Especially Grateful

Since it's the last Thursday of 2011 I thought I'd summarize what I'm most thankful for this year.

I am most Grateful for:

My husband and his hard work to support us this year and the confidence he gained as "sole bread winner."
The birth of Angie's Temporary Dental Hygiene Service and all of the dentists who hired me.
That I had the courage to stand up for myself at the hearing for my unemployment.
That although I "won" my case, I still didn't qualify for it. (It was for my good!)
That my position was eliminated so I was free to be with Dave until the end.
For the three months we had to say goodbye.
For all of the lessons God taught me through the loss of my job and the loss of my brother.
That God counts and catches our tears and holds us close.
For the closeness of my siblings and all of the time we spent together.
For the extra Grace God gave me for some difficult people as well as the ability to forgive.
For the wrinkles that I'm slowly learning to accept.
Our health.
For my faithful friends who loved and supported me with unending kindness.
That the little skin cancer was so very minor.
That I learned to more fully appreciate every single day as a gift this year.
That I know in the depth of my soul that God is still good and I'm not mad at Him for anything.
For the dream I had over at Dave's that is still crystal clear after all this time.
For my sister holding me accountable to do these Thankful Thursday posts so I won't forget to have gratitude and to be intentional about looking for the gifts God gives me.
For all of the people God put in my path this year for a reason.
That my kids are both doing so well and still love me.
That we didn't get the lake house we thought we wanted.
For trips to Florida, North Carolina and Northern Michigan.
For celebrating 10 years with Lincoln and loving him more today than 10 years ago.
For the healing & restoration in a marriage of a close family member.
My cousins and their loving kindness.
For the birth of babies.
That Dave is with Vic, Dad and Mom and the knowledge that they are all with Jesus.
Singing songs of Worship that night with Pattie, Andrea, Chris, Stacey, Naze, Goose and Patricia over Dave's body right after God took Him Home. It was beautiful.
God's Word and my desire to spend more time with Him in 2012.

With Much Love, Peace and Joy,
Angie xoxo

My favorite song of 2011
"I'll Fly Away" by Jars of Clay