It’s that time of the year.
You know: the food, the family, and the shopping. A time for gratitude blogs and facebook
updates. On this day, there’s this
tradition: expressing gratitude for the blessings in your life. This happens one day a year, and it’s all
based on a twelve letter word marked on the Calendar. The fourth Thursday every November…
Gratitude is not something I’ve had an issue with. My issue has always been expressing that
gratitude year-round. Chris and I often
need a reminder, or a little slap-in-the-face to show our appreciation for the
abundant blessings in our lives.
Well, I’m not perfect (Chris is pretty close), but while
this is on my mind, I’m going to list the blessings in Chris and my life for a
year. Hopefully, as I read this blog in
the future, I’ll get a nice nudge to give thanks. There are the standard ones, which always
come easy. As the list progresses…. Well,
I’ll just say, this could get interesting…
Marriage to the sweetest man in
America (I don’t mean to ruffle any feathers.
I’m just stating the facts.).
Chris and I both have well-paying,
full-time jobs which allow us to live comfortably and avoid the poor newlywed
horror stories…. (And this is where something bad happens…)
Two well-running cars, allowing us
to read point A to point B in less than a week.
The restored gospel on the earth
which allows Chris and I the fullest happiness we could have.
The Book of Mormon
Amazing friends who help us laugh
and make memories.
Emmi. She always does the craziest thing.
Healthy food that allows my body
to be strengthened and nourished (yes, even donuts).
Donuts. Oviously.
Trees that produce Oxygen (yup,
all of them).
Trees that produce shade.
Trees to be cut down and used to
build homes.
Modern homes with built in heating
and cooling systems.
Indoor plumbing.
Double stuffed Oreos
Fantasy football
Fantasy football victories.
Dr. Pepper
Forgiveness/Mercy
Crockpots because I am the epitome
of lazy
Curtains
Color printers
Kleenex with built-in lotion
Sore throat spray
Speatmint gum. Could there be a tastier gum
The fact that there’s no true
negative impact on your body when you accidentally swallow you gum…
Hot water heaters
Gloves
Cleaver people who created
slippers that look like shoes… Especially on days like today.
Fashion geniuses who decide that
sometimes, modest really IS hottest.
Cardigans.
Cardigans.
Cardigans.
My family.
Chris’s family.
White Christmas lights. So pure, and classy.
Toe stocks. Don’t judge me.
Touch screens.
Technology that will soon allow me
to simply THINK, and it will obey my commands.
Elf. The movie.
For comedic relief.
Can openers. Can you imagine how terrible it would be
opening cans without a can opener? Yuck.
Doctors who are either brilliant
or insane. One is great for advice. The other is great to make fun of.
Paper plates. Sometimes we just don’t want to wash dishes.
Drugs. I mean over the counter. Not Meth.
Health insurance
A president to run the country
Extension Cords. This makes location so much easier!
Conditioner. My hair is also grateful.
Hair that will grow back after an
awful haircut.
Pintrest. I lack the creativity to know these things on
my own. I have a real problem
Fans. All of them.
Coozies. They’re just fun to play with.
Vanilla Steamers from Starbucks.
Hair dryers. For cold feet. And for hair, I guess.
Car Insurance
Airbags
Seat belts
Mugs with handles. Such sophistication.
PBS. I love Big Bird, too, Mr. Romney.
Insane people. Best.
Insane asylums. I like to laugh, but I also like safety.
Blue Ray. My eyes have never been so happy.
Double-sided tape. Yes, please.
Fudge. Don’t mind if I do!
Baby clothes. Because they’re cute.
Zoos. They allow me to learn about animals.
Public schools which will likely
teach your children nothing, but will make them some tough cookies.
Picture frames.
Paint brushes. Can you imagine trying to paint without
one? (Your children can. Finger painting.)
Babies. They make the world a cuter place.
Fun socks. Keep your feet warm AND easily pair those bad
boys up on laundry day.
Piano
Beginners’ Piano book.
Fire places
Candles
Scentsy. Because I live with a man…
Vacuum. Might as well keep everything clean.
Caves
Secret tunnels
Pillow forts
Kitchen Aid. Again, lazy.
Hulu Plus. So much cheaper than cable or satellite.
Post offices
Disney movies
Music in Disney movies
Walkie Talkies
Carpets
Hard wood floor
Area rugs
Speedy computers
Traditional Thanksgiving
meals. Why on earth is there an unspoken
rule that Pumpkin pie can only be made this time of year? I would like to spit directly on that rule.
Education
Pop rocks
Jennifer Stewart.
Cell phones
Solar powered calculators
Dead bolts
Paper towels
Charmin Toilet paper
Double-Ply Charmin Toilet paper
Swiffer Duster
Platypus
Walrus
Nasal Spray
Wrangler Jeans
Black Friday Sales
Metallic wrapping paper
Mistletoe. Of course.
Shower curtains. When I shower, I do not enjoy being watched.
Kids who say the dardest things
Nail polish remover
Infinity scarves
Malls. Of all sorts.
So convenient.
Window screens. Stay out my house, bug.
Adam Sandler
Story Time: My cousin (technically, Chris’s cousin),
Megan, and her husband, Jason, are curreclty in Hawaii. They have a little man, Jack, who is a year
and half. Jack was getting away, and his
parents were calling for him to come back, “Jack! Jack!
Come back here, Jack!” They heard
a stranger say, “You don’t have to listen to them, Jack.” They looked up, and it was Adam Sandler.
Had it been anyone else, I’m sure
I would have been really grumpy that a stranger would give my child that
permission. Adam Sandler, though… No
more anger.
Jon Header
Bench Warmers, the movie. I can relate.
Bench Warmers, the life. I can relate.
Napoleon Dynamite, the movie and
the person. Go make yourself a dang
case-a-dil-la!
Quesadilla
Quesadilla makers
Flowers.
Madden 13…
Deviled Eggs
Baby whimpers. Lets me know we’re still needed.
Turkey-day football
Dishwashers. Especially after family gatherings. And every other day.
Soap
Hair gel
Power tooth brushes.
Floss
Listerine. Spearmint.
Obviously.
Water. Liquid, Solid, and gas.
Caylee
Ryan
Christmas Trees. Fake ones.
Weather. Depending.
Diamonds. Obviously.
Train sets
Credit Cards. When used responsibly.
Door Knobs
Bath tubs
Hammers
Screw Drivers
Airplanes.
Military
Dancing
Dolphins
Clear Ocean Water
Also, dirty Ocean Water
No longer dinosaurs. Try waking up to one of those bad boys in
your living room…
Women’s rights
Banned Books List. Makes for an intriguing read.
Fertility. You’re welcome, America.
Happy Stars. The exercise.
Not an actually burning balls of gas.
Counting
Numbers
Milk
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| Here is a Thanksgiving Intermission... You may laugh. |
English
Spray tans
Vietnamese women who chose to touch
nasty hands and feet all day for a living
Sippy cups. Both adults and babies need them.
Sledding. But only pair with a hill and snow. They’re otherwise useless.
Cocaine bread.
This is bread that is addicting, not bread with cocaine in it.
Powdered sugar
Loofa
Washing Machines
Hollywood little people
Massages
Back tickles
Working from home
Finishing school eventually
Clap on lights
Mirrors
Curling Irons
Santa Clause. And other forms of tricking children into
obedience
Buggers. Otherwise… it may or may not get stuck in my
lungs. This fact is currently being
debated by Caylee and Ryan.
No Shave, November
Don’t shave, December
Just a few more months, January
Mustache March
Giraffes
Chapstick. ‘Cause my lips hurt real bad.
Holidays
Trick-or-treating
Maps
Naps
Saps
Parties. Also known as “Fiestas”
Kate and Leopold
Bubbles
Commet. The cleaner and the shooting star.
Glasses. For the safety of every driver… and
pedestrian.
Pilots. To control the planes I am grateful for.
Lamps
Lamp shades
Swing sets
Wrestling mats. Not for me.
For wrestlers.
Art teachers
Precious Moments. The brand and the moments of Preciousness.
Being grateful for 200 things
Stairs. Much easier than climbing a rope to make it
to the 2nd story.
Recycling
When the first person to fall
asleep at a slumber party or regular party is not me
Warm sleeping bags
Tents
Camp fires
Parades. I would much rather sit perfectly still to
view floats than have to walk around to see them.
Internet
Microphones
Pillows
Lotion
Face moisturizer
Lanterns
Food storage
Comforters
Heating blankets
Ladders
Shingles. Without them, the rain, snow, and wind would
ruin my home.
Financing
Alone time
Party time
Hot Chocolate
Warm blankets
Nail polish
Hair stylists
Therapists
Taxi Drivers
Police officers
Firefighters
EMTs
Hugs
Hoodies
Kisses
Passionate people
Sewing Machines
My mamma
Chris’s mamma
Water proof hiking boots
Laptops
Wireless technology
Tortellini
Hot air balloons
Gasoline
Mechanics
Coats
Life jackets
That Chris and I were not on the
Titanic
Penguins
Monkeys
Cupcakes
Pies
Pies
Pies
Frozen yogurt
Power windows
Power locks
Children’s books
Marbles
Board games. Also, bored games.
My dad who is always around to
listen when I need to cry
My dad who gave me the best advice
I will have ever received in my mortal life
My dad who hurts my side making me
laugh
My brothers who have made me wet my
pants. Numerous times
My sisters who will vent to me,
and allow me to vent to them, even when I’m clearly being emotional
Windows 8
Beano, Pepcid, Tums, are we
catching a theme.
Birth control. This was Chris’s contribution…
Microsoft Office
Glitter. The STD of crafts
Talk Shows
Court shows
Ellen Degeneres
Live with Kelly (and whoever else
she’s with now…)
Wise grandparents
Chefs
The American flag
Tall buildings
Elevators in those tall buildings
Bicycles
Water filters
Sun rises
Sun sets
Gummy worms
Girls’ night
Guys’ night
Sulking
Laughing
Teeth
Common sense
Reasoning skills
The knowledge to budget for the
future
Calendars
Hilarious YouTube videos
Hilarious commercials
The way babies smell
Disposable diapers
Recliners
Chit chat
Sniggling. This was not a typo. It’s very similar to Snuggling, but with an “I”
instead of a “u”.
Inside jokes
Ping pong tables
Indoor gyms
Daycare centers
Nannies
Paychecks
Hot dogs
Catsup
Hot dog buns
Eye sight
The ability to hear
Muscle to function every day
without struggle
Holding hands
Stories of my parents in the past
Magazines
My blankie
A full night’s sleep
Fire wood
The song of the Crickets
Pinocchio. He teaches great lessons.
Brooms
Coasters
Windex
Lysol
Lysol Disinfectant wipes
Baby gates
Grapes
Nerf Guns
Legos
Tickle time. I hate being tickled, but I love watching
other people squirm in discomfort.
Dominos
Public Transportation. In Europe.
Animals dressed in human clothes
Humans dressed like Animals
Men in a crisp suit
Wilfred. The dog from the TV show.
Flannel
Fleece
Light bulbs
Dancing
Pointe. (Ballet with the special shoes.)
Opera. Sometimes.
Contacts
iPads… I don’t have one, but I
love them
Freedom to sing randomly in public
Thrift Stores
Consignment stores (There is a
difference)
Backpacks
Running shoes
Mr. Fox. He’s the fox outside Chris’s grandparent’s
home. They feed him hotdogs.
Food drives
Freedom to practice religion any
way I want
Public parks
Organizational bins
Comfortable boots
Jewelry. Obviously.
Scarves. All of them.
All of the amazing people I’ve
been surrounded by all day
Nerves. So I can appreciate the texture of my
blankie.
Restaurants
Towels
Spontaneous dates
Peanut butter
Apple butter
I am so grateful to have 365
things to be grateful for.
Ahhh!! You somehow made
it to the end! (Although, let’s face
it. We both know you read the first
couple, maybe read a few in the middle, and read the last couple.) I know there are things on this list that
seem insane to bring attention to. They
seem so small and insignificant. Most of
these things are often over looked, and taken advantage of. That's a big problem with my gratitude. I am so used to having most of these things around that I don't think about it. Without tissues with lotion built-in, my nose would be a gross mess!
There were definitely times when I was stumped, but there
are so many other things I could easily fit on this list. I am so grateful for the abundant blessings I
have, and have determined to make an effort to notice one new thing that made
my life a little easier each day.
HaPpY tHaNkSGibLiNg!!!
(And good luck shopping on Black Friday!
May the odds be ever in your favor…)
