What day is it?!

Okay, so it's....uh....Friday?!

I started my gratitude challenge on Wednesday and didn't get to continue on Thursday. Heh.
This is how I commit.

Well, I'm going to double-up tonight.  I just got home from Bible study and I'm watching Frequency (good movie) with my foster family (;-P).  I'm also supposed to be doing 20 sit-ups, 20 toe touches, and 20 bicycles before I go to bed (my abs hurt just thinking about it).

So DAY 2 (should have been yesterday):

Use the alphabet as a fun and quick format for making a list of things for which you feel grateful. Share this list with your social network through email, a blog post or a Facebook or MySpace page.

I'm not sure how many things I am supposed to list...but here goes...

A: 
B: Brianna.  My second baby.  My good eater who will not starve to death, even if there was nothing but rocks to eat.  This girl is almost like my twin, but way more awesome and loving than I am.  She sacrifices for her siblings and even her parents.
C: Chocolate.  'Nuff said.
D: Divorce.  I know.  God hates it and so do I, but my divorce from my ex-husband has given way to tremendous growth.  I've learned only by God's grace to see myself as He sees me (as best I can) through the promises in His Word and by the work He's done through Jesus Christ.  I no longer crave the approval of the people around me, I've developed a voice, and I've discovered that I'm a precious jewel to Him.  I've also divorced myself and am made new in Christ Jesus.
E: Extended family.  My in-laws (or ex-in-laws?) are some really cool people.  I'm thankful to have become part of the family and that they still like me.  They have been a big part in the lives of my children.  I love them.
F: Fellowship.  I'm thankful for the friends and extended family that God has placed in my life.  I have grown immensely because of the encouragement and the fellowship.
G: Gardening.  I've not have some big crops, but I would love to keep at it with growing my own food.  Gardening brings about some good metaphors about life, too. Wheat and tare.
H: 
I: 
J: Jesus Christ.  He is the reason alone I can keep going.  When I tell people why I'm a Christian, I can't help but tell them that it's because when you compare all the gods out there and all the "great people," none compare to Jesus.  He is the only all-powerful being who would come down and walk more than a mile in my shoes, then take my death sentence so that I can be made pure and blameless.
K: 
L: The Lock-Mess family.  I don't know another group of people with such heart.  God has placed these people at the right time, it seems, in my life.  I have been so strengthened by them and feel that they are truly my family, too.
M:
N:
O:
P: Parents.  I'm thankful for my father and mother.  They didn't always do everything right (who does?), but they always did what they could and they are still going strong today.
Q:
R: Ryan Nathaniel.  Given the middle name Nathaniel because it means "gift of God,"  I will never forget the circumstances of his coming into the world.  In the midst of sorrow and confusion, God has shown mercy on me and blessed me with Ryan.
S:
T: Terri.  I'm totally thankful for my first baby.  Terri's personality is a bit different from mine, but she is my heart.  She demonstrates a strong desire to do more and to do it all well.  I look forward to continuing to nurture her.
U: Umbrellas.  I've come to appreciate the umbrella.  Now that I've gone natural, I sometimes straighten my hair.  When I do that, moisture is not my friend.
V:
W: the Word.  Without it, I couldn't know about Jesus.
X:
Y: Yarn.  So versatile.  I've learned to crochet, then started learning to knit (haven't yet gotten the hang of it), and I learned some other uses for yarn, that just make life so interesting.
Z: Zemma.  I'm not really thankful for this woman, but I'm thankful for the education I've received through my interactions with her.  I've grown to be a fighter.  I've learned that I will not back down when it comes to my children. I think in time, I will be truly thankful for her (and perhaps more gracious toward her), as I'm continuing to grow in my understanding of God's plan (which graciously includes our stupid mistakes).

Okay...I can't really think of any more with the remaining letters, but I'm realizing that I've got more to be thankful for than I thought.

Okay...onto...

DAY 3
Write about something you feel grateful for in your life today.

I'm thankful that I made it to Bible study tonight ^_^.  It's the little things...I know...

Well, that concludes the gratitude challenge activities for today (and yesterday).  If you are still reading, even after I posted so much, thanks.  I don't know why you keep reading my rantings, but thank you.  Tomorrow, I have a meeting in the morning, then Skype with the kiddos in the afternoon/evening.  Sunday, I've got an all-day affair with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Monday, I'm taking off work to head to the courthouse and file my response to Mike's petition for child support.  Yes, he is still trying to get me to pay him child support (this time, he may actually be in financial need).  I'm trying to be thankful for this, too, if you can imagine.  I'm not really in a position to maintain a home here (let alone, send money down there).  However, every decision I've made up to this point has been with my kiddos in mind.  I'm trying to find other sources of income so I can really provide for them...but...I have to keep reminding myself that I'm not really the provider (God, of course is).  

I can't wait to see what He does next!