30 Days of Thanksgiving

I don't normally participate in blog challenges because I just don't have time. But I read about this one on DeEtta's blog and thought it was something I really NEEDED to do. Here it is from Life With Two Little Vikings:

Today is the first day of 30 Days of Thanksgiving! Can you name thirty people in your life that bless your socks off!? LOL

Hopefully, once you get writing, you may find that it'll be hard to *limit* your list to 30...and that is the ultimate goal. More awareness of how truly blessed we are. Like the Advent season leads us to Christmas, think of this as a daily reminder to prepare us for Thanksgiving.

This challenge is not meant to be difficult or complicated. Simply make a list (written or mental) of thirty people in your life that make your daily walk easier: friends, family, those that have made you smile when your day is somewhat blue.

Then, resolve that every day from today until Turkey Day you will send a note (either snail mail, hand-delivered, or electronically) to one of those folks.

So few of us regularly take the time to drop an "atta boy" or "atta girl" on someone but so many around us could really use it. We all have rough days, doubts, and grumbling times. You could be the one to brush away those clouds for someone!

And, while this challenge is not exclusively meant for believers, for those that are - this outpouring of daily thanksgiving and praise should be a lifestyle! And, maybe this is the way to begin that habit!

It brought tears to my eyes as I began to think about 30 people who bless my life, who make my daily walk easier. In addition to writing the notes, I wanted to add the list for all of you to see:

1. Greg, who never complains about helping with housework
2. Kim L., who always volunteers to watch the kids so I can do whatever
3. Kim M., who knows like no one else exactly what we went through a couple of years ago
4. Angie, who always calls just to chat and makes me laugh
5. Laurie, who has known me for SO long that I can totally be myself with her
6. Landon, my oldest son who always tries to take the load off of me
7. Jamie, a new friend who encourages me and lets me encourage her
8. and 9. Joyce and Lynn, a couple from church who never fail to encourage me
10. Mary, who loves my kids like they were her own children or grandchildren
11. Terry, who stayed up all night playing Panzer Leader with Landon
12. Gerren, who is the best cook's helper a mom could want
13. Chase, who is the most faithful prayer warrior I know
14. Carys, who loves Mom better than anyone else in the world
15. Scott, who cuts our hair and is a great friend on top of that
16. My dad, who is always willing to help in whatever way he can
17. My mom, who tries to look at everything positively
18. Greg's mom, who is a willing babysitter
19. Edwin, a student when I was in my first 2 years of teaching who ended up blessing us more than he'll ever know with a new job for Greg and his friendship too
20. Kristen, his wife who is a really smart, competent woman that I'm enjoying getting to know
21. Joanna, who blesses me with her friendship
22. DeEtta, one of the owners of the SHS Loop, who always speaks grace and truth into my life and sets an awesome example of Biblical motherhood
23. Liz, from the SHS Loop, who taught me via this loop to make hooded baby towels. Every time I make one I think of her
24. Yvonne, from the SHS loop, for her words of wisdom over the years
25. Emily, from the SHS loop, who's given freely of her time to help me figure out Bare Escentuals makeup
26. Kate, from the SHS loop and Hands and Heart, who never fails to find things to thank God for even though she's dealing daily with the serious illness of his 1yo son
27. The many other members of the SHS loop who are too numerous to mention individually but have been a constant source of encouragement, wisdom and love toward me for the almost9 years I've been a member
28. Lori, my down-the-street neighbor, who is always there and willing to help even though I don't get to see or talk to her as often as I'd like
29. The many moms in my local support group, CCHEA, who never forget to say "thanks for all you do"
30. Jesus, okay I can't send him a note, but what would I be without him?

Now, to catch up on my note writing!