This week seems to have flown by and I know there are things I should be thankful about — I’m just having trouble thinking right now.

• I am thankful for Jenny @ Life is Not a Cereal for writing this post on Labels and Identities: Then and Now. It touched me and really gave me several things to think about. I hate labels and all the assumptions that go with them. I have written a thousand posts in my head about this, but have yet to actually share here — so I need to sit down and write! But I’m thankful for Jenny’s sharing and giving me something to think about.
• I am thankful for Shari Braendel, one of the Proverbs 31 Ministries speakers. I was one of eight winners of her ebook which she should be releasing soon. She is a professional fashion and image consultant with a God twist. One thing she’s done for the winners of the ebook is to hold a conference call with us. We sent her pictures of ourselves, and she went through asking each of us questions. She gave each of us tips on what colors to wear, how to accessorize, and so much more — tips for how we look individually. Duck is thankful I’m taking an interest in fashion as I’ve always been a tomboy — well, sweats and softball tshirts are what you typically find me in. Shari’s helped me realize that we can care about how we look on the outside without being totally vain and self-centered. Yet another topic for me to blog about.
• I am thankful for Duck and for our marriage. We are constantly hearing stories about how couples have been talking about splitting up after 20+ years of marriage. It really hurts my heart for them because they can’t see what they’ve done wrong. Marriage is work — constant work — hard work, but totally worth it when you do it God’s way. I am thankful that although Duck and I have changed our interests over the past 11 years, we’re still finding things we enjoy doing together — playing softball, riding motorcycles, coaching sports. I’ve even started piano lessons. I’m hoping that one day I’ll be good enough that I can play while Duck sings — he has a beautiful voice! I, on the other hand, don’t think I was meant to stand in front of people and sing — play the piano? maybe. Sing? nah.

Iris @ Sting My Heart is hosting Thankful Thursdays. Join in with your own Thankful Thursday post. I encourage you to read and comment on other blogs even if you don’t make it to all of them on Thursday. God is doing great and wondrous things. Share that with the world

It’s hard for me to get started today with being thankful, because my head’s really bothering me. In my neck of the woods, the temperature has gone from cold to hot to cold and rainy in a matter of days. We’re talking going from 40-something to 70-something and back again. Crazy! My sinuses are driving me nuts! But regardless of the pain, I know I have lots to be thankful for so here goes:

• Upward: I’m so very thankful for the church that hosts this; for the people who allowed Duck and I to coach a girls’ team; for all the girls on our team — 8 precious little hearts; for the people who came up with the idea, the supplies, and all that stuff. Upward is a great ministry and I highly recommend you get your kids involved. Especially if they are not all that athletic.
• Randee and the Pink Collar Club: Randee is the founder of the Pink Collar Club. She’s the one who orchestrated the whole Mirror, Mirror ebook project. Her and the other authors I met have been such a blessing to me. I’ve also been blessed by the new network she’s setup. Check out the network and join in. There are smaller sub-groups for writers, creative types, homemakers, and so much more! If you don’t see a group you feel you fit into, then by all means, create it There are others out there just like you. You are not alone in whatever you are facing!
• Study Group: I’m thankful for every one of the ladies who signed up for my study group forum. This is a kind of experiment for me to see if it’s possible to do a study together, online and through a forum. My prayer is that it’ll help just one person who maybe is having trouble connecting in real life Not that we’re not real, we’re just not physically close!
• Working out: I’m thankful for exercise and vitamins. I got back into the routine this week and it’s made a difference. Even though I had to start out slower than I thought I would have to, I still have hope that I’ll get back up to where I was at in a few weeks. I’m thankful for the friends I’m making down at the gym too. It helps to have a friend or two there just to smile and say hi to in between ab crunches. It also helps to have a friend help you up when you can’t get up off the floor after the crunches.
• Duck’s job: I’m very thankful for Duck’s job. God has really blessed us with his job — actually all of them really. God has now lead him to a place where there’s actually a team of people working together — it’s not just him that’s responsible for more than one man should be responsible for. He gets along great with all the people he works with and he loves the work. I’m thankful he likes to work too and that I don’t have to have a traditional outside the home job — at least not right now
• Doodle: Yesterday morning was a rough morning where it seemed like I did more yelling than anything to try and get her out the door to school. Today however, I started the day with prayer and it went much smoother. I even got a good hug this morning which I’m very thankful for! She’s growing up quickly and I know it won’t be long until she will not want anything to do with me. It’s hard for me to remember that when she follows me around the house — talking non-stop, but I’m working on it.

That felt good My head’s not hurting so bad right now. Join in on or read others’ Thankful Thursdays — it’ll cure any negative attitudes you may be having today

I was so offended by all the “Holiday” talk instead of CHRISTmas talk, I almost forgot it was Thankful Thursday!

• I am thankful I have gotten up early the past 2 mornings, read my Bible and prayed. It has made such a difference in my attitude.
• I am thankful for the ladies who’ve joined my forum. God is already working some great things in the beginning discussions. I pray that continues (and it’s not too late for you to join!).
• I am thankful for Duck’s sense of humor and great attitude. It’s been a week since Thanksgiving and I finally asked him if I could blog about the turkey. He said yes so I’ll blog about that later today.
• I am thankful for Upward Sports. If you aren’t familiar with it, you can read about it on their web site.
• I’m thankful that Duck is going to be Doodle’s Upward Basketball coach. I know he’ll do an awesome job!
• I’m thankful for Duck’s Boss Man who was led to share:

  For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. — Romans 15:4

  Because the devotion that followed that scripture was one that encouraged studying the Scriptures. Boss Man doesn’t know I’ve been praying for Duck to be pulled back into the Word especially since he’s going to be teaching Doodle’s basketball team. God’s been laying it on Duck’s heart as well that he needs to be reading his Bible daily.

• I’m thankful for Duck’s job. Although it’s temporary (he’s a contractor), we’re praying that he’ll be picked up permanently if it’s God’s will. He loves what he does there and he really likes the people he works with — they actually share information and don’t hoard it afraid for their own jobs.
• I’m thankful I found another fish light for Doodle’s room. Hers had broken several weeks ago. Duck sent me an email yesterday saying, “Last night when I put Doodle to bed, as I was covering her up she was starring at her new fish light a smiling so contentedly. It was priceless. It was as if the light removed any fear she had of sleeping in her room. I wish I could have had a picture of her face.”
• I’m thankful for this house — that keeps us warm in the winter, cool in the summer and dry in the rain.
• I’m thankful for many bloggers I’ve met the past few weeks as I’ve been leaving comments on other blogs. I’m thankful we can share our hearts and minds on the net

Laurel Wreath is hosting Thankful Thursday today. Stop by and check out what others are thankful for as well as sign Mr. Linky to your Thankful Thursday blog post.