So, I’m jealous of all the people on Facebook who have been “together” enough to post daily blurbs in November about what they are thankful for in their lives.  Some of the posts have been very insightful – including a friend who is thankful for technology because she is able to receive loving text messages from her husband throughout the day, express breast milk while working so that she can continue to breastfeed her baby exclusively and keep her job, and for Facebook to help keep her connected to friends and family.  Some real thought went into that dose of gratitude!

Well, feeling ungrateful — and disorganized — because I have not been so diligent about meditating on my gratitude, which abounds, by the way, I thought I would try and catch up here on my little, half-abandoned blog.  So, here goes:

I am thankful for . . .

1. My family that I began in 2008, when I married Chris and shortly thereafter began my pregnancy with my precious son.  It has been, at times, a wild ride full of self-discovery, self-control, self-examination, and coming to understand the profound importance of allowing God to direct our paths.  But I’m better for it, if a little worn out .  😉
2. Speaking of, I am most thankful for knowing God and for always having guidance and comfort from Him and His Word.
3. I am SO grateful for having found and joined a great church body at Fellowship Forney.  Their ministers are knowledgeable about the Bible, equipped to teach from it, and mindful of their members’ needs and struggles.  And my boy LOVES all they offer him through their children’s ministry.
4. One of the greatest gifts to me this year has been being able to work closely with the new behavior interventionist at my job – her name is Janette, and I learn from her every day.  We both follow a restricted, gluten-free diet, which is not easy, but I know there is daily support for me, and I think we are like-minded when it comes to the focus of our jobs – children!
5. I am grateful for Dr. Cory Rice, Dr. Carol Villanueva, and Ashley Howell, the nutritional medicine geniuses who work at Forney Family Wellness for zoning in on my food allergies and sensitivities/intolerances this summer, prescribed the aforementioned gluten free diet and helped me to make big changes in the way I eat.  I feel SO much better (and have lost a little weight to boot)!
6. I am grateful for new leadership at my job, for knowing what is expected of me, for knowing that I have their support, and for seeing and hearing glimpses of their belief/trust in and relationship with God on a near-daily basis.
7. I am beyond thankful for having parents who, in spite of their differences, always made time to make me, my brother and sister their priorities, even after their divorce.  Their supervision and dedication to making sure that we sought to reach our potential(s), indulge our interests/talents/gifts/abilities has always been amazing to me.  I’m reminded every day of how blessed we have always been, even to this instant.  I am constantly hearing stories of/from parents/students who thoughtlessly disclose they their parent/child relationship basically ended with birth, if it ever even began.  Thank you Wayne and Betty — I love you all the way to the moon and back.
8. I am thankful for being able to live in a small town — I know no place is immune to trouble, but for now, at least, I am confident that I can take my child and my dog on a walk in the neighborhood and make it back home alive, without having encountered any obvious danger while enjoying a little bit of fresh air and exercise.
9. I am thankful for an amazing counselor preparation program at University of North Texas.  I feel like I’ll be paying for it until eternity ends, but I loved learning there!
10. I am thankful for my son, whose boundless energy and thirst for learning inspires and motivates me every day!  Here he comes now!
11. I am grateful for my home and for the opportunity to refinance it and stay in it a while longer as we weather some rough financial times.
12. I am thankful for my camera and the eye to take photographs that capture the essence of moments and people and places.
13. I am grateful for having always been interested in cooking and trying new things in the kitchen.  I love it!
14. Today, I am especially grateful for cool weather and a nice sweater to keep me warm!
15. I am thankful today for the seat warmers in my Volkswagen because the heater/defrost do not work, and it’s nice to keep my booty warm at the very least.  I’m also thankful that my Passat is still running as it’s well into the 197,000’s when it comes to miles.  I’m telling you:  I’m driving it to at least 250,000 miles.  That’s what I decided when I bought it in March 2003.  Watch me.