Day 6: My Health

I am thankful for my health.  Oddly enough, I actually began feeling sick this evening.  My body was aching, my throat was sore.....it felt like I was beginning to come down with something.  However, I took NyQuil, went to bed at 7, took more NyQuil in the middle of the night, and by midday the next day, I was fine.  Rest and meds definitely did the trick.  It made me think of how many people have health issues, though.  Daily, even hourly, they suffer through annoyances, pain and discomfort.  I feel very fortunate to not have any situation like that to deal with.  The strength of these individuals and their perseverance, I admire.  It is hard to maintain a smile and positive attitude when you're body hurts, yet these people do it regularly.  Some you never know are even ill.  I have the up most respect for these people for their tolerance and drive in life.

Day 5: Birthdays

I am thankful for birthdays.  They are reminders of where you have been, accomplishments made, and all the life lessons you have learned.  My sweet husband's birthday was today.  The boys and I recaped parts of his life with landmark coasters.  It was fun to reminisce on eventful things in his life. 

We started with Blue Bird Cafe from his childhood in Nashville, TN.  He attended the University of Alabama.  Met a Georgia Bulldog.  Moved to Virginia Highlands.  Took on new traditions such as running the Peachtree Roadrace.  Bought his first house in Marietta.  Got married and drove through the night lights of downtown Atlanta on our wedding night. Had a child and brought him to the Centennial Olympic Park Fountains to play.  Had another son and the story continues..... 



My birthday was last month and I have been beyond blessed my 32 years.  But on a more humorous side, my friend showed me this youtube clip.  Hilarious!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSnDJ7exSO0  I'm also grateful for a sense of humor as I age.
    

Day 4: Weekday Ministries

I am grateful for the Weekday Ministries.  I never knew how much Trenton craved preschool until this year, and I am now in awe of the specialized programs they host at their facility.  For weeks, it sat on my heart to get Trenton started in a preschool, but there were so many factors....distance, days, times, sitter, etc.  It was one of the best decisions I have ever made to enroll him there.  He feels secure, welcomed, loved, productive, and challenged all at the same time.  Everywhere we look we see his teacher and classmates, and he is beyond excited each time.  He obviously is developing friendship all on his own (and growing up!)  I admire the impact the whole Weekday Ministry has on families and the events they host for the community.  It is one strong program, instilling essential principals in the lives of our children, fostering a nurturing environment with the teachers they hire, and educating our kids in an engaging manner.  I'm forever thankful for our sitter (who is another day of writing in herself!) because she arranged her schedule to help us out with this experience, and look forward to Bennett joining Weekday Ministries in the future. I would recommend the school to anyone!

Day 3: My Boys

I don't know if anything makes me happier than my boys.  Their innocence, dependence (yes, I admit it!) and love melt my heart each and every time.  I am so very thankful for two healthy, happy boys!  Every second, every action, every decision is based around these two precious children.  I don't know that they will ever understand the joy they bring to my life and how there is no one I would rather hang around than them.  (Daddy is included with us!)  I'm grateful for my boys, their age of innocence and the time I have with them.  I cherish this stage of life!  Without a doubt, I am one blessed Momma!   

Bennett-1 and Trenton-3

I am thankful for Trenton's helpful heart.  He always wants to assist.  He is considerate, yet full of life.  I admire his spunk and energy!  I love the times he wakes in the middle of the night and quietly slips into bed with us.  He has this soft, mellow side and knows the best time to display it, but his enthusiasm is his specialty.  His conversations keep you smiling and engaged.  Car rides are a time when this trait peaks.  He is brilliant and has an extensive vocabulary and memory.  I am blessed by his humor and wit.  He reminds you to laugh.  He reminds you to slow down.  He reminds you that 1 minute tasks can take up to 5-10 mins and that is ok.  He reminds you to enjoy the little things in your busy, daily life, to explore, to question, to learn, and to wonder and absorb.  Oh to be 3!  He's going to use his energy to serve and achieve wonders in life. 

I am thankful for Bennett's love and affection.  His grip on your finger and wide mouth kiss show constantly that he needs you, and he is always willing to remind you of that. He depends on you.  He needs you for security.  He needs you for comfort.  He needs you to learn.  His calm curiosity makes him extremely intelligent, yet observant beyond description.  I am blessed by his contagious smile and happy personality.  He shows you happiness comes from those that surround you.  I admire his will to keep up with his brother, his strength to stand up for himself (sometimes learning the hard way!), and determination to accomplish tasks.  He's going to be a hard worker and enjoyable person to be around!      

Day 2: Mommies and Daddies

Trenton came home with a thankful turkey today.  It read, "I am thankful for my Mommy because she cooks me dinner." It was so sweet, and it is proudly pinned to our bulletin board.  More importantly, it made me stop and think about the general concept.  I decided to ask him during prayers that night what he was thankful for and was going to reflect more on the matter.  Again, mommies and daddies were mentioned.  We always start our prayers, "Dear God, Thank you for Mommy, Daddy, Trenton and Bennett" always have since before he could talk.   Then, we add things to that.  But, I wanted to hear his own little prayer and was honored that he talked about all mommies and daddies.  We then talked about how Granna and Opa were Mommy's mommy and daddy and how GiGi and PaPaw were Daddy's mommy and daddy.  (He is so funny because he likes to call us Megan and Kevin in stories!)  I have to agree completely with Trenton! I, too, am grateful for mommies and daddies. The roles they play in children's lives are unforgettable.  I have been blessed with amazing parents. I admire their unselfish behavior.  They always put others first and will do anything to help out.  Mommies and Daddies epitomize the act of giving and demonstrate the necessity to have role models in lives.  Not everyone is as lucky as I am, I know, and that makes me even more thankful to have such a generous mom and supportive dad.  Nevertheless, I honor mommies and daddies everywhere who set their lives on hold to adhere to the needs of their children. 

30 Days of Thanks Challenge

I'm joining the trend and taking part in the 30 Days of Thanks Challenge.  There is certainly more than 30 things I am thankful for, but I definitely don't recognize the people and things that I am grateful for nearly enough.  It's time to honor those people and practices and remind myself never to take these people and things for granted.

There is no better person to start with than my husband.  I'm thankful to have found such a dedicated man to lead our family.  Our kids look up to him; I admire his strength and work ethic; people enjoy his easy going personality.  He has patience we all can learn from and sincerity to let you know he cares.  I'm thankful to share our lives together, raise our kids together and enjoy in the everyday moments that make us smile, laugh or cry.  He makes me a better person and I'm blessed for that!  

Halloween Night

The colors are absolutely beautiful from our house!  We love the changing leaves and falling leaves.  The big oak seems to fill our yard with these autumn wonders.  They're fun, but I'm sure we'll get annoyed with them eventually.  As for now, I'll just enjoy the magnificent view!

 The colors from our driveway.

 Bennett exploring Halloween afternoon.  I think he was too excited!  We couldn't get him to take his afternoon nap.  Haha!

 Bennett's latest obsession is the berries (balls to him) from monkey grass.  He'll play with them all day long.  

Finally trick or treating time!  Turtle Power! 

 Trenton and Samantha (another 3 yr old we met in the neighborhood) won the costume contest.

Bennett made it to a whopping 3 houses.  We kind of started too late because of the Halloween party.  

But, Trenton liked handing out candy just as much as trick or treating.