Things to be Thankful for...

This has been the most difficult year of my life. Other then my constant battle with infertility; my Mother and Grandfather were both diagnosed with cancer this year (4 surgeries between them) and my Great-grandmother broke her hip. I feel like most of this year has been spent in Doctors offices and hospitals. However, I know that God doesn't give us more then we can handle and although my cup runneth over with difficulties, what doesn't kill us will only make us stronger, right?!? When you have so many things that can ruin your day and weigh heavy on your mind it is easy to forget the blessings in your life. So in the spirit of the upcoming holiday I wanted to list the things that I am thankful for -

1. My husband, who is not just my soul mate & my bestfriend but my partner in crime; he is always there with a shoulder to cry on when I need one, I can always count on him for an honest opinion and he helps me find my strength when I do not think I have any left. ~ And for recently not only surprising me with the last three books in the twilight series but for also taking me to see Twilight even though he was only the 10th hetero man in the audience and the third oldest (I thought I would add this since I know he reads my blogs and because I wanted to share that this kind of selfless behavior is why he is the greatest husband in the world)

2. My family, because even when they are loud and/or embarassing, they have made me who I am today and I love them.

3. Friends, because they are the family that you choose. I know that know mater how many days we go without talking because our lives get busy that they are just one call away.

4. My Furbaby Austin, because even when he is being annoying or hyper he will always be my first baby.

6. I am thankful for my home. This year there are many people filing foreclosure and are homeless this holiday season. Although our house is older and in need of some repairs, it is our warm and cozy home.

7. I am thankful for the fact that both my Husband and I are employed and have health insurance. Sometimes, neither of us are happy with the work that we do but we do have a paycheck coming in and that is something to be incredibly thankful for.

8. Lastly I am thankful for being an American and living in a Country where although I did not vote for our newly elected president - I as a woman was able to vote, have fertility treatment available to me and am able to worship my God freely.

Not how we say our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our Thanksgiving ~ W.T. Purkiser