Gratitude.

do i dare say that i am thankful that i am not pregnant when i thought i was and didn't want to be.

How timely. I just blogged earlier about today being a melancholy day.
So, I am grateful for some small things today:
1. the ipod i won at a recent teachers' meeting
2. finding some 7 gypsies stamps i have been looking for the last month
3. my camera
4. grey's anatomy
5. good students
6. getting a tax refund this year
some big things:
1. my two healthy kiddos
2. my dear husband
3. my warm, comfy home
4. supportive parents
5. the power of prayer
6. the blogs of ali, cathy, and donna

I'm grateful for the Heidi Swapp class and Library of Memories too, to brighten my Thursday. (Thursdays are my favourite day but today it's been raining and miserable and my little boy is teething, so not so good)
I'm grateful to my childminder for being so great with my little boy that I don't feel anything but 100% happy to take some time away from him and work.
I'm grateful for my husband who is just the most loving, supportive guy I've ever known.
I'm grateful for the company of my cats and the love and play they bring to my house.
I'm grateful to my parents for all they have done and continue to do for me and my brother, and I'm grateful to have my brother because he has become an inspirational young man of late.
I'm grateful to innocent smoothies for helping me get me 5 a day, even when I'm super-stressed and busy.
I'm grateful for the the roof over my head, the peace around my home, the treasures within it and the fact that - despite all my gripes with the taxes, social care system, society in general and the government's foreigh policy - I live in a free and developed country.
I think too often I let stuff anger me or get me down or stress me out. I want most of all to remember that I can wake up each morning and make my own decisions, including what mood I am in and how things affect me. That's something many people elsewhere don't have and I should be grateful for it.
(oh, oops, where did that all come from?)

Nothing chases the blues away like counting your blessings!
Right now, I’m grateful that:
1. I took a lunch break away from work. As in, completely left the building, instead of sitting at my desk and eating while I work.
2. During said lunch break, my three year old niece told me that she loves me.
3. I just discovered that a new LSS is opening in my city. Yay!
4. Even though it’s snowing I know that Spring is just around the corner.
5. I will be 34 in two weeks and I don’t feel a day over 17. Wish that applied to looks, too! ;0)
Hope your day is brighter, Ali!

I'm thankful that I will be the future Mrs. Obama and you won't. HAHAHAHAHA
Now get out of that funk girlfriend!

I'm grateful for........
My husband who works hard and supportive everyday and I stay home with kids and 2 dogs.
My new camera nikon and epson r1800 photo printer!
Happy emails & mails from a very lady who owns a small scrapbook store which I HAVEN'T met yet! I live about 1/2 hr from her! Looking forward to meet her in spring! :)
Sunshine warm weather!!
YOU, Ali Edwards! ;-) all your works inspires me! And work hard for your son...congrats on autism speaks! :)

1. One son napping and other watching an old Mighty Mouse DVD, ie: computer time for me:-)
2. A new post on Ali's blog.
3. Warm sun in Moab today---signs of spring, alleluia!
4. Just knowing what I'm making for dinner tonight, knowing I won't have that usually 4:45 panic.
5. Inspiring friends
One such friend challenged us to follow her lead with a Lentan promise. A simple gratitude journal/scrapbook sounds like the best route for me.
Thanks for your constant inspiration!

My husband ..although in Baghdad is safe and asleep in the middle of the night there..and I've said my prayers for him today.
I have three beautiful healthy children and my mom loves me...no matter how much we aggravate each other occasionally.
Acetometophin, to knockout headaches that make me an impatient shrew.

I am in a grumpy mood too. My hubby said some unpleasant things. I said some unpleasant things. Since then (only 20 minutes) your blog is the second thing I have read regarding gratitude. Think there is a God breeze there?

I am grateful that my sister took my kids for me for a couple of hours today. It's nice to have some peace & quiet and nice to cross a couple of things off my to-do list. Thanks for this post, Ali, it's very encouraging today!

i hear ya! i've been in a major funk too. i think part of it is that it's finally beautiful here...in the 80s...yet i'm chained to a corporate desk indoors WITHOUT WINDOWS. gag me! but i'm thankful for lots of things despite the grumpiness!

Ali,
It's interesting you should write about someone else giving you gentle strenghtening reminders because for the past year or so (since CKU-Chicago) I've looked to your weblog to help put a little more focus and direction in my life. I love how you remind us to simplify, enjoy and just breath. The interesting part of all of this is that the other day someone said to me she loved our visits because my laughter and silliness is contagious, and she always end up having a better rest of the day. I guess that means we all need someone and we are needed by someone. Thank you for sharing your lovely insight. I'm looking forward to hopefully meeting you at CKU-Anaheim in June! I wish you a most beautiful and spiritually happy weekend.
~ Charity in Arizona

I am grateful for the suffering I've experienced in my life.
I know this sounds weird. But I truly believe that the suffering, the injustice, the personal tragedy that has happened in my family has given me the opportunity to turn evil into good--and I have CHOSEN to let beauty rise from the ashes.
For this, I am deeply grateful.

1. That Grey's Anatomy is on tonight.. the suspense is killing me.
2. iTunes- I just bought a ton of new music and I am loving it. I've been be-bopping to the Wicked Soundtrack. It's great.
3.The kiddies are quiet and occupied for a few moments.
4. Ben and Jerry's "Vermonty Python" flavored ice cream. Coffee liquoer ice cream and chocolate cows. YUMMMM
5. Scrapbooking kits. Saves me from going to the store and coming back with $50 worth of stuff that doesn't go together.
Thanks Ali! I feel happier already!

right now i'm thankful for snow...snow is falling outside my window right now & the scene is spectacular...everything gets so quiet & white...the tips of all of my evergreens look like they've been iced w/ frosting....it is just so beautiful!
hope have a happy thursday! gigi

I'm in a MAJOR funk too. Right now I'm too grumpy to be grateful for much. Maybe tomorrow will be different.

i am grateful for the small things today
1. "kisses" from my 10 month old son
2. iced coffee from Starbucks
3. a clean house
4. two new girlfriends
5. a great discussion with my husband this morning after a rough start to our day together
6. it's thursday... that means grey's tonight
7. homemade chocolate chip cookie dough in the fridge
8. God's faithfulness despite my humanness

I am grateful that I met my husband after a life threatening disease. I moved to UK for him, quit my job at the belgian newspaper that was slowly killing me. I am grateful for my new life, I am a princess in a fairy tale now. (A middle aged one, but hey, you have older princesses too)
I am also grateful that I did not have to raise seven kids, as a single parent, 3 girls and four boys, and the four boys are autistic.
How does she cope? Let me know Ali if you want a dvd, I recorded it...

I'm grateful for Miss Ali. You're a breath of fresh air. Someone truly special.
Eat chocolate. Rest. Be good to yourself.
XOXOXOX

I'm grateful to have a healthy, kicking baby girl inside of me.