The beginning.......

For these things I am truly, eternally thankful for......

The smell of a warm sweaty little boy snuggled under my chin.

Ducted heating on a cold rainy day

A job that I love and that challenges me.

Running clean water for drinking and washing.

Electricity and mod cons.

All first world comforts that I take fore granted.

Being healthy and having a healthy family.

Having a hard working husband who provides so well for us.

Living in a country and area where we can still spend so much time outside even in winter!

Having a shower with my little man, all tired and sleepy on my shoulder.

Cadbury chocolate.

Going for a run in the cold wintery night air...listening to some amazing music.

Music that makes me happy like The Cat Empire.

Being financially blessed.

Having so much support in my motherhood journey.

Having so many wonderful friends who have been through so much with me.

Finding such a great church so close to home.

These. Two. Children.

Cold, rainy morning snuggles in bed with my gorgeous ones.

Misty rain against green trees, oh so beautiful.

Internet connection.

Children who, after a pretty ordinary start, now sleep so wonderfully and both still nap during the day. Thank you beautiful ones.

Gorgeous friends who text me when I am home alone.

Meeting some wonderful new people at church today. Really feeling this is where I need to be.

Dancing to Jay La'gia.

So thankful that I am married to my best friend. We fight, we laugh and we love and I am so thankful that he loves me, forgives me and supports me in all I do.

My mum is amazing. I would need another list of 1000 things to list all that she does for us.

A caravan that will mean many holidays and memories for years to come.

Working with such supportive and hard working staff.

A gorgeous wee poppet girl who loves her brother so much. A little boy who has taken to toilet training so well.

Early morning winter sunrise.

The crunch of Autumn leaves and the smile of the faces of my 2 blessings who love playing with them.

My 'village' that love and support me in so many ways.

Our local market with it's beautiful organic produce but also new friends to be made as well as a lovely feeling of community spirit.

Chocolate.

Seeing so much joy in the faces of my gorgeous poppets.

A beautiful, cold but sunny winters day.

Trains that bring joy to my children.

Financial ability to replace a broken tv.

Long weekends.

A wonderful cast of over 240 children who brought a few hours of magic to their parents on Wednesday night.

Flowers that brighten up my day.

Having an "escape" to the country to visit Al's mum and dad.

Seeing this face full of excitement.

Seeing this face full of wonder and joy at trains. Such a simple joy.

The realisation that this journey to record my joys, even though I haven't hit 50 yet, has already been so life~changing..

That this simple act of being thankful has shifted my moods, my anxiety levels and my attitude towards so many things. For that I am thankful. Can I be thankful for being thankful??

Because I am.

Finding beautiful things on Pinterest.

Birthday party fun, seeing the happiness and excitement on the faces of all the kids!

Hearing wild giggles of siblings being silly.

The smell of a lamb roast in the oven.

Warm scarves.

Feather doonas.

Slippers.

Poppet girls gorgeous crafty creations.

Lazy weekends with no real plans and plenty of time to breathe and relax.

Oozing chocolately dessert with lovely friends followed by a movie.

Laughing until your stomach hurts.

Seeing my beautiful husband playing and laughing with and kissing our kids.

A wonderful group of friends at mothers group. Both for me and my kids.

School holidays.

The ability to exercise because I can and have the chance to do so.... Be thankful for this body and treat it well.

My Rosie. Kitchen Aid.

The smell of fresh bread baking.

Winter soup recipes.