Ah the month of November. I have to say it is one of my favorite months. I have enjoyed the constant posts about being thankful on Facebook and I really enjoyed the sermon I heard preached last night entitled "Thanks". I realize that sounded sarcastic but I am not intending it to be. I really have needed this reminder to be thankful.

November has given me the opportunity to examine my own heart and I am realizing there is a certain amount of ungratefulness that resides there. Ungratefulness is ugly. It shows up at the most inappropriate times. For instance when I am in the middle of a giant pity party, which I just so happened to find myself in this past week. The hard thing about my pity party is that is doesn't just affect me, it affects everyone in my house. Our house loses it's joy and it's peace when we begin indulging in self pity, which is a form of Ungratefulness. I feel like Ungratefulness is the root of a lot of our issues, self pity, insecurity and jealousy all stem from not being thankful for the person we are and the things and circumstances of our own lives. The Bible says in Philippians 4:4-7

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

If you just skimmed that verse STOP take a minute and go back and read what it actually says. It says thank him for all he has done, THEN you will experience Gods peace. It is only in our thankfulness that we can truly experience Gods peace. I don't want to miss out on living in Gods peace. I also don't want to miss out on living my life because I am spending it being ungrateful for what I do have.

I found an ecard not too long ago that has sort of become my motto. Whenever things are not going the way I want I look at Matt and repeat what it says and it makes us laugh and remember what we do have,

It's true, my kids are cute.

I have decided to count my blessings, literally I am going to make a list, but not the list one would expect. I hope it is obvious that I am thankful for my husband and kids and such. I am going to do a list of the unexpected things in my life that I am thankful for, my Hope is that my list reminds you of your own list.

1. I am thankful for the weekend I just spent with Emery. I believe we made memories that will be a part of her forever.

She thug

2. I am thankful that we surprised my sister, there is something about a hug from your sister, sometimes it is all you need to make your heart feel better.

3. I am thankful that I don't have bus duty. As awful as breakfast duty is, I feel like bus duty would be worse. :)

4. I am thankful that I spend my days with a group of pretty amazing kids. Sure it is very difficult at times but I have the opportunity to speak life into kids that may never hear how special they are.

5. I am thankful to live far from home. It makes going home that much sweeter and it gives us the opportunity to have friends that become our family. I know it is rare to have friendships that are lifelong and I am grateful we have found people who I am certain will be around for a long time.

6. I am thankful that we are no longer living the American dream! Sold our house and are proudly renting a cute house that we love! The heater broke and we were not responsible for fixing it! Amazing!

7. I am thankful for Pinterest. To a creatively challenged individual Pinterest has closed the gap. Each month Miss Sisterhood would not be so beautiful without the help of Pinterest!

8. I am thankful that I love my husband. Not just love him but I love to spend time with him. I am thankful we are not just roommates or parents we are partners, soul mates in every sense of the word. He keeps my feet warm and laughs at my jokes, what else is there?