Thankful Tuesday

I am reading Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts right now for our Book Club.  I have heard nothing but great things about the book.  Her writing style challenges me, but as I am getting deeper into the book, I am following along better.  The premise of the book is about being Thankful in all that we do.  Not a blanket, "Thank you Lord for all the blessings you give to me" but rather the tiny every day moments that build into a joyful life.  I love this line in her book..."God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift given: joy."

So here are a few things I am thankful for today:
*My husband, my boys, my parents, my family...always at top of my list!
1) Listening to Christmas carols on the way to work...and loving verses that move me to tears.  Thank you, Jesus for your gifts...
2) The sound of Christmas harp music being played when I walked into my lobby this morning.
3) Possibility of new opportunities.
4) For a friend who is pregnant having a watchful doctor and knowing that she is in His hands....and her doctor's hands.
5) For a friend from high school who is undergoing surgery today for cancer and so far a successful surgery. 
6) Watching my boys enjoy the nature around us...who knew watching a bird dip his head into water and pulling out fish would entertain us for 30+ minutes!
7) Crock Pot.  Nuff said. 
8) Pinterest....for helping me find recipes for said above appliance.
9) Maria.  Who is one of the only reasons I can get to work and not worry about my boys all day.
10) Anticipation...for book club this Friday and seeing my Dallas family this weekend!
11) Grace.
12) My youngest's snorts when he laughs...seriously, it's beautiful.  He has the kind of infectious laugh that you cannot help but laugh too!
13) My oldest's sheer wonderment in everything Christmas.
14) A meal at Freebird's on Saturday night.  I can't remember the last time we went out to eat (besides after church).  And they both ate all their meals.
15)  Christmas lights. 

I could go on but I should be working..15 is a good start to 1000.  And that's just for today. 

Hope you all are enjoying this time as we approach Christmas.  I am happy to say I am about 90% finished with everything and am not going to stress about the last 10%.  The gift is most surely not in the gifts we will receive on Christmas day.  May you enjoy this most blessed time of year! 

A Prayer for December
Dearest God,
Please never let me
Crowd my life
Full to the brim.
So like the keeper of Bethlehem's Inn,
I find no room for Him.
Instead, let my heart's door
Be ever open,
Ready to welcome
The newborn King.
Let me offer the best I have
To Him
Who gives me everything.
-author unknown