what are you THANKFUL for?

This year we decided to fill a bucket full of thanks.  Randomly through out the week we either write a note, draw a picture or find things to put in our thankful bucket.  On Thanksgiving day we will pour out our bucket to see all that our family is thankful for.  Here are a few things I am thankful for:

• smells: i love the smell of the outside just after a good hard rain.
• snow: watching the flakes fall from the sky and collect on the ground. watching my kids outside playing. seeing the moon reflect it's light onto the snow during the night. it's becomes a beacon of light. it's beautiful.
• books: i enjoy reading, not only for pleasure but for understanding. i get excited to see my children read books all day, especially in the evening at bedtime.
• coupons: it might take me a long time to clip them, sort and file them into my binder BUT the money i save my family is exciting.  i have gotten some awesome deals with coupon shopping.
• fireplace: i know if the fireplace is going that i am keeping my family warm and saving on the heating bill.  it's one of the things that brings back memories of growing up in Georgia. 
• budget:  i have learned that i can live on a tight budget.  less really is more. when we live within our means the Lord blesses us with more.
• trials: when we are going through difficult times, we need to look for the positive and goodness that is happening around us.  everything happens for a reason. sometimes it happens so that we might change and come closer to Christ or Heavenly Father. sometimes we need to appreciate our friends or family. we have to believe that even though what we are going through is extremely hard it will also give us the greatest joy. He never said it would be easy but it would be worth it!!
• Christmas: it's my favorite time of the year! a perfect day would be snow collecting on the ground, decorations all over the house, music playing in the background and the family in the kitchen baking together. Christmas is making memories that will last a life time. it's truly giving to others. it's taking a drive around town to look at Christmas lights. it's watching my favorite movie 'Christmas Vacation' with Ryan. it's making crafts with my children. it's a wonderful time of the year and i am thankful it comes only once. :)
• time: for waking up in the middle of the night, thinking about what i am thankful for. now i am going to go back to sleep and let time continue on. time goes by fast. it's like a train. it's goes slow when we are little and as we get older it is running full speed ahead. thank you time for all you have given me.