I am thankful

Thanksgiving week!

We're out of school, thank goodness. Don't get me wrong: I absolutely LOVE my job, but the wonderful breaks are one of the many reasons why I love it! :)

I went Christmas shopping today. I bought Raegan four presents: a learning farm, an electronic book that has a piano and microphone on it, a sort-a-shape blender thing, and some bathtime fun toys. I think that'll be plenty for her first Christmas! Of course, her grandparents will probably lavish her with even more stuff to crowd her room!

We had dad's surprise 50th birthday party last night! It was a blast! He was genuinely surprised, and he loved the cd that Marissa and I made for him!

I wanted to take a few moments to state some things that I'm VERY thankful for. So often we forget to be thankful EVERY day. I believe we need to wake up each morning thankful for being alive. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'd like to share what I'm thankful for:

It goes without saying that I am absolutely thankful for my daughter. This really is a thankfulness that God has blessed me with the ability to even have children! There are so many people who don't have that ability, and I can never express how thankful I am that having children isn't an issue for me. Raegan is my joy every morning. She brings a smile to my face. I can't imagine life without her, though I lived without her for sooo long.

I am BEYOND thankful for my husband. There are so many dads out there that don't take all of the responsibilities, especially with infants. Joey works twelve to fourteen hour shifts and STILL comes home and helps with the housework, cooking, and puts Raegan to bed. He spends quality time with her EVERY day, and he never sets her aside to do something "more important" or something he'd rather do. He emerses himself in her life and has as much to do with raising her as I do. I always tell him that I could NEVER be a single parent. He makes up for my lack of patience. When I get worn down, he steps in and takes over. Many nights, he wakes up with her and doesn't even ask me to get up, just because he wants me to get my sleep... though he usually gets wayyyyy less sleep than I. I am SO thankful for him.

Though my home is not everything I want, it is everything I NEED right now. I am thankful for the blessings of income that God has given us. Though neither of us make an enormous amount, it is still enough to pay for our bills and put a little into ourselves and Raegan. We are truely blessed.

I am thankful for my mom. She is my best friend and the only person (besides Joey) that I tell everything to. She is my confidante. She is ALMOST as much a part of Raegan's life as Joey and I are! She is in love with her and forces herself in her life. I wouldn't have it any other way. She has done so much to help us since Raegan has been here. She brings us dinner from time to time. She takes Raegan to daycare EVERY morning. She takes off work when Raegan is sick. She has been there for us from the beginning.

I am immensely grateful to BOTH of my parents for raising me in a Christian home. Since I have begun teaching, I have learned a lot about the influence of home life on children. Seeing how some of these children behave due to how they have been raised has really made me appreciate even more the Christ-like attitude my parents exemplify on a daily basis and makes me strive to be the same Godly example in Raegan's life.

Lastly, but MOST importantly, I am so thankful for Christ's sacrifice on the cross to save me. I fall short daily on being the woman he wants me to be, but thanks to the suffering of my Jesus Christ, I am forgiven and promised eternal life, despite my shortcomings. I can NEVER truely express my love and gratitude for His gift to me. I only hope that in some small way, I can make him proud by the way I live my life, love my family, and raise my children to love Christ too.