52-57

52- Thankful for Christmas music.


‎53- Thankful for my son's first Christmas program. It was wonderful. Smiled and "happy cried" through the entire thing!


‎54- Thankful for Christmas cards!!! How I love this time of year.


55- Thankful for the amazing imagination of children. It is just. magical.


56- Thankful for a chocolate cake baked (from scratch), icing made, a kitchen covered in flour, and a little girl who is two short days away from being 2 years old! :)
‎
57- Thankful that my friend received a package I had mailed today. I sent it in October and we thought that it was lost for sure. Knowing that my daughter's infant clothes are not lost forever and that one sweet little girl will be wearing them absolutely makes my day! :)


JS

51

51- Thankful for the generous man who was working the salvation army station at the mall today. He saw that my nearly two year old was not cooperating (read: mom on a mission. walking slower than a slug. not wanting carried. screaming. pulling mom-ma's hair.) and gave her a sucker. After some negotiations she cooperated, making my trip successful and keeping me sane. Hallelujah!!   Thank you, salvation army bell ringer guy. Thank you.
JS

50

50- Thankful for snuggles. Holding my children is calming and humbling. Their snuggles absolutely make my day. JS

37-49

‎37- Thankful that working-out is changing my body. Not as thankful that my boots are getting so tight that I can barely zip them over my calves. I guess I'll need new boots... ;)


38- Thankful for amazing and inspiring quotes that remind me who I am, who I want to be, what I believe and how I should live... 
Live full, laugh often, feel more, and love much. 


39-Thankful for a little boy! Welcome Wesley! So grateful for you and your Mom.

40- 

41- Thankful for book stores and this book. I just love it. 

42- I am so thankful that I found the tweezers AND the long black hair on my chin!! Serious. On my. chin. Glad I caught that one! :) 

43- Thankful for snow capped mountains, bright blue skies, sunshine and bald eagles soaring. What a beautiful day in the pacific northwest!!

44- Thankful for a the knowledge in my mind, air in my lungs and the strength in my legs. (This was yesterday's thanks during and after the Jingle Bell Run 5K.) 

45- Thankful we went to church today. It felt like coming home. It had been too long.

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46- Thankful for laughter. “From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!” 

― Dr. Seuss, One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

47- Thankful for my sweet son, who covered up his little sister (who was asleep) before he went to sleep. What a thoughtful kid.

48- Thankful for gym friends. Strong is so the new skinny.

‎49- Thankful for organizations that give to others, i.e., Toys for Tots. Even though not every toy that we purchased this year went in the drop off box (I didn't even try to tell my daughter it wasn't her doll.) it is great to know a child in our community will smile this Christmas.

JS

more livable

Spending time each day reflecting on something that I am thankful for has not always been an easy task: however; it continues to bless my heart with joy and reminds me where I need to focus my energy.

Admittedly, this task has been more difficult than I thought it would be. I am a pretty optimistic person. I tend to look at things as lessons and opportunities rather than failures and challenges. Regardless, there are still days when I feel like I am holding on by a string. Days when I feel unappreciated, overwhelmed, over-tasked, and even unwelcome... And those days and those feelings SUCK! (If you are like me, on those nights you look forward to the next morning to hurry up so you can start all over again.) 

I know am not alone. I am human and these feelings are part of living. No matter how negative the feelings may be they still help me to be true to myself and my life goals. They remind me how I want to be with people around me and for that... I am thankful. 

JS 

32-36

32- Thankful for my conversations with the big guy upstairs. I need to remember to talk with Him more. May he hear my prayers for others and may he hear my prayers for myself. Lord, please guide my words and my heart. Amen.


33-Thankful tomorrow is another day.


34- Thankful for an evening alone with my husband. We talked through many things. Grateful for our communication. There is nothing we won't talk about. Sometimes it is difficult. Very. Difficult. But we always make it through. I love him.


35-Thankful for friendships that are more than friendships.


36- I am thankful for my son's laughter. It makes moments. 
JS

Quotes

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” Unknown


"Opportunities? They are all around us. There is power lying latent everywhere waiting for the observant eye to discover it." Orison Swett Marden


"Seeing much, suffering much, and studying much, are the three pillars of learning."  Benjamin Disraeli


"If you can dream it, you can do it." Walt Disney


"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." Edith Wharton


‎"A person who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." Albert Einstein

31

I am thankful that my daughter slept in her bed all night and that I am successful at getting everyone fed and ready by 8:30 today... We are back! I'd say- 80% healthy. :) hello December bye-bye November. JS

6 days of thanks is one...

I haven't posted here but I have been thankful each day.
25- Today, on Thanksgiving, we are putting up our Christmas tree and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (My husband is working and we will do our traditional feast tomorrow.) Words can not adequately express what I am feeling at this moment and how thankful I am today. With each ornament that we've unwrapped a memory of past is brought to present. People and moments are remembered. Tears have filled my eyes. My heart has over flowed with love and warmth... My son just found his ornament that we bought him last year on our vacation to Hawaii (a surf board with his name on it) and he proclaimed, " Oh! This makes me SO happy. I want to go back to Hawaii again. It was so fun." 

I'm blessed. 

May you all feel the love and warmth in your heart today and remember to find thanks everyday... Hugs.

26-Thankful for: Family, friends, food, and celebrating. In just a few minutes friends will be arriving and our Thanksgiving celebrating will commence. The house smells of goodies and I am so ready to eat. What a wonderful day! Plus, it has been sunny and we've had no rain! Wahooo! And... we have White Christmas on. :)

27- Thankful for the ability to go to a store and get medicine to relieve my daughter's cold symptoms.

28-Thankful for music, help, and the knowledge that it will all be okay.

29-I am grateful for reflection and the knowledge that each and every day I am given opportunity. Opportunity to grow, learn, and love more.

30-I am thankful for my degrees. It took a lot of hard work and perseverance to achieve them and I am grateful for the knowledge I gained (in both books and life) while earning them. Even though I am currently not receiving any financial rewards for them, I use them every day. (And hearing my children's language skills grow and mature each day is enough payment... for now.) I love the field and know that I was meant to be a mother and a speech-language pathologist.

31-Thankful for patience. It is not always easy to keep but it brings many rewards when you don't lose it. 

P.s. Positive thoughts that I keep today. :)

I am thankful that a professional business is expanding to Gallipolis, Ohio (my little home town). I can't put to words how happy I am for the community and my friend for his business' growth. Just. Awesome.

JS

24

Today, on Thanksgiving, we are putting up our Christmas tree and watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. (My husband is working and we will do our traditional feast tomorrow.) Words can not adequately express what I am feeling at this moment and how thankful I am today. With each ornament that we've unwrapped a memory of past is brought to present. People and moments are remembered. Tears have filled my eyes. My heart has over flowed with love and warmth... My son just found his ornament that we bought him last year on our vacation to Hawaii (a surf board with his name on it) and he proclaimed, " Oh! This makes me SO happy. I want to go back to Hawaii again. It was so fun."

I'm blessed.

May you all feel the love and warmth in your heart today and remember to find thanks everyday... Hugs.
JS

Quotes

"In every person who comes near you look for what is good and strong; honor that; try to imitate it, and your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes."
~John Ruskin


"Character is what emerges from all the little things you were too busy to do yesterday, but did anyway." 
~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966 

I am so fortunate to have my life filled with people who are never too busy to help. Their "character" inspires, encourages, and motivates me to be better...
JS

23

thankful to have a project complete, to have shelter from the rain (literally), and the opportunity to share a holiday with friends and family.
JS

Quote

“Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” 
- Robert Fulghum

22

Thankful that the wind stopped blowing, that the kids had great swimming lessons, that I stayed calm, cool, and collected when my almost 2 year old was a complete nightmare at the grocery store (2 days before thanksgiving-none the less) and thankful that my son was a helper in the store and didn't contribute (too much) to the grocery store horror film.
JS

Today's Quote

In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don't try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.
Lao Tzu

21

Thankful to be here... on this earth. Thankful for the air in my lungs and the beat of my heart.
JS

20 and Today's Quote

Thankful for people who have inspired me to be better and never give up. The world is full of them. We just have to remember to open our eyes...
JS


“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” – Albert Schweitzer

Quote

"One day in retrospect the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful."
– Sigmund Freud

19

Thankful for hearing a little girl say, "I yuv you, Momma!"
JS

Quotes

‎"Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words.
Keep your words positive, because your words become your behavior.
Keep your behavior positive, because your behavior become your habits.
Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your values.
Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny."
MAHATMA GANDHI, Open Your Mind, Open Your Life: A Book of Eastern Wisdom

18

Thankful for Dr. Suess books... How many different feet you meet? 


Thankful for my daughter's growing language skills. After climbing in bed with me this morning she looked at me and said, "wanna eat?" I asked her if she wanted some milk too and she replied, "No. Wanna eat. Get up please?" :)
JS

My Memory Library

I found this poem and just love it. I thought I would share it will all of you. I do hope you enjoy it as well. 

My Memory Library

© Sarah Blackstone

Imagine if I was given one moment,

just a single slice of my past.

I could hold it close forever,

and that moment would always last.

I'd put the moment in a safe,

within my hearts abode.

I could open it when I wanted,

and only I would know the code.

I could choose a time of laughing,

a time of happiness and fun.

I could choose a time that tried me,

through everything I've done.

I sat and thought about what moment,

would always make me smile.

One that would always push me,

to walk that extra mile.

If I'm feeling sad and low,

if I'm struggling with what to do.

I can go and open my little safe,

and watch my moment through.

There are moments I can think of,

that would lift my spirits everytime.

The moments when you picked me up,

when the road was hard to climb.

For me to only pick one moment,

to cherish, save and keep,

Is proving really difficult,

as I've gathered up a heap!

I've dug deep inside my heart,

found the safe and looked inside,

there was room for lots of moments,

in fact hundreds if I tried.

I'm building my own little library,

embedded in my heart,

for all the moments spent with you,

before you had to part.

I can open it up whenever I like,

pick a moment and watch it through,

My little library acts as a promise,

I'll never ever forget you.

Quotes and Pics

17

I am extremely grateful for a friend that was able to put things in perspective for me today.. Sometimes we think we are looking at things clearly but in reality we need a little help. Only a good friend can set you straight... 


"I always prefer to believe the best of everybody, it saves so much trouble." ~Rudyard Kipling


I realize I've just posted a Thanks for today, but I can't stop at one... I have to show my love, appreciation, and compassion for my furry friends. I am very thankful for their unconditional love and loyalty. I have had dogs all my life. They have always brought me joy and comfort and only asked for minimal needs in return. Really, if I think about it, they give us great model for how we should live. They possess all the good virtues of mankind.


JS

Quotes and Pics

I took this picture 4 years ago. I think my husband is the second one from the bottom. It was a really windy day...

Today's Quotes

"A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside."
Denis Waitley

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher."
Oprah Winfrey

17

Thankful for no rain, yet, today! 


Thankful for smiles! 


So thankful for all my friends who are joining me on the Facebook page!! Thank you... This is going to be great.

Quotes and Pics

Today's Quote

"A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work."
Colin Powell

16

I am thankful for creative and dedicated thinkers who have developed our technological world.



... sometimes it's the simple things in life that we are thankful for. I am thankful for, or rather appreciative of, the Internet. Although the creation of it was not a simple process we definitely take it for granted today.


JS

15

Thankful for perspective. Trying to look at the world from someone else's vantage point isn't always easy but it sure can make things more clear.


I'm also pretty thankful for my Dad... And pretty excited to pick him up from the airport today!! :)


JS

Quotes and Pics

This perfect picture was taken by Courtney Bowlden, CB photography, last year. I think the quote fits it perfectly. Thanks Courtney!! Your pictures are making me smile a year later. 

Just look at Wilson's face. Priceless. His perspective is obviously different from ours. :) 

Today's Quote

"Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose." Kevin Arnold You've gotta love a little Wonder Years quote. :)

14

Thankful for memories... On my run this morning I reflected on many. Good and bad. I am grateful for each.


Our good friend Ryan is here. We haven't seen him in 4 years. I am thankful for him. One of my favorite memories of Ryan is when he, and another good friend Marty, brought me American food when I was living in England. They were stationed there and bought me Kraft mac and cheese, chicken breasts, and Hershey's chocolate bars at their BX (Base Exchange). It was AWESOME!! Such great friends. That mac and cheese tasted like heaven.


JS 

Today's Quote

"A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same."
Elbert Hubbard

13

13: Thankful for friendships. Our friends- our choosen family. The people who lift us up when we are down, hold our hands when we are sad, tell us the truth when we don't want to hear it, listen to us when we need an ear, and keep on loving us through all the stages of our life.
JS

Today's Quote

"People of mediocre ability sometimes achieve outstanding success because they don't know when to quit. Most men succeed because they are determined to." George E. Allen 

12

I ran in the poring, freezing rain today. It was AWESOME. For the first time, ever, I was happy to run and smiled the whole time (even with it being 43 degrees). For that... I am thankful!!
JS

Today's Quotes- Veteran's Day 2011

These quotes seem fitting for the day: 
"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!" -Maya Angelou

"When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?" -George Canning

"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die." -G.K. Chesterton

"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?'" -Eve Merriam

11

I am so thankful for this day. It was wonderful. It was rainy, but wonderful. I spent the WHOLE day with my man. We shopped for the kids for Christmas, braved Costco, tried a new dinner place and even got dessert! It was great! Thankfully we have a wonderful babysitter to watch the kids. Love you, Miss Mollee.

It only seems appropriate that I also take a second to reflect and acknowledge our Veterans today. I am grateful for them and humbled by their sacrifices.

Thank you to my husband, and my grandfathers, for your past service. I love you.

Thank you to our many friends and family members who have served and continue to serve. God bless you all, everyday.
JS

Today's Quote.

"Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go." Mother Teresa

Join me!!

Please join me. Follow this blog and share what you are thankful for... Spread the joy. :)

JS

Thanks 1-10

My first 10 days: 


1: I am thankful for food for my family. There are many others who are not as fortunate as I am. I continue to pray for the Horn of Africa where many children and their parents are starving. 


2: I am thankful for neighbors that are more like family.


3: I am thankful that although my son has been/is currently sick he just has a cold/flu and will be well soon. There are other parents whose children's colds can't be fixed and I continue to lift them up in prayer.


4: I am thankful for a little boy who is fever FREE! And grocery shopping in a store that has a great selection of produce. (our fridge, freezer, and pantry were just about bare- I'm even out of flour.)


5: I am feeling especially thankful today... I could make a list a mile long but I will limit it to 5 (since it is the 5th). 1. I am beyond thankful that I have a husband who believes in me more than anyone else. I am so lucky to be married to him. Ups and downs he stands beside me, and I stand by him. 2. My two beautiful children, their health, and their futures. 3. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow each AND EVERY day. 4. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to choose my future and state of happiness. After all, life is all about our choices. 5. I am thankful for creativity and creative people.


6: thankful for date night, cirque du soleil, and Michael Jackson... So, we went to cirque du soleil Michael Jackson tribute in Vancouver, BC and it was AMAZING!! Just amazing. Two words for you (if you were a MJ fan): MUST GO! I loved it! 


7: I am thankful for a great preschool for my son... And a great workout buddy.


8: I am thankful that my heart has known pain (I realize this may sound odd to some but it is what makes us able to love) and that God has given me a heart that hurts for others. I am sad for friends who lost their 23 year old daughter today, but reminding myself that ANY day could be my last and that I should live my life with compassion, love, and empathy... that is a blessing.


9: Thankful for my health and my gym membership. Good health and fitness is a lifestyle and I hope to continue to be committed to taking care of myself for the rest of my days.


10: Thankful for my family. All of them: blood, step, in-law, and friends. Man, I am one lucky gal. 


JS