Week 2 of Being Thankful

I've been writing a short little journal entry on what I'm thankful for each day since the first day of this month. I just think November is the perfect month, especially right before Christmas to reflect on all of the amazing blessings we've all been given. I just thought I'd share some of what makes me appreciate being here and doing what I'm doing.

Here was week one, and now on to week two:

November 8, 2010:

I'm thankful for answered prayers. Last night I seriously thought I was going into early labor, and um at 25 weeks and no husband home, that would have been beyond awful. I don't even care that I didn't get much sleep, I'm just happy that the contractions have stopped and that baby Gideon is still in there baking. Who'd have thought I'd ever be saying that I was happy to still be pregnant, but I want a healthy, full term baby. 

November 9, 2010:

Today I'm thankful for hand-me-downs. I really am! For Adeline's first year I bought her a massive wardrobe from some of my favorite stores. She had enough clothes to wear 2 different outfits a day for a week and sometimes 2. [I'm telling ya, whatever little girl ends up with Addie's hand me downs will surely be dressed well ;).]  Now that I have another baby on the way, we really can't afford to go all couture and stuff on the babies' wardrobe. [Not that we could really afford it before, hah.] Anyway, a family friend of mine has been giving me some of her daughter and her son's outgrown clothes, and I really, really appreciate the help. It's such a relief, really, and it helps so much! I just think it's very generous, and today when I realized Adeline's cute little outfit was entirely handed down, I really appreciated the kind gesture.

November 10, 2010: Today I'm thankful for Terry, my 15 year old little brother. When Philip is away my sister usually comes about once a week to help me with anything I need done around the house, and trust me I patiently and anxiously await her arrival. [Even if I can just have someone vacuum, it's a big, big help and I appreciate it.] Today Terry came and helped me, and boy did he help. We got a bunch of rough and tough chores done in like 2 hours, and I assure you I couldn't have even attempted some of them alone. He also got in my attic and got down my Christmas stuff, and Adeline's baby gear. Never complained and never slacked, which we all know teenagers do both well. I'm thankful for the help, I'm thankful for the company, and I'm totally very thankful to have a brother!

November 11, 2010: Thank you God for always giving us what we need to get by. Just when that unexpected expense pops up, and we don't know where we'll get the money from is when we receive just enough of a little blessing to get us through. God is so good to us in so many ways! 

November 12, 2010: Today I'm thankful for company. I'm thankful for the people who take the time to call just to check and see how you're doing. I'm thankful for those who drop by just to visit, or chat, or fix my daughter dinner when I don't feel well. I'm thankful for those who don't just call when they need a favor, they call just because. I'm thankful to not be lonely today! :)

November 13, 2010: I'm going to say that I had a hard time thinking of what I was thankful for today. I puked all morning, I've been nauseous all day, my lower back is killing me, the heartburn could bring tears to my eyes, and I spent the day alone with an almost 2 year old in an apparent mood for frequent time outs. So today I think I'm going to be thankful for Friday. Next Friday, that is. Where I will finally have some help around here. When I'll have an adult to talk to during the day. When I'll have someone to hug me after I'm hysterically crying because it's too hard to take off my toenail polish. Hey, I'd have someone to take my toenail polish off. I'm just glad Daddy's coming home soon.

November 14, 2010: It's 6:17 am, and I've been up for an hour already. That's normal, but what isn't normal is that I haven't even gotten sick yet. I have a feeling it's going to be a good day! If I can feel good long enough today to make it to church then that alone is something to be thankful for. I have a sink full of neglected dishes though, and a slew of sewing projects I need to get started on, so I'm really hoping to feel good long enough to get some things done. I'm so thankful for times when I feel good. Even if I have only been up for an hour.