Every Monday,  Emily from Ember Grey hosts a Grateful Heart link up. I recently started participating in this because, if we’re completely honest with ourselves, we are all a bit grumpy on Monday’s. The weekend is over, back to work (for most) and/or back to getting the children and spouses back in their routines… it can be stressful. So, to have to sit and think about what you’re grateful for on a Monday really puts you in a much better mindset for the rest of the day! 

So, today is Grateful Heart Monday, let’s jump in:

+ I’m grateful for the simple fact that I have a warm home. I’ve never really lived in a place where poverty and the homeless were visible… until Hawaii. I know, you’d think every home was a million dollar pad and you just sit around in bikinis, drinking Mai Tais all day, but that’s just not how it is. When you get out of the touristy spots, and especially when you pass a public park, you see homeless folks set up with tents and carts, and it just breaks your heart. Now, I know the weather there is fabulous, so they don’t have much to worry about, but here, in Illinois, even though I am in an area where I don’t see a lot of homeless, I know they have to be somewhere; maybe the next city or town. And I know how cold it is just from the few minutes I’m out walking the dog. I just feel so bad for them to try to survive in this, and it makes me incredibly thankful that God gives me a warm home.

+ I’m grateful for a Mr. who really gets me. I have a weird sense of humor, I know this. Some say it is dry, some just flat out don’t get my jokes, or how I can say something and crack myself up for at least a solid 10 minutes. Others don’t understand how I can be giggling non-stop and just when you think it’s going to end, I start up again. I really don’t know what to tell the “Others” but I’m so grateful God gave me a man who just flat out gets me, and can laugh along with me. I may seem shy or quiet most of the time, but don’t be surprised when I break out something down right hilarious.

+ I’m so grateful for “Erin” A.K.A. my life planner. I got the idea to name her Erin from Rebecca, (RebeccaChapman blog) and instead of saying “Planner” over and over, she calls hers Erin, (for Erin Condren, the lady who made these) SUCH a great idea! And I’m grateful for my “Erin” and the fact that it allows me to write something down so it can remember things for me and I can free my brain of the details of life.

+ Lastly, I’m so grateful for my God. In all honesty, this year hasn’t been the sparkly, happy, simply fabulous year I wished for. It’s been gray and gritty. And, at the end of the year, I’m finally OK with it being this way. I finally realized that God must be seasoning me for times to come, and if this year is gray and gritty, then next year HAS to be the sparkly, happy, simply fabulous year, right?

What are you grateful for on this Monday?