I am blessed

Yesterday I complained. Today I want to give thanks.
I was realizing again how very blessed I am in so many ways.

Janis: (Yanis) My husband is a hard working man. He can fix anything in our home, and understands the workings of seemingly everything. In Latvian he would be said to have golden hands. He is a good Daddy, and husband.

Daniel: Our firstborn is such a joy to us. At 20 months he is at a very fun, happy, interesting age. He babbles nearly non-stop, and a few of those words are understandable to us. He has for some time said "Amen" when we finish praying before meals. But only lately has he waited to start eating until the prayer was finished and he whispered his "Amen." Sweet.

Baby #2: A very active baby- keeps us amused by its movements within me.

Home: We are blessed to live in the home Janis' father built. Janis has lived here his whole life. We have no debt and are slowly finishing up remodeling the house and dreaming up some additions for the future.

Work: Janis has a job, a good job, with lots of work. He has worked in the same place for 17 years. Wow, he is faithful and consistent. I can't imagine having worked half my life in one place.

Finances and the System: In Latvia when a Mom-to-be is 30 weeks pregnant she is released from her job on maternity leave. She then receives money from the government for the weeks before the baby is born. When the baby is born there is some sum for the birth of the baby. After the baby is born the country supports the Mom, as she is at home for the first 1 1/2 years. She is then expected to return to work. However, if she is pregnant, and the time she would be working is very short she can request unpaid vacation and continue to stay home until the next 30 weeks have rolled around in the second pregnancy. (This is what I am doing). The workplace of a woman on maternity leave is not permitted to fire or release her from her job while she is on maternity leave. So technically you can keep having babies and your workplace must give you a job when you return (or release you when you want to return if they no longer need you). I feel pretty blessed to have such a great system working for me being a stay at home Mom.

These are just a few of my blessings, not counting friends, hobbies, Mom's group, etc.