HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Here are some pics from Tanner's "Thanksgiving Feast" he had at school this week. CJ, Grace and I met him for lunch and a small program. It was very cute. Although I had to keep CJ in line. We're sitting at the table and they are serving food and CJ says, "Is this it? I thought we were coming here for lunch? Where's the rest?" Granted, it was a meager 1/2 cup (literally like the measuring cup) of stew, a 1 inch square of corn bread and a tiny bowl of marshmallow fruit salad - but still - we're sitting at a table with another family, and what did he expect really? After "the look" and a reminder to use his quiet voice and to be thankful for the little things we enjoyed the rest of the hour. :-)

On Thursday, I cooked - yah me! I LOVE to cook so it was a really fun day for me. I made homemade noodles, green beans, stuffing, Sugar Cream Pie and Pumpkin Pie. Brian and Beth did the turkey, rolls, and mashed potatoes. YUM!!! We all had a really great day. The guys worked on Brian and Beth's house a little, the kids played and Beth and I attempted to relax.

What I am thankful for....

There are so many things. Where do I start?

I am thankful for my family. Both extended and immediate. I'm thankful that I have such a good relationship with my parents and I hope one day I have that same kind of relationship with my kids. I am thankful for my sister. I am glad that we are friends and I look forward to the years ahead. I am thankful for my in-laws. They are truly the best. One could not ask for a better "second set" of parents. I am thankful for all the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins with which I share so many fond memories.

I am thankful for a few good friends! Where would a girl be without them. Through good times and bad, fun, anger, sorrow, the loss of loved ones, the birth of new babies - there's nothing like a great girlfriend. Thanks girls!

I am thankful for my kids. Tanner and Grace. What would I do without them. I have only vague memories of life before them and I wouldn't trade them for all the "extra time" in the world. They make me laugh, they make me cry. They fill me with such love it's almost indescribable. I love to watch them learn, I love to watch them grow, I look back and smile - I think ahead and wonder. And the baby on the way - I just can't wait to meet "it". (really wanted to put "him" but I'll resist - I just have such a strong feeling) Will it be a boy or a girl? What will it's personality be like? What will it's temperment be? Will it resemble CJ or me? How will the kids grow and bond together? How will it change the dynamics of our family?

Most of all I am thankful for CJ. As tears of joy fall from my face onto the keyboard as I type it's hard for me to express the amount of love and emotion that fills me when it comes to him. He is perfect for me in every way. He fits me like a glove. He knows what I want and need without me saying anything. He knows when I am sad, and knows how to help me through it. He knows what makes me happy and makes that a priority in his life. He loves me unconditionally, he always puts me first, he makes me feel so special that I can only hope that I do the same for him. We laugh, we play, we have very frank and candid discussions, we work together to raise our kids the best way we know how, we yearn for a little alone time (I know, maybe in about 20 years). The way he wears his heart on his sleeve, his honesty, his integrity, his character. He makes me a better person. I love him with all my heart and every ounce of my being.