I'm Thankful for . . .

Music.

My i-pod and how I can have all sorts of playlists at my disposal.

For the sound system in our home that lets me play beautiful music throughout the upstsairs.

My husband who went along with so many of my wants when we were building this house. (The double oven is mighty handy too, honey.)

The internet.

Blogs.

Friends.

Family.

My parents.

Annie, our dog.

Our chickens.

A day with my kids out of school.

A chance to babysit my baby nephew while his mom takes her older kids to a movie along with my youngest. My sister-in-law is a little nervous, but I'm delighted!

The bright red color of dogwood bushes in the winter. (I'm trimmed mine to use along with some rose hips as decorations on my rustic Christmas tree.)

Getting to serve in our ward's Young Women organization.

Velcro curlers that give my hair more volume.

My Saucony running shoes -- even though I don't run in them.

The Deseret Industries. Not only do I find incredible bargains there, but they accept our family's excess goods too. What a service they provide!

The gospel of Jesus Christ.

President Thomas S. Monson.

Temples. (All 120-something. Amazing!)

The Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. His life wasn't perfect, but he made incredible sacrifices to bring forth the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our car and truck. So glad we're not still in the day of horse and buggies. (lthough I do enjoy horses.)

Basketball. The sport and those who have helped Bug come to love it. It gives him something to work toward.

Loula Belle's terrific friends. I enjoy having them at our house as much as Lou does.

Lotion.

Central heating systems.

Earrings. (I take after my mother.)

Quality cleaning products.

Dishwashers.

Flush toilets.

Indoor plumbing in all it's wonderful pampering convenience!

The changing of the seasons: snow, frosted trees and grass, but also crocus in spring and watching kids run through the sprinklers in the summer.

Plenty of food to eat. Especially tomorrow.

A soft, comfy bed with new red sheets.

The color red!

Blue jeans. (My daily uniform.)

Gold-toe socks. For her.

Hair spray.

Lined paper.

Pens. Good ones that aren't blobby and messy.

Calculators.

Banks.

Public schools -- especially the ones that educated me and are educating my children.

Teachers.

Listeners.

Entertainers. (Espcially five-year-old kids who tell jokes.)

Babies.

Flowers.

Hiking trails.

Campgrounds.

Snow shoes.

My Danner hiking boots.

My fanny pack, which I've had since high school/college.

Country music. I've been listening to it in the car lately. I like how a lot of the songs are about family. It doesn't take itself too seriously either.

Radio.

Television. There aren't a lot of shows I watch, but I get a kick out of "The King of Queens" re-runs. And "Everybody Loves Ramond." I even like some episodes of "The Simpsons."

People with a finely honed sense of humor.

Vacuums. (Which reminds me . . .)

Engineers. Just think of all they've given us!

Mothers. Without them there would be no engineers, artists, entertainers, babies, teachers, students . . . etc.

Charitable organizations that do a world of good.

The Christmas spirit.