Much Obliged Monday

340.  Utilizing the food from our deep freezer - we have all sorts of forgotten treasures in there.
339.  Learning something new from unlikely sources - like when the moon will appear in the sky.
338.  The white covering of a frost to remind me that winter is almost here.  Even in Georgia!
337.  The poor souls who work retail during Black Friday and Christmas Eve and all of the days in between.  I've been there - and I appreciate them.
336.  All You magazine for its great articles, tips, and most importantly, coupons.
335.  Free shipping.
334.  Knowing that being "jobless" (or very close) came through no fault of my own.
333.  The relentless nagging of two very excited children who just want to put the Christmas decorations up....because they love this season as much or more than I do.
332.  Getting a complete family shot of all those present on Thanksgiving Day.
331.  The opportunity to experience something other than my same old 8-5.
330.  The feeling of family that I get when I walk through the doors of CBC.
329.  The opportunity to brush up on my cooking skills (or complete lack thereof!) now that I'll have the time to do so.
328.  The bittersweet realization that my growing young man would rather read his bedtime story to himself than with me and his little sister.
327.  Seeing my bouncing baby girl quite literally bouncing with excitement in her crib when I go get her in the morning.
326.  Seeing the joy on my kids' faces as they enjoy their new swingset.
325.  The news of a friend going into labor...because new babies are always a blessing!
324.  The anticipation of being able to enjoy the holiday busy-ness at home with my kids.
323.  The unexpected arm workout I got on Black Friday as I toted my goodies across the giant store of Kohls with nary a cart to be found.
322.  The blessing it has been for the past 5.5 years to have worked for a good, Christian man.
321.  Seeing tears in my boss's eyes as he cut my hours last week, because I know it hurt him probably more than it hurt me.
320.  Hearing Sarah "ohhh" and "ahhh" from the backseat over the Christmas lights in our neighborhood.
319.  Knowing full well that the previous week's events happened just as God intended.
318.  The dozens of deer who stayed on the shoulders during these trips.
317.  Four safe trips to and fro on I-16 during Thanksgiving week.

Most Plentiful Blessings Monday

316.  Overhearing kind things being said about others "behind their backs".
315.  Small boys holding doors open for the people behind them.
314.  Crisp, overcast mornings when you just know that rain is imminent.
313.  Adult conversation.
312.  Finally beginning to learn the art of conversation.
311.  Walking into a new place and feeling welcomed.
310.  The artwork in Ben's book bag.
309.  Every day that I don't get into an accident on the way into or home from work.
308.  Family recipes - like pumpkin roll, pepperoni bread, and cream cheese danish.
307.  The smell of a turkey roasting in my oven.
306.  Honey-crisp apples.
305.  Christmas music - especially "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day", which moves me to tears every time I hear it.
304.  An eighteen month old laundry helper.
303.  Sobering reminders that life is short, precious, and fragile.
302.  The long, slow process that has taught me how not to nag.  (Or at least helped me not to nag quite so much.)
301.  The night sky in Sylvania.
300.  Four doting grandparents for my kids to cherish.
299.  Grammie's unfailing love for her children and grandchildren.
298.  The privilege of seeing a need and being able to meet it.
297.  The freedom to come and go as necessary at work.
296.  The amazing power of prayer.  Not necessarily to change outcomes but to change and glean hearts.
295.  The luxury of showering at all.
294.  Hot showers.

Blessed Beyond Measure Monday

293.  An empty dishwasher.
292.  A full tank of gas.
291.  The example my old-school parents set for me.
290.  Not gaining, but maintaining my weight.  (Though, I admit, losing would be even better.)
289.  Weekends free from obligation.
288.  The doers of thankless tasks, who do them with a joyful heart and inspire me.
287.  Strangers who smile and wave.  I promise to do more of the same.
286.  Knowing that my wants are just that.  And that I can do without any and all of them.
285.  Not having to worry about where my next meal will come from.
284.  Seeing elementary-aged children help and encourage each other, especially when I expect the opposite.
283.  Finding a grateful home for my own hand-me-downs.
282.  Receiving hand-me-downs.
281.  The ability to buy my kids new tennis shoes when their old ones wear out.
280.  My husband, the experimental cook, and his creation of broccoli-potato soup.
279.  Light bulb moments.
278.  Seeing a spirit of gratitude being cultivated in my kids.
277.  When a ministry opportunity just falls in my lap.
276.  Safety during accidents that could have been much worse.
275.  The peace of the ever-present Holy Spirit....again and again.
274.  Use of the postage meter at work as a job perk.
273.  Surprise fruit baskets from big sisters.
272.  Health insurance...in a big way.  And we're healthy people.  I will try so hard not to take it for granted.

Most Grateful Monday

271.  Seeing and feeling friends turn into family.
270.  The anticipation of Black Friday shopping with my husband.
269.  A personal phone call from the doctor to check on me the day after surgery.
268.  Wilson's bakery and all of the other local businesses that continue to thrive because they offer amazing products, at fair prices, with amazing customer service.
267.  Pumpkin flavored treats...especially pumpkin roll.
266.  The perfect banana bread recipe.
265.  Ben's resolute determination to wear footie pajamas into adulthood, without fear of ridicule.
264.  Sarah's spontaneous dancing to the "tune" of the kitchen timer.
263.  Fall back, especially when I actually get to utilize that extra hour.
262.  Cold snaps in November.  (Especially since I don't expect them until January down here!)
261.  My grandfathers, who both served in WWII to ensure that we kept our freedoms that we maintain to this day.
260.  The peace Jesus has given us.
259.  An eruption of the Hallelujah chorus in a Philadelphia Macy's, the video of which moved me to tears (watch it here).
258.  A children's choir clad in red, white, and blue singing of their gratefulness to our Veterans.
257.  A mother-in-law who truly makes me feel like one of her own children.
256.  The tiniest bit of levity to break the tension.
255.  Modern medical technology.
254.  The recommendation of an acquaintance that turned out to be the answer to prayer.
253.  A son who left his piggy and blanket on my bed to help me feel better after my kidney stone procedure.
252.  A husband who pushes me to be more assertive and be an advocate for myself.
251.  The ability of the American collective to send a message to our leaders that we are dissatisfied with the job they are doing.

Many Thanks Monday

250.  Having friends of all ages in so many different stages in life that continue to teach me so much.
249.  Unexpected surprises in the mail.
248.  Every single time a friend announces that they are expecting a new baby.
247.  Seeing my feisty toddler stand up to her feistier big sister.
246.  A chorus of snores from three snoozing children.
245.  Sleeping with the windows open.
244.  Operation Christmas Child and the spirit of giving it is teaching my kids.
243.  The men & women who have died so that I can let my voice be heard.
242.  The privilege of casting a vote at the polls tomorrow.
241.  A toothpaste-covered toddler who was just trying to do like her big brother and sister and brush her teeth.
240.  Doctor-ordered sick days.
239.  Not feeling the effects of a kidney stone until the day after my PE exam.
238.  All of the volunteers that made the Harvest Festival a huge success.
237.  The Harvest Festival at CBC that reached hundreds of families last weekend.
236.  Pain medication.  (Sidenote:  I now know how easy it must be to become addicted in cases of chronic pain.)
235.  The safety and sense of community in our neighborhood on Halloween night.
234.  The sound of rowdy neighborhood boys playing together in the front yard.
232.  The peace I felt the morning before my PE exam.  That was God's answer to so many prayers from so many people.  Thank you.
231.  A church family who literally feels like family.  
230.  An ER doctor who actually believed me when I said I was in pain.
229.  A husband who drops everything and steps up in every way to help his ailing wife.