End of Year Thanks

Here we are at the end of 2010. I can hardly believe how fast time goes. One of my favorite times of year is the week between Christmas and New Years. I love turning to the New Year with goals and plans and renewed desires of bettering myself. But before I turn to the new year, I want to reflect on the past year with thanks. I have so much to be thankful for in 2010.

• All of my family is ending this year with health and wellness. Sometimes we take that for granted, and today I am really thankful for it.
• I received a new calling (responsibility) in my church this year. It has required me to stretch, grow, and pray more than ever. I am thankful for hard things that make me grow.
• I lost a baby this year. My due date came and went last week, December 19th. I am thankful for God knowing my needs and helping me through this experience. I really can't imagine what life would have been like having a new baby the week that grandpa died. My Heavenly Father knew what would be better. I am thankful for a healthy body that knew the baby was not developing correctly. I think He is saving that baby for me!
• My amazing husband--I can't say enough here. He is what keeps me going.
• My wonderful and beautiful children. They are so fun. They bring me my greatest joys, and sometimes my biggest challenges! We have had a fun year together, growing, and learning, and working together. We spend A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER. You can't imagine how much this requires us to really get to know each other, have patience with each other, be kind to each other, help each other. I treasure this time of being with my children A LOT even though it is very hard sometimes. Those unpredictable precious moments we have together are worth any amount of hard work and hard times.
• A home, a job, food on the table---things I mostly take for granted.
• Family--My extended family is growing and growing. I gained two new nephews this year and a new niece. I gained a new sister-in-law too, and she is awesome!
• Friends--I really love my friends. They bring so many simple joys to my life that help the days go better, the trials a little easier, and fun times funner! (I know, it's not a word)
• Grandpa--I am so glad that he got to live the past 6 years with my parents. It was so nice to have him be a part of our daily lives. I am thankful my children got to know him, and that I got to know him better. I am glad we heeded the prompting to go and visit him last month. The doctors said that his cancer was slow moving and he could have a good year left, but we felt otherwise--driven to get down to see him. I am so thankful we did, that we got to spend some last moments, record some more of his life stories, and to hug him one last time.
• Moms and sisters--I just really need and love them
• I got a new bedroom set this summer, and it was a long time coming. Just one of those material things that I really have enjoyed every single day. I could do without it, but it really has been nice :)
• I ran in 4 different 5K races this year. I call it running, even though it is not very fast. I am just really glad to have accomplished the goal of getting into a bit of better shape. I still have a long way to go, but a year and a half ago when I started "running," it was hard to jog one time around the track--1/4 of a mile. The fact that I am "running" in front of other people is the miracle in itself.
• Andrew is reading.........Let's just say I am very thankful for this ;)
• I could go on and on and on. I am so thankful for a wonderful year, so many wonderful experiences, so many many blessings, so many tender mercies from above, and for being ready to turn and face a brand new year ahead!
• Goodbye 2010!