30 Days of Thanks

I never did jump on the bandwagon with many of my friends to list something I'm thankful for each day.  With four days left this month, I guess that means I need to write about 7 or 8 each day.  So here goes: (These are not in any specific order of importance.  I am thankful for all of them equally).

1. I am thankful for days like today when I can have a long, quiet morning, just me and God. It's amazing the peace and tranquility that can wash over me when I take advantage of these days.
2. I am thankful to be spending Thanksgiving this year with both of my sons rather than living through the stressful, mind-boggling gamble through a psychologically overwhelming adoption process. 
3. I am thankful that God directed my principal to choose me to teach Pre-K this year.  I cannot even begin to express what a blessing that has turned out to be for me.  I truly love my job and thoroughly enjoy working with my precious four year olds.  They light up my world and keep me smiling all day long.  
4. I am thankful for a job that doesn't keep me glued to my computer every night and weekend trying to keep up with grades.  I can focus on being a mom to my tween and being a new parent to my teenager.  I have time to focus on them.
5. I am thankful for my boys' soccer teams.  They keep us very busy, but I see just how important those teams are for both of my boys' development and character.  They learn about teamwork, commitment, and respect.  They both have a coach that they look up to as a positive role in their lives.  They stay fit and healthy by being so active.  
6. I am thankful for my level-headed husband.  After being in Colombia for nearly a month without him, I learned just how much we need each other in order to be a functional family.  My emotions (hormones) can get the best of me at times, and his level head keeps everything running calmly and smoothly.
7. I am thankful for my church and everything it offers.  (My Life Group, my home group, my Bible study groups, Saturday night services, a youth pastor, a godly environment for my tween and teen, a place to serve and be served)
8. I am thankful for good friends that stand the test of time.  Friends that are always there, even when you don't see each other for a long time.  Friendships that never die.

So, there's my start to 30.  I will try my best to complete my list before the month is over this week.