Thanksgiving 2011

My family is spread throughout the house doing various holiday activities. Our main tree is decorated, the mantle is transformed, the kids are decorating their small tree downstairs, and Big Daddy is watching his Detroit Lions! Life is good.

I take lots of grief in November because I also start looking forward to Christmas. It is not because I am skipping Thanksgiving. It is actually just the opposite. These two holidays have always been combined in my family and I have many years of happy memories tied up in this time of year. No matter what was happening in our lives, my mom made sure that every holiday was a big deal! Thanksgiving and Christmas were no exception. It never really mattered what was or was not going to be under the tree. The act of decorating, listening to Christmas music starting in November, and eagerly waiting to spend the day with family WAS the big deal. I moved away from home twenty-five years ago, but even if I am not physically able to be there, my heart is sitting in my parents living room on Carlyss drive on every holiday. So when I start listening to Christmas music in November and put up my Christmas tree on Thanksgiving day, it is because I am thankful for the childhood I had and the happy memories that live in my heart.

And with that, here is a short list of people/things I am especially thankful for today. There is no way to list every person or experience who has brought joy to my life -- so this is just a sample.....
1) Happy childhood memories
2) Big Daddy: 19 years ago we took vows to love each other "for better - for worse." We have tested those vows many times over the years, but today I am thankful for the good times, and for him. He is a good husband,father, and provider. I am thankful every day that my children have such a good relationship with their dad.
3) Debbie: I am thankful that God brought Debbie to our family when we were teenagers. None of us could have ever known that all these years later she would bless us with the most wonderful and selfless gift of all. I always knew that she would give you the shirt off your back if she thought you needed it more, but to share your child is by far the most precious gift of all.
4) Samantha: What a gift! I thank god for her every single day. She is kind and loving and has the most incredible sense of social justice of anyone I know. She finds true joy in doing things for others and there are no words to describe how much I love her.
5) Amanda: 17 years ago we were blessed with a chubby faced crazy hair baby girl. Our time with her has been challenged and varied over the years, but she is always in our hearts.
6) Zachary: What a gift! This child is funny and ornery and loving and just when you think you have seen it all, you have not! I look forward to what he is going to say or do every.single.day.
7) Cooper: This is my most thankful child. He always says "thank you" and is the best cuddle buddy ever! He is also the happiest child I have. A song in his heart and a bee bop in his step. If you need a hug - just find Cooper!
8) Sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, and cousins: I miss not living our day to day lives with you but I am still thankful to have each of you and proud to call you family. I am pretty sure there are no other families like ours!
9) Friends: I have a small group of people I consider to be a "friend." I am careful to surround myself with people who are kind and who treat one another with love. There are too many to separate out because each one serves their own purpose in my life. I love them all and spending time with a true friend never gets old.
10) My home: We have lived in many states and many homes over the years. I don't tend to have sentimental ties to physical things, but if I ever have to leave this house, it will be with sadness. Our lives changed here and I am pretty attached to this place!
11)Pampered Chef, Scentsy, Brighton Jewelry, Coca-Cola, French Fries, and Cheesecake
12) Winter, a fire in the fireplace, snow, my Nook Color, my Laptop, and my iphone
13) Good neighbors, colleagues, and the opportunity to go to graduate school

Happy Thanksgiving, Ya'll