Thanksgiving Post, final in the series but it doesn’t stop here!

I had to work Thanksgiving Day. ::sigh:: I just keep reminding myself that I’m being paid a time and half. Time and a half, Ariel, time and a half! Even still. I hate working holidays! I want a job where I don’t have to work those or weekends. A job that I have plenty of time off but thoroughly enjoy what I do at work. Maybe something’s on the horizon??!! Only time will tell.

November has been a good month. It has brought many good things. It brought my first days without pain in my foot which had been hurting for five and a half months, (and still hurts). It brought fulfillment to my mother’s life long dream. It brought parenthood to my brother and his sweet wife. Not to mention a beautiful niece for me!! =P It brought time to visit with two of my sisters and potential improvement in other areas of my life. It brought its share of challenges and worries but with each of them God has given us the chance to continue to grow. He provided for our every need.

I have really enjoyed doing my “Thanksgiving” posts this month. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading them. It’s kinda sad to seem this all come to an end. I’m thinking I’m going to continue to do one once a month at least. It’s simply too easy to not be thankful and we have so much to be thankful about! Without further ado…

Day Twenty-One (November 21st) : For my husband. My goodness, I feel like I’d be lost without him. This is the man that loves me when I know I’m not being very lovable. He takes care of me. He’s patient when I’m not. He’s willing to take up for me and get mad when people are mean or take advantage of me. He’s the love of my life. His shoulder is where I want to be. Always. He has stepped up and pulled more than his share of our housework with my foot being injured, and sometimes even without complaint! I love this man with all my heart and am so very thankful that God brought him into my life to stay forever. Thank you Lord!

Happy Thanksgiving! (November 22nd) : For God. I wouldn't be here at all if it weren't for my Savior. Knowing that He died for the mess that I am just shows me how much He loves me. I can't even pretend to understand it but I relish that fact. I would truly be lost without Him. He guides me through everything. I can't imagine trying to go through life without Him holding my hand. I don't want to be going through any of the difficult things life throws us without knowing that He is on my side and that He's guiding me through. Thank you Lord for your amazing sacrifice so that I could live forever with you. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me. Help me always have an attitude of thankfulness because I truly have so much. Thank you for everything!

BTW, sorry this is late. Internet wasn't cooperating last night. =\ Anyway, hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Hand in hand like youth convention and sleep or lack thereof

I am a counselor for our church's youth convention. This year it's taking place about 90 minutes from our city. Not too bad considering the last one was about four hours away and across a time line. There are 42 people on this trip from our church. 32 youth and 10 adults, the largest group our church has taken in at least ten years. Youth from all over the state are here, in one location, to grow closer together but more important still, closer to God. It's pretty amazing to see so many young people fired up. I love it! =)

Day Sixteen (November 16th) : For sleep. As with any youth activity, sleep is always the farthest from their mind. This year, I really can't complain about my kids. Four girls that really don't mind sleeping! We were only up until 1:30 this morning. This group of girls are really quite a bit of fun. The group I had last year I felt more like a referee than a friend. This year, we can joke and giggle and just plain have fun. Laura, the youth leader's eight year old daughter, was with us for a while as was her cousin, another youth on the trip. I hear she was up until 4:00 am. I know my husband's room was up until at least 2:00 or 2:30 am. I can be thankful that we had a blast but when it was time to go to sleep, there wasn't giggling and whispering but we went to bed. Then of course I must admit that I have high schoolers this year and not sixth graders. Guess that's the difference! =P Thank you Lord!

Day Seventeenth (November 17th) : For nature. I don't know about you but I love seeing what my Father has painted each new morning and evening. I have an obsession with big white fluffy clouds! The stars are absolutely awe-inspiring! The trees at this time of year are absolutely gorgeous! I, personally, cannot understand how someone can look at all the world around them in all its glory and say that there is no God. It just doesn't make sense to me! He's in the magnificent mountains and in the rolling waves. He's there in the blowing leaves and the pouring rain. The rolling hills and the deep valleys are covered with Him. He's everywhere! I'm so very thankful that He has given us such a wonderful place to live where we can enjoy His creation. Thank you Lord!

"Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong." -George Carlin

Join the fun, what are you thankful for? Let us know at "Don't Give Him Crackers!"

A double dose

Okay, phooie on it! My Internet wasn’t working yesterday so I’m going to combine my Thanks into one post. Most irritating thing but I guess I’m learning, I should be thankful? I did go to bed earlier last night, 9:30 and yes I know, that’s pathetic but I barely got eight hours doing that. Even more sad! ::sigh::

Day Fourteen (November 14th) : For grandparents. My maternal grandmother is in the hospital. While I am furious as to why I found this out four days after she’d been admitted, I am thankful that she is there. You see, she had three strokes over the weekend. For some reason she didn’t go to the hospital until Sunday. Regardless, she’s now getting the treatment that she needs. I’m not ready to lose another grandparent so for this I am thankful. She’s doing okay. Has a little trouble getting the right name for people and finding the right word but I think she’s doing well. I have a few reservations in my relationships with my maternal grandparents but I have thankful none-the-less. I remember my grandmother coming to my sixth grade play, in which I had a major part. I remember the ring that she brought me that day. I wore that ring for YEARS. I was devastated when it broke. I remember Thanksgiving at her house and at my great grandmother’s house. I remember playing in the huge pile of leaves at my great great aunt’s. I remember the video selection at my Granny’s (great grandmother) house and how we were always allowed to borrow them. I remember the favorites that we probably wore out. I remember the porcelain dolls she had on her mantle and how thrilled I was when her daughter, my grandmother, got one for me when I turned five. I remember playing in her back yard amongst her flowers. While we may not talk very often I have good memories.

I remember year after year going for Christmas Eve at my paternal grandparents. They lived an hour away. I remember visiting them and roaming around their farm. I have pictures of sitting on my grandfather’s lap while he read me and my brother a book. I remember sitting his lap as he drove us around on his farm on his tractor. I shot my first target on their property. I remember the “girl pictures” every Christmas Eve with my grandmother and all my sisters and female cousins. I remember looking through pictures and talking about the stories behind them. I remember the candy they always had out. I remember hugging my grandmother at my wedding. I remember hearing that my grandfather had cancer and I remember how devastated I felt. I remember sitting there in the hospital room when he passed. Remembering the tears and shedding new ones now but I know that I will see him again. I remember the love he had for his wife, his family, his farm. I’ll never forget that.

I am so very thankful for my grandparents, both sides. So thankful that they’re mine. I may not have the relationship that I’d want with them but through them I have my parents whom I love very dearly. My life would have been totally different with the grandparents that I have. I am thankful. I am glad that my children with the grandparents that they will have. Thank you Lord!

Day Fifteen (November 15th) : For the Internet. My Internet at work has been out of commission since yesterday morning. Extremely irritating as I need it to do my job. It’s amazing how much I use it. One of those things you take for granted until you don’t have it. My life has certainly changed since I ‘discovered’ the Internet when I was eight. We got a computer when I was probably six or seven. I remember getting the Internet and waiting five minutes for it to dial-up. Gosh, that makes me feel old!! I remember using it to talk to friends and being disgusted with how long it would take me to type something. It was because of the Internet that I bought a typing program, (wonderful Mavis Beacon!) and taught myself to type properly at the ripe ole’ age of eight. While my speed has increased since then, I’m so glad I was such a ‘nerdy’ kid and taught myself then. It has certainly paid off with my job. I get a lot of comments about my typing now and I owe that to the desire to type faster online.

Have a question about something? Pull up Google and search away. I guarantee you’ll find the answer you’re looking for. Never get lost again as you can readily find directions. Just love that song and want to lyrics or to buy the CD? Hop online! Everything you want is here. Myspace and Facebook has brought back many long last friendships. It’s the great connector! I’m so glad that God gave us brains to be able to think this stuff up! Thank you Lord!

Are you thankful? Let us know: http://dontgivehimcrackers.blogspot.com

Children

Day Thirteen (November 13th) : For children. Where would we be without children?? We would certainly be a dying breed. I was talking to a 'patron' at work today. We were discussing her children, the children in my life, and the greatness of it all. I am not yet a mother (I have plenty of time for that) but I am involved in several children's lives. You have my nephews and nieces, Silas (8),

Molly (7),

Jacob (5),

and Emily (coming soon to a hospital near you!)

who are incredible and I love them to pieces.

Claire, age 3

is another child that plays a big part in my life. I am involved with Children's Church at my church. I have neighbors with children, friends with children. I love each and everyone of them. Blogger would have a hay day if I were to try to name all of them. I can thank my mother for instilling in me the love of children. How precious they truly are!! As I said, I do not personally have any kids right now but I know that my life would be a little vacant without some little ones running through my path often. God, in all His wisdom, knows that we aren't ready for that task yet, but one day, I hope to have several. I really cannot imagine life without these "little sponges". Thank you Lord!!

Join in the Thankfulness, join us at http://dontgivehimcrackers.blogspot.com/ .

Vehicles

Day Twelve (November 12th) : For vehicles. I live thirty minutes from my job. Without my car, I wouldn't be able to work there. It is really nice knowing that I have the means to get to and from work, to help a friend in need, to go to church, to visit with friends, run to the store, and any other of the numerous things for which my car is used. It's definitely something that I take for granted. Now if I could just be as thankful for the payment! Thank you Lord!




Join in the Thankfulness, http://dontgivehimcrackers.blogspot.com !!!

Mothers and Weekends

Day Ten (November 10th) : For mothers. I haven't been lax and just not thought of listing her. I was planning on saving some of the best for last. However, I spent the day with her Saturday and was just reminded again how much she truly means to me. I have been very blessed with a wonderful relationship with my mother, one that I feel I would be lost without. She is one of my bestest friends. I can talk to her about anything. She is my role model, my hero. If I could just be half the woman that she is I know that I too could be an inspiration to others. There seems to be no limit to what she can do. She amazes me. I love her to pieces and I know that she was going to excel in the Police Academy, giving her another avenue to positively influence the world. I am so truly blessed to call her my mother! Thank you Lord!!!!

Day Eleven (November 11th) : For weekends. For the most part, I like my job. Granted, there are, of course, things that I'm not too fond of. However, even if I LOVED my job, I wouldn't be able to go seven days a week. It's just simply too much. We have to rest. I love the weekends! The chance to sleep in, to do what I want to do, to lounge around the house in PJs. It's a wonderful way to recharge. Then on Sundays, we can recharge spiritually by going to church. I am so thankful for the weekends because I would go crazy without them. Thank you Lord!

Check out "The Twelve Days of Thanksgiving" on this site. Join us and be thankful!

Painful....

Okay, I know I have been posting my "Thankfulness" posts every other day but today is too special for that.

Day Nine (November 9th) : For relief. Every day now for a little over six months, I have dealing with plantar fascitis. If you are regular to this site, you know all about it. Today I have reached a milestone. For the first time in six months, my foot is barely bothering me at all!!! Yep, you read that right!!! Virtually no pain! Granted, I have a little but I standing for a lengthy time today and it's more a pain of having been standing too long than it is the planter fascitis. Trust me, there's a BIG difference! Happy happy joy joy! Thank you Lord!

People and Patience

Day Seven (November 7th) : For people. While they oftentimes get ony my nerves, I am very thankful it's not just me in this world. How boring would that be? Think of all the relationships you would miss! Not just your important ones. I'm thinking the Wal*Mart greeter that makes a point to say hello and ask I'm doing. Calling the bank and being able to laugh and joke with the rep about something totally unrelated to your call. Your realtor, your hairstylist, the driver that goes 40 in a 55 EVERY morning, the employees at your local McDonalds. Think about it. Without these simple relationships, life would be SO boring! I am so very thankful for other people. Thank you, Lord!

Day Eight (November 8th) : For patience. My sister-in-law is pregnant and due on Saturday. My patience is taking a beating but we're making it. She has had a healthy, problem free pregnancy. One of those women what others are jealous of because she didn't gain a house or a map on her stomach with stretch marks. ::sigh:: But I'm glad I have the patience to wait for this bundle of joy. That I have patience to deal with difficult people in other situations, be it work, church, or any other situation. Thank you, Lord.

Sunshine and Phone Calls

Day Five (November 5th) : For sunrise. I get up every work day morning at 5:30. I live thirty minutes from my job so I have to leave at 6:30 in order to clock in at 7:00. Needless to say, it's dark when I wake up, as I get ready, as I walk to my car, as I drive to work, as I walk in, and as I turn on my computer and stare at my reflection in the dark window. ::sigh:: All a very 'interesting' thing. However, something wonderful happened on the 5th of November. You guessed it. It was actually starting to get light when I left the house at 6:20. It was starting to get pink as I drove to work. I could actually see around me as I walked to my door. And, though I'm facing the wrong way, I could enjoy the sunrise. It is truly a blessing to see the sunrise. For many reasons. It's beautiful! My Father is an amazing artist! It's wonderful to be able to wake up and now that you have been blessed with a new day. A chance to make a difference, be it for yourself or for others. A chance to make a change. I feel blessed with every sunrise. Oh, and I’m really glad to see them on my way to work! Thank you, Lord!

Day Six (November 6th) : For phone calls. Check out my mom’s blog, Aclaypot4him, and you’ll see what I mean. THANK YOU, LORD!!!

Today I'm thankful for...

Day Three (November 3rd) : For jobs. Every Saturday Daniel is at work. Retail is a slave driver! However, I am thankful that he has a job, that I have a job. It makes it possible to be able to do the things we want, but more importantly the things that we need. Granted, I'd be the first to admit that I groan and complain about my job. Daniel has fussed about his. Everyone I know can tell me something that they do not like about their jobs. It's normal. It's so easy to focus only on the negative and not remember the positive. "I have to go to bed so early to get up early to go to work." "I have to wear a stinkin' uniform." "I don't like ________." But jobs make so many things possible. Without a job, I wouldn't have the laptop that I'm writing this blog on. Without an job, I wouldn't have food in my stomach or a car to get me from place to place. So while, yes, every Saturday is limited because of Daniel's work schedule, it's nice to know that he is employed and that we will live to buy food for another day. Thank you, Lord.

Day Four (November 4th) : For Ibuprofen. Okay, a more general thing, modern medical advancements. It's kinda something I take for granted now. I mean, think about it. 100 years ago you couldn't pop a pill that would help with the pain. You couldn't have someone cut you open and fix your heart. There weren't any brain surgeons in 1907. I'm specifically thankful for the Ibuprofen today as my foot is letting me know how angry it is but it's a huge blessing to be able to live in an age where they can do something about it. The Ibuprofen may not take the pain away but if I lived in 1907, there wouldn't be anything to even dull it aside for wasting myself on alcohol. Modern medicine has saved MANY lives and there are continual advancements that save even more. It never ceases to amaze that God has gifted us so well to be able to think up these things. Thank you, Lord.

On a side note: I have a few cute pictures of Laura and Claire for Halloween but I haven't uploaded them to my computer yet. I'll post them once I have.

22 Days of Thanksgiving

So here's my thought... We have the 12 days of Christmas that are all about getting getting getting. So what about the 22 days of Thanksgiving, where we get excited about what we already have? Here is my plan from now until November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day, I will note my thankfulness in the form of this blog. Once a day, (hopefully), I will say my piece and remember that life isn't always about getting ahead or getting more or even having more. It's time for me to be Thankful. I challenge you to join me. Once a day for, well, 20 days now, can you find something to be thankful for?

Day One (November 1st) : For health. As the faithful readers of this blog are aware, I have been sick for about a week. Having completely lost my voice makes me thankful for the voice that I have. It's certainly easy to take the simple things for granted. To realize that you don't have to be able to talk, that you don't have to be able to walk without pain, is a humbling thing. We could do without both of these things, however, God saw fit to gives us the ability to converse. Personally, I am very thankful for this. He also gave us legs with which to be mobile. As I struggle through my mobility issues, it's nice to know that He has proved for us in such a way that we do not have to drag ourselves around with our hands. Thank you, Lord.

Day Two (November 2nd) : For sunshine. One of my co-workers had a sick child today and had to leave early to take care of them. In an effort to make everything continue smoothly, the powers that be pulled me from my desk to have me work hers downstairs. These are fairly newly renovated offices. They have plenty of space, a nice desk, comfortable chairs. You really can't complain. However, there is no window outside, something that I have certainly been spoiled with in the office I've been in for two months. I realized today as I sat in a box how thankful I am for the sunshine. While the office is wonderful if you must sit there, the ability to see outside and enjoy the sun is not something on which you should opt out. I am truly blessed. Thank you, Lord.