Tonight there are so many gifts I have in my life to be thankful for...I don't even know where to begin.

Thankful for the mind numbing tiredness that engulfs me as I sit here and type.  The kind of exhaustion that wraps around me like a blanket on a cold winter's night.  A wonderful tiredness that comes from preparing food for those I love and who love me back.  Bone tired from standing at a sink washing dishes, but thankful for the hot water and suds in which to wash them, knowing I'll sleep soundly from a day well spent.

I'm thankful for the ability to laugh...at the antics of children and adults alike...as well as at myself.

 For rolls, a cake and a turkey that didn't come out quite right, but still graced our table beautifully and the hands I held as a small child's sweet voice said grace, I am so very thankful.   

Thankful for the ache in my back that came from carrying His special gift (in the form of a two year old) around on my hip and not from carrying around old grudges or hard feelings.

Blessed for my tired, achy knees that managed to hold me upright all day, yet still allowed me to kneel at day's end, bow my head and count my blessings...one.by.one.

Grateful for my eyes to see all the beautiful faces that surrounded me today and to see clearly what matters most.

Blessed beyond measure for my ears to hear the chattering around me, the lilt of happy voices, and to hear the most beautiful word in the world..."Nana"...spoken by two precious girls.  To hear "I love you more" spoken with a bit of lisp and in baby-ese and to know they do, I am thankful...even though I know it's impossible for them to love me more than I love them.

Thankful for my tongue that allows me to taste all the different flavors on the table, talk until the family throws me a roll to shut me up, and gives me the voice to praise Him. 

Rene' is having a giveaway on her blog Miss Gracie's House and she inspired my Thanksgiving post.  Sometimes I get so busy with the day-to-day, I fail to see all the small blessings in my life.  Not to make light, but simple things like indoor plumbing, a pillow, or breathing in and out that sometimes I fail to say thank you for.  Thanks to Rene', I'm going to be listing the gifts I've been given on a weekly basis.  It may take me the rest of my life to say thank you to God for all that He has given me, but He took the time to bless me....and after all...what time I have, is given to me by Him and belongs to Him.

All that I have...all that I am...all that I hope to be...

from a humble and grateful heart...

I say Thank you Lord.