I think a thankful heart is key to a happy life.  I do try to count my blessings daily.  I know that I am blessed and that God is watching over me everyday.  I have seen the grains of gratitude posts around blogville and can’t remember if I have ever done this before, but I think it is a good thing to start.

1.  I’m grateful for a warm comfortable home to live in with my family. After the  week without electricity in December, it is so wonderful to have lights that turn on and a refrigerator that is cold… not to mention water that runs!  All blessings that I know I tend to take for granted.  Thank you God.

2.  I’m grateful for my four children.  They are all blessings.  Thank you God.

3.  I’m grateful for my husband.  He has always worked very hard enabling me to be a SAHM and student at times.  He is a blessing and he loves me very much.  Thank you God.

4.  I’m grateful for a church family that I look forward to attending.  The sermons from the pulpit are encouraging and convicting, the people are faith filled and very loving.  Thank you God.

5.  I’m grateful for parents who love me so much.  They are a blessing.  Thank you God.

6.  I’m grateful for wonderful friends, both seen and unseen who encourage, strengthen, show love and support.  They are all a blessing.  Thank you God.

7.  I’m grateful for you.  Thank you God

Guess what I got today??? A new puppy. Just what I need, right? I’m having second thoughts already. It’s so cute though. Just look at the little yorky face!

I can’t come up with a name. He has been sick (once on matt’s lap (yikes) and once in my floor! ick. I think he’s traumatized being taken from his mama. He seems okay now. Since Bailey has been the one to take him out and clean up after him, he thinks he has veto rights on the name. I suggested a few… dexter, cosmo, pepperoni (pepper for short), and none of these meet Bailey’s approval. He likes the name ‘ninja’… I guess a 13 year old boy would like that name. I personally really don’t like it. I’m up for suggestions!

It’s been a busy day… I helped matt rake and load the big fire of limbs this morning, took Emelia and her friend to veggie tales outing, took amanda to work because boyfriend wanted to pick her up… I ran in JCPenny for a sec and MAN they have awesome sales!!! If I had more time I would have had a blast. I grabbed four sweaters in a huge hurry and ran to the cashier. I hope I can make it back there soon. We had chinese for dinner. It was so good! I used some of my bonus points to eat. When I weighed today I was down 2 more pounds. YAY.

Karen gave me this sweet award.

The Award originated with Penelope Ann of Cafe at the End of the Universe.

This is what she says about the Award:

“I am sending some love out to my friends in the form of an award: Everyone I meet online deserves this (almost) but some more than others have been exactly what I needed, so I am giving them this award I found out there….should they think it should be returned to me, that would not be disliked. I do ask they also select a few friends to pass it along too though as well…”

Of course I send it right back to sweet Karen!

Also Nancy who stops by every day and leaves sweet notes here. Thanks Nancy. I can’t leave Lauren (her daughter) out!  Lauren is a sweetie!

To my new friends Yvonne who is always super kind and Kellie who was a real help this week!

To my irl friend Julie!

To Jodi, Judi, & Haley who I feel like I have known forever already!

And to my igoogle pals Amanda, Jenny & Sonya.

To DJ and to Hope. Such kind woman … both of them.

Last but not least to my friends Tammy, Sue and Kahri.

Everyone who stops by here show kindness. Thank you.

I’d like to pass this spreader of love award to all of you who stop by and take time to read my mostly scattered, usually uneventful posts! Your sweet comments bring a smile to my face & heart.