Thursday Thirteen

13 Reasons Why I Am Happy, Blessed & Thankful

1. My MIL had knee replacement surgery yesterday and she is doing fan.tas.tic!! I've had both my knees replaced and it was a very painful surgery. Mom is one tough cookie bcause she has only used her morphine drip a few times! Can you believe that? I am thrilled she is doing so well. I couldn't have asked for a better MIL. She loves me like one of her own.

2. I've discovered a new blog this morning and I fell in love with her instantly. Kimmie has six children and wants more. She has a heart for adoption and is open to God's calling. She writes beautifully and I can't wait to go back for another visit and read all her posts. I give you permission to leave this post and go say hello and see her beautiful kids. Go on, I don't mind!

3. I got lots of hugs yesterday just when I needed them most! Thank you friends!

4. My SIL came to see me yesterday. She was in town for her mom's surgery. She's been fighting breast cancer since the beginning of this year. She's lost her gorgeous red hair but she looks really, really good. She's always been there when I needed someone to talk to and I had a chance to share my heart yesterday. She's a great source of encouragment to me and always knows just what to say. Thank you Jesus for sending her just when I needed it most.

5. I'm happy just because the sun is shining, my kids are all peeling wallpaper and we are talking and laughing and remembering funny things we've all done. It's good to be able to laugh at ourselves from time to time.

6. I'm once again thankful that the May Day challenge is not a challenge for me right now. It's been ever so easy to eat healthy and often enough. Food is my source of energy and when I eat right I feel stronger, my skin is prettier and I go to the bathroom a lot more...hehe! TMI.

7. Less than a month until I get my new hip and then maybe only eight weeks after that until I get my other new hip! You put your new hip in, you put your new hip out, you put your new hip in and you shake it all about. You do the hokey pokey.................

8. I know, I know I say this all the time and I'm sure you are tired of reading it BUT...my Blogville friends mean the world to me. You really have no idea how this whole thing has been an encouragement to me. I have met so many wonderful ladies and I can't wait to meet all of you. It may not be on this earth, but boy what a meeting it will be! You'll know me right away because I'll be the one wearing my Donny Osmond concert tee shirt and doing flips and cartwheels and basically showing off!

9. Oh, and I will also be playing drums because down here I can't quite get the hang of it!

10. In all seriousness, I know that I will be on my hands and knees and praising God for all the wonderful things He has done for me. If it weren't for Him I would not survive another day.

11. I'm looking forward to my daughter's 19th birthday tomorrow! I can hardly believe it. She moved in when she was just 3 1/3 years old. She was the tiniest thing. She's only 4' 11" now so she's not that much bigger! She's my little nurse and takes great care of me. Happy Birthday Kara. I love you!

12. Even when I feel like I can't take one more burden I look at these three kids and just get that warm fuzzy feeling inside. I know it's corny, but it's true. God placed His trust in my husband and I to raise these children. I know I've made many mistakes, but the one thing they know more than anything is how much they are wanted and loved and appreciated for who they are. I am blessed beyond measure!

13. I am thankful for the trials that come my way. I'll admit I've been struggling a lot lately. It's not me and my health. That's nothing. I will get better. But I have had a long year of watching others suffer terribly. There are many things I don't understand in this world and maybe I never will, but I have to trust in God and remember that He does know what's best for us. He loves my kids, my father, my mother, my friends more than even me. And boy is that a lot of lovin'!!

What kind of things makes you happy, thankful and feeling blessed?