I am grateful...

Today has been a long day and I didn't get this posted first thing as I have been. Oh well. Here it is any way.

1. Cell Phone - I left my cell in Josh's car last night and didn't have it today. There were so many times I reached for it (especially in the car) and didn't have it. I am addicted.
2. Sweet Innocence - Without going into detail here, my mom is have an upcoming surgery. It is quite serious and dangerous. Last night I explained to the girls what was happening and suggested that in our family prayers and their personal prayers they pray for grandma, the doctors that will work with her and grandpa. Lexi immediately got emotional - nearly broke my heart. She was so concerned and asked about 15 questions. Finally she ended with I need to call Grandma and tell her I love her and that I will be praying for her.
3. Patience - I just wish I had more of it. Lately when I think of patience I think of the movie, "Evan Almighty". In it God is quoted as saying, when you pray for patience do you get more patience or are you put in situations that give the opportunity to exercise more patience. Let's just say I have a lot of those opportunities. I do wish I responded better in most of them. Though I am grateful for what I have and do continually pray for more.
4. Laundry basket - I know it is a trivial thing. However, when I do laundry for 6 people. It can build up quite quickly. It can be a juggle to carry multiple stacks or I have to take way too many trips - it is a convenience thing.
5. DVD players in cars. This has been a saving thing for me lately with Brendon. Preschool is around nap time. Because I frequently have to wake him up he is usually mad on the trip. If his cup and a snack don't do it - usually a movie will =)
6. Music - I don't listen to much that isn't spiritual, inspirational or classical. Maybe that is why music affects me so profoundly. I learned to love music through my parents - mostly my dad (and grandma). Dad was always playing something: piano, organ, clarinet or singing as I grew up. Mom may not have had the "natural" talent, but she taught herself to play the piano and was always in the church choir.
7. Pictures. They can just capture those sweet moments. I am grateful for the memories that surround me because I have them displayed in my home.
8. Web Cam - Now I can't say that I am actually using one. But I have one. My sister and her family were gone for two months over the summer and I had "Michelle" withdrawals. It was hard being in different time zones and not being able to talk whenever I wanted to. In seven months she, along with her family, are moving to China for TWO YEARS!!!! I am glad I have this way to be able to communicate with her when she is gone.
9. Bug spray. I HATE bugs with a passion - especially the kind that jump at me. The bug guys come soon and I can hardly wait. We keep getting tons of crickets here and I do not like it!
10. Weed killer. I hate pulling weeds as well. I spray my yard wait about two weeks and go rake up what I sprayed - That simple. It works well on tough jobs too. I wish I had before and after photos of the house next door (It was vacated several months ago. It was a weed factory and the Realtor listing it was doing nothing about it.) I got tired of looking at them. I sprayed them and cleaned it up - looks fabulous now!!