30 Days of Gratitude

Now that it's the end of November, I feel it is entirely appropriate that I make a substantial list of things I am thankful for.  What prompted this? You ask.  I was just woken out of dead sleep by a hot flash, am unable to fall back asleep, and had a funny thankful thought.  I will write them in the order they come to me: (definitely the easiest way to write things!)

1. I am THANKFUL for a sweet husband who takes his own clippers and buzzes all the scraggly hairs off my head when my scalp feels like pins and needles.  (Seriously, this was the thought that got the ball rolling here...)
2. I am THANKFUL for warm bubble baths at the end of stressful days.  And thankful that my bathroom fan drowns out the sounds of my children who should be sleeping but are making their own joyful noises.
3. I am THANKFUL that my kids are so very well taken care of by dear friends when I am too sick and weak to do so myself.  I cannot express how thankful I am for this.
4. I am THANKFUL for Burger King original chicken sandwiches.  Trevor woke Isaac up from sleep last night at 10pm to take him down to BK to get munchies.  (I did not know this, I was talking on the phone in my room.) All I knew is that all of a sudden, Trevor was tossing a chicken sandwich on my bed - he hates them, but he knows I love them.  I went out in the living room and the boys were watching TV eating burgers and chicken nuggets like nothing was out of the ordinary!  God love 'em.  Maybe this one should have been"thankful for Trevor", but I already did one for him.  And I know you're thinking that the reason I have insomnia is because of my weird late night binge.  But stop right there, and don't judge me!  I've been sick all week, and now that I'm getting better, if food sounds good, I eat that food.
5. I am THANKFUL for my scriptures.  I've recently rediscovered them and it has been like catching up with an old friend.  I love to read my scriptures and have felt many many flashes of inspiration and guidance from Heavenly Father as I search them.  
6. I am THANKFUL for the way Emma wakes up each morning.  Immediately when she sees me, her face lights up and she yells, "Good morning Mommy!" and usually she runs to me with a hug and kiss.  
7. I am THANKFUL for Isaac's sweet calm spirit.  He is so good with his little sisters and never complains (ok, rarely) when I ask him to help out - which is a lot these days.
8. I am THANKFUL that Ellie gives me her special look still.  I noticed this when she was just a newborn, and she still somehow has the ability to communicate, "Mom, everything is going to be fine" with just a look.  I can't explain it, but that's what she does.
9. I am THANKFUL for good friends and girls night outs.
10. I am THANKFUL that we have a beautiful home that is warm and dry and perfect for our family.  I think about this every time the rain is pelting on the windowpanes.  The storm may rage out there, but my family is safe in here. :)
11. I am THANKFUL for PAVE' bakery in Everett.  They have the best apple cake this side of the Mississippi.  Oh, and those chocolate croissants... heaven!
12. I am THANKFUL for technology.  (didn't Napoleon Dynamite's brother Kip write an inspiring song on the subject?  See, I'm not the only one who likes technology)  Seriously, the internet is such a miraculous tool, though.
13. I am THANKFUL for family.  We live so close to most of our family and get to see everyone on a pretty regular basis.  I am sooo blessed.
14. I am THANKFUL for my bookclub.  There is always yummy food and wonderful conversation.  Just got home, in fact. (Yes, I fell asleep after writing #13, and it wasn't until tonight that I picked up where I left off.)
15. I am THANKFUL for Red Robin and the fact that they give you a free birthday burger during the month of your birthday.  Me and Cindy were able to cash in on our freebies today (last day of the month!)
16. I am THANKFUL that my kids have the best sleeping habits of any kids I know.  They never end up in my bed, they go to bed pretty early, take great naps and wake up relatively late in the morning.
17. I am THANKFUL that I live so close to mountains, the Sound, lakes, and rivers.  I love the Northwest.
18. I am THANKFUL for Christmas music.  And decorations.  And real Christmas trees.
19. I am THANKFUL for good food.  In particular garlic cheesy bread.
20. I am THANKFUL that Trevor works from home.  This comes in handy when I am sick and he can take care of me, but it also comes in handy when I want to go run errands while the girls nap.  It saves us a lot of money that we would spend on gas and wear and tear on cars, and he can be "home" from work whenever I need him.  
21. I am THANKFUL for sunshine.
22. I am THANKFUL for rain.
23. I am THANKFUL I'm almost done w/ my list.  I thought it would be easier to think of 30 things!
24. I am THANKFUL for Biore' Pore Strips, and I just got done using one.  
25. I am THANKFUL that I only have 2 more chemo treatments!  I am oh so excited about that.
26. I am THANKFUL for my favorite TV shows.  Modern Family, The Office, Parenthood, Survivor, New Girl, and ALF.  Haha!  Just kidding about that one.
27. I am THANKFUL for friends and family who come clean my house when I am too fatigued to get everything done.  I can't believe how great everyone has been.
28. I am THANKFUL to be an American and to have been born in to such privileged circumstances.  I have always had opportunities, a comfortable place to live and plenty of food to eat.  
29. I am THANKFUL for yoga pants.
30. I am THANKFUL that my eyebrows and eyelashes have decided to hold tight thus far.  I like that.

Well, did it!  I came up with 30 things!  Hope you enjoyed, now I'm gonna go to bed.