Things I am thankful for...

Ephesians 5:20 speaks of, "giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" . It struck me this morning that I take most of my life for granted, never stopping to give thanks to the "Giver of all good and perfect gifts" . Most days, I have a particularly ungrateful, covetous spirit, and exist oblivious to the beauty, riches, and blessing around me. So, for today, I want to open my encrusted eyes and try to be grateful rather than ungodly. What follows will be a rambling, random list of the things I am grateful to God for. I will update the list as things come to my mind.

My wise, Spirit-led, God fearing, patient, loving, Husband
Five beautiful healthy children
Our beautiful home ... a dream come true
A roof that does not leak
Lovely warm heat
Hot showers
Lamp light to read by
Lots of food...never seeing my children hungry
Books, books, and more books
A husband who talks to me about interesting things...like foreign policy and diplomacy
Wooden toys
Children who are reading
Light filtering through panels of lace
Coffee all the time with my very best friend
A sick little raspy voice saying I love you in the night
A dining room color that makes me happy
Blue Nordic tea cups used every morning
Membership to the High Museum
A porch swing
My Down comforter
Boot cut blue jeans
A massive, rugged oak dining table that makes me happy every time I see it
My awesome washer and dryer
Butterflies on my kids ceilings
Beautiful quilts
A lovely, working, car
Windows everywhere
My husbands briefcase...I just really like it :)
Family we love
Clothes I like for my family
Petite Cheri perfume
A big kitchen
Fat babies
A yard my children love to play in
Jammie rides for ice cream
A blog to write
Magnolia, oak, and sugar maples snug against my house
A husband who likes to hold me during football games
Legos
Radio Flyer bikes
Our guitar
Hobbit breakfasts
Sushi whenever I ask
My sewing machine
Smoothies
Gap Maternity clothes
A family that hugs each other all the time
High ceilings, wood floors, and thick mouldings
Japanese Literati paintings on my screen saver
Drives to nowhere in particular
The perfect coffee table
Wool coats, scarves, and hats
Medicine
A precious little girl who survived a horrible fall
My engagement ring
Bourne Identity and Bourne Supremacy...mine to own
Narnia...the anniversary edition and the audio books!
Two wonderful girls who bless me by cleaning my house once a week
Two funny fish and a sleepy cat
Hot chocolate much more than we should!
Red velvet damask at a yard sale for a dollar
Chenille throw blankets
Glass bead necklaces made by little girls
Robert Frost's poetry
DSL
Starbucks
My grandmother's tea pot
Bitty Baby dolls
Twinkling Christmas lights
Children who ask, "how many days till Christmas?" every morning
18 cousins for my children within 1/4 mile
The ability to splurge at Whole Foods Market...olives...chocolate...cheese!
Traditions like autumn pumpkins, mountain apples, and eggnog lattes, and champagne with Chinese food...(don't ask !)