Thankful Tidbits: Support System 11-30

"You are only as good as the people you surround yourself with." The quote goes something like that, doesn't it? I'm thankful to have a marriage that has lasted over 14 years so far. I am thankful to have three beautiful children who people don't mind being around. I'm thankful for my God, my family, my church and my friends.

I used to think I knew what it took to have a good marriage. Then I got married. I used to think I knew how to be the best parent. Until I had kids. I always know how to do things better than everyone else until I start walking down that path. The truth is, I don't know how to do anything. The wonderful ideas I come up with more often than not originate someplace else. I am thankful for my support system. Without God, family, friends and community, I would be lost.

It is because I always have someone walking with me that I have so much to be thankful for.

Thankful Tidbits: 11-29

It is so easy to get into the comparison game. Too often, I find myself determining my happiness based off of a changing factor (whehter or not the scale goes down; what kind of total is in the bank account; how many friends I've heard from in the day).

Today I am thankful that true joy comes from a constant source that is unchanging. Happiness and joy are different and while my circumstances may determine my happiness, I can experience joy in all circumstances.

Thankful Tidbits 11-28

I escaped into a novel today. I absolutely love to read. It can drown out the worries of the world. I feel like I'm right there in the middle of the story experiencing life with the characters. A good author can create a whole new world. I really enjoy getting lost in a good book.

Right now, I'm engrossed in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, "A November Christmas". There's something about a good movie that leaves me longing to be there in the moment. I'm left counting my blessings with this one.

Thankful Tidbits: 60 years - 11-27

Can you imagine yourself married for 60 years? Today, my family celebrated 60 years of marriage for my maternal grandparents. My grandparents love God and love each other. My grandpa told me as I was leaving tonight that the key to a long marriage is to pray for your marriage. I believe him.

We watched a video today of their 50th anniversary. My dad and niece did a skit back then dressed up as my Grandma & Grandpa (yes, my dad was my Grandma and my niece was my Grandpa). It was fun to watch but I have to admit it left me missing my dad again. He wasn't there to memorialize the moment with another skit. He wasn't there laughing in the background. I don't get to look forward to celebrating any kind of milestone like that for my parents and it's not because they didn't love each other. It's simply because he's gone. I am grateful for home videos and the memories that come flooding back because of them. I am grateful that my mom played the video despite the pain it must bring back to hear his voice.

I hope and pray I get to celebrate many milestones with my husband. I'm thankful for today and every day I get to spend with him. Life is better because he is mine.

I've got plenty to be thankful for...

Thankful Tidbits 11-26

Black Friday is the day to grab up as many deals as I can and finish up as much Christmas shopping as possible. More importantly, it is a day that I get to spend with my cousin and friend, Kelly. Not many people would spend all day on Thanksgiving with me and then head out before the day is even over to go shopping until the middle of the afternoon the next day. Thanks, Kelly, for a day of conversation, love, laughter & memories!

I am also grateful for the magic of Christmas that appears when I get home. My husband and girls decorate the tree while I am out. This year, I was surprised by the magic of Christmas as I pulled onto my street and saw Christmas lights on the outside of the house. It is only one string of lights that used to belong to my husband's grandpa. This year, the adorned our front porch and brightened up our street. It reminds me of the many times my dad would load us into the van to drive around and admire the Christmas lights everyone had up outside. I am grateful for the way my husband and girls turned the house around in one day.

Now, I am thankful for my warm house and bed (I can never express enough gratitude for these) as I get to catch up on all the sleep I missed last night.