My Christmas of Blessing

Well, as I was sitting out in the backyard watching the sun set in the west, I thought it might be good to recount my blessings. I had a very blessed Christmas this year - materially so as well as relationally and spiritually. Here's what I am thankful for:
1. My relationship with the Lord of Creation. He is SO merciful to put up with me but I know I would be lost without His love and care.
2. My wonderful wife of twenty years in May of 07. She is my best friend - often times my only friend and a wonderful mother and partner. It is such a blessing to have so many shared values and perceptions about life, our world, and our marriage. She truly is my best half.
3. Wonderful parents and in-laws. You know, a guy just can't have too many mothers and fathers I think!
4. Wonderful sons. They are so cute and SO all-boy. They crack me up and drive me crazy all at the same time. I look forward to seeing the men they will become (and am working REALLY hard to help launch them successfully when their time comes - wish that would include lots of resources too - we'll see...).
5. Great extended families on both sides. I enjoy their company SO much - especially at holidays. I find it easy to get along with them (O.K., there are a couple on my side that can be a challenge at times :o)
6. A GREAT employer and boss. I must work in the nicest and most encouraging place with some of the planet's nicest folks. I truly love my boss and seek his counsel about a lot of things.
7. A great Pastor(s) and a good church.
8. A wonderful place to live with great landlords!
9. 2+ Nice cars that run!
10. Living in a great town and in a state with a mild climate (aggravating politics - but if it were perfect it wouldn't be earth).
11. Lots of good books to read!
12. Chances to do unusual and fun things once in a while - like dress up as some guy from a different time period and give lectures or ...whatever.

Well, I was also really blessed with wonderful Christmas gifts this year - I really got far more than I asked for or expected. It isn't always good to get so many gifts but once in a while.....it's GREAT! A quick list gives you some insight into my strange hodge-podge of interests that make me such a bizarre fellow.
1. Some great books - Plymouth in the Words of Her Founders, The New England Primer, Raising A Modern Day Knight (COOL book about helping sons become gentlemen), 7 Key Biblical Concepts violated by Dating (actually a good read - much to chew on!), Every Young Man's Battle and workbook, Tribe - A Warrior's Heart. I got a lot of reading material because my wife and I are trying to get a comprehensive strategy for helping raise our sons as Christian Gentlemen before they become teenage uckies!
2. Seasons 1 & 2 of House, the complete Star Trek Animated Series on DVD
3. A box of Amber Lyn Belgium Chocolates that are better for diabetics than regular chocolate - to die for!
4. A steel replica of a Roman Centurion's Helmet w/ crest and Roman sandals.
5. A hand carved spiked Mace (mostly ceremonial) also for re-enacting.
6. A nice shirt
7. Lots of gift cards, yummy treats (including 3 blueberry pie coupons!), coffee mugs and Christmas Tree decorations from my kids and students.
8. A much larger than usual Christmas bonus that allowed me to give some really nice gifts to my wife, sons and family. It was fun to give a little more generously than we usually can. Wow!
Gosh - when you write it all down it sure looks like the great haul that it is! All the more to be thankful for!