Days 16 through 26

I totally fell behind, so here it goes!

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Day 16: I am thankful for Craig's job.  Even though it drives me nuts that he can't seem to take a day off whenever I want and I hate when he travels.  It's a good job, with benefits and it allows me to stay home.

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Day 17:  I am thankful for days off from school.  I love having short weeks.  Last week the kids only had school on Monday and Tuesday.  Then we were off to Minnesota for Thanksgiving!  It was an awesome trip :)

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Day 18:  I am thankful for my kids teachers.  For the most part, we've had great teachers.  I am amazed at their patience!

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Day 19:  I am thankful for heat!  While in Minnesota the temperatures really dipped.  I love having heat in the car and in my home!

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Day 20:  I am thankful for my bed.  It's always rough sleeping in a strange bed, especially when you have a bad back.  I am thankful we could afford a nice comfortable bed, a king size bed!

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Day 21:  I am thankful for my biological parents.  I am so grateful that they taught me good morals and hard work.  I miss them but I'm thankful I have a few memories of them.

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Day 22:  I am thankful for the gospel.  I truly believe that it was Heavenly Father's plan for me to be adopted and be introduced to the gospel.  I love the gospel and even though I have my moments of doubt, I know it is true.

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Day 23:  I am thankful for REAL people.  People that don't judge.  People that don't take themselves too seriously.  People that can accept me for who I am.  People that aren't self absorbed.  I'm grateful for those people in my life.

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Day 24:  I am thankful for food.  Yes, I eat too much of it, but I am grateful for all the different kinds of food available.  I love trying new foods.  I'm so glad Craig is willing to try new foods with me.  I like to think about what other countries eat.  Does China have Mexican restaurants?  Does Mexico have Italian restaurants?  I don't know, but I am so glad I can get just about any type of food in the U.S.

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Day 25:  I am thankful for my ability to create things.  I have always liked creating.  I recently remembered when I was little trying to make my own perfume.  I had a small bottle and would fill it up with water, then I'd  crush these pretty purple flowers and stuff them in the bottle and shake it.  The water would turn pink but there wasn't much of a smell.  I think I've come a long way since that little bottle of perfume!

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Day 26:  I am thankful for laughter.  I love laughing and anything that makes me laugh so hard that I cry.  A video, a joke, a commercial, an ecard (my favorite lately).  Laughter is good for me!

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Day #12 through Day #15

Day 12: I am thankful for animals.  I have always been fascinated by animals.  All kinds of animals.  I can remember catching small lizards in Mexico.  In California I would catch fish from ponds.  When I was younger I wanted a seahorse.  Still do!  I love sea turtles, whales, pandas, koalas, alligators, fish and  dolphins to name a few.  But my favorite are elephants.  I love their size and their gentle look.  I'm grateful to have these animals to enjoy.

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Day 13: I'm thankful for music.  I love how the right music can inspire me, excite me or soothe me.  I love that we have such small devices that holds our music.  I remember the big and bulky boom boxes and walkmans and tapes.  I love music that touches me.

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Day 14:  I am thankful for books.  I've enjoyed reading for a long time.  I remember not reading the books I had to for school, but I did like reading whatever my parents had around the house.  I love going to bookstores and browsing the isles.  I love the feel of a book in my hand, although my tablet can is rather nice too!  I love having a good, long book and feel sad when I know I will finish it soon.  But there's always another good book out there.

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Day 15:  I am thankful for all members of the military.  This week was veteran's day and I am so grateful for all that have served and those currently serving to protect my freedoms.  I am in awe of their sacrifice.  I'm also thankful for the families behind the members of the military.  I don't know how families do it.  Craig's out of town this week and it feels like the longest week ever.  I'm grateful for their service.

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Day #10 & Day #11

Day 10: I am thankful to be a homemaker.  I am not the best one.  The house does get messy and laundry does pile up.  But I love the freedom it gives me.  Especially in the summer.  This past summer was awesome. We spent most of our days at the pool.  The kids are old enough that I can actually relax and read a book! I can spend the day with Adam in town running errands.  Or just hanging around the house.  I don't have to make special arrangements if one of the kids gets sick.   It's not glamorous work, but it fits me.

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Day 11:  I am thankful for thunderstorms.  We had a pretty good one last night.  I love the thunder and lightning.  I love it when it shakes the house.  I think they are beautiful!

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Day #8 & #9

Day 8: I'm thankful for Craig and what an awesome husband and father he is.  He works so hard to provide for us and I'm so thankful he does so I can be home with the kids.

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Day 9:  I'm thankful for the kids.  Yes, they drive me nuts.  And I often wonder what I was thinking having FIVE!!!  They're giving me gray hair.  They worry me.  But, I love them.  They definitely make life interesting and fun.  We gotta have somebody to tease, right?! ;)

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Day #7

Day 7:  I am thankful for free speech. I am thankful that I can voice my opinion on any topic.  Romney lost yesterday.  A SAD day!!! I felt sick to my stomach.  My blood was boiling.  I expressed my disappointment on FB, like so many others.  Then there were those people saying that we shouldn't be feeling bad.  That it's not the end of the world.  That we should wish Obama well.  Well, I don't feel that way damn it! I can't stand the man and it makes me sick when I think of what he's doing to our country.  It is depressing.  So let me be upset and have my own opinion!  I'm thankful I can vent!

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Day #6

Day 6: I am thankful for my right to vote.  Today millions of people went to the polls to determine who our next president will be.  I am rooting for Romney.  I am sick of Obama.  I have HATED him since I first heard him speak.  There's something not right about that man.  I am shocked at people that choose NOT to vote.  I don't understand how you could not take an interest in what goes on in your country/community.  Do they not understand that people have fought for our freedom to vote?  Take an interest people! I am thankful I could vote.  I am thankful for my freedoms.

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Day 4 & 5

Day 4:  I am thankful for the sun.  I am a sun lover!!!! I love being in the sun.  It lifts my spirits.  I think I have a mild case of SAD (seasonal affective disorder).  We've had warm muggy days this fall here in Kansas, but they have been cloudy and overcast.  Not my kind of weather.  Give me a sunny 40 degree day over a cloudy, overcast, depressing 70 degree day!

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Day 5:  I am thankful for technology.  I love my computer, tablet, cell phone and tv.  Do I spend too much time on these? Yes.  But they are my release.  It's what I use for my downtime.  Technology allows me to keep in touch with friends and family.  

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