I'm thankful in December...

Here we are again...at my monthly "I'm annoyed, yet thankful" list. Here goes nothing:

• I'm annoyed that the Christmas season flies by so fast! Especially with a late Thanksgiving this year, it seems like we just put up our tree, and we're less than two weeks from Christmas. It's so fast! Yet, I'm thankful that the reason it's flying by, is that we're enjoying the hustle and bustle of this season, and that we're busy, busy!
• I'm annoyed that I've been so swamped with work that I've barely had time to do my Christmas shopping. Yet, I'm thankful that all the money I'm making is now in the bank account, and so I CAN freely go Christmas shopping!
• I'm annoyed that it's so warm out! What is that about? I mean, we do live at the beach, so there is no chance of a white Christmas, but seriously. . . is a little "sweater weather" too much to ask for? But, I'm thankful that the girls can be busy playing outside, and can (warmly) burn off some of the Christmas sugar rush by running around. They love it, so I guess so should I!
• I'm annoyed that my sweet Gracyn just celebrated her SEVENTH birthday last week. I totally cannot believe that I have a seven year old baby! I don't know why, but seven just seems so big. It seems like just yesterday she was born. . . but, I'm so, so, so thankful that she's had seven healthy, happy years with us. She's such a blessing, and is already such a little lady. She's smart, and funny, and is definitely full of her own little personality. My life was forever changed the moment she was born. I'm thankful that for the past seven years, I've been completely blessed to be her mom!
• I'm annoyed that the economy is still in the toilet, and that we're constantly worried about Dow's job. But, I'm totally thankful that in this economy Dow still has a job and a paycheck! And, although it's very stressful at times, it's a job he loves.
• I'm annoyed that Miss Maggie's favorite past time is destroying everything in sight! She loves the tree, the Christmas cards, the presents, and anything else that she can see...she doesn't just love to look at it, oh no! She loves to tear it into little tiny pieces (which she then tries to eat!) Okay...now what's the thankful part of this one? Hmmm...this one is tough! I guess that I'm thankful that she's such a curious and busy little baby? And that when she's sitting there with wrapping paper on her head and hanging out of her mouth, she's just so darn cute?
• I'm annoyed that my washing machine keeps eating socks! I know that this seems silly, but it's so annoying! I mean, really...where are they going? The girls wear knee socks with their school uniform, and I can't do one load of white laundry without ending up with three missing socks. I've searched the girl's room, in the bottom of the laundry basket, the lint filter in the dryer, under the washing machine...everywhere! They are no where to be found. Maybe one day, I'll find a huge pile of white socks somewhere. But, I'm thankful that white socks are cheap, and readily available at Target (don't they have everything at Target???) And, that they are so, so cute on the girls...there is nothing cuter than my little monkeys in their little plaid school jumpers and knee socks!
• I'm annoyed that I haven't read a book (or magazine for that matter) in months! I just don't have the time to sit down for any length of time to do anything. And, if I do, Maggie is busy undecorating the tree (see above!). But, I'm thankful that having no free time means that I'm busy living life and being busy with the things that matter...spending time with my family and friends, and making memories that last. I know that reading is important, and it's something that I really love to do, but I just don't think that on my death bed I'm going to be saying, "Man! I sure do wish I'd finished that last novel or read the latest issue of People!"
• I'm annoyed that every time we get ready to decorate something with lights (trees, wreaths, garland, etc) half of the lights seem to be out. I think that our attic has a force field that automatically kills lights as soon as they enter the area. But, I'm thankful that my "Bob-the-Builder" husband makes it his personal mission to find the blown bulb and fix it, pronto, no matter what it takes. I'm also thankful for the little red "light checker" gun that some friends turned us on to (you can get it at Target, too!). It super nifty, and lights the strand so that you can see which bulb is out...too cool. Dow is a big fan!
• I'm annoyed that for so many people, Christmas is just about Santa and gifts. But, I'm thankful that for us, it's about so much more! Not only is it one of the greatest celebrations for Christians, as it's the celebration of the birth of our Savior. But it's also such a season of love, good will, peace, and happiness. There is no other moment the entire year for me that is filled with such well being, and such a feeling of wholeness and happiness and thankfulness than at the moment the candles are lit at our Christmas Eve service. To stand there, surrounded by my family and friends, in candlelight, singing "Silent Night," is to truly be at peace. . . no matter what else is going on in the world.

So, I guess this month, my "Annoyed, yet Thankful List" has taught me to appreciate this busy time of year, and all that it entails. But, make sure to take time for your own "Silent Night" wherever that may be. Merry, merry Christmas!