A Heart of THANKSgiving!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only a few days away!  I don't know why but as I get older the holidays creep up on me faster and faster each year!  I think it's because when you're little you start looking forward to Christmas in July, and so it seems to take FOREVER for the holidays to arrive.  Now, life is so busy that there doesn't seem to be enough time to get excited. 

It's the day before Thanksgiving and I haven't even gone to the grocery store yet.  I'm kind of dreading it since I'm sure the masses are out.  Why oh why do I procrastinate on these things???  We are spending the holiday here in Missoula this year.  I got to thinking about it and this is the first Thanksgiving we've spent at home...I guess that's what happens when you've got family spread across the whole northwest.  My duties this year are to make a green bean casserole, a cranberry salad and a pecan pie.  I wasn't actually asked to make a pecan pie but I'm not a fan of pumpkin pie (I know, I know - unamerican, right?) and so a pecan pie for me it is!  

I'm sure many families have this tradition but it's been my experience ever since I can remember that at Thanksgiving dinner, everyone at the table says what they are thankful for.  It was last year that we told my parents we were pregnant AGAIN.  I'm usually starving before dinner is even served but last year I was so nervous I thought I was going to throw up everywhere.  I knew our news was going to send my mom into a tailspin and so all of the feelings of joy and excitement of telling loved ones you're going to have a baby were non-existent.  HOWEVER, after the initial shock I think everyone calmed down enough to enjoy the rest of Thanksgiving.  I'm thankful I don't have any more news like that again this year. :)

I have a lot to be thankful for this year, though.  I'm thankful I have the family I do.  My husband is by far the most admirable man I have ever known and definitely the greatest father to our children.  I honestly don't think I could have dreamed up a better husband or father. (Besides my own dad but he's in a category all by himself)  I'm thankful I have two beautiful, healthy and happy kids.  I'm of course biased but they truly are the BEST!  I'm thankful I have a home and enough money to buy a coffee every now and then.  (I'm sure Alex is not thankful for the latter)  My life, even though it definitely presents great challenges, is pretty darn good.  I truly believe family is the greatest gift here on earth, and hands down, I have the best family a wife, mother, and daughter could ask for.  I even love my in-laws (both sets!) which speaks volumes.  Most importantly, though, I'm thankful for a God that loves me despite my screw-ups and mistakes.  He is, after all, the giver of everything I have to be thankful for.  

Having a heart of thanksgiving is difficult for some but I'm lucky enough to have it come easy.

I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!