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Full Tummy and a Full Heart

Thanksgiving may possibly be one of my favorite Holidays. You would think it would be Christmas. I mean, in theory, Christmas is my favorite because it is celebrating the birth of Christ--but that whole significance aside.Thanksgiving is the official kickoff to Christmas. When I see and hear Christmas songs and decor, I no longer get annoyed like I do the day after Halloween. I am full of Christmas joy, and all the Fa-la-la-la-la.  I am ready to put of the tree and wrap presents. I am ready to watch Christmas movies, It's a Wonderful Life--cuddle on the sofa with nowhere better to go. And then when Christmas comes, it feels so bittersweet. Of course, it is CHRISTMAS.  So there is that, but then it is all over. Gone....just as quickly as it came. And all that is left if months of bitter cold ahead. 

But that is neither here nor there. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and in true tradition--I think it is good to think about, and reflect on what I am Thankful for. I wish I could offer something a little less cliche, but I am really a simple kinda gal. I am so thankful for my fabulous family and friends. First, the family I created.  My husband and two kids. When I was a child, I found it hard to imagine being close enough to live with a guy outside my parents and brother that--I could bare it all to.  Like, naked in every sense of the word. Someone I could get the stomach flu around and not be totally embarrassed (I think we covered that the night of our wedding...eeek!)  But, I reached a whole new level this year. Giving birth to my son--for all purposes...without an epidural. I may or may not have lost my composure during that, but the only person in the world that I would be okay loosing it all in front of was right there by my side. I am thankful I found that person and have that comfort with him.

I am thankful for my extended family. My parents and grandparents, sibling, cousins, and aunts & uncles (and all the people they dragged into our family by marriage). My family is lucky. It is easy to forget. But we all live within 45 minutes or less of each other. That is something. Today, it is not uncommon for families to be spread across the US.  I love that I have "my people" near by. And as we all ate together in fellowship today, I couldn't help but smile and think Ya these are my people, and I love them.

I am also thankful for my second family--our close friends.  Ian has 5--FIVE amazing close friends from high school.  And 4 of the 5 have chosen some pretty awesome women as their wives/significant others. And together, we have one great group of friends. In fact, we even throw our own Thanksgiving to celebrate the friendships we have with one another. And it is truly fabulous.

I am thankful for my church and church family.  I have met some awesome people, that every time I see them--I find myself challenged and wanting to be a better person and wanting to work to have a better relationship with God and to live a life that glorifies Him.

Anyways, another wonderful Thanksgiving has come and gone.  I am ready to embrace the next month.  Looking forward to building traditions with me newly completed family.  I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving as well.  

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