Amy's Top Ten Thankful List for 2009

Each year, during the Thanksgiving holiday, we are asked to dig deep inside ourselves and express what we are most thankful for. I have so many great things in my life to round out a great top twenty list and then some, however I have narrowed my thankful list down to ten. And the winners are:

#1
I am thankful for my relationship with the Lord. Most people take this relationship for granite. We either call upon the Lord when we only need him in bad times, but I am so thankful that I have a merciful Lord who answers my prayers when I call upon him in the good times and bad. I am so grateful that I have a love and appreciation for my Lord because if I didn't I would be a lost soul in this world wondering without a purpose. Thank your Lord, you are my savior!

#2
I am thankful for my wonderful boys. I have two sons, Gabe who is turning seven in a few months and Eli who will be a year next June. I am so amazingly blessed to be their mom. I have been rewarded to the ends of this earth with love, hugs and kisses. When I watch them play, watch them eat, watch them sleep I am reminded that I have been blessed with the angels God has sent me.

#3
I am thankful for my husband, Ben. Most people will often hear me complain about how he does not do this right, or he hasn't done this perfect and the only reason why I get onto him the way I do is because I love him so much I know his potential is better then he is putting out. However, not for one minute would I want to have him out of my life because I don't know what I would do without him near by. He is my best friend and a man who has provided for me and our family with no questions asked. He allows me to fulfill my dreams of being a stay at home mom while he works outside of the home for 12 hour rotating shifts. I am so thankful to have this man in my life!

#4
I am thankful for my memories. This year marked four years since my brother passed away and three years since my dad has died. Each year it is getting harder and harder to face the world without them around. However, I have some great memories that I am falling back on. I know these memories will never replace having them around, but it does get me through the days where I crave to see their face or hear their sweet voices. I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed me to keep these memories strong inside my heart and my mind.

#5
I am thankful for the roof over my head. In the world we live in today, right at this very minute I imagine a person is loosing their home due to unforeseen circumstances financially. I know what it feels like to almost have your house foreclosed on and I am so thankful that this year we have been able to pay our mortgage payment every month and we have a great house to live in. Nothing can ever replace a roof over your head!

#6
I am thankful for the food on the table. People tend to take the bread we eat for granite. They think that no matter what that food will always be there for them to enjoy. I know from previous experiences that not having enough to eat is a miserable situation. I am so grateful that I am able to cook dinner every night for my family and enjoy a nice hot dinner.

#7
I am thankful for the sun. After having a lot of rain here in Georgia in the past few months, I can honestly say now that I am so thankful to see the sun shine brightly. When you have alot of dark, cloudy days, it tends to make you gloomy on the inside to match the weather on the outside. I am grateful when the sun comes out to brighten up my day. I seriously do not know how people in Seattle live!

#8
I am thankful for the greatest friends in the world. If you do not have a good set of friends or at least one great friend then you are living in a world that is not meant for venting. My friends are the best when they are there to allow me to get everything off my chest and just be me. When I need a shoulder to cry on, they are there leaning in to catch my tears. When I need a good laugh, they have already started telling me a joke. Friends are what you need when your family and the world in general has gotten the best of you.

#9
I am so very thankful for "me" time. With being a mother to two boys and one is less then a year old, it is so hard to get any time to myself. I am always up at the crack of dawn and never in the best at night until the late late show is going off (not that I actually have time to watch it) and with all that I have to do during the day it is so hard to sit down and just relax and have a moment to yourself. So, when I get those little minutes of "me" time I cherish them with all my heart and enjoy them to the up most! I am so thankful for when they occur, just wished they occurred more then once every week!

#10
I am thankful for being able to express my mind. We live in a world where people are so afraid to say what they really are thinking that they just hold in emotions and feelings that should be let out. I am so grateful that I have the ability to tell people exactly what is on my mind and never feel ashamed about it. I will not hold my voice in and I will not allow other people to tell me that what I am saying is not something true to believe in. I was always taught that you should stand up for what you believe in and I am so thankful that when I do I am able to express it in a constructive way!

Happy Thanksgiving and God Bless!