Post 100 - My Little Random List of Thankfulness

Well, I'm officially at my 100th post, although I have several drafts still waiting to be edited, thought through, or finished.  In honor of my actual 100th "posted" post, I thought I would share some of the things I am grateful for and love.  This is by no means an exhaustive list, and just as sure has I hit the "publish" button, I'll think of other, worthier things I could have listed, but it is what it is. :-D

I am thankful for:

1. A God who loves me enough to have sacrificed his very own son to provide a way for me to be with Him forever.

2. Dave, a husband who is more than I deserve

3. Hannah, my joy

4. Eric, my laughter and hugs

5. Peter, my musical encourager

6. Kari, my precious gift

7. skittles - really!

8. friends who love me, put up with me, and challenge me

9. a mom who set a wonderful example for me of tithing, prayer, and exercise 

10. two very dear sisters - Paula and Tracy 

11. down comforters in duvet covers

12. rainy days

13. mint chocolate chip ice cream

14. five nieces-Sarah, Emily, Alyssa, Kristen, and Abigail

15. two nephews-Aaron and Hugo

16. a dad who loves sunsets as much as I do

17. quietly floating in the pool in the stillness of a warm night

18. comfy shoes, although I don't have too many pairs of those :-{

19. a sister-in-law, Wendy, who takes me to great restaurants in the city and is a great cook

20. flickering candles

21. an artistic sister-in-law, Nancy, whose artwork graces my walls and reminds me to look for beauty

22. the ocean

23. some great Bible studies: Lord, Calm my Anxious Heart;  Strong Women, Soft Hearts; Experiencing God; Breaking Free; Wisdom for Mothers.

24. a quilt my grandmother made me for my 18th birthday

25. Texas cake

26. tissues (truly, what a marvelous convenience!)

27. wonderful neighbors

28. Gingko biloba trees in the fall

29. Godly in-laws

30. a much loved foster daughter

31. continual forgiveness because of God's unconditional love and mercy

32. a car that is reliable

33.  three fabulous brothers-in-law: Dan, Ritch, and Todd

34. neighborhood walks

35. old family photographs

36. yellowed, clipped out, precious Ann Lander's columns 

37. country drives

38. Em Le's waffles

39. reading magazines

40. a stepmom who makes the best pomegranate jelly and has the patience of a saint

41. swinging at the park

42. country drives 

43. naps on Sundays

44. playing football in the street with my family

45. my underlined, highlighted, note-riddled, date-filled Bibles and devotional books

46. a father-in-law who "surprises" me with poinsettas every Christmas

47. my dining room hutch

48. mosaics

49. laughing till I cry

50. lip gloss

51. potatoes-any way you want to cook them

52. summer evening breezes

53. eyelid kisses when I'm not feeling well

54. good spinach dip

55. fresh water to drink

56. my New Life family

57. fun dancing songs

58. notes and cards from Dave - saved from when we were dating until now (I've gots LOTS of them!)

59. Tylenol sinus medication

60. unexpected blessings - that note in the mail, a middle-of-the-night time with God, the "I love you's" from my husband or one of my kids.

61. sleeping in

62. notes in my children's handwriting filled with phonetically correct spellings

63. my laptop computer

64. my students

65. walking along the beach

66. a mom and step-dad who pray for me and my family daily - and specifically

67. hot baths

68. Tide-To-Go pens - what a life-saver!  :-D

69. paper supply and stationery stores

70. Neutrogena Rainbath shower gel - the blue one only

71. sugar-free Hazelnut creamer

72. journals

73. leisurely trips to the bookstore

74. times away with my husband

75. my "hundreds" of cousins :-)

76. Lucy, our dog

77. Fun movies - The Princess Bride, That Thing You Do, the original Yours, Mine, and Ours

78. reading with my children

79. hearing squeaky, out-of-tune instrument practicing

80. Santa Barbara-my favorite California spot

81. homemade citrus ice cream

82. camping with my family

83. birthday lunches with my mom and sisters

84. lunch and coffee dates with friends- chatting the time away

85. being silly with my kids

86. having friends over for summertime bbq's

87. meaningful collages

88. reading before I go to sleep

89. the smell of the road after the first rain

90. eating tomatoes right off the vine

91. hearing my children laugh with one another

92. having Dave sit by me during church, a funeral, or a wedding because he's not speaking

93. hot coffee in the right shaped mug (one that fits perfectly in cold, cupped hands)

94. picnics with plenty of cheese, fresh fruit, and crackers

95. pottery

96. post-it notes (another lifesaver!)

97. irises and tulips

98. a healthy family

99. 4th of July with my extended family

and now for number 100..........

the way David squeezes my fingertips when he's holding my hand. ;-D