Thanksgiving

It's that time a year when we look to the things we are thankful for.  A little while ago, a friend posted on facebook--"what if you woke up the next morning with only the things you thanked God for tonight?" It has made me stop and think.  Also, with our girls who tend to rush through prayers at times, we have made a say thanks for 3 things--atleast.  I remember hearing that we should be specific in our prayers.  Karla wants to just say thank you for the whole world.  But I think there is something to being specific. 
I remember when the mice came into the motorhome--many years ago now.  I learned then, in a powerful way, how counting our blessing can make all the difference.  So here is the start of my thankful list.

1. My faith in God.  I would not trade the hard times for the testimony I've gained and the relationship I have with my Father in Heaven.
2. His scriptures.  What a gift to read his words on a daily basis.
3. Priesthood blessings
4. The fellowship of going to church
5. A temple so close--so I can go often.
6. The blessings of the temple.
7. Todd--that he loves me so much.  He really is my bestest friend.
8. Karla and her loving, gentle ways.
9. Kylee and her keen intellect, her sence of humor, and her boystrous love.
10.  Kaylyn and the way she is still discovering and her unconditional love.
11. The new baby!!  I am excited for you.
12. My mom who has been such a support.  I do not take this relationship lightly.
13. My sisters!  I couldn't do it without you either.
14. My in-laws.  What an amazing family they are.  I feel so honored and blessed to be counted among them.
15. The ability to make an income without having to put my kids in daycare.
16. That I love my work--it makes all the difference.
17. A place to live.
18. The oppertunity to learn.
19. That Todd gets to go to school.
20. And that Todd enjoys the field he is going into.
21. Pictures.  I love pictures.
22. General Conference--and that I can watch it again and again.  The messages have brought direction and peace into my life.
23. That I was raised with the values I have.  I do not struggle with some of the things I have seen others struggle with simply because my mom raised me the way she did.
24. Facebook. I have been blessed to stay in touch and get to know others better because of this.  I have even gotten to know relatives that I would otherwise not know.
25. Blogger--it has got me to journal more consistently.  I even have one I just journal in that I don't share :)  But the blessings of journaling are amazing.
26. The internet--it really does make so many things so much easier.  Like learning new things or staying in touch.
27. Finally being able to lose weight and be more healthy.
28. The oppertunities to go to Idaho to see Todd's family--they don't come often enough, but I'm grateful for the times they do come.
29. That I live so close to my own family and don't have to travel to visit most of them.
30.  To be able to hug my children and tell them I love them.
31.  Books on CD--they help so much during the paper route.  And I love all that I get to learn.

I know this is just a start.  I am so blessed.