What I'm Thankful For

I've tried to shy away from random lists, but this one is just too easy to put together and to important not to post. Please keep in mind that this is very much a stream of consciousness list.

What I'm Thankful For

1. My fantastically happy and extremely healthy son Ezekiel.
2. My fantastically patient, beautiful, and spunky wife Jill.
3. My loving family. Mom and Dad, I wouldn't be here (obviously) without you.
4. My brother and sister. You two are the best. Thanks for all the parenting tips.
5. My In-Laws. Nobody could ask for better. Nobody. John, Joyce, Julie and Randy, you all Rock!
6. ESPN
7. Dr. Sharon Shields. Thanks for taking a chance on a scrawny science teacher.
8. La Vega ISD - the best kept secret in the Waco area.
9. Northside Church of Christ - my home away from home and the only thing that kept me in Waco until I rediscovered Jill.
10. The Abrahams family. My family away from home. Lonnie, Mary, Wes and Bob, I miss you guys. I'm a schmuck for not visiting more often.
11. Email
12. The internet in general.
13. My Mom taking me (and my siblings) to the library every summer...
14. My Dad for instilling in me a good work ethic (much against my will, I might add).
15. My brown Toyota pickup (I'm sure it's still running up and down the highway SOMEWHERE.)
16. My students at school. They drive me crazy, but I'm always up on the latest slang and fads...
17. Cartoon Network
18. Scott Freeman - this blog is his fault.
19. The Dallas Cowboys - not because they win or lose, but because I remember how much fun it was to watch the games with my uncles at my Granma's in the good old days.
20. Every single individual who currently or ever has donned the uniform of the United States Military. I feel safer knowing there are dedicated individuals looking out for me. I want them on that wall. I NEED them on that wall.
21. That I have a list that's longer than 20 entries, and the knowledge that I could list blessings forever and still need more room.
22. That I"m my Mom's "Favorite". (except for when Lance is the favorite or when Whitney is...)
23. That if I ever need advice on anything (no really...anything). My Dad is imminently qualified to give it.
24. That I'm finally smart enough to realize how smart my Dad is.
25. That I'm finally smart enough to realize how funny my Dad is.
26. That I'm finally smart enough to realize that I needed every spanking I ever got, plus roughly 5000 more.
27. That Jill and I agree that Zeke may need several hundred himself before it's done.
28. Jill likes motorcycles too.
29. Jill likes golf too.
30. Jill lets me indulge in the previous two.
31. Jill lets me win at 29.
32. If we ride together, Jill lets me drive (#28).

I can now see the appeal of these lists. Hopefully I'll be able to restrain myself and save them for important occasions.

I'm trying to work up a rant over something reasonably important...maybe about how it's wrong to start Christmas until about December 12th....we'll see.