Blessed Beyond Measure and SO Thankful!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done!

With Thanksgiving soon approaching (and knowing we'll be extremely busy just about all of next week), I wanted to go ahead and count my blessings and write about what I'm thankful for. I know that after Thanksgiving I'll be eager to write about our holiday and time with family, and of course post pictures, so this is my opportunity to write about what Thanksgiving is really all about~ counting my blessings and giving thanks.

So many times it easy to forget just how blessed I am. I get caught up in complaining, comparing myself (and my life) to others, thinking about and longing for how I want things to be some day... when we have another baby, or move back to Barnesville, or have a bigger house, or aren't on a strict budget, etc., etc. (Living in the now and focusing on the present is another topic for another day though.) I can throw a pity party with the best of 'em! I don't like that about myself, but unfortunately it's true. I am a big time planner and when things don't work out like I'd planned, little things or big things, I tend to pout or start feeling sorry for myself. Thankfully, the Lord is SO patient with me and always reminds me of #1: Just how blessed I am, and #2: That I will never be perfectly content or satisfied on this Earth and He doesn't want me to be. Now, having said all that and admitting some not-so pleasant tendancies I have, I'm ready to count my blessings and name them one by one!

*My Heavenly Father. Without Him, I can't imagine where my life would be. His love and grace sustain me everyday and because He sent His Son, I have assurance of my salvation and hope for the future. Everything I've been blessed with is because of Him, therefore I try to always remember to turn every blessing He pours out back to praise.

Every good and perfect gift is from above. James 1:17.

Oh give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Psalm 105:1.

*My husband and best friend. I am so grateful for Terrell. He is a loving, supportive, hard working husband and a great provider for his family. I feel like this is always how I describe him, but it really sums him up. He has always been loving/sweet/caring since I've known him, but being married to him and facing challenges with him and the ups and downs of life together, I've been on the receiving end of his support more times than I can count or remember and I'm extra thankful for it. God knew I would need someone who could make me feel better and laugh and balance out my "Type A" personality on a regular basis, and Terrell does just that. He's also an extremely hard worker and does whatever needs to be done to make sure his family is provided for. I am SO thankful that he's willing to work as hard as he does to make sure I can continue to stay home and have my own business through Premier.

*My little man. I think after having a baby, you get to experience a little taste of how much God really loves you... and your parents too. Garrison Cade fills my heart with joy and I can't imagine anyone loving anyone or anything as much as I love him. He is such a blessing to us and we love watching him grow. Words can't express how thankful I am for him.

*My family. I am so, so thankful for my parents, sister, grandparents, and in-laws. I'm especially thankful for my grandparents because they helped shape and mold my parents... which directly benefited me! I'm thankful for the homes my parents came from and the way in which they were raised. I'm thankful that because of their parents and the homes they came from, my sister and I grew up in a loving, Christian home. I'm thankful that our family is so close and loves each other so much and makes each other a priority. I'm thankful that I was blessed with a great sister who is a close friend to me, like a sister to Terrell, and an amazing aunt to Garrison. I'm thankful for the relationship we've always had and the confidence I have that we'll always be best friends. I'm thankful for really great in-laws. I'm so grateful for Terrell's parents and that he grew up in a Christian home as well. I'm thankful they decided to attend First Baptist Church many, many years ago because that is where the Lord brought Terrell and I together. I'm thankful that Terrell's family has always accepted me and welcomed me as part of their family and for a great sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and two sweet nieces. When it comes to being thankful for family, I think one of the things I am most thankful for is the family my little man was born into. I am beyond grateful that he will grow up surrounded by such wonderful family members on both sides who will love him and pray for him and support him as he grows.

*Premier/Being a stay at home & work at home mom. Premier was an answererd prayer after we had Garrison and I didn't sign a contract to return to teaching. We knew we could make it financially on one income for a while, but we really wanted to find something I could do to bring in extra money while staying home. After all of my ideas basically falling through, God opened the door for Premier and it has been exactly what we prayed for. Because of Premier, I am able to stay home with Garrison every single day and I only have to be away for "work"/shows once or twice a week. I'm still able to make a great income but I'm also able to be at home and experience everything with Garrison on a daily basis. I haven't missed a single milestone and I don't have to worry about getting him up early every morning and being away from him all day, and then coming home to him exhausted from work. The Lord knew I wouldn't handle being a mom and a teacher very well, so I am extremely thankful He provided Premier! (I'm also extra thankful for my Premier "mom", all of the ladies I've met and become friends with through Premier, and the fact that Premier is a biblically based company).

Those were all the "biggies" but I'd also like to mention a few other things I'm extremely thankful for... my huge extended family, my health and the health of my family, the rights and freedoms I enjoy as an American and those who have and are fighting for our country, church in Barnesville, our home and material blessings, good neighbors, my puppy dog Bailey, Garrison's preschool, old and new friends, and last but not least~ the huge blessing and opportunity to be with both of our families as we celebrate the upcoming holidays. I have SO much to be thankful for... Praise God from whom all blessings flow!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!