21 Years, 21 Things I’m Thankful For!

21 years, say what?! 

Time is a crazy thing. It goes by so quickly and feels like the older you get the faster it goes. I have so many things to be thankful for this birthday and especially celebrating it for the first as a family of 3! To commemorate the day I decided to do a fun little post of just 21 things I’m thankful for! This year has brought so much hardship, confusion, negativity, and hate for so many that I wanted to share a bit of positivity for my birthday. So here goes!

1. So thankful for my Creator. Despite the quarantine, I’m so thankful for the ability to go outside and explore God’s creation
2. My hardworking husband. I’m so blessed to have a husband that provides for us so well and has such a good work ethic. 
3. Our beautiful home. If you know our house story, you know it’s a crazy tale! But it was ALL GOD, and there’s not a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for it.
4. God’s timing. Last year when we got our house. Exactly a week after we moved in we got a surprise positive pregnancy test. But even crazier, I was 9 weeks along and didn’t know. I’m thankful to God for allowing us to get this house before the baby arrived. 
5. Coffee. Sounds simple! But as a SAHM so I’m thankful for my coffee!
6. My Mom. After becoming a mom and all the little and big things that come along with that. I’m so grateful for my mom. Every week our whole family goes over there for dinner, and she is THE BEST short-order cook. She goes out of her way to make sure you never go away hungry and makes the best food!
7. Our swamp cooler! When our AC went out 2 months ago we were going to have to get a new unit, but my dad happened to have a swamp cooler and within 1 day we had cool air again! I won’t ever take it for granted.
8. What Hudson’s teaching me. It amazes me how fun it is for a baby to experience new things. And just even the littlest of activity. Watching him brings me so much joy, and helps me remember to enjoy those little things.
9. Quiet time with God. Now more then ever is this a vital part of my day. Mamma’s find just a little time each day to have it, you won’t EVER regret it!
10. Music. Music has become a huge part of Hudson’s and my day! He loves music and dances to it like nobody’s watching. I love the way it brightens up our days and especially praise music, how it encourages!
11. Church family. It goes without saying that this year has been so different for us Christians as our churches have been closed down and are reopening. Not being able to be with our brothers and sisters takes a toll on our fellowship. I won’t ever take it for granted because it’s so vital to our Christian walk.
12. Our Dyson Vacuum! Okay, sister, I know it’s silly but hear me out. I LOVE our vacuum. It’s amazing. If you don’t have a Dyson and are looking for a vacuum and can get one. DO IT. It’s seriously the best house appliance ever!
13. Jett. Our sweet black Labrador is the best family dog we could’ve imagined. He and Hudson are best buds. Jett is gentle with him and so peaceable. If you’re looking for a family dog, Labs are amazing! 
14. Our green Yukon. This green machine has 260,000 on it y’all and gets up and goes! While we’re saving for a car, we plan to drive it till we can’t anymore. It’s reliable, safe, and honestly, I’m sentimentally attached to it. I’ll probably cry when it goes caput. But that being said, it’s taught me having the latest and greatest doesn’t mean much. If something’s broken and can be fixed, fix it! 
15. The ability to write. As a blogger, I love being able to express myself through words. Ever since I was in grade school writing was an outlet for me and I loved it! 
16. Alternatives to allergen foods. Unfortunately, I can’t eat gluten and haven’t for about 4 years. It makes this mamma sick. But the great thing is that so many stores/restaurants are widening their food alternatives and so I’m able to enjoy more options again! (Btw if any of y’all know of a great GF sourdough bread thats the one thing I can’t find and I’m dying for!)
17. Being a SAHM. Ever since I was a little girl my dream was to be a wife and mother. And part of that was to be able to stay at home. God has blessed so much in this area and has allowed for me to be able to stay home with Hudson. I’m so thankful every day for this opportunity.
18. Clothes. You knew this one was coming right?! I love being able to match items together and create something I love wearing. I’m thankful for all the creative minds when clothes are designed. So yes, I’m thankful for clothes!!
19. Our freedom and rights in this country. I could write a whole book on politics but I won’t. Haha. But that being said, I’m so thankful for our rights in the nation as Christians and also for our freedom to worship God freely, our freedom of speech, and the right to bear arms.
20. Sunrises and Sunsets. Not only are they so marvelous and breathtaking but it’s a wonderful gift of calm and beauty straight from God himself.
21. Last, but the most important, is God’s salvation. Without God, I would not be where I am today. I have all these things in life to be thankful for solely because of him. He surpasses all our needs and sent his ONLY Son as a sacrifice for our sins. That in itself is the main reason out of life that I have to be grateful.

Thanks for reading,

xoxo, Shantel