So it's happening now.
Or a few moments from now, after I share with you something that my husband informed me of the other day. It was either super late and we were trying to fall asleep or it was really early and we had just woken up. Either way, I was rambling on and on about various, unrelated nonsense while he was barely coherent. He said to me, "Your mind just races, doesn't it?" The answer is yes. I am constantly thinking. I am unable to shut my brain off. It's no doubt why I have trouble sleeping, why I get so worried/stressed about things, why I make list after list after list out of fear that I will forget something important. It's what I'm pretty sure is the very nature of a Type-A personality.
With that, I give you my list o' things both great and small for which I am thankful/by which I consider myself blessed. (And because my mind will likely be racing whilst I compile it, you've been forewarned that it will probably be like witnessing a word association game inside my head, that I'm transcribing for you all to read.)
101 Things for which I'm Thankful/by which I am Blessed
- My morning Poptart at work
- A functioning, non-hazardous toaster
- Surprise Dunkin' Donuts giftcards "just because"
- The mischievous grin Abby gives me after she knows she's done something bad
- Friends with kids of similar ages to mine
- An office configuration that allows me to leave Facebook open all day without fear of someone walking by and spotting it
- A huge monitor behind which I can hide when I read something that makes me a little teary at work
- A tech-savvy husband who even attempts to rescue crashed hard drives
- A kitchen-savvy husband who makes delicious meals just for fun
- A kid-savvy husband who seems to always be able to find the appropriate method of distraction, discipline, or TLC that the situation requires
- Christianity.com's awesome Bible in 365 Days format
- The fact that I still have a job, the future outlook of which is less grim than even a month ago
- The Negative Nellies & Debbie Downers that I encounter each day as a reminder of what not to be like
- The thumb button on my mouse that allows me to go "Back" with ease
- Propel Vitamin Enhanced Water Beverage that has replaced Coca-Cola in my daily diet
- A Christian boss who values above all else God and family
- Dave Ramsey and his baby steps
- Common sense
- The fact that even though most of the time my first impressions are dead on, sometimes they're not.
- A husband who finds the positive in everything
- A successful seven months (and counting) nursing Sarah
- A building full of childcare workers that leave me with a feeling of complete peace when I leave for work
- The model of marriage that my parents and in-laws provide
- A super smart six year old boy that finds learning exciting
- Our central vacuum system
- Orbit gum
- Mixed nuts...literally. Mostly walnuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts & pistachios
- A commute less than ten minutes long
- That I am finally acclimating to the Georgia climate
- The useless movie/television quotes embedded in my brain that creep up at the most opportune moments
- The music my father listened to while I was growing up
- Baking
- The excitement in my childrens' eyes over life's little wonders
- Hand-me-downs
- Flexible schedules that allow us to pick up the kids at 3:30pm
- Growing extended families
- 24-hour grocery stores, pharmacies, and, yes, even Walmarts
- Extended warranties
- 3pm chocolate breaks
- Notes of cheer
- Making people smile
- Doing jigsaw puzzles of varying degrees of difficulty on the living room floor
- Finding the perfect present...on sale
- Black Friday
- After-Christmas clearance
- 24-hour Christmas carols
- Pumpkin flavored treats
- Living like no one else so I can, someday, give like no one else
- Sudoku
- Mindless John Grisham novels
- Actually finishing a book that is not a Grisham novel
- The willingness of my kids to help in the kitchen
- The ministries at Central Baptist Church
- Living in a town voted Best Place to Raise Your Children
- Finding "a little bit of humor" in day to day life
- The memories of teachers who impacted my life that surface almost daily
- Proverbs 31
- Being able to use my height for good...like reaching things for short people
- Awesome medical insurance (Thanks to you, Sam & the federal government)
- That I now crave salad from time to time (Thanks Sam)
- Dimetapp
- The rare nights that my kids go to bed without whining
- The opportunities to pass on 2-lane roads
- Having family in a rural community that I can visit and relax with. Then I can return home to my conveniences...
- The possibility of seeing snow while I'm "home" for Christmas
- Capturing so many of life's little moments on camera
- The beautiful, amazing talent of the dancers on So You Think You Can Dance
- The chunky rolls and blue eyes of my precious 7-month old
- The long legs and blond hair of my wild 3-year old
- The Jennie-booty and thick, brown hair of my intense 6-year old
- Gummy grins
- Sour gummy worms
- Neighbors who overlook our less-than-stellar landscaping of late
- The smell of fresh cut Christmas trees
- People who take the high road
- People who remind me that we are covered by God's grace
- Peace that surpasses all understanding
- Cookies
- Those moments that make you realize how small the world actually is
- The people I've never met but that make my life better every day
- The people who do the thankless tasks
- Compliments from strangers, particularly in regard to my kids
- The willingness of people to volunteer as coaches in Upwards programs
- All You magazine
- Not having to go hungry, cold, or shelter-less
- The Day Zero Project
- The emerald waters of Destin, Florida
- Sandwiches on sourdough bread
- Handwritten mail
- Never wondering "What Might Have Been"
- Being able to enjoy infancy instead of stressing about it
- Dilbert
- Finding out at the register that something is cheaper than I thought it was
- Tiny fingers and toes
- Hot beverages that warm my fingers
- Free refills
- Unexpected Christmas bonuses
- XM radio playing in the background
- The brilliant idea I had to take a break from the news during the month of December
- Marrying the man I found "true love" with
- Above all else...God's gift to the world
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
(refrain) Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.
When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.