Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I love spending time with family, eating good food, and not having to worry about the stress of "did I get the right gift".  And I have a lot to be thankful for:

I am thankful for my family.  I have an amazing husband who is a great dad and a great husband.  He works hard for our family and picks up the slack around the house when I don't get things done. I have amazing children who are kind and thoughtful and super fun.  Calah and Gabe have blessed my life in ways I didn't know possible.

I am thankful for brothers, sisters, and in-laws who are great friends in addition to being family.  I am thankful for nieces and nephews who are adorable and fun to watch grow.  I am thankful for my mom and dad and all the support and love they have given me every day of my life.  I am thankful for a mother-in-law for raising such a wonderful man that I have had the privilege of marrying.  I am thankful to have grandparents that are healthy and active.

I am thankful for friends and the support network we have grown.  I am thankful for the kid's school and the families that we have met in the process.  I am thankful for their teachers who dedicate themselves so selflessly to the education of children.  I am thankful for our babysitter who loves and cares for my children and takes them whenever I need her to.  I am thankful for bus drivers who get my children to and from school safely every day.  I am thankful for parents of classmates who also will transport my children in times of need.

I am thankful that my husband and I are employed in our field of choice.  I am thankful that I get to spend my days teaching biology and trying to inspire young minds.  I am thankful, also, for four days off!

I am thankful that we have a home that keeps us sheltered from the cold and rain, and protected from the hot sun.  I am thankful that we can put food on our table and clothes on our bodies and gas in our cars.  I am thankful for all the material things that we have, but I am thankful that I know that material things are not what is important.  I am thankful that we are healthy, but if we needed to go to the doctor's we could. 

I am thankful that I live in a country where you can speak your mind without fear.  I am thankful for those that have give selflessly to protect our freedoms, whether that is giving of their time for service away from their families or with the ultimate sacrifice. 

I am thankful for my faith and my trust in God.  It may not always be easy, but it always leads me the right way.

I hope that you will think of all of the things that you are thankful for, too, on this wonderful holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!