*****Thanksgiving*****

What a GREAT holiday!! Hanging out with family members while you eat amazing food in large quantities. The best part though is lounging around the whole rest of the day then warming up some left-overs and experiencing the meal all over again. Obviously it's not all about the food, or the lounging. It's about family, it's about all the things that the Lord has blessed you with, whatever that may be. What am I thankful for? That is probably the easiest question to answer!

**What I am thankful for**

First and foremost, I'm thankful for everything the Lord has done for me. I'm thankful that he has taken me as His daughter and keeps me, and my family, protected. I'm thankful that he always supplies our needs and desires. I love that he listens to me and always knows what's best for me. I love that no matter what the day has been like, that in just 5 minutes with Him, it's better. I'm thankful that his mercies are new every morning.

For a husband that loves me unconditionally, who is always there for me no matter what the situation. He's strong, loves the Lord and is working along with me to raise our family in a home that is built on the Lord and everything that we believe in. A husband who can't leave the house without giving me a kiss and making me laugh. Who can't fall asleep until he's told me he loves me. A husband that prays for me and with me. A husband that knows me better than I know myself. Who can joke around with me and make me laugh until it hurts. A husband who loves to shop, I hear they are hard to come by. =)

I'm thankful for a beautiful daughter. A daughter who is also a friend and a companion. A tiny person who is constantly making me smile and laugh. I love watching her as she finds pleasure in the small things that I would normally take for granted...(ie. flushing the potty or dancing around the house in only her diaper). I'm thankful for the radiance that she brings into not only our home but also into our lives. A quick smile, "I love you's" at the drop of a hat, and lots of kisses. A daughter who loves to pray and even occationally asks if we can pray over our food again mid-way through. A daughter who will grow to love the Lord and to have an intimate relationship with him. Praise God!!

I am also thankful for my sisters. Two individuals that encompass so much of me. Two beautiful women who I have found to be the funniest people I know. Two strong, intelligent individuals who rely solely on the Lord and who have become people that I truly admire. My two best friends. The girls I run to when I need advice or just someone to talk to. My two beauty consultants. The people I can be "undignified" with...=) I laugh with them and cry with them. I share every aspect of my life with them and I wouldn't want it any other way.

For my parents who raised three strong women who love the Lord. They have been the two individuals who I base my parenting on. I respect them so highly for raising us with such love and care. For raising us in a Godly house. They never pushed us or forced us to do anything. I respect them so highly. Now that I myself am a parent, I see what it was like for them. The sacrifices that were made and the amount of compassion and love that it takes to discipline and teach a child. Not am I only thankful for how they raised us, but I'm thankful for the relationship I have with them now. I'm so thankful that I can come to them with anything. That they are able to be not only be parents to me, but friends with me. I'm so thankful that I have such a strong relationship with my parents. I can share everything with them and never feel like they look upon me differently. I'm thankful that I can always count on them to be praying for me. To have comfort in knowing that they are praying for me on a daily basis. They are the true definition of what a parent should be.

I am also thankful for my in-laws. They are truly amazing people. I can be myself with them and I love that. I've heard horror stories of "monster-in-laws" and am so glad to have been blessed with Dave and Karen as my second set of parents. They are strong and loving. They love the Lord and are true witnesses to what it means to be like Christ. They are very much so like my own parents and for that I respect them highly. I truly have been blessed.

And who could forget my sweet sister-in-law Jessica? She's such a strong, straigh-forward woman. I really respect her strength. She can be as tough as nails, but as sweet as candy at the same time. She's funny and is someone that you feel so relaxed around. Being with her is just like being with one of my own sisters. I admire her in every aspect of the word. She's a beautiful, adventurous and successful woman. I am glad that she is a part of my life.

Lastly there are all of my friends that have been such a key part in who I am. There are Amy and Donielle who have been more like sisters than best friends. Then there are all my friends from High School, many of whom I don't see anymore, but they were a key part in who I have become and for that I am forever in debt to them. Then there are my newer friends, Heather, Koralyn, Jesse, Mary, Lisa and Lori who each hold special places in my heart. All of them are amazing women and I've learned so much from each of them. They've been here to listen to the things I've struggled with and are right there on the same page with me. We never have to feel ashamed speaking our minds because we've all been to the same place and all have good advice for one another.

As you can see, I've got many things to be thankful for and I'm not ashamed to say that there's even more! The Lord has truly blessed me abundantly. My cup runneth over. I'm so glad that there is a whole day set aside just to remember how blessed you are and to really just be forced to sit and think about it. Thank you to everyone who is involved in my life. For each and every one of you, I am thankful for. Thank the Lord for blessing me with so many people who love me and are sharing their lives with me.

I only hope that all of you reading really took some time this holiday to reflect on all the things that You've been blessed with and to remember who was responsible for those things. Give praise where praise is due...Thank the Lord for the big and the little. It's the least we can do.