The Things I am Thankful For

I think we all know how important it is to be thankful; however do we all understand the significance of it? I decided to challenge myself to see how many things I could come up with. I definitely gave myself quite the challenge. I didn't want to just jot down any old thing. Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for all the simple things in life like chocolate and ice cream. As a matter of fact there are a few items listed on here just like that. I wanted to make this more of a learning journey. I asked myself why I was thankful for each of these things. I learned a lot about myself and the person I strive to be. My list hasn't reached 100 just yet but I will get there.

"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more.

If you concentrate on what you don't have,

you will never, ever have enough."

Oprah Winfrey

I'm Thankful For....


The Special People (and Millie) In My Life

1. My Jay- I am a lucky girl to have found my Jay. He is my best friend and my #1 fan. He stands by me, supports me, and never lets me down. He gives me unconditional love and acceptance. His love gives me strength, energy, and courage. He is the only person in the world who can look at me and make me feel like no one else exists except me.

2. My Children- I wouldn’t be the person I am today without Bryanna, Kalyssa, and Travin. They light my path every single day. They give me strength. They give me hope. They inspire me to be my very best. I never knew how much love I had inside until I became a mommy to these three wonderful kids.

3. My Parents- I am blessed to be the daughter of two very loving, supportive, and caring people. My parents gave me my start in life. They provided me the foundation I needed to become the person I am today. They never gave up on me. They taught me how to love and how to live.

4. My Family- I have the BEST support system in the world. If I were to name everyone individually, I wouldn’t be able to finish this list. I was very fortunate to have been born into a wonderful family. I am also fortunate to have married into an amazing family. I am loved by so many people. I take that back my family of 5 is loved by so many incredible people.

5. My Friends- Once again, if I named them all individually, from wonderful acquaintances to tried and true friends, I'd have the rest of my list finished. I am a lucky girl to have people in my life, near and far, who I can count on, who care about me, and who want only the best for me and my family. I truly value my friends and will never have "enough" or too many.

6. My Millie- Always there to greet me when I walk through the door. She is the first to comfort me whenever I need a hug. Millie gives us all so much love. I know she won't be with us forever, but we cherish the time we’ve spent with her and the time we still have. There is nothing like the unconditional love of a dog.

I'm Thankful For....


What I've Been Able to Do and Accomplish

7. Graduating from College- Wife, mommy, and a full-time college student. I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Education. The long nights of homework and studying, the tears, the fears, the little celebrations at the end of each quarter ALL paid off when I walked across the stage, received my diploma, and was recognized with magna cum laude and departmental honors.

8. Finishing a ½ Marathon- So far I have completed two; the Disneyland ½ Marathon and Santa to the Sea. I can’t describe the sense of pride that came over me when I crossed the finish line. I am looking forward to the challenge of a full marathon.

9. Travel- There are many places I want to visit. I have been fortunate enough to enjoy the beauty of my own country. States I have visited in the United States: California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. States I have visited in Mexico: Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Chihauahua, Sinaloa, Nayarit, and Jalisco.

10. Volunteer Time- I have been fortunate enough to be an active volunteer in every school my children have ever attended. I think I have done just about every job there is to do; translate, type up letters, make copies, cut things out, staple, grade papers, organize classrooms, tutor, teach lessons, read books, sing songs, setup fundraisers, chaperone fieldtrips, take pictures, make crafts, cook green eggs and ham….there is a lot more to add to this list. I have loved every single minute of these moments!

11. My Home- This is something I would usually take for granted, but today I don’t. I never thought that we would own our very own home this early in life. The military life is so unpredictable but we did it. We bought our very first home!

I'm Thankful For....


Things I Like About Me

12. Being a nice person- I’m hardly a perfect person, however it's a good feeling to know that in my heart I am kind and caring. I'd never intentionally hurt anyone. I don't believe in being mean. I hate to see others sad or crying. I may be a bit on the shy side at times and I don’t always do my best in social situations, but I genuinely appreciate and care about others.

13. I am a good mom and good wife- As I mentioned above, I don’t consider myself to be the perfect person but I do try my best at everything in life. My family is no exception. The needs of my family always come first.

14. Accomplishing Goals- To one degree or another, I tend to follow through on things that I have set my mind too. I thrive on having goals to strive for. I am so excited that I have been able to achieve so many of my goals!

I’m Also Thankful For….

15. I'm thankful for our church and especially Monsignor who has encouraged my spiritual growth in endless ways. He has helped me find my relationship with God again and thus, I am able to help my children find their relationship with God.

16. I'm thankful to be an American and to live in this great country. Yes, we have problems, big ones. But because we have a legacy of liberty and freedom unprecedented in the chronicles of our history, we will keep fighting to keep that freedom.

17. I’m thankful for all those who have ever served our country. It's an admiral and brave thing to do. Our men and women in uniform, past and present, have, do and will give so much for all of us. So do their families!

18. I’m thankful to be a military wife. It’s not always an easy life. It sure as heck is not a glamorous life but it is a life to be proud of and a life that I love.

19.  I’m thankful for good teachers. It’s not an easy job but it is the most important and the most rewarding job in the world.


Other Things I’m Thankful For….

20. My Health- I'm a pretty healthy girl and for that, I am happy and thankful!

21. Running- It gives me confidence in myself. It gives me “Shannon Time”

22. Memories- It's fun to reminisce. It’s neat to look back at all the good times and the bad times we have encountered. After all, these are the moments that have led us to where we are today.

23. The Future- I have adventures, big and small, on my to-do list, both planned and yet to be planned. For this, I am thankful!

24. Sunshine- They say too much of one thing isn’t such a good thing but I love love love sunshine. The sun always brightens my spirit.

25. The Ocean- I was fortunate enough to live by the ocean for 8 years. I love the smell of it. I love to walk alongside it. I love to sit and stare at it.

26. Stars- "For my part I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of the stars makes me dream." ~Vincent Van Gogh

27. Clouds- Watching, counting, and trying to figure out the shapes all while sitting next to my kids. These are the tiny moments that make life so amazing.

28. The sound and the smell of the rain- One of my favorite things about living in the south....RAIN

29. Trees- They are so beautiful especially in the fall when the leaves are changing colors.

30. Seasons- I am no expert on this but I am excited to learn all about them.

31. Animals- It’s amazing to watch how we can be connected in so many ways yet as different as night and day.

32. Holidays- There's something incredibly exciting and magical about them.

33. Books- There is never a time when I'm not thankful for the words of another!

34. My I-Pod- It's one of those things I literally wouldn’t want to live without

35. My Cell Phone- This is the one form of communication I have at my finger tips. Sometimes knowing that I have it is the only thing that gets me through the day because I know that at any time, I can call whoever I need to just to hear a familiar friendly voice.

36. Organization- You can tease me all you want. The labels in my pantry face out, my closet is color coordinated, every item in my house has a place to call home and I’m completely okay with that :-)

37. Hot showers or a very hot bath! Need I say anymore?

38. My crock pot- It may sound silly but it does the cooking for me!

39. Strong cups of coffee with enough creamer to make it look “n-a-t-u-r-a-l”

40. All good babysitters, but especially the kind that are called “grandparents” and aunt & uncle

41. Walt Disney- He created the happiest place on Earth (which also happens to be my favorite place to visit). What better way to feel like a kid all over again.

42. Angels Baseball- Really because there is no better team or sport for that matter :-)

43. Sleep- There's nothing like my soft pillow, my warm blanket, and my cozy bed after a long day of taking care of my favorite bunch.

44. Dancing- Whether I’m good or not is not the point. Dancing around the house with the kids and the dog is one of the best ways to lighten my mood.

45. Comfort- Comfort food, comfy clothes….Comfort is the BEST!

46. Movies- A movie that leaves me feeling moved or inspired is well, PRICELESS!

47. Blogs- I love writing mine and I love all the blogs I read on a regular basis.

48. Pictures- They really are worth 1000 words.

49. Handwriting- It is a simple reminder of just how different we all are.

50. Letters- This special form of communication is slowly being lost but it always makes me feel so good to read a letter from a loved one.

Things I Don’t Always Think About.... 


But I’m Thankful For

51. The moments when I have the clarity of thought to acknowledge that I can’t control everything that happens in life – only how I react.

52. Knowledge- Knowing that every day I have the opportunity to learn something new.

53. Any opportunity I have to share, listen and be with that people I care about.

54. The kindness of strangers- Most people are thoughtful and kind. It’s always nice when someone I don't know smiles at me or says or does something nice, just because.
55. Acceptance- I'm thankful to those who accept me just the way I am.

56. Generosity- To give is to receive. “The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive” ~Albert Einstein

57. Honesty- It truly is the best policy!

58. Hope- Sometimes it may be hard to find it, but it's always there, waiting to lift me up.

59. Laughter- Life is better when there is laughter in the air. I’m thankful for those moments when I laugh so hard I cry.

60. Dreams- Day or night, the variety is pretty amazing

61. Positivity- If I look for the good in everything, I know I will find it.

62. Kindness- The smallest act or word can change an entire day.

63. Challenges- They are usually hard and they may suck at the time, but they always make me a better person.

64. Quality Time- Spending real quality time with the people I love makes my life complete.

65. Imagination and Creativity- We should all tap into the child within our own souls. I don't know where or who I would be without these two things (of course my kids bring out the best in me).

66. Passion- One of the best things in life is to watch someone who is passionate about what they do or who they love.

67. Change- It scares the heck out of me most of the time, but it can be a wonderful experience.

68. Smiles- I love giving them and getting them especially when they are attached to little bright faces.

69. Hugs- Seriously, what feels better than arms wrapped around you no matter what your mood is like?

70. Kisses- There are all sorts of kisses to be found and all of them are pretty awesome.

71. Forgiveness- At some point in time we all need it.

72. Patience- Yes sometimes at some point (once a day okay maybe more) we all need this too.

73. I'm thankful that in life, it’s never too late!

74. I'm thankful that I have the ability to change the world….especially in the life of a child.

75. I am thankful for NOW, today! Live in the moment because the only time we have is NOW!

76. I’m thankful for 31 years of life! TODAY is where it all begins. Buckle up! It’s going to be an exciting ride!


So, what are you thankful for?