Thankful Thursday (for REAL!)

So I have been having a difficult time doing Thankful Thursday posts on Thursday (instead of Friday) but today is the Day!

With Thanksgiving being only .ONE.WEEK.AWAY. it seems only fitting that everyone is suddenly thankful for everything in their lives.  There is a challenge of sorts on Face.book. right now that you need to post something you are thankful for every day through the end of the month.  It is encouraging to see so many positive status' instead of the regular negative ones (I am guilty too) but it makes a person wonder what we need to do to make sure that we remain thankful throughout the year, not just in November!

Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday...the warm colors that go along with it, the great smells, the together time with my awesome parents, brother & his wife, and of course Handsome, Princess, and Boo; along with so many other things.  Time off from work, a trip as a family, talk time as a couple (this year we will be discussing how to handle the son and his sudden need for NO sleep) but there is just so much to be thankful for!

On the flip side I could look at the fact that a 14 year dream of mine was within arms length and seemed like a very real possibility and just as quickly as it jumped into my lap it jumped out just last week...it isn't out forever, but for the time being and let me tell you that stunk!

I could also look at the fact that it seems that something is up with my 'good ear' (I cannot hear out of my right ear for somewhere around 4 years now) and am all of a sudden having a hard time with my right...to the point it is effecting my singing, my balance, and several other areas of life.  Will be getting this checked out right after Thanksgiving!

I could look at the fact that we were very much hoping to have added our E or O to the family by this Christmas...

Or that my daycare went from being full and receiving calls every week to having openings and no takers...

Or that this year it seems that while the holidays will bring us together with much of my family, my husbands family and us are 'seperated' and we will not be with them at all.

But that is not what it is all about.  God has blessed us as a nation greatly.  100 years ago if I lived a state away from my family I would have been lucky to seem them once a year...if that.  I can be thankful for the fact that I can by the shampoo at Wal.mart for 5.97 instead of the 0.97 stuff.  I have two (mostly) great children, a husband that is 100% commited to me, and I have parents that love me.

You look at a good chunk of this country and they have homes, with food, and clothing.  I know that isn't the case for everyone, but it is the case for most.  I am thankful today that God is in control and that He knows what is best.  My 14 year dream maybe isn't what is best for the family at this time, or maybe God has something better!

Give Thanks!