A new depth of THANKFUL

Each year on Thanksgiving I have the children in my class list and write about things they are thankful for. This list ranges from family members to pets, or their teachers (they know how to keep us happy) to turkey and toys. This year's list even included Jesus! This activity and this holiday always make me pause to count my own blessings as well...
This year I will not be able to properly use words to capture the depth of my thankfulness for the blessings God has given me...beginning with a precious baby boy!
One day recently as I was happily buying diapers I told my mom that Tyson has made all of my "little girl" dreams come true! I remember going to the grocery store with mom and begging her to buy diapers for my dolls, whom I loved to feed with a disappearing bottle, dress and undress, and put in a crib (where they may stay quietly for a week if I had become distracted...Ha ha!). Baby dolls were my favorite! Just ask any of my childhood friends that came over to play. First you played dress up, married Prince Charming, had a tea party to celebrate, then went into the closet/hospital to have your baby! I played with babies until I was in middle school! I knew that one day I wanted to be a mommy! When Tyson Olin Smith was born on April 10, 2009, my dreams came true! This Thanksgiving I am so thankful for him!
I am thankful for...
his health, his laughter, his soft skin, his beautiful nursery, his bathtime delight, his cute clothes and toys, his love for me, and his smile, his daddy, my sweet, hard-working husband, my mom-the most wonderful grandma ever, our sweet dog Ralph-who has not been forgotten, our entire family, my season friends, who are all mommies now too, my best childhood friend and her cute baby bump, my wonderful job situation shared with my best buddy and her family that we love so much, our home, our church, our freedom, and most of all for Jesus- who in the words of my students "made us out of dust," "loves me no matter what," "died for my sins (that means when you do bad),"and "keeps me alive!"