Count Your Blessings - Part 1

As I am turning 33 this year, I think, I figured it might be a nice change of pace to do a blessings blog. One with 33 blessings counted. It is a good practice to remember the things in life, both big and small, that make us happy. And be thankful.

I will break this up into 5 segments. That not only gives me time to collect an image for each thing, but more time is able to be spent on each part.

it is my goal to have it finished before my 33rd birthday December 29th this year. I hope that those who read my blog enjoy.

33 Lani Blessings 

1. Husband 

I am thankful to have a wonderful husband. A best friend whose arms could never hold me enough. And then whose hugs can heal all pain, and whose smile can brighten my day. He bring so much laughter and love to my life. I cannot imagine life without him. I love waking up to him and his kisses. I live going to sleep in his arms. I love being with him....anywhere anytime. 

2. Family 

where would we be without the love and support of our family? I am thankful for the blessing of a good family. So no body and no life is perfect, I believe that we can still love each other through imperfections. I believe sometimes a little bit of struggle and a few imperfections makes us the interesting characters that we become in this story of many lives sewn together in one world. A world full of wonderful characters.I believe that family helps to make us who we are. And family is not always blood, for some of us how grown up without any blood relatives but still know the meaning of family. Family are the people who become permanent fixtures in your life.

3. Pets / Fur Family

Every since I I was a wee child... I have had such love 4 the furry people. And then on for people to I suppose. Whether they be mammals, birds, reptiles whatever. They make my life complete. I cannot imagine life without them. And I do not at all want their share in my life too be considered trivial. My animal friends are very important to me! I cannot imagine being happy without them.

4. Yummy

there are people in this world who have never experienced food the way Americans have. Who have never experienced food away many people have in other countries as well. There people in this world who struggle to eat anything at all. Who are starving and when they are not starving are eating whatever they can get even if it is less then pleasing. These people do not know food the way that some of us get to. It is not but a struggle for them. Even in the countries who no food in excess, there are still those who dig in the garbage starving for food. So I do not want to forget the blessing that it can be. Not just in its basic purpose of nourishing, but in the delight that I have been blessed to experience it in my whole life. I am blessed to have a family where almost every member can cook, and cook well.

5. Holidays 

Again, there are those in the world who are less fortunate and do not get to experience holidays the way we do. There are countries in the world that do not have as many holidays as we do. And there are places that probably even been holidays type celebrations. There people so poor that it is the furthest thing from their mind. Although even these people usually find a way to celebrate life. Which may be the most beautiful sentiment of all. That even and desolate poverty humans will still find a way to celebrate life. That is just beautiful to me, that is why I love holidays. They are a reason to celebrate life with those you love.

6. Beauty

I believe it is important for us, no matter what the popular opinion or media frenzy, to find ourselves beautiful. As the individual that we are. Being alive, breathing, are unique character, how we interact with others, life and the world around us in general. We should find beauty and as many things as we can. In action as well as ideas. On the surface and past it. Every season is lovely to someone...every color to be favored or faulty in the eyes of individuals. so that is where the beauty lies, and the unique as individuality of mankind. As well in the world that we live. The world around us is full of unique and changing beauty. So let us appreciate a beauty that is uncommon, or unique. Let us not all just mindlessly follow whatever someone has expressed to be the current trend. But actually put thought and what we believe is beautiful.



7. Chocolate

I know I already mentioned yummy food... But I believe chocolate deserves a whole section by itself. I have probably got the deepest love affair with chocolate over any other food. It does make me happy, and the amount of it I am allowed to have is a blessing. Not to be taken lightly! I feel I should count this blessing out loud, scream it from the rooftops, because of a potential developing situation. It is possible that sometime in the future chocolate will be more expensive and not quite as common. And although I am unsure if that is a theory, rumor, or direction we are already heading, I feel as though I should vow my love for chocolate publicly now despite. Chocolate I love you! you make my life complete :-) and a big thanks to my husband for putting up with my chocolate have it the way he does. I can put away a lot of chocolate! I prefer it and its dark and pure form. Not that I don't enjoy baked goods, ice cream, candy, etc... But, just chocolate by itself is good for me! Which is another good point I should make, chocolate is good for you! They used to believe it was a junk food. White chocolate, and milk chocolate kind of still are. But dark chocolate is actually very beneficial. Even if it wasn't, I would still love it.

2011

I figured it be nice to publicly declare the positive aspects in my life from last year. Each day is a gift they say. And each year is not promised to us. I'm thankful for all I have, and for making it to age 30 and into the new millennium and 2012. 

a quickie pic free list of my top 11 fave blessings from 2011:

1. another year married to my love! We celebrated our second year anniversary in november 2011.

2. another year with Josie. She is probably about 8 years old now, and I adore my baby girl. I'm blessed each year I spend with her. I am glad she is in good health and happy.

3. family. your never promised you'll get to see them again, so every year you do is special.

4. officer dixon. helping Jacob and taking a liking to him because he saw in Jacobs heart and saw his purity and strength. He truly tries so hard to help us through this process. Nice man

.

5. sgrt. paul, so willing and eager to vouch for Jacob and cheer him on. He is a good influence to Jacob. I think he sorta looks up to him in a brotherly way.

6. another year with Jacobs car. she is fading off a bit faster, we have not had the money to get a new one. So really everytime she cranks now (esp in winter) is a miracle!

7. well fed! we were not eating healthy, or as kings. But I heard of a family whose youngest died of starvation do to poverty brought on by the recession. We ate just fine, never going hungry. often putting on weight. lol. esp holidays. 

8. xmas. i know not everyone could afford an xmas with gifts. though family, love, warmth, food, music and cartoons really are enough. we still, considering everyone being broke, had a good xmas in terms of gifts. Not a vital part, not necessary, but a blessing.

9. hubby time! Jacob left his horrible job early to focus his time and energy on his apd application. That has givin me over a month (maybe almost 1.5ish) of hubby time! he gets to relax and enjoy no 16 hour shifts or crazy schedules, managers or ppl. and I get to enjoy him. rocks. major blessing!

10. I turned 30! sounds like I'd be sad, but I have had too many "close calls" in my life. I think if I was a cat, I'd be on life number 7 at LEAST! so every year I get to be alive and with my love and the world I feel is a blessing!

.... I notice my explanations for these are getting increasingly longer. lol. The "summing it up" I guess wore off quick. 

11. I guess I'll go with health and happiness! No I'm not the healthiest person every, I have afflictions and physical burdens. But it could be far worse! I have no cancer, aids/stds, debilitating mental or physical conditions, no broken bones (ever...knock on wood), my eyes are not awful awful, no diabetes, heart murmurs, blood pressure issues (any more), etc. THINGS COULD BE WORSE. and they aren't so THATS A BLESSING!

I'M FAIRLY HAPPY, AND I'M BLESSED FOR THAT. ITS A GIFT, NOT A RIGHT.