by you through it all.
13. For no make-up on, unfixed hair, sweat pant wearing kind of days :)
14. For the months that it took us to get pregnant with Grayson. It taught me patience in God's timing.
15. For our neighbors. They are so much more than just the kind you can borrow a cup of sugar from, but the kind who will drop everything to keep your oldest kiddo when you go into labor!
16. For our house. Not because it is huge or fancy, but because it is ours. We get to fill it with our memories. It's warm in the winter, cool in the summer and I sorta love having our huge back yard for the kids to run and play :)
17. For being raised in small town Oklahoma. Couldn't imagine it any other way. I had opportunities and relationships that I never could have had anywhere else.
18. For my brother and his sweet family. I used to be a little sad because with Aaron being an only child and me only having one brother, I thought I wouldn't get many nieces or nephews. Well, Stephen and Amy proved me wrong! Love them and those 4 kids to pieces!
19. For the year that I lived in MWC on my own. No roommates, no friends or family close by. Talk about a lesson in independence!
20. For my NPE crew. I couldn't have hand picked a better group of ladies to work with. You took me under your wing (during #19) and I have learned a lot from you.
21. For my two favorite things in my kitchen: my Keurig and Crockpot. Seriously. These two little things make my life a lot easier.
22. For my Zeta days. It brought me some of my life long friends and taught me so much about myself.
23. For our church. We are still trying to find our place, but feel blessed to have found a church home that we love.
24. For my extended family. I have an amazing group of aunts, uncles and cousins.
25. For my Skooter dog. Poor little dog has been through alot with me! He's lived 7 different places, endured me getting married and having kids and is still going strong!
26. For the Christmas season. My MOST favorite time of the year! I love everything about it!!! Decorations, gifts, family time, celebrating Jesus' Birthday, food, traditions, shopping- can't wait!
27. For sleepless nights with my boys, because it means that I am lucky enough to have been blessed with children. And let's face it, it makes me practically do the happy dance on those nights when we get a full night of sleep!
28. For my phone. Yep, I couldn't live without it.
29. For my health. In my 30 years, I have been very lucky to have not had any major sickness/illness.
30. Last but not least, I am thankful for anyone that reads because that means that in some way you are a part of my life :)

*I started this on Monday morning and between taking care of the boys, doing things around the house and running errands, I am just now finishing!

I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips
Psalms 34:1