Naming them one by one

Someone (a wise and joy-filled someone) told me today that birthdays are good days for counting our blessings. I like that. And decided to do exactly that.

On my thirty-fifth birthday, here are 35 random things for which I am very grateful today:

1. My husband. Bob is a wonderful blessing. Not everyone is married to their best friend. I am.

2. A birthday date with said husband. We needed that! We had a great night out, eating on the outdoor patio at P.F. Chang’s before the rain hit. It reminded me of our honeymoon in St. Lucia. And anything that brings back honeymoon memories must be good.

3. Free babysitting for said date. Thanks Mom and Dad!

4. Matthew. I can’t say enough about how much I love this buddy. I love being his mom and wouldn’t trade the privilege for anything.

5. Nolan. My little Nolie-pie. Just getting to know our little baby and I love his happy, cuddly self. I’m looking forward to learning more about him every day.

6. My sister, Shari. My other best friend. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful sibling. I would talk to her on the phone all day, every day if I could.

7. My parents. I am very blessed to have grown up in a loving, happy family. With two parents who love me. And who now are truly wonderful friends too. They are so generous to us in every way. And are on Matthew’s favorite people in the whole world list.

8. Bob’s parents. I am blessed to have a mother- and father-in-law who love me and love God.

9. My extended family. I have five sisters-in-law, seven brothers-in-law, and 20 nieces and nephews. Bill + Anne, Michael and Stephanie; Kevin + Mary, Elizabeth, Kevin, Kyle and Kellan; Dave + Carol, Steven and Bri; Tom + Lisa, David, Sara, Savannah, Karia, and Peyton; Mark, Curtis, Danny and Jason; Tommy + Annie, Jakey and Katie; Mark + Shari and Esme. I am very blessed.

10. Wonderful friends, new and old. The kind that encourage, build-up and inspire.

11. Wednesday Playgroup. It is so nice to have a day set aside to get-together and talk and play and feel connected, despite the busyness of life. Thanks Danielle and Amy!

12. Once-a-month dinner with the Wilsons and Timpfs. We always look forward to our get-togethers with these two amazing families whose lives are open, honest, and unselfish and lead us closer to God by their friendship.

13. Special occasion iced-cappuccinos from Tim Horton’s. Mmmmmm… Bob treated me to one this morning.

14. A safe home in a safe neighborhood for our kids to grow up.

15. Facebook. Lame I know, but some days I feel like it’s my only connection with the outside world. It’s been wonderful to catch up and reconnect with so many people I love but had lost touch with…

16. All the times my mom has brought me lunch during the week. And all the times my parents treat us to dinner or Saturday lunch. I’m glad we live so close.

17. Unlimited cell time to chat with Shari, when we can find a spare second. =)

18. That our good friends Dave + Amy live practically right around the block.

19. $5 Pizza.

20. All the helpful things that Bob does for me – bottle washing, laundry folding, shower scrubbing, fridge cleaning, cell phone charging, and on and on.

21. That I live in a country where I can worship freely and own, read, and study my Bible without hiding.

22. That Bob has a job. =)

23. That God has allowed me to use my talents in fun, unexpected ways…while bringing in enough extra income to eek it out. =)

24. Nice clients.

25. Our health and the health of our kids.

26. All the free things God has given us this year through our very generous friends and family: a wooden swing set/play structure from our neighbors, a Fisher-Price playhouse, a double stroller, a new (MUCH nicer) TV to replace our broken one, a Mac for Bob, hand-me downs for Matthew, loaned maternity clothes for me, and a fertilizer dispenser to help our pathetic yard become more grass than weeds this year. Thank you everyone!!!

27. Just when I had nothing to wear after this pregnancy, my mom surprised me with an envelope of money to go shopping. She had traded in one of my old gold necklaces for cash. THAT was a complete surprise and a HUGE blessing!

28. Matthew’s imagination. He keeps me laughing all day.

29. Meeting Esme, my newest little niece, just a couple weeks after she was born. And being able to see her two more times since at Thanksgiving and Christmas. And, of course, seeing Shari and Mark along with her was a blessing too!

30. Being able to stay home with Matthew and Nolan. Wouldn’t trade these precious moments for anything.

31. I also cherish every stolen moment I get to spend with Bob, Matthew or Nolan individually. I love my one-on-one time!

32. At the end of the day I’m always grateful for my comfy bed to fall into.

33. In the middle of the night, when I’m up with Nolan, I love endless cable stations to find some design or fashion show to watch. I have to find the silver lining to being rudely awakened from what should be a good night’s sleep =)

34. And the next morning I am very happy that there is Mountain Dew in my fridge!

35. I am thankful that I could keep counting and counting. I am so grateful for another year, full of too many blessings to list!