Thanksgiving

Well, today is the big day! The one day of the year totally centered around eating! I would like to tell you that I was going to eat mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes but that is not the case. I figure that one day a year will not ruin me. I am going to get on the treadmill this morning to at least help counter balance the food and I am trying to have no seconds.

Today should be a fun day. There are about 30 of us getting together. I made 4 dishes. Sweet potato casserole, Raspberry Pretzel Jello salad, Broccoli/Cauliflower salad and green bean casserole. My sister-in-law, Kimmie, makes the best desserts and I have already read the long list of pies she is making. It will be so yummy! We could not do Thanksgiving with out the sacrifice of my brother/sister-in-law, Joel and Shelley, they are always willing to open their home up and host the family. They do have a great house for hosting but they always seem to draw the short straw...but I am so Thankful for them.

I thought I would focus on the just a few of the things I am thankful for....
A wonderful husband, who does way more than his share. He is such a hard worker and the best daddy. I am so proud of him. He lights up our children's eyes. I hear about these husbands that aren't great helpers. Well, Travis changes diapers, bathes kids, feeds kids, gets up in the night as well as going to work every day and keeping up with our huge yard. I am also thankful that he unloads the dishwasher (because I only like to load) and thankful for the cup of coffee that he brings to me each morning.

Thankful for a wonderful 3 year old son, Hudson. My life has been so much more fulfilled since having him. He is so much fun and his vocabulary never ceases to amaze me. He is smart, talented and funny and I love the joy he brings to our family. Thankful for my little princess, Reese. She is the sweetest little girl. It has been so fun to watch her grow this year and fun to dress/accessorize her. I am actually thankful for hair bows. :)

Thankful for my friends. I would not have made it this far down this journey without you all. Friends really are your chosen family. Even those of you who are far away, know that I love and miss you. I cherish the memories we have together and the impact that you have made in my life.

Thankful for my family. I have two grandparents that gave me a wonderful life. We made lots of fun memories going on trips and participating in all my extra curricular activities. Thankful for my mom and hoping that she is recovering from her surgery she had on Monday. She has been in a lot of pain the last 2 years and I am hoping this makes a big difference for her. Thankful for my in-laws; who have been my family for 14 years. Looking forward to a fun Thanksgiving with them this year.

Especially today thankful for a warm house. It is sub zero temps here in Idaho today. Brrr.. Last week a Facebook friend contacted me and said she was looking for 12 month-2T clothes for 2 kids who were found with their young mom living under a bridge in Knoxville. I hurried and gathered a big rubbermaid of clothes and toys for the kids. Breaks my heart. We really do take things for granted. The food we eat, the heat in our house, the air we breath, the clean water we drink. Thankful to be an American with the freedoms we have. So thankful that I do not have to live a life where I am persecuted every day for my sex, race or religion. Thankful for our military that keeps us safe and for the sacrifice they make. Especially thinking of my nephew who is in Kuwait this Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Take time to remember what you are thankful for and never take for granted all that you have. Life is not perfect but there is SO much to be Thankful for!