Blessings of 2010

It is time to visit the blessings of this year. Every year I like to make a list and remind myself of all the things that God has blessed me with throughout the year. Some things make the list every year while others are new to the list. Jillian and I made a different list yesterday and with her help it got up to about 60 things. Luckily for you, I won't be sharing all of those things with you at this time. That list consisted of everything from family to public service workers to animals, but here is my list - just Erin's list of things to be thankful for- for the year.

1. For a Savior who doesn't interrupt my life with his plans but offers up a divine intervention in the plans I have made for myself.

2. My husband who has endured years of emotional yuck from me because of infertility and all of its garbage and survived a year of even more emotions and hormones this year. I am beyond blessed that he is so patient with me.

3. My children!!!! Right there - I get to say children. Jillian has been a blessing for almost 7 years and this year we have gotten to add to that. I had all but given up on having another child and God gave us a precious son to fill our hearts and our home.

4. Our parents, sisters, and their families. When I listen to other people talk or hear what my students have to say about "normal" life, I realize that we are so lucky to be surrounded by people who love each other.

5. Our friends and adopted family members. I include these people every year. Each one of these people have become an important part of lives over the years. Not because they have to be but because they want to be, and we appreciate their love and support - through the hard times as well as the especially good ones.

6. Our jobs - and my time off from mine :)!!! God has blessed us with jobs. Jobs we like.

7. The beauty of nature. This fall I have seen some beautiful colors and scenes. It so reminds me that life should be filled with awe and wonder of the creation. May I never take it for granted.

8. College football. I know that most don't understand or get my passion. Sometimes I don't really understand it myself. I may be the only 34-year-old woman I know whose most viewed website is ESPN, but I love it. And, as usual, I am saddened that it is about to end.

9. Running water. My college pastor's devotions this week were about being thankful, and one day he said we should think of 3 simple things we tend to take for granted. Running water was the first thing that popped into my head. That and electricity.

10. Christmas decorations. We aren't decorated completely yet, but I just love thinking about it. I love the glow of the Christmas lights and the ambiance it creates. We will turn this place into a Christmas-looking place before too long and I can't wait.

11. Sleeping in my own bed. It isn't like I spend a lot of time away from home, but when I do, I love, love, love coming home to my own bed. I love snuggling down in there and forgetting that the world is turning for a few hours. And it is even sweeter when the sheets are clean!

12. Funny stories. I love to laugh until it hurts. I have found that children have a wonderful knack for telling this type of story.

13. Truly worshipping the Lord.

14. Kissing a newborn baby - especially on some chubby cheeks. And trust me when I say, I have done a lot of that in the last week.

15. Lessons learned. Good ones, bad ones, difficult one, easy ones, etc. We all learn things. Some of those lessons we readily apply to our lives while others we try to forget or avoid. But those lessons can mold us and shape us along the way if we will heed them.