30 Days of Giving Thanks
Day 1. I am thankful for my relationship with Christ. While it is a work in progress and there are days that I struggle, I am growing in my walk and very thankful for my relationship with Him.
Day 2. I am thankful for my husband. 16 years ago he stood beside me and continues to do so. Our marriage is something we have to work on daily, and it is far from perfect, but I love Michael with all my heart. I am thankful that he is my husband and he loves me.
Day 3. I am thankful for my beautiful children. They have brought so much joy in my life. There are days that they drain the life out of me, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
Day 4. I am thankful for my parents. Thank you for your unconditional love. Thank you for always supporting me and encouraging me. Thank you for teaching me His word and setting a Christian example for me to follow. Thank you for being such great grandparents to the boys.
Day 5: I am thankful for another day. Today is my birthday. It's kind of a big one. I am thankful to see another birthday, to experience another day in the life of me. I have a good life. I don't always see it that way. There's always something that I want or wish for, but when I look at my life, there is so much that I am blessed with and truly thankful for.
Day 6: I am thankful for my grandparents. How I love these 4 wonderful individuals. I have such fond memories of special times with each of my grandparents. From Pa teaching me to drive the Suburban on the way to the lake, Grandma's chocolate chip cookies, listening to my Granny play the organ at church, to Papa taking me for a ride on the train in Electra. These are just a few of many, many special memories I have of my grandparents. The greatest blessing is that my boys are creating their own memories with their great-grandparents. I love you Granny, Papa, Grandma and Pa! I am very thankful for you. I want to also share how thankful I am that I had 3 wonderful grandparents-in-law. I grew to love Mike's grandparents as my own and I am so thankful for the time I had with each of them. They are thought of often and missed greatly.
Day 7: I am thankful for my younger brother, BJ. Even though we don't see each other very often or keep in touch as much as we should, I think of him often and am very thankful that he is my brother.
Day 8: I am thankful for my in-laws. To my extended Conrad family, I am so very thankful for each of you. I have come to love your family so deeply. Thank you for loving me and making feel so much a part of this family. Thank you to my brothers and sisters in-law for being such great aunts and uncles to Cody and Caden.
Day 9: I am thankful for our home. What a blessing it is to live in a house that is ours. I've loved decorating our home. I love family dinners at our dining table. I love the laughter of Cody and his friends during movie nights at our home. I am so thankful for my beautiful home.
Day 10: I am thankful for the fish sticks, fries, mac and cheese, and corn that I have fixed for supper. While it is not a fabulous meal by any means... it is a meal. I am thankful that neither my children nor Mike and I have ever gone hungry. Even though Caden has on numerous occasions proclaimed that he is starving, none of us have ever had to experience hunger. I pray we never have to.
Day 11: I am thankful for those who have fought, past and present, for my freedom. Thank you, Veterans for all that you have done and continue to do.
Day 12: I am thankful for my DVR so that I can watch Friday Night Lights and The Real Housewives when it is convenient for me! (And without commercials!) :)
Day 13: I am thankful for the free flu shot I received today at work. However I am not thankful for the soreness to my upper arm and the inability to raise my arm above my shoulders due to the soreness! That was one of the most painful shots I have ever had!
Day 14: I am thankful that I survived my first craft show today. I didn't sell one single thing. In fact at the end of the day I am probably negative $60 from preparing for the show, my registration fee, a donation for a door prize, and because of the guy 2 booths down from me selling freshly made roasted cinnamon pecans! I did pass out a lot of business cards, so maybe that part of the day will be worthwhile. :)
Day 15: I am thankful for the tears that were shed this morning at worship. May the healing begin.
Day 16: I am thankful for my friends. From old to new. From lost to found (thank you facebook!). For those that have stood the test of time. More specifically... my dear friend Renay. I have been so blessed by our friendship. I am so thankful that you are in my life and that our friendship continues to grow through every trial and celebration. I love you dearly, Renay. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend.
Day 17: I am thankful for basketball, football, golf, little league, soccer, and everything in between! I am thankful for my athletic boys! I LOVE watching them play. At times all the games and traveling and long hours spent driving a golf cart or sitting at a practice can be exhausting, but watching that long jump shot bounce in off the rim, a golf ball grace the green, little hands hiking a football, smiles and joys with every win, or the frustration and disappointment with every loss... I am thankful for every moment.
Day 18: I am thankful for facebook! (Silly, I know!) I have been able to reconnect with so many long-lost friends. It has been so much fun to get to know old friends all over again!
Day 19: I am thankful for the blessings of a new baby in the family. What a wonderful experience it is to watch my nieces and nephews grow up!
Day 20: I am thankful for my new job and my new co-workers. Starting a new job is never easy, so I am thankful for those who are training me and more importantly having patience with me!
Day 21: I am thankful for quiet moments. With two very active boys, those quiet moments don't happen too often. But when they do, what a blessing it is! It's a great time for reflection, prayer, or just doing nothing.
Day 22: I am thankful for my education. I am proud of my education. It took a whole lot of dedication, hard work, prayers, tears, and studying, but I am blessed because of it. I get to go to work and be compassionate, kind, and care for someone in need.
Day 23: I am thankful for my children's teachers. (Especially Cody's!) What amazing work they do. I am experiencing first hand how my children are growing and learning. Caden has begun reading books! Cody is in 3 pre-AP classes this semester. Their teachers are doing amazing things and I am so thankful for all they do for my children!
Day 24: I am thankful for a safe trip to Hereford last night to watch Cody's basketball team play. I am thankful that the boys had a safe trip as well. This was the first of many upcoming out-of-town trips for games and I pray that they will always return home safely after each game.
Day 25: I am thankful for this blog! What a humbling experience to re-read the highs and lows of the last couple of years.
Day 26: Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my mother-in-law and father-in-law for the wonderful thanksgiving meal!
Day 27: I am thankful for the Black Friday deals that I was able to get at such great prices.
Day 28: I am thankful for my chocolate truffle coffee brewing. Yummy.
Day 29: I am thankful for the sermon at church this morning. It hit home. It always amazes me how I hear just exactly what I need to hear at the right moment. Fate? Chance? I don't think so.
Day 30: Today I am thankful for the trials, because in the end they will only make me stronger.
~jen
