Thanks: Election edition

41. I am thankful for the United States of America.
42. I am thankful that we consider freedom to be an inalienable right.
43. I am thankful that we are free to vote our consciences.
44. I am thankful that we have men and women who are willing to serve as our elected representatives.
45. I am thankful that we live in a time when all of us have access to lots of info about our elected officials.
46. I am thankful that I can be a campaign volunteer from my living room.
47. I am thankful that tonight, our country will be done voting.
48. I am thankful that regardless of the outcome of the election, many people will go about serving this country tomorrow and the day after that because their patriotism goes beyond political party.
49. I am thankful for the dedication and sacrifice of those enlisted in our armed forces.
50. I am thankful for the endurance of their families.
51. I am especially thankful for my friend, Scott, who is in the Sudan right now.
52. I am thankful for Jessica, his wife, and their children who welcome him home.
53. I am thankful for the way he has chosen to dedicate his life to service of our country despite a near-PhD and the lure of a more secure life.
54. I am thankful for the many others who try to make life better for themselves and those around them.
55. I am thankful for teachers.
56. I am thankful for pastors.
57. I am thankful for those in the medical profession.
58. I am especially thankful for those tending Grammy this morning.
59. I am thankful for civic servants.
60. I am thankful for scientists.
61. I am thankful for engineers, especially my engineer.
62. I am thankful for those in service positions.
63. I am thankful for those who do work others do not want to do.
64. I am thankful for volunteers.
65. I am thankful for students and learners.
66. I am thankful for the opportunity to become what we want to become.
67. I am thankful for the men and women who could not and sought a better future for themselves and others.
68. I am thankful for the knowledge of our country's history.
69. I am thankful for generations of gratitude passed down among its citizens.
70. I am thankful for current scholarship that continues to teach.
71. I am thankful for those who encourage thoughtful and rigorous examination of where we have been and where we are going.
72. I am thankful for a family who engages the world thoughtfully and with rigor.
73. I am thankful for family members who have extended grace in the midst of my own confusion, confrontations and affrontations.
74. I am thankful for the freedom to pass on these values to my children.
75. I am thankful for the commitment of my community to creating a safe, healthy place for children to grow.
76. I am thankful for the innocence of youth and the wisdom brought by age.
77. I am thankful for nice weather for this election day.
78. I am thankful for early voting procedures.
79. I am thankful for absentee ballots.
80. I am thankful for this election.

A month-ish of thanks

There are only 25 days until Thanksgiving! Every year, I find myself at Thanksgiving's door wishing I had spent more time being aware of all the blessings of life. I often read Ann V.'s gratitude lists at her blog and feel inspired to join in, but tend not to move forward in a concrete way. This is the year of changes, however, and I feel the need to reflect on what is and has been and is to come with gratitude. So, I'm going to fill my blog with my thankful lists during November, hopefully every day. If you find lists difficult to read, (I confess, I do, sometimes) I apologize. And if any of you decide to do the same at your spots, please let me know. I'd love to stop by. And I promise I'll read your lists. :)

1. I am thankful for the time change that had everyone in the house up and ready to leave for preschool with plenty of time to have breakfast and enjoy our walk.
2. I am thankful for the walk to the school that forces me to have a little exercise and allows Daniel to look at the big trucks zooming by on Main Street.
3. I am thankful for the way Annalivia points out the trucks to her little brother and is excited by his reactions.
4. I am thankful for the money to buy bright red mary janes for her little feet.
5. I am thankful that Annalivia generally doesn't argue about what she should wear to school or church or out and about.
6. I am thankful for Annalivia's teachers.
7. I am thankful that she enjoys and looks forward to school.
8. I am thankful for enthusiastic stories.
9. I am thankful for full-body motions to accompany narrations.
10. I am thankful for her vivid imagination.
11. I am thankful for a good night's sleep -- early to bed and no children interrupting.
12. I am thankful for little and big kicks from the baby, even when on a full bladder.
13. I am thankful for this beautiful house to live in.
14. I am thankful for cheap rent.
15. I am thankful for a porch to enjoy.
16. I am thankful for comfy porch furniture.
17. I am thankful for Portia, our guard pig and the fact that our children love her, too.
18. I am thankful for a sweet neighbor.
19. I am thankful for a good, reliable van to drive.
20. I am thankful for preschool papers and Thomas coloring books.
21. I am thankful for the high school marching band that played us home almost every day of September and October.
22. I am thankful that Annalivia and Daniel like to sing.
23. I am thankful that they both like to sing by themselves and with each other.
24. I am thankful that there is homemade bread leftover from yesterday's potluck.
25. I am thankful that there is still plenty of Lillia's apple butter.
26. I am thankful that Daniel likes to play with his trains by himself.
27. I am thankful that he knows how to ask for help when he needs it.
28. I am thankful that he has room/s to play.
29. I am thankful for the train table that provides so much fun.
30. I am thankful for books that entertain, too.
31. I am thankful that my children climb up on my lap when they "need some love".
32. I am thankful that they think it is hilarious when we play the same games again and again.
33. I am thankful that I am here right now.
34. I am thankful that I am not worried about whether I've not done something for my job.
35. I am thankful for a husband that is ok with me being with our children.
36. I am thankful for a husband who does laundry and dishes without complaint.
37. I am thankful that we live in a time when our water is heated automatically.
38. I am thankful for such miracles as a washing machine and dryer and laundry soap.
39. I am thankful for such treats as good-smelling fabric softener and cleaning supplies.
40. I am thankful for time to reflect on those things for which I am thankful.