My Twist On Giving Thanks

Emma had an assignment in her class to think of something she is not thankful for and turn it into something she is thankful for. Parents were supposed to do it as well. Emma was thankful for doing dishes because if she didn't, we would have a stinky house. I put that I was thankful for driving my little ducklings all around town all day long, every day of the week because I get to see them doing things they love like dance, karate and soccer. This was a very thought provoking assignment, at least for me. It made me think of a lot of things I don't necessarily like, but challenged me to find the good in them. I decided to make a list...

• I am thankful for every single (there are many) wrinkle on my face. For each wrinkle I could tell you a story about how it got there. A wrinkle is a physical manifestation of a memory.





• I am thankful for all the countless hours Lee spends in meetings at church and away from our home. At least I know I could do the single mom thing if I had to.





• I am thankful for when it snows and dumps massive loads all over our driveway and sidewalks because then I get to go out and put in a good arm workout by shoveling it all.





• I am thankful that we get to use all of our extra money every month paying for our new car. It will definitely force me to get creative with Christmas this year.





• I am actually thankful for my selfishness. Because of this I have realized what a saint my husband actually is in putting up with me.
  




• I am thankful for when my kids whine and complain about doing Saturday chores. It gives me a chance to exercise my vocal chords and/or practice massive amounts of patience.
  



• I am thankful for the way I look in a bathing suit. I think of wearing my bathing suit as an act of service to those around me. After looking at me, others realize they don't look half bad.





• I am thankful that our super cute and lovable kitty cat, Sonny still chooses to use the restroom right outside of his litter box. OK, I can't really turn that one into something good. He just better be thankful that I haven't cut his tail off and used it as a key chain by now.





• I am thankful that my bum is so big. Because of me all the lonely jeans at the store at the back of the racks get some attention.





• I am thankful for that certain time of the month. Not only does it remind me that I am not pregnant, it also reminds me that I will one day have three daughters with that certain time of the month, hopefully at the same time, and that I should really enjoy how nice and sweet they are now.

Now, I know that some of these are silly and slightly sarcastic but on a serious note, I am truly thankful for many things that have been difficult for me this year. Our trials are what mold and shape our character. If we didn't have trials, we wouldn't know just how good our lives really are. I could spend hours thinking of all the negatives in my life, but somehow all those negatives slowly turn to positives and I find myself in prayer thanking my Heavenly Father for my trials and all the chances He gives me to better myself and strengthen my testimony. With every trial I am given, I take it as an opportunity to get to know myself, my Savior and my Heavenly Father more intimately, and for that I am eternally thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!!