Okay so everyone has been doing thankful lists on fb for the month of November. I have some relaxing time on my hand so I thought I'd do mine all at once. I'm having a relaxing day at home with my little helpful cookers. We wish Adam could be here but know he's doing his job. This morning started out with brunch with my mother-in-law. Then we cleaned up and Jacob helped me make some pumpkin whoopie pies. We taste tested them for a snack to hold us until dinner. I've got a turkey and veggies in the crock pot and my friend cooked up some other things that we'll enjoy for dinner. So here's my list.
24. My relationship with God - He's gotten me through the good and the bad.
23. My hubby - Adam's the love of my life. Deployments are difficult due to the distance and so many other things but my life wouldn't be what it is without him.
22. Nathan - He's my first born, a social butterfly, and has unending energy supplies. He's got lots of love and hugs to give.
21. Jacob - He's my baby, slow to warm up, but quick to give hugs and kisses when it's his idea. He's got his own ideas of what he wants to do and he's a great helper. He loves to help me in the kitchen.
20. Cindy - My mother-in-law. I'm beyond grateful for my relationship with her. She's kind of like a second Mom to me and we get along great. We've gone on vacations with just her, me, and
the boys. And she takes the boys for me one night a month so I can get some girl time.
19. My friends and family - I have some great friends that are like family both here in Ok and in Pa. I also have a wonderful family that supports me from afar and near. They've done so many things to help me out. I talk with my mom or sister almost every morning. My husband's best friend has been available countless times to help me out of a bind. There are so many people that have stepped up to help me while Adam's been gone and even though this military life still feels isolating sometimes the people that are in my life have made it more bearable.
18. Army support group - I've met some great ladies throughout this deployment and prior deployments. There is just something about others that are going through the same thing and get it.
17. Oklahoma in and of itself - I often refer to Ok as the bi-polar state (due to the weather not seeming to be able to make its mind up). However, I've had some meaningful milestones here. I've gone through college, gotten married, had both of my sons here, we bought our first house, and I learned Spanish and continued to use it throughout my career.
16. Memories and my heritage - Being away from home makes me even more thankful for the memories of my family holiday get togethers. I'm also thankful for my hertiage.
15. My career - I've always considered myself a positive individual, maybe that helps me in what I do. However, I think I'm a little naive also. My career has opened up my eyes to things I would not think about if it wasn't for that.
14. My education - I always wanted to go to college since I can remember. I'm thankful I completed that goal and also thankful that I have the opportunity to continue my supervision towards my license. It gives me something to focus on while Adam is out of country. I'm also thankful to have an amazing supervisor to do my supervision towards my licensing.
13. This deployment - This deployment has been hard, no questions about that. We've lost fourteen soldiers. My ac stopped working, my car transmission was giving me problems, and I had endless problems with a new water heater that I bought. However, with all that said I've realized just how much my hubby does for our family, I realized that he helps keep me balanced out, and I'm thankful that I have my sons to keep me focused on being thankful for the simple moments with them even when Daddy can't be here.
12. My Canadian family - Adam's from Canada. I enjoyed getting to visit my Canadian family this past July. Family is important to me and it's bittersweet being spread out over the globe. However, it gives us reason to travel. And I'm thankful for the times that the boys get to spend with their cousins.
11. Traditions - Hmm where to start, my Grandma Sauder was great about get togethers for the Holidays, another tradition that I loved was the yearly girl cousin sleepover at her house. What awesome memories from that time. My Grandma Martin makes these awesome chocolate peanut butter cookies that the Aunts would always get together and make around Christmas time and exchange other homemade cookies. My Mom and Dad have always been very involved in our church and in our school throughout my childhood. I hope to keep many of these things going with my boys with some twists and tweaks as we go throughout this journey of life.
10. Board Games, Books, and my kindle - Oh the simple times. I've got a closet full of games for the boys now. We've started playing candy land and hungry hippos, along with memory and Chutes and Ladders. I even found a marble game that I used to play with my Grandma Sauder. Books are my get away and now I've got the opportunity to teach my boys the treasure of reading. And for the newest addition my hubby bought me the kindle for Christmas last year. Ever the multitasker I love to read from it while I walk on the treadmill or run on the elicpitical at the gym.
9. Technology - Skype is a wonderful thing to our family. I love getting to see my hubby's face and getting to talk to him all at the same time. I love that my boys face light up when they hear him video calling us on the computer. I also love getting emails from my man. They don't come often enough but I'll take what I can get. I know we have more than the military families that have gone before us. Skype is also great for when I'm scrapbooking with my sister.
8. Scrapbooking - I'm a memory girl. My hubby has told me mutiple times to live in the present instead of trying to create so many memories. I believe there is balance. I enjoy scrapbooking and since I'm about two years behind it helps me relive the good times.
7. Imperfections and hurts - This may seem odd but deployments make everything seem so much more personal. I've experienced some hurt at people's words or their actions or lack of throughout this deployment. I know I have my own imperfections and I think the reason I'm thankful for this is because it reminds me of grace. God's grace for me, and also that I need to offer others grace.
6. My church family and small group - Church is the solace to my heart as well as socialization with a smaller part of my church family.
5. Chocolate, snacks, and alcohol :) - These are the things that make my evenings more bearable and relaxing after the kiddos are in bed. These are my vices when I've had a long day and need to prop my feet up for a little bit.
4. The gym - It is my stress relief. I go three times a week and right between my job and going home.
3. My co-workers - I'm thankful for having understanding and supportive co-workers, that I also consider friends.
2. The boys teachers and everybody that speaks into their lives - So thankful for the amazing teachers that my boys have had. I'm thankful that they take the time to communicate with me and also be supportive about our military lifestyle.
1. My crockpot and freezer meals - It's helped simplify my hectic life this year.
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