Thanksgiving

The past couple years, I have written daily Thanksgiving posts during the month of November. At other times in my life, I have kept gratitude journals--sometimes in November, sometimes (shockingly!) at various times of the year. I love doing these things. I wanted to do daily Thanksgiving posts again this year. It's incredibly beneficial to me and my state of mind going into the holiday season. However, it didn't get done. Lots isn't getting done in my life. Today, I sat with the kids and made Grateful Lists. My idea was that Beth would come up with six things, since she is 6-years-old; Nathan would have a list of eight things, since he is 8; etc. I think you get the idea. That worked for Nathan and Beth. Sarah and Ammon saw what I was doing--an ABC list--and chose to do it that way. Here are our lists:

Beth:
1. Mommy
2. Daddy
3. Family
4. Sky
5. God
6. Jesus

Nathan:
1. Mom
2. Dad
3. Me
4. T.V.
5. Beth
6. Sarah
7. Ammon
8. My home

Sarah:
Ammon
Beth
Christ
Dad
Eden
Family
God
Hopping
Ice Cream
Jam
Kelani
Love
Mom
Nathan
Orange
Phones
Quimbys (She's enjoying Beverly Cleary right now.)
Rain
Sarah
Time
Umbrellas
Vacations
Woods
X-rays
Yo-yos
Zoos

Ammon:
America
Beauty
Cats
Dad
Elisabeth
Forest
Good food
Health
Ice cream
Jell-o
Kit Kats
Love
Mom
Nathan
October
Priesthood
Quillows
Rocky Road
Sarah
Trees
Umbrellas
Vacations
Water
X-ray
Yummy food
Zoology

Me, Megan:
Ammon (who has a quiet desire to be the best he can possibly be.)

Bible (and other revealed scripture, a peaceful guide to living.)

Chris (I'm grateful for him more and more every day.)

Democracy (Even after a bitter and emotionally painful year when I became exhausted with the election cycle, I am deeply grateful for democracy.)

Elisabeth (who has a gentle nature.)

Family (both immediate and extended. I love every single one.)

God (Who is aware of me and loves me.)

Home (We were without a home for a while this year and the Lord blessed us with a home that is better than we could have imagined. I walk around in it filled with gratitude to be here.)

Illustrations (I love art in general, but I have a special love for children's picture books filled with beautiful illustrations.)

Jesus Christ (my Lord and Savior. I depend on His mercy daily.)

Knowledge (I'm very grateful for my own education and the process of educating my children.)

Love (I am in awe at the love we have been shown the last several months.)

Mountains (I love the beauty of the earth!)

Nathan (who makes me laugh and always looks out for others.)

Oceans (Again--I love the beauty of the earth!)

Parents (I have the very best ones. I'm also grateful for my in-laws.)

Quiet time (Awww . . . . )

Reading (a favorite past time both alone and with the children.)

Sarah (who is creative, giving, and always has a party up her sleeve.)

Trees (Our new home--New York--is breathtaking.)

United States (I believe in America. I believe in the goodness of America.)

Volcanoes (I love the various exciting things found on the earth!)

Water (Oh, I love clean drinking water. I'm so grateful to live where we have easy access to it.)

Xylophone (a bit lame, but you think of something that starts with X! I am grateful for music, in its many forms.)

Yesterday (My yesterdays have shaped who I am. I treasure my memories.)

Zoos (I love animals. I love to see animals. But I don't like to touch animals. Therefore, I love zoos.)