Grateful...

Thanksgiving is a great time to really take a focused time to realize all the things you have to be thankful for. I struggle sometimes taking time to think about all the people and things in my life that I am grateful for so I am full of gratefulness after I took that time during the Thanksgiving week.

I am grateful for...

the love of a God that forgives my sin and gives me a hope daily and a reason to smile and help others find their smile

David...his compassion, laughter, love like I've never felt before and that continues to grow, being my best friend, and his intergrity and honesty as a person, his smile and pride in his family, the way he holds my hand, protection and security, dedication to his work and his family equally, and for seeing a potential in me that I didn't know was there and encouraging me to accomplish my dreams

Matthew...his purity and innocence, the way he knows his parents voice and looks for us, his amazing cute face and body, the way he snuggles into the curve of my neck, the love I have felt for him and knowing I get to be his mommy.  "Everyone calls you amazing...I just call you mine." -Martina McBride

My family...for always being there and not expecting anything in return, for being available and involved in my life, David's life, and now Matthew, for accepting David as if he were your own and loving him, for fun times and laughter, for the drama (overwhelming at times but just who we are), for always asking about something I'm involved in and remembering when it happens, and for teaching me what is right in life and giving me a great upbringing

My friends...who have been involved in my life in the past, present, and future, for the way you know what to say and when to say it (or not to say it), for laughter and great times together, reliability and always being there when I needed you

My work...for giving me a pay check(that's the obvious one), for giving me the opportunity to pursue my calling in life and providing the tools for me to do that to the best of my ability, for saying I do a good job. (Matthew is giving work a run for its money and making me want to make Matthew my work...we'll see).

There are many things to be thankful for and I get overwhelmed when I think about all that I have and all the people that have walked beside me in life. Thanksgiving should be a year round holiday and I hope that I can take the attitude of Thanksgiving and put that into my daily life and show my gratitude more to all I come in contact with.

Here are some pictures that outline Matthew's First Thanksgiving. We spent Thanksgiving Day with my family and had David's family over to our house on Friday. Matthew slept through most of the day, I think it was the turkey, but it was fun to have him along and a part of the family festivities now.

Matthew's Thanksgiving outfit...it says "I'm Stuffed"

Family picture, Matthew was already taking his Thanksgiving nap

Uncle Mark and cousin Maci playing with Matthew

Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother's house we go...

Uncle Mark and Aunt Kari holding the cutie

Sporting my Daddy's Cowboys hat during the game

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone and here comes Christmas!!