I Am So Thankful…

Happy Thanksgiving.

It’s that time of year where we start to reflect on all we are thankful for and I am just overflowing with thankfulness.  The year started out very tough for us, both financially and with just a lot of bad experiences.  The end of the year holds another story.

The economy has caused a lot of people to be laid off and to be under a lot of financial stress.  We have discovered that our jobs (my hubby & I) seem to be recession proof.  I, fortunately, work for a hospital who is doing very well financially while other hospitals in the area are struggling.  I also work in a department that cannot be downsized – medical records.  We’re really baffled how people will quit spending money on other items, yet they will continue to pay for their children to receive music lessons.  My husband’s business has just grown exponentially and continues to do so!

Although we’ve run into some legal trouble with our creditors, we are now on track to pay everyone off.  It’s going to take a few years, but one creditor is actually completely paid and another will be completely paid right after the first of the year.  It’s been over a year since we’ve used a credit card and I’ve learned how to live without one.  Sometimes I feel so envious of women when I see them shopping and buying whatever they want, but when I see them whip out that credit card, the envy disappears.  I definitely don’t envy their bill every month!

I’m thankful for the opportunity my husband got this year to get LASIK.  He has worn glasses since he was young and for anyone who wears them, they know how annoying they can be!  We tried contacts a few times, but they are expensive and would irritate his eyes.  His last pair of glasses were getting bent daily by the kids and a miraculous opportunity arose for him to get the surgery.  He now sees perfectly (although my vision is still better than his haha) and has had no complications.

I’m also thankful for the gift I received for my anniversary.  When you hear that there are no loans available unless you have perfect credit, know that it’s not true.  We obviously have far from perfect credit, but we were able to get a car loan to get a minivan.  We’ve faithfully paid our current car loan for 3 years and the same company was willing to finance us again.  I now have my own transportation (I was without a car for 6 months after my husband’s truck was stolen) and we have room to bring our new baby home from the hospital in a few months.

Which brings me to my next point – I’m so incredibly grateful for this new life that is growing inside of me.  We dreamed of having 3 children, but when I found out I was pregnant, I was so disappointed.  It just wasn’t in MY timing, but that’s when I realized that life is not about MY timing.  The biggest blessings in my life have been these surprises that were not part of the original plan.  “Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21.

And just a few last quick obvious ones – I’m thankful for my family, I love my husband and boys so much.  I’m thankful for the room over our head, the food in our cupboards and the fact that gas is $1.89 a gallon!!

I want to thank everyone who has helped me over this past year both with kind words and donations.  You have helped us to get through a very rough spot in our lives and as we’re moving on to a better place, we have already started to pay it forward like many of you requested.

And wish me luck as I move forward in the niche blogging endeavor that I spoke of before.  So far, it has been slow, but the money is definitely trickling in.  If you’ve ever thought of doing it, I’d definitely recommend it – but starting sooner rather than later is the key since it takes a couple of months to start seeing the results of your work.  So please, if you get a moment, take a look at the niche blogger and what it entails.  And if you’re not into creating niche blogs, but have an idea for a niche, send it my way ;o)

Thanks again everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!!!