Tuesday's List : Thanksgiving Blessings

Today, Jessica, is listing all the things that we are thankful for as this holiday season approaches. I dont know about you, but I am thankful for a whole lot! Seriously.. I dont deserve even half of what I have been blessed with! :)

{1} my husband & children

If you haven’t noticed by now.. I absolutely adore my family. Don’t get me wrong, there are days when I just want to scream and get out of the house as quick as possible.. ha!.. but that’s just all part of the wonderful thing called FAMILY. I couldn’t have picked a better person to love and spend my life with. My husband is just plain amazing. I truly believe that no one else in the world could put up with me. I’m spoiled and grouchy in the morning and love to shop a little too much. I can not cook AT ALL. Despite it all.. he loves me. And I love him for it! My kids are the best part of my day. Yes, they drive me crazy about 88% of the time, but I just live for their little hugs and kisses. They’re happy and healthy and I just could not ask for me. I am SO thankful that God has blessed me with all 3 of them (maybe 4 soon?!). I am one lucky wife and momma!

{2} my extended family

I have to world's best mother and grandmother! Truly, I do! There is probably not a day that goes by that I don't speak to them. They are the strongest ladies I've ever met and they never cease to amaze me. Then, there's Chris' parents. You just dont get much better. Ann is what every grandmother should be. My kiddos are so lucky and I'm so lucky that they have her! Jay is probably the coolest Papa on the planet.. at least LK and E think so (and that's all that matters to him!) :) I definitely believe that a good family, only makes you and your home/marriage stronger!

{3} my friends

Recently, I've done a lot of soul searching. I've just been trying to figure out myself, where I am in life and who I want to be in my life. I definitely think that we're you're around negative people or jealous people or just people who bring you down, it's not good for you. You start to acquire their attitudes on things and it's just not healthy. Lately, I've been really figuring out who my "real friends" are. Yes, there are people who I will always be friends with and will always care about, but that doesn't mean I will talk to them everyday and get together as much. It's definitely a hard task to realize who really does care about you and hopes the best for you. Especially for me.. I try to always find the good in people. I dont like to believe that they could be doing or saying anything wrong. So.. for those of you (you know who you are...) that are the "keepers"! :) I am SO lucky to have you in my life. You help me to be a better person, a better wife and even a better mother. You realize that life is not perfect and it's just not fair.. and you love me for who I am! Friends are SO important.. and I truly have the best! It's true what they say.. some people grow up and others just dont! Thanks for growing up with me ladies! :)

{4} my pop

If you've been reading my blog in the last year or so, you know that my sweet Pop passed away in May of 2008. It it by far the hardest thing I've ever had to deal with.. and I still deal with it every single day. There is an empty place in my heart.. permanently! If there's one thing I've gained from his death, it's my belief in angels. I was always a "believer".. I think everyone is. But I truly am now. I believe there is one incredibly special angel watching over my two littles ones here on Earth. LK still talks to him and she even will tell me what they talk about sometimes. She says that she doesn't miss him b/c she sees him all the time. I dont know if Ethan ever sees him or talks to him.. he's still too young to tell us if he does. But I do know that he is EVERY BIT his Papa Kessler. From the nose, to the hair, to the just plain stubborness.. that sweet man in running through my E 100%! And I know that special angel has never smiled (and probaly laughed) so much! So, I am thankful for Pop and that our special angel watches over my babies.

{5} Our Life

In this tough economy that we've all been dealing with, there are so many families who have been forced to leave their homes and people who no longer have jobs and can't find one! I am so thankful that my kids have a pillow to lay their heads on at night and that we can afford to keep them warm. I am thankful that I can feed them and clothe them and keep them healthy. I am thankful that my husband still has a wonderful job with a wonderful company and he's able to provide for us. I really am just thankful all around. I know we tend to take a lot of things for granted... I know I do! I dont give a second thought to turning up the heat or covering up with a blanket or even throwing leftovers away... but think about all the people who can't do those things. Mothers who can't do those things for their children. My heart breaks for them! So, I know that I'm going to start paying attention to things more often, not take so many things for granted - so many luxuries b/c yes, heat and electricity are luxuries! - and just be THANKFUL!

{6} God

Recently, Chris and I have been attending a new church and we LOVE it! I can tell such a difference in how we act and treat others.. and how we bring God into our home. I just feel us becoming stronger Christians every day. I am so thankful for that. We look forward to a new sermon each week! So much so, that we had to miss church this past weekend b/c of everyone feeling sick, so we downloaded the Pod Cast sermon and listened to it that way! I am so thankful that I am FAR from a perfect person but that God loves me anyway. I am thankful that he fills my children's hearts with such love. I am thankful that I have him in my life and that I have a life to be thankful for. God is GREAT!

"God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20