Gratitude continued....

14. "Hand-me-down" clothes from sweet friends for my kids

15. A husband that works 2 jobs so that I can stay at home every day with our children

16. A new Publix grocery store right down the road from my house

17. M&M (Memorize and Meditate) Bible verse study with Barb Bindewald on Wednesday mornings

18. Flowers from David, just because he loves me

19. Easter decorations from Mom

20. Riverbanks Zoo Membership from Gigi, so I can take Mary Woods and Hardy any time we want to go!

21. Dawn, Caleb, Luke, and Jack living in Lexington again

22. Getting to watch Luke, Mary Woods, Hardy, and Jack grow up together!

23. Lexington Presbyterian Church

24. Mary Woods' first loose tooth

25. The smile on Hardy's face when he drives his jeep from Nana, Grandaddy, and Grandmama

26. 6 Grandparents and 3 Great-grandparents that LOVE my kids: Mimi, Papa, Grandmama, Grandaddy, Nana, Grandpa, Gigi, Grandpa Mac, and Mema

Gratitude

Recently, I have been watching some episodes of Vegi-tales with the kids. We stream these videos through Netflix. Yesterday, I was watching one with Mary Woods about a Blueberry that wants to buy more stuff! She just can't seem to be happy with what she already has... she wants more. In the end, she realizes that money can't buy true happiness and that contentment can't be found in material things. There is this sweet song at the end. I wrote down the words so that Mary Woods, Hardy, and I can sing it together as we thank God for all that the He provides for us!

"I thank God for this day, for the sun in the sky,

For the friends that we have, and my piece of apple pie!

For the love that He shares, cause He listens to our prayers,

That's why we say thanks everyday!

Because a thankful heart is a happy heart,

We're glad for what we have, that's an easy way to start.

For the love that He shares, cause He listens to our prayers,

That's why we say thanks everyday!"

In addition to Vegi-tales videos, God has been teaching me about gratitude through a very special person. My friend, Julie Gentino does this thing on Mondays called "Multitude Monday" where she lists all the things she is thankful for. Julie, her husband, and her two children are a family just like ours, except the Lord has called them to be missionaries in South Asia. It is so amazing for me to read her blog and see how she can always find so many things to be grateful for even when she finds herself in a very different and uncomfortable environment. She has inspired me to start my own list of the things I am grateful for. So, I thought I would share what I am grateful for today...

1. Half days of school for Mary Woods

2. Two Beautiful and healthy children

3. Hope- because Jesus died for my sins and promises me eternal life with Him

4. A nice home to shelter our family

5. Trips to the mountains

6. A husband that loves Jesus and our family

7. One little girl and one little boy

8. Mary Woods loves to help her Mama

9. Time alone with Hardy while Mary Woods is at school

10. Ben Lippen School

11. My new friend, Trina and her boys: Charlie, Henry, and Max

12. Sunshine

13. $5 Hot and Ready Pizza from Little Ceazer's