Thankful Thursday

Here we are with our third installment of Thankful Thursday.  This is when I take each Thursday in the month of November to say what I'm most thankful for.  If you'd like to recap, here is the post for the first week  and here is last week's post.  I love that I haven't run out of things to be thankful for! I don't think I could, really.


This week I'm thankful for my joyful attitude.  Or I could call it my eternally hopeful attitude.  I know my hope comes from the Lord.  I don't  have to constantly remind myself that He gives me a hope for my future, like some people have to do.   I don't even think about it.  It just is the way I'm programmed. Sure, I have been known to get into a funk now and again, but I've never suffered from depression, and I am always seeing the glass as half full.  My parents are both happy people as well.  We may have other generational curses (such as laziness), but as far  back as I know about, none of us has struggled with a curse of depression or pessimism. I am so thankful that God has given me a joyful attitude.  

I'm thankful for my In-laws.  When I married my husband, I married into a terrific family.  My father-in-law is a pastor of a small church in a small town, and they live a quiet life.  He takes care of his family, home and church with respect, patience, and a touch of humor. He has the biggest laugh, and his voice sounds like the voice of God.  (Jack is always captivated by him when he talks)   My mother-in-law is the sweetest woman I think I've ever met.  She will do anything for anyone, and doesn't think anything of her amazing generosity.  (And her pecan pie is the BEST ever!!) My sister-in-law is homeschooling a small army 5 great kids in their tiny home (anxiously awaiting the time when their new home will be finished). Those kids are AMAZING.  They are so kind, compassionate, friendly, funny, and beautiful (or handsome - I don't want to call the boy beautiful!) She is a role model for me as a mother.  My brother-in-law is very kind, and he has the same laugh as my husband.  When they get together, it can be an endless amount of fart jokes, or it can be an deep conversation about theology.  I love to see them spend time together.  I couldn't have asked for a better family to marry into.  They are supportive, encouraging, and loving.  What more can you ask for?

It may seem odd, but I'm thankful for Facebook and Blogs.  Since having Jack and getting into Facebook and reading blogs, I've reconnected with a TON of old friends, and I've learned so much about parenting, cooking, homeschooling, photography, cloth diapering, baby wearing...the list is endless.  Being an extrovert, I'm recharged by interacting with people. Being a woman, I like to share my feelings with other women.  The internet has allowed me to do that without even leaving my family room.  (often times still in my pj's).  There are two friendships in particular that have been reintroduced through Facebook that have been vital to my journey as a new mother.  All three of us had our first babies within a few months of each other, and we share common parenting philosophies.  When you're a new mom, you need to find a support team, and I've been blessed with two great friends who are my support team.

Wheww!  That's a lot to be thankful for!  I'm planning on posting next week for the final Thankful Thursday, but that's only if I figure out how to set a post to publish when I'm not around.  We'll be traveling to my in-law's for the holiday, so I won't actually be around on Thursday.  I hope you all have been able to take a little time to think of what you can be thankful for in your life.  It can change your attitude for the day when you stop to ponder the positive.  Again, feel free to link up to this if you're sharing a Thankful Thursday post.