ThanksGibling

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

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 2^nd 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…)