top ten things i am thankful for today...

greetings everyone! over the weekend, i found myself thinking of all the things i am thankful for at this time in my life. some statements will also include austin based on things we talk about on a daily basis! with it being the week before thanksgiving (my most favorite holiday of all!!), i decided to put some thought into a "top ten" list for one of my posts this week. of course austin and i are blessed in more than just ten ways...but these are some of the highlights. 10. the BEAUTIFUL fall weather, colors, and smells. just thinking about this makes me grin from ear to ear. 9. all the little things i have that make life a bit easier...running water and electricity, cars to get us from place to place, food in our pantry and fridge, pencils and paper, our vacuum cleaner, toilet paper (haha), and so on. 8. our house...a place where we can relax, reenergize, entertain, grow as a couple and as a family. a cozy and comfortable place full of character. a place we think is "just the right size." 7. a sound mind...just like everyone else, sometimes i get confused, tongue-tied, and can't seem to find just the right word, but in the end, i am glad i can get it all figured out. i suppose this is also the place i can mention being thankful for our general health! we are lucky to be healthy and able to go about our day-to-day business free of pain and discomfort. 6. a complication-free, symptom-free pregnancy...from the very first day back in march, things have been a dream! smooth-sailing! enjoyable! i could not have asked for more when it came to little owen's development. 5. our amazing dogs...they are a huge source of joy in our lives and love us more than we can fathom. they cuddle up with us, make us laugh, and enjoy being around us. 4. family and friends...phone calls, cards, visits, gifts, and e-mails. not to mention constant support and interest in our daily lives! there are so many people who care about us and love us. we are blessed beyond measure! 3. austin...he is such an amazing man. loving, forgiving, motivated, intelligent, Godly, patient. i love him with all my heart and give God sole credit for causing our paths to cross approximately 8 years ago. like most normal couples, we have our ups and downs...we bicker and fuss...we struggle from time to time...but we always come together to make things right. we always try harder to avoid mess-ups and do our best to learn from past mistakes. we always make sure the other knows how much they are loved. 2. God...how great it is to know we have Someone to go to when we have something on our hearts and/or minds, whether it be a request or a word of thanks!! we can find comfort in knowing how great He is and how much He loves us! answering prayers, helping us relax and find peace, loving us and forgiving us constantly, guiding us to be the people he wants us to be. truly, God is awesome! and the number 1. thing i am grateful for on this very day... 1. meeting owen patrick for the first time this friday! i am feeling a wide variety of emotions ranging from excitement to anxiousness! it will be so great to see his little face, hear his cry for the first time, look into his itty bitty eyes, hold him in my arms, kiss his little forehead...what wonderful things to look forward to!!! i know God has formed him to be our child and has prepared us to be his parents! it is all part of His plan! what an amazing adventure we are about to embark upon! i hope all of you have a wonderful week. :) carianne