Thankful

2009 has been a year of education in thankfulness. So many things have happened to our little family, our extended family, and even friends, that have caused us to look at all that we have and be thankful.

I am thankful for waking up every morning with the gift of life.

I am thankful to be blessed with a home that is warm when it is cold, and cool when it is hot.

I am thankful that we have smoke detectors and that our windows can open.

I am thankful that despite the fact that my husband is constantly working (even on weekends), we have been blessed with him having a job.

I am thankful that we have food to eat and clothes to wear.

I am thankful that, even though we have spent a crazy amount of money on medical bills in the past 2 years, we are blessed with health.

I am thankful for doctors who help heal us and comfort us when there is pain.

I am thankful that I have 2 beautiful little girls.

I am thankful for a husband that loves and respects me.

I am thankful for family that is constantly "there" for us. And is always willing to do anything to show their love.

I am thankful for friends that are thoughtful, sympathetic, and bring laughter into our lives.

I am thankful for my God, that is my strength through trials small and large.

I am thankful that I have so many things to be thankful for that I can't list them all.

My List of Excuses

As a rule, I generally try to get most of my Christmas shopping done before the end of November. Last year, it was a breeze. But this year, I have found my goal a bit more difficult to achieve. I think that a big part of it is the fact that my girls are getting older so it is harder to sneak around. Jenna is in preschool on 2 days a week for 3 hours. Exercising takes up at least an hour to an hour and a half of that "free time". Plus we are always 15 minutes late to preschool. Oh, and I am usually on time to pick her up (a miracle, I know). And of course, there are always random bills and errands to take care of. And Reagan is looking in my closet these days to see what has been recently placed in a hard to reach shelf. She is such a little detective. She listens to every conversation. She sneaks around and will even pretend to be sleeping, just so she can hear what is being shared in the "adult" conversation. It has definitely gotten harder to get the shopping done this year. I do realize that I am making excuses for myself. But in my defense, they are pretty good excuses. And some of the toys are already sold out everywhere. I know that you know what I am talking about. A few years back, when Reagan was a baby, this guy:

was all the rage. Do you remember the news stories about people fighting over this toy? And it being sold out everywhere? I do. And boy was I glad that Tickle Me Elmo was not on my daughter's list of must have's for Christmas. But this year, Elmo is not the hot toy, but rather these:

These hamsters are sold out everywhere! And don't get me started on the accessories--the object of my desire.

There are a few other big items on most kids' wish lists this year...but if I post them, a certain little spy will get some more evidence to hold against Mommy, Daddy, ....and Santa. So that is the end of my rant. I hope that ya'll's shopping goes a bit smoother than mine this year.