With Thanksgiving approaching I've decided to make a sort of journal and share the things that I am grateful for. This is something I hope to continue but 30 days of baby steps will have to suffice. This is something I'm doing for me to remind myself of the good things I HAVE in my life. Because lately I feel like nothing but sadness has crept into every nook & cranny of my life. But in an effort of gratitude I'm going to do my best not to drown myself in the yuck but reach out with hope and promise.
Day 1: Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Today I am grateful for the sunshine. The warm, bright rays have chased away the demons that keep me down on the couch. Today I can embrace the task at hand and accomplish it.
Day 2: Thursday, October 25, 2012
Today I am grateful that I was in and out of MPF on base to get my new id. It may not be pretty but not having to wait is worth it. I'm also grateful to have access to military bases and the life I have as a military spouse. It's not always an easy one, but I'm proud to be apart of the military family.
Day 3: Friday, October 26, 2012
Today is a day of gratitude for my 2nd born. Jonner is such a funny, loving, kind spirited goof-ball of a little boy. He brings joy and laughter to each of my days. He is a daily pop quiz delivered straight from God, there are days that I fail and days that I succeed beyond imagine and I learn from each of them. There isn't a day that he isn't offering hugs and kisses or crawling on my lap to give me loves, he truly is my CuddleSnuggleLove a Bug.
Day 4: Saturday, October 27, 2012
I'm thankful today for my AK chosen sisters. When we moved to Alaska I found a group of women and instantly friendship fell into place. I experienced the hardships of deployments, homesickness and infertility with these ladies but I also experienced the joys of new additions to families, book club laughter and sleepovers with them. They helped make our 3yrs in Alaska wonderful and the friendships created continue to thrive even though we're spread across the country. I love my RHR's!
Day 5: Sunday, October 28, 2012
After years of searching I'm thankful to have found a church home. In the fall of 2007 I was a very pregnant mom to be I attended my 1st MOPS meeting at Cornerstone Christian Church. Through that meeting I started attending church there. Originally I started attending on my own but slowly Eric started attending with me and now is a constant companion sitting next to me during Praise & Worship Service. It's a place that I can go and dive into my Bible, ask a question and know that God's word will be explained to me Biblically. It's a place my son loves to be and at the same time he's learning God's word and memorizing scripture. I am blessed to have a church family that practices what it preaches. There are so many ways to share my God given talents with the different ministries and see the blossoming fruit from these efforts.
Day 6: Monday, October 29, 2012
Today I am thankful for the means to make my own Peppermint Powder Laundry Detergent. It's eco friendly and I get the warm fuzzy for being "green" and not having to depend on a big cooperation to make one of my household necessities. Having a chemical free house is important to me and I'm grateful to know you can have a clean home withouth the "tropical alpine waterfall" chemical cloud.
Day 7: Tuesday, October 30, 2012
It might sound silly, but today I am thankful for my sample sized bottle of Arbonne Aromassentials Awaken Body Lotion. Today is going to be a long day of packing, getting the van ready and driving to Iowa and I know I'm going to need every boost I can get and using this stuff makes me happy, it's chemical free and doesn't dry me out like other lotions! "With lemon for vitality and coriander for happiness" I get paid nothing for this endorsement.....this stuff is just that good!
Day 8: Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Happy Halloween! Today I'm thankful to have my friend Lynsi in my life. I can openly talk to her about my emotions, anxiety and recent depression without worry of "labels" or her thinking anything negative about me. She listens to me, she cry's with me and she prays with me.
Day 9: Thursday, November 1, 2012
Today I give thanks for Manny's Pizza and having a meal with family and friends. I haven't seen my cousin Dana in 6 years, we both have 5yr old boys and it's just nice to sit down and spend time with someone you hold dear. And it's funny how people can bring you together. Dana met with me, my parents, her mom and her cousin from her mom's side. Her cousin is dating a friend of mine from High School who I haven't seen....since graduation (1992) I'm guessing! Food + Family + Friends = Fun!
Day 10: Friday, November 2, 2012
Today I am thankful for God's love and grace. My Grandpa Malone and Uncle Mike both accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior today. I'm so glad I was there to share and witness the confession of faith and that my son was able to see his Great-Grandpa and Great-Uncle accept Jesus into their hearts. God IS Good!
Day 11: Saturday, November 3, 2012
Today I'm thankful for my hair and the splashes of pink in it I'm also thankful for my sister in law Jodi and having the opportunity to spend the morning with her as she chose a wig. She is a strong example of a woman looking breast cancer straight on and fighting it with grace, dignity and a shining smile.
Day 12: Sunday, November 4, 2012
I'm thankful to be home in Iowa and to have been one of the people who lovingly surrounded my grandpa's bedside as he took his last breath. Rest in Peace Grandpa, I love you.
Day 13: Monday, November 5, 2012
Today I'm grateful for my IL chosen sisters. After moving to Illinois I had a hard time finding a place to "belong". I was a military spouse, a bereaved parent, woman struggling with infertility and also a mom to be experiencing a high risk pregnancy and I felt very much alone. It wasn't until I joined MOPS and met a few friends who introduced me to a few others and now they've all become so very important to me. Ironically the majority of them are non-military. These ladies are my go-to gals and my in case of emergency contact. They are also who my son on occasion will refer to as an Aunt and their children are always his cousins. He draws pictures of himself with his "cousins". Their families have become apart of our family. But what I love most about these ladies is that we make a point to get together once a month to sit as women and friends and share a meal and chat into the wee hours of the night. They were a beaconing light for me when I felt very much alone and I am forever grateful for their love and friendship. Thank you Tarts!
Day 14: Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Today I give thanks to my parents. They have given me unconditional love and support. They've been a wonderful example of how to make a marriage work with respect and love. I know that I can turn to them any time I need and even though they may not like or agree with my choices they never take their love or hold my actions/choices against me. I know that I was the guinea pig child and a lot of mistakes were made with raising me, I also know that I was a strong willed child and still am to this day but they love and accept me the way that I am. I thank God for my mom & dad.
Day 15: Wednesday, November 7, 2012
I'm thankful today for my sisters Kristi, Bobbi Ann & Kaylee. We've fought, made each other laugh and cried together. We've been friends and enemies but through it all when push comes to shove we're there for each other.
Wowza I'm half done with my 30 days and this journaling is really putting into perspective all the people and things in my life that I have to be greatful for. I've barely made a dent into my "list". I think this is something that I'm going to NEED to continue.
Day 16: Thursday, November 8, 2012
Today my Grandpa was layed to rest. His urn was placed in the ground above my Grandma's heart. I am so very thankful that I had all of my Grandparents alive and well into my 30's. Jonner has already lost 2 of his Grandparents in the first 4 years of his life. I remember you lovingly Joyce & Clifford (Cork) Malone and Eugene (Gene) Lutz. I also remember Beatrice Lambertson (Grandma Lambertson) and Joan Lehne (Grandma Joan) two wonderful women who made an impact in my life.
Day 17: Friday, November 9, 2012
I'm grateful for the cute little things Jonner says that brings a smile to my face. I know eventually he'll say things correctly and as time goes by I'll forget but for now I'm thankful he says "We twogot to get groceries". Twogot = Forgot. Honestly can anyone say that doesn't make them smile too!?
Day 18: Saturday, November 10, 2012
This next item I'm grateful for so many reasons. My Pretty Pink Bible. I'm thankful to be able to go to it any time day or night and find peace and comfort within it. I'm thankful that it was a surprise Christmas gift from my husband a few years ago. It was a well thought out thing for him to give me and shop for. He didn't know much about religion or Bibles and he did his research asked Christian co-workers and found the perfect one for me. He may not be the most Godly of men but I know God put him in my life and together we can grow in our faith.
Day 19: Sunday, November 11, 2012
Happy Veteran's Day! I thank the men and women who have gone above and beyond in serving our great nation. Without your selfless dedication and service to the United States we wouldn't be Home of the Brave, Land of the Free. I am proud to be an American.
Day 20: Monday, November 12, 2012
I'm thankful for Jovie and Rain. They annoy me, they get in the way, they smell bad but they love us and look out for us and if anything were to happen to either of them I'd be one sad mama. I can always count on Jovie to sit at the window and give a warning bark if someone new is in the neighborhood, she's especially protective when daddy is away. My Raindrops has become an old girl. She's stuck by my side in good and bad times, always so well behaved and mild mannered....so very lucky to have such a good girl.
Day 21: Tuesday, November 13, 2012
So grateful that today is a school day for Jonner! He enjoys school and it's a much needed break for me.
Day 22: Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Today I am giving thanks for a few ladies that have come into my life. Alisha and Elise are both shining examples of God's love. They've offered friendship, scripture and advice when needed. They're both creative gals to boot and I miss our sewing nights!
Day 23: Thursday, November 15, 2012
I'm thankful that I can give back in a mentoring roll to new, young mom's. I look forward to whatever roll I can assist with this year at Teen MOPS.
Day 24: Friday, November 16, 2012
I give thanks today for a wonderful Thanksgiving meal shared with friends and other deployed families at Scott AFB.
Day 25: Saturday, November 17, 2012
I'm thankful for new friends but also the friends that have weathered the storms with me as well. Tricia my bestie from college, Sarah my military spouse bestie, and DeAnn my local bestie. Thanks for being sticking with me thru this hurricane of tears I've had lately.
Day 26: Sunday, November 18, 2012
So grateful to have found a sitter so I can have an impromptu girls night out. "Nutcracker" here I come!
Day 27: Monday, November 19, 2012
Thankful to have a little bit of a breather today and sit down to sew and do something calming for myself.
Day 28: Tuesday, November 20, 2012
I'm grateful today to have the ability to move past a hurdle set before me. I wasn't able to go over it but I've managed to figure away around it and still have things fall somewhat into place. I'm also thankful that a good cry can clear my mind and allow me a moment to regroup.
Day 29: Wednesday, November 21, 2012
I'm thankful for our deployed men and women serving our nation and spending Thanksgiving far from home and away from their families. Their sacrifice speaks volumes.
I can't believe my 30 day experiment is coming to an end. This has been a good avenue for me to express my gratitude and look at the my life in a new light.
Day 30: Thursday, November 22, 2012
Today I am thankful for my family and to have this day with them and share a meal together. Happy Thanksgiving!
