ABC's of Gratefulness

Gratitude Challenge Day 2

So like in my post yesterday, I have committed to 21 days of being grateful.  I hope to open my eyes to the world around me and not take everything for granted.  I have led a pretty easy life...unlike some of my kids at work.  I am reminded how blessed I am for having a family that loves me and supports me.  I do need to stop and remember the little things too though.  So there's my commitment and day 2 is to make an ABC's of Gratefulness

America

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.  I am so grateful to live in this wonderful country.  Even when others say bad things about it, I'm still not moving to any other country to live.  I tell'em if you don't like it go somewhere else.  They never have anything to say after that :)

Biscuits and Gravy

My all-time favorite food growing up and now.  My mom makes the best gravy and I am still learning how.  I am so thankful I grew up on this yummilicious heart healthy food!!

Children

Nice ones and Mean ones too.  I love working with children, they keep me young at heart and my mind pure from all of the hate and negatives in this world.  If you know me, you know I live in my 'Kelly Bubble' and everything is wonderful in the bubble.  My kiddos at work, help me stay in that bubble, because majority of them have already gone through so many terrible things, that I couldn't imagine going through at their age.  I also love all my friends children.  It is so much fun to watch them grow and change into their own person.  They are just wonderful.  And Mike and I hope to have a few of our own in the future. 

Dogs

Especially Labradors!  I know I may be bias, because I grew up with Black Labs, but to me the are the best creatures God could've created for me.  Remi, our 1.5 year old black lab, is just the joy of my life...I don't have real kids yet, so my furkids are my life.  She makes me smile when I've had a 'ruff' day.  And I absolutely love her tail...it's ALWAYS wagging.  (I do love our 3.5 year kitty, Nellie, just as much too)

Luna and Panda on the left...my brothers dogs, Maggie Moo Black Lab in the back, and my little stinker Remi up front.  I just love them!!

ESPN
Really, I am thankful for it because it makes my husband so happy and he deserves to be happy!

Family

I adore my family.  They have been nothing, but the best.  My mom and dad always put my brother and I first and gave more than they really should've when times where hard.  They always wanted it to be better for us than it was for them (I think all parents maybe like that).  My brother, Casey is serving in Afghanistan, and I am so grateful and proud of his decision, because the rest of us weren't real thrilled when we found out that's what he had chosen to do. But it fits him perfectly and he loves it and is doing great. 

Dad, Mom, Casey, and Me...At the airport sending Casey off to Japan

Girl's Night

Girl's just wanna have fun, right?!  I love having fun with my girlfriends, wish I did it more often.  But we regularly meet up for dinner and drinks and just gab the night away.  It's so refreshing when I get to catch up with them.  Thank you Amber, Amy, Alayna, Jen, and Tiff for my girls night.  And to all my other girl friends that I don't get to see or talk to that often, I am so thankful for you and you being a part of my life.

Home

We bought our home in October 2008.  It felt like home immediately, we love everything about it...I especially love the kitchen and the back yard...its HUGE!  But thanks to my mom, because I don't have a lick of decorating scense, has helped Mike and I add some decor...its amazing how just adding some knick-knack stuff and pictures can really turn your house into a HOME. 

In-Laws

Yes, the Lord blessed me with fabulous In-Laws and I love them just as I love my own family.  They welcomed me into their family several, several years ago when Mike and I started dating (back in 1999!!).  Joanna, my SIL, was only in 8th grade (I think, maybe 9th) and I had been over to their house after only dating Mike for a couple of months and she and her friends asked me when we were going to get married!  So she knew something.  But they are wonderful.  I am just sad that Rick and Melanie live in Florida...sure its a great vacation spot, but we always have such a great time when they come into visit.  Maybe when they have grandbabies, they will move back!

Joanna and I at a wedding...are we cool or what?!

Jesus, my Lord and Savior

I am so grateful that He died on the cross for me.  I remember when I was saved...I was in 10 grade at an FCA meeting.  After letting Jesus in my heart, He has forever changed my life.  I am grateful for all the blessings He has given me, for what He has kept from me, and for what He has in store for me.

Kisses

from my hubby and my doogie!  A hug and kiss can always make things better for me, even if I get mad at Mike, he can always make it better if gives me a big ol' smooch!

Laughing

It's one of my most favorite things to do.  I think that besides Water, it is the best natural medicine you can get.  My favorite is when I laugh til I cry.

Mike

My Wonderful and Amazing Husband!  I am so thankful that God picked him just for me.  He keeps my on my toes and always gives me a great laugh.  I know there are times I don't stop to thank him like I should for being him.  He is wonderful and I love him so much!

Nature

I'm so thankful that God left us the beauty of nature to enjoy while here on Earth-oceans, lakes, leaves, grass, mountains, animals, trees, rivers, clouds, all of it.  I can't even imagine the beauty He has for us once we get to Heaven.

Oklahoma State University

ORANGE!!! I am so thankful for OSU.  I met so many wonderful people while I was there and made life-long friends and memories too.  I also found my passion while I was there too, Therapeutic Recreation and now I am a Recreation Therapist and love my job. Go Cowboys!

Photography

So thankful for photography, I have always loved it, but more recently it has become more and more of a passion of mine.  It helps me 'stop and smell the roses' if you know what I mean, I am more observant and really more grateful for all the small things that may seem silly, but I try to look for the beauty in even those and click away!

Quotes
I love reading quotes.  I am inspired by them so easily.  Sometimes my quotes are lyrics, Bible verses, things my kiddos or friends say.  I have so many favorites for many different reasons and they help me get through hard times and fun times too.

Rainbows

I'm thankful for the sign of God's promise to never destroy mankind again by water.  And I have seen so many beautiful rainbow the last few months. This is one of my favorites.

Sunshine

I am thankful that the sun will shine on me everyday.  It keeps my spirits high.

Thank yous

I'm thankful when someone notices something I've done and says thank you...maybe its not the actual words, but it may be a kind smile or a friendly wave or even a hug. 

USMC
I am so thankful for all the men and women that represent and keep our country safe.  My brother being one of them and several of his friends.  I keep them in my prayers daily.  I have a favorite shirt that says Got Freedom? and on the back it says Thank a Marine.  Sometimes it gives me chills when I think about it.  Thank you to all how have served and are serving now.  God Bless you all!!

Vacations

Mike and I haven't toured the world yet, but it's something that we look forward to doing throughout our lives together.  We've been to places with our parents, but our first real vacation just the two of us was our Honeymoon to the Bahamas...thanks to his parents, we got to stay at The Atlantis Hotel.  It was wonderful.  Then we took our next big vacation to St. Lucia....by far the most beautiful place I've ever seen.  We both didn't want to come back. 

Weather

I am thankful for it all, I love the snow, rain, wind, lightning, thunder, sunshine, clouds, All of it! This was my first attempt of capturing lightening in May 2010.

X-tra

anything...frosting, pictures, time, cookies...

Young Spirited

Keeps me in my "Kelly Bubble" and a child at heart. 

Zoe

Okay, so I saw this somewhere else and then Wikipedied it and it said it's from ancient Greece and means "Life" in Greek.  So I am thankful for my Life.