A time to be Thankful

Because it is that time of the year.... the time when we express our gratitude and appreciation and give thanks for all the many things we are blessed with. A time when we are gathered with family and friends .... a time for being with those we love.
I have a lot of thoughts going through my head tonight and it is really hard for me to put my feelings and emotions into words.
But because i have so much on my mind and I'm WIDE awake and my family is all sleeping i thought that i would try to put a few of those feelings and emotions down by listing 25 things that i am Thankful for.

So my 25 things i am Thankful for.... or blessed with

1. I am THANKFUL for my husband... who kisses me goodbye and tells me he loves me every morning at 4:45 am just before he leaves to work. No matter if i slept on the couch or he did.... or i'm up all night with a sick kid, he will find me before he leaves give me a kiss and tell me he loves me. Most of the time i sleep through it but if he didn't do it i know because it wakes me up.... I'm weird i know :)
2. I am THANKFUL that my husband has a great job so that i can stay home and be with my children and not have to worry about not having enough. He works hard to provide for us and sacrifices alot for his family.
3. I am THANKFUL for my oldest Ashley.... who is a huge help around the house and with the kids. She is a joy to have around... fun, silly, loving and my little pal who likes to have mom and daughter time.... i LOVE it
4. I am THANKFUL for Hailey who is the most loving little girl she loves to hug, hold hands, snuggle, and spend one on one time with her parents.
5. I am THANKFUL for Zac who i swear is gonna send me CRAZY.... he is the craziest, funniest, smartest, meanest, sneakiest, most loving little guy i have ever met.... he will be so mean but turn around and give the biggest hug and kiss ever and tell you he loves you a million times a day. He is a mammas boy and i LOVE it!!!
6. I am THANKFUL for Taylor his smile, his curly blonde hair, his voice, watching him learn (but closing my eyes when he's learning something from Zac) his kisses he is a huge mammas boy and there is a battle between the boys... who can love their mom the most :)
7. I am THANKFUL for the two little babies i lost... it made me love and appreciate the ones i have now... and how precious life is.
8. I am THANKFUL for my MOM she has so much faith and so much determination its hard for me to comprehend.... she is my best friend and i wish i would have appreciated her more growing up.
9. I am THANKFUL for my DAD it wasn't until i got married that i came to appreciate him and the way i was raised. To realize what a great person he was and a role model. He has taught me a great deal more then he realizes and i am proud to call him my dad.
10. I am THANKFUL for my childhood... the friends that i had who impacted me so much as a child.... to still have those friendships now and be able to laugh about the good days when life was so carefree.
11. I am THANKFUL for my high school years.... i hated HS but i had some really great friends i learned alot, who i wanted to be what i wanted outta life and what i needed to do to be able to do that. I wish i could go back to those days and enjoy them more and change a couple things but no matter what i succeeded in or failed in i grew from those experiences.
12. I am THANKFUL for love.... for true love.... for fairytale's.... for dreams... goals.... MEMORIES... firsts.... heartbreak..... happiness.
13. I am THANKFUL for the little things... my bed, a hot shower, my pj's, my blankie, warm socks, Diet Dr. Pepper, good movies, music, pictures.....
14. I am THANKFUL for my In Laws.... i really lucked out i have some of the best ones out there... they loved me from day one and accepted me into there family.... i have become one of there own. Its so neat to have the relationship of a friend but also the love and relationship of a parent or sibling all in one. It's hard for me to explain .... but i married into an amazing family!
15. I am THANKFUL for the gospel.... i was always raised in the church and there was a time where i had to figure out what i wanted in life... some people came in and held my hand and guided me to where i needed to be.... i for sure wouldn't be where i am now with out those great friends and influences in my life.
16. I am THANKFUL for the trials i have gone through.... the tough ones and the bad ones. I have learned so much from them and they have made me stronger. I have been able to truly appreciate what i have and learn to express gratitude because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
17. I am THANKFUL for my Brother and Sisters... we might not have the best relationship and we might never talk, but i am thankful i was blessed to be a part of their life/family. I do love them and and thankful for the memories and fun times we have shared.
18. I am THANKFUL for me... (ya its weird i might not like the way i look and there are alot of things i wish i could change).... but i am healthy and i can see and hear, feel, touch, taste, breath.... there are so many people that don't have the little things that i take for granted i am thankful to be who i am.
19. I am THANKFUL for life .... i guess i never realized how many people sacrifice their life on a daily basis. It wasn't until i got older that it was my friends and neighbors who went out everyday to help others or fight for our country. I am thankful for their love and example.
20. I am THANKFUL for everyone that i have met throughout my life... they have all influenced me somehow. Of course i remember some more then others it might have been a long heartfelt conversation with a new friend... or a simple gesture from someone. It all happened for a reason at that point in my life, i might not understand why things happened the way they did.... but maybe one day i will!? Maybe one day i will be able to personally tell and talk to these wonderful people who have influences me so much.... some have passed away and some are still out there, i miss them and i love them and i'm very thankful for them!!!
21. I am THANKFUL for moving to New Mexico... at the time i thought it was a BAD idea... but throughout the last 10 years i have learned so much and have grown and have had to rely on myself and Drew.... it has been tough but i dont think i would change it for anything!!! i can call NM home!
22. I am THANKFUL for my kids who want to talk and talk and talk about anything and everything and dont care or feel funny sharing their dreams or crushes or fears. And who feel safe in their home and know they are loved.
23. I am THANKFUL for friends, i have so many but only a few i can call close or best friends. I think they know who they are (i would hope anyway). They have been there for me so many times. Just the simplest things from checking on me.... long conversations... talking about memories and the good old days... just a message saying HI.... just to know they care it makes life a little more easier to have such good friends.... i really admire appreciate miss (the ones who aren't here)and love them!!!!
24. I am THANKFUL for being able to experience being a mom and a wife.... it has many challenges and times can get pretty hard and i wonder what was i thinking.... but in the end i am grateful for the learning experience the emotional experience the joy, sad, hurt, anger, peace.... it is a blessing to be a MOM and a wife!!!
25. My last THANKFUL.... that even though this might be gibberish or not make much since i was able to clear my mind in hopes of getting a good nights sleep :) I have so much to be THANKFUL for but like i mentioned earlier it is hard to put those feelings and emotions into words.

So all of you who have stumbled across this or was just checkin in, i want to challenge you to write down 25 things you are THANKFUL for.....
GOOD LUCK :)