Gratitude

A lot of people on FB have been posting one thing they're grateful for every day this month.

I'm a cheater and doing all 30 at once. Mostly because a friend of mine had this posted as her facebook status the other day.

"Today I'm thankful that hubby and I are still employed. I know a lot of people right now who have lost their jobs, vehicles, and homes. So, no matter how much I may complain, I really am quite thankful."

And I realized I need to be more thankful and show that gratitude.

1. I, too, am thankful the husband and I are both still employed and we still have a home, a car that runs, and food on the table. All of our needs are met.
2. The Gospel. I'm thankful for our Savior, the Atonement, the restoration of the Priesthood, the Book of Mormon, temple covenants, etc.
3. My husband. He's not perfect, but neither am I. But we keep working through our problems and growing closer as a couple. Plus he bought me a steak and egg bagel for breakfast from McDonald's the other day when I really, really *needed* one.
4. My daughter. She's been very helpful lately and not complaining too much. She's made dinner a lot and is doing the dishes and laundry a lot, too. She comes home from school and plays with her brother and reads to him and has dance parties with him, and it really helps so I can rest when I need to. It's not her fault I'm pregnant, but she's sure pitching in and helping out! She also tells me silly stories and sings a lot and makes me laugh.
5. My son. He makes me smile every single day. He jabbers a lot in baby gibberish. He loves music and will point at the radio for us to turn it on so he can dance. He does silly and cute things that make us all laugh, like crawling around in circles and growling, or chasing Daddy through the house, or grabbing Kiddo's hand and holding it when she walks by while he's nursing ... He cuddles when he's sleepy and is sleeping in his crib for about 9 hours a night now, then sleeps with me a few more. So nice.
6. My step-daughter. She's been sending me little messages on MySpace, so I feel more connected to her than I have for a long time.
7. My parents. I'm not all that close to my dad, but my mom sure keeps me grounded. And not in the way she threatened when I was a teenogre.
8. My siblings and all the in-laws and extended family. I'm closer to some than others, but really do love them all and am thankful for their love and support.
9. My nieces and nephews on both sides. It's cute when one of them calls you to say hi, or when one calls your daughter to "chat". It's great to have friends in your family.
10. Washer, dryer, dishwasher, stove, microwave, refrigerator, vacuum ... all the lovely appliances we have today that make our lives easier.
11. Computers. They let me work from home and connect with friends, old and new, near and far, in various ways on the internet.
12. Drugs. Phenergan and hubby's psych meds, specifically.
13. Puffs Plus. In the early stages of pregnancy, I'm more congested, and since my baby shares everything with me, his cold and runny nose is now mine. Awesome. Puffs Plus save my nose.
14. Learning to coupon the last couple months. It has been a HUGE blessing. I'm spending less $ on groceries and have more food and other necessities (TP, Puffs ...) in the house. And I spent the same last weekend that I used to around Thanksgiving, but I got more stuff. lol.
15. The baby coming. This pregnancy was a surprise, but I'm excited for a new addition. Now we just need to sell the condo, find a rental, and get a minivan ...
16. Pudding. So weird because I'm sensitive to milk, but it's been settling my pregnant tummy. Go figure that one out.
17. Frozen pizza. Went to the store late last night, so I got home right at dinner time. But Freschetta was on sale and we had coupons, so I managed to make two for about $5.50, which is less than half what I would've spent at Little Caesar's, which is where I was tempted to go for dinner.
18. Music. I played a lot of different music growing up, in various different band, orchestra, and choir groups, and miss it a lot. I have this little boy who LOVES music and starts dancing whenever he hears it, and that makes me smile.
19. Light bulbs. The world would be a dimmer place without them.
20. Friends in the ward who host meetings while their kids are away, who don't mind that my snotty nosed baby swipes their baby's toys and sneeze on them, just say, "I'll wash them before the baby gets home." Awesome.
21. Apples, clementines, grapes ... all things fruit I can stomach right now.
22. Crafting with my Kiddo. We "got" to make some things last weekend to sell in her school's Christmas store next month after Little Mister went to bed.
23. Babywearing. I loved wearing Little Mister and am sure I'll be wearing this new baby a lot while I chase after a rambunctious 2-year-old.
24. Cookies. Red Vines. Basically anything sweet right now. (we think this baby is a girl because of this. oh, and meat makes me sick. just like with Kiddo, and just opposite from Little Mister.)
25. The husband waking up after two short hours of sleep the other day because Little Mister started shrieking while I was in the bathroom. His sister got too close to him right after he woke up from his nap. haha. Anyway. The husband calmed him down and handed him to me, then waited to make sure we were all okay before sneaking back to bed. Thank you, husband!
26. Sewing machines and cameras and yarn and knitting needles and crochet hooks and other artsy things that help me be creative.
27. Being busy. I don't love having too much on my plate, but I'd rather be busy and have stuff to do than not and be bored.
28. Getting half the child support refunded every month. Cali has done something screwy and is double garnishing the husband, so we've been getting multiple checks back every month, after he hits his $ obligation. Makes me less bitter about trying to save money. lol.
29. Good friends. You know the kind you can go weeks without talking to, but not because of a fight or anything, so when you do talk it seems like no time has passed at all.
30. Hot showers and baths, running water, plumbing, etc. Man ... I need a shower. I think I'll go take one!