My Thankful List

Every year, I write down a list of the things that I'm thankful for. Every day, in the month of November, I write one thing down until Thanksgiving. Well, we're leaving for Arizona on Tuesday morning, and we have a busy Monday coming our way, so I thought I'd post what I've jotted down so far...keep in mind these aren't in any particular order...
I'm Thankful For...


1-Jeff

I have such an amazing, hard-working husband. I admire his perseverance to get a job in the field that he loves, against much adversity. I admire his positive attitude, and his ability to make me laugh, even when I just want to be angry. I'm grateful for such an amazing husband

2-Max

What a smart, sweet boy. I love watching Max grow up. Every day he does or says something that cracks me up. He tries so hard to do what's right, he loves his mommy and daddy, and it shows. I'm so grateful for the patience that he's taught me (I had none before Max) and for the Joy he brings to my life.
3-Mom and Dad
My mom and dad have taught me so many things, that I'm so grateful to have learned before I got married. My mom got me interested in crafts from when I was so young I can't even remember, because she was always doing something new, even with working. I've also gained a love of reading and music from my mom. My dad had me exercising before I could, we've hiked so many mountains, climbed so many cliffs, biked so many miles (from Seattle to Portland in 7th grade) Pounded so many stairs (The Columbia Tower, Seattle, WA in 5th grade...75 floors...) and ran so many hills. I think that's partially why I majored in Exercise Science, and why I became a personal trainer...I love to work out. I'll carry what he's taught me about keeping myself and my family healthy for the rest of my life.
4-My Family
I have amazing siblings and I feel so blessed to have a close relationship with all of them. As the youngest of 4, when I was younger, and they were all off at school/married, I often wondered if I would ever be on their same level. Even though I am the youngest, my siblings have never made me feel like I was inadequate, or too young to do or know something, and have even come to me for advise on things. My oldest brother, Chad calls me on his way home from work a couple of times a month. He's 12 years older than me, and could easily think of me as his immature little sister. I love that I have a fun relationship with him; it always makes me happy when I see his name on my caller ID...I know he's just calling to say hi--I love that.
My oldest sister, Brandy, I've always looked up to because she's soooo creative. If I ever need an idea for a gift or activity, or a way to put the finishing touch on a project, she never fails to give me THE idea that I needed. She's awesome at finding fun recipes, fun patterns, and fun ideas. Again, she's way older than me, but she and my other sister feel more like my best friends than my older sisters. Erin and I have been close since I was in Junior High, we did so many fun things together, including running, going to the climbing wall together in Redmond (I freaking can't remember the name of the park...weird), when we were younger, she'd always make up fun things to do, and ways to make boring things fun (brushing my hair and cleaning my room). Like Brandy, she also always has fun ideas, especially for Max and I to do together. I just have awesome siblings.
5-A Temple Marriage
Jeff and I were married in the Seattle Temple on July 3, 2004. I'm so grateful to have married a man that was worthy to take me to the temple where we can be married for eternity. I'm gratful to have come from an eternal marriage, and I'm grateful to have one with my husband.
6-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
I have a testimony of Jesus Christ, and know that He died so that we would have an opportunity to experience life on earth; to make choices and live righteously, so we can have the opportunity to live with Heavenly Father again.
7-Friends (Close and Far)
I'm grateful to my friends that I've moved away from, and for their example to me. All of my good friends have been ones that I admire and want to be like, and I love that I am constantly surrounded by amazing people that can teach me so many things. I'm grateful for my old friends and my new ones.
8-To Live Somewhere with Nice Weather
As much as I say I wish it would get colder, I DO enjoy living somewhere where you don't have to scrape windshields every morning, or snuggle everyone up in full gear to go to the grocery store. I do enjoy being able to play outside, and am grateful to live in CA for that reason.
9-Other Peoples Talents
I am not creative, in that nothing I do is original--Other people have the best ideas, and I'm so gratful that we all have different talents so that we can help and learn from each other.
10-Our Dinner Co-Op
This has been awesome for the last couple of months. It's freed up time, saved money and given us such yummy food!!! Such a good idea!
11-Netflix
Since we don't have TV...Netflix has been so fun for Jeff and I to have. We originally got it as a gift from my sister and brother-in-law, but we decided to continue it, and have loved it. We LOVE movies, and it's fun to have a new one every few days to watch together!
12-Naptime
This is otherwise known as Crafternoon...whether it is with my friends, or solo crafternoon. Naptime is sooo great for me to get cleaning and small projects done. I know my free time will soon get creatly diminished, but I'm living it up while I still have it!
13-A Baby Girl to be named Ivy
This was the day that we found out that our baby was going to be a girl. I'm so excited to be a mom again, though I am so scared to have two. I'm grateful that I'll have one of each flavor, and that I'll have the opportunity to have girly time with my new sweet baby. I can't wait to meet her!
14-Being a Mom at Home and Not Having to Work
To be honest, I should be working, but Jeff and I both agree that home is where I belong, with our kids. I'm so thankful that we see eye to eye on this subject and that it's important to all of us. I'm constantly amazed by my mom, who worked, and all that she did for me and my siblings, while working full time. I know I wouldn't be nearly as good of a mom as she was, and that Max and I wouldn't be so close if I weren't at home. I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach Max, and to play with him all day.
15-My ability to sew
My Mother in Law taught me how to sew a little before Jeff and I got married...she got me interested in quilting and making things with the sewing machine. It's become very useful, and keeps me busy and happy. I'm grateful to her for teaching me how to sew, and for my ability to complete projects!
16-Reading
I love to read...I have since I was teensy, and I'm grateful for all the good books that I've read.
17-Nursery at Church
How awesome is it when your kids turn 18 months and can go to nursery?! It's nice to have 2 hours where you know they're having fun, and you can actually listen! I'm grateful for Tempe 10th ward for taking max when he was 1!!!
18-Giving to Others
I can't remember why I wrote this down, but I must have done something for someone else...which always makes me feel so good! Serving others will always make you feel better!
19-A Healthy Body
Like I mentioned, I gained a love for exercising from my dad, and attribute that to my health today, but I'm grateful for legs that work, eyes that see and ears that hear...and for every other part of my healthy body. I know I take it for granted daily.
20-Blogging
It's been so fun to see what my friends are up to, and see pictures of my neices and nephews, and all of Max's friends. I've gotten awesome ideas for recipes, and crafts from my friends blogs. What a cool thing!
21-Crafternoons
As previously mentioned, when the kids go down, we get busy. It's fun to work on a project while talking with your friends.
22-My Talents
It has been fun to share with my friends how to sew a certain project, or how to do a certain project. I'm grateful for all the things I've learned, that have become my hobbies and talents, so that I can share them with others.
23-My Mighty Rogue
I love my cute little car, and am grateful to have a car that works, that gets me around where I need to go, and prevents me from having to take the bus, or would otherwise keep max and I stranded at home. Soooo grateful for a car!
24-A Washer and Dryer IN my apartment
A lot of apartments around here don't have this luxury, and I'll tell you, we chose the place we are living based on the fact that it had W/D hook ups. It's soooo nice to not have to think about going to the laundromat, and to just do the laundry when I can!


So there's my Thankful list...I'll be amazed if anyone read it all the way through, but it's a fun tradition for me that I like to do!