Sunday gratitudes

For a very long time now, I have been encouraged by my Aunt (Nana) to start gratitude journaling.  She has for many years made a habit of keeping quick, daily lists of a few things she wants to remember and give thanks for.  She says it has been the key in allowing her to rise above many a difficult circumstance and see God at work in her life. 

As for why she keeps gently prodding me to do it?  Ahem.  Let's just say that I have mostly been an optimistic sort of person during the course of my life, but, well, not so much in the last four years.  

We've had much to be thankful for on our journey as a family, but the road has been rough.  We knew it would be.  Too many times though, the things particular to our story that are so exhausting and frustrating overwhelm me and ambush my desire to focus on the good.  Because there is much good from which to choose.

Therefore, in the interest of curtailing those ambushes, I'm going to try to start a new habit here.  Once a week, on Sundays, I will write a post on what was good and should be remembered from the past week, or just in general.  At least a handful of things.  I think it was Annie Dillard who once said something to the effect of:  There is goodness all around us, the least we can do is pay attention to it.

So here goes. 

   
I'm thankful for this.  Our fun evening at the park.  These two.  Sometimes I really think I am losing my mind, but I will always be thankful that my energy (and my marbles) were spent on them.

I'm thankful for two accident-free (potty) days after many that were not.

I'm thankful that we are beginning to hear the "windy sound blends" coming out of a little boy who has never said them unprompted before.  Stop.  Skip.  Snow.  Sssss... has never sounded so sweet.

I'm thankful for a little girl who can never have too many cuddles.  "Mama...I need you and Dada to cuddle with me before bed."

I'm thankful for my camera, our computer and this digital age, wherein I can do things like "develop" pictures and arrange them in our own little "blog" in a matter of minutes and a few clicks.  I am rubbish at scrapbooking and journaling and such.  So, although I really despise technology at times...I really love it too. 

I'm thankful for faithful family and friends, both new and old, upon whose shoulders our sanity often rests.  We could never have made it as far as we have without you. 

I'm thankful for this man.  He is kind and oh-so-very-patient.  He works hard to take care of his family and home.  After a long day at work he wants to play with his kids.  College football is his hot fudge sundae.  His mind is a wonder and he has a great laugh.  He spends time on forgotten people.  He keeps his word.  Mind you, he isn't perfect...he'd be the first to tell you.  But, he's perfect for me.  And, he's perfect for us.   

Until next Sunday...