Count Your Many Blessings

Since there are 25 days in November until Thanksgiving (including the Big Turkey Day), my post will consist of 25 things that I'm thankful for.  Some are great big huge, some are small.  Some are serious, and some are superficial.  But they are just a sampling of what I've been blessed with.  It's a good exercise for me to remember how truly charmed my life has turned out to be.  These are in no particular order, just so I don't offend some blessings more than others.  All blessings are important, each in their own way.

1.  My husband.  He's my best friend, my co-chair, my partner, my support, my cheerleader, my worthy priesthood holder, my everything.  So many of my other blessings are the direct result of my marriage to him.

2.  My children.  They are my refiner's fire.  I just hope that I'm teaching them as much as I'm learning from them.

3.  My parents.  They instilled so many good things in me and I hope that I live up to their expectations.
4.  My brothers and sisters.  It was a crazy household to grow up in with so many of us, but I love them all.  They keep me grounded.
5.  My friends.  There are many good people in my life that help and love and support me.  I love learning new things about parenting and being a good person from them.
6.  The gospel and the knowledge that I have that families are forever, that Jesus is the Christ, and that my Heavenly Father knows me and loves me.
7.  The internet.  It keeps me in touch with so many people so quickly.  I don't know how people before this age could keep up via snail mail.  That takes up so much time!
8.  My iPhone.  I know.  This one is superficial.  But now that I've tasted Cell Phone Heaven, I'll never go back.

9.  Golden Spoon frozen yogurt.  It gives me a reason to get through the week and starts my weekend on a very sweet, yummy note.

10.  My husband's employment.  We're so lucky to have him teaching where he is and that he is able to provide enough for our family so that I can be a stay at home mom and student.
11.  Education.  I love going to school.  I don't love the tests or the stress that comes with that, but I love learning.

12.  My car.  I'm not fond of the fact that I drive the Mommy-mobile, but it is a very reliable vehicle, and it accommodates our family when we go on vacations.  Plus it's paid for.

13.  Water.  It's my drink of choice.  There's nothing else that will completely quench my thirst, plus it's good for me.
14.  Fruit.  Raw fruit.  Total yumminess.

15.  Yoga.  I've practiced yoga for five years now and I love that it makes me strong and healthy without being completely exhausted.
16.  My health.  This is becoming more important as I get older.  I'm glad to be healthy with relatively few health concerns.
17.  Modern medicine.  This is what helps me stay healthy and deal with the conditions that I have.

18.  My blankie.  I love climbing into bed with my heavy blankie on me.  The weight of it is so comforting to me and I fall asleep quickly with it.  (Yes, I realize I'm a grown woman.  Get over it.  I love my blankie.)
19.  Music.  I love many kinds of music and there are many songs that I have marked the milestones in my life by.  I wish I had my Life Soundtrack playing all the time.  I also have my parents to thank for the music in my life.

Vertical Horizon

20.  Heating and air conditioning.  As a typical human, the temperature is rarely perfect for me and so I'm thankful for the modern conveniences that help me stay comfortable.  (As long as I get to use my blankie to sleep.)
21.  Peanut butter and chocolate.  'Nuff said.
22.  Date night with my husband.  Our lives are so busy that we don't get to connect and get on the same page as often as I'd like.  It's Date Night that keeps us sane and keeps us together.
23.  Make up.  Another superficial blessing, but it helps me feel beautiful and it hides my many imperfections.

24.  Food.  I love it more than I should, but I'm grateful for all of it.  Except okra.  I don't like okra.
25.  My home.  It's cozy, it fits our family perfectly and I would rather be at home than anywhere else.