happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Long time. No blog. Whew, life is happening so fast right now and neither one of us seem to be able to keep up. We'll catch you up later...but for now, let's do a traditional Thanksgiving post!

I love this time of year! I love the holidays and I love the energy that's in the air once Halloween is over!! So in the spirit of all things thankful, here's what I am most thankful for this year:

1. The Cross. I am nothing without Jesus. And there are not enough words to express my sincerest gratitude to Him for this ultimate sacrifice. Thank you for the blood shed on Calvary. For me. For sinful, undeserving me.

2. The Empty Tomb. More importantly, thank you for the empty tomb. Thank you for the cross, but thank you even more for crushing the head of death and rising again. Thank you for winning the war against Satan. For me. For sinful, undeserving me.

3. My parents. Ahh, why did I get tears in my eyes as I typed that?!?! I can boast that my parents are still happily married after 30+ years and I am so eternally grateful for their devotion to each other, their sacred vows, my sister and I, putting Jesus first in our family, and the list goes on and on. Thank you Mom and Dad for shaping me to be the woman I am today--faults and all. Thank you for giving me all of the confidence and humility that I've needed. I'm a broken girl without you guys and you're steadfast support.

4. My sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. My sister is my best friend. Life would be so boring, so incomplete without her. Thank you Sister for showing me what a great marriage looks like. Thank you Sister for showing me how to be a strong woman. Thank you Sister for blessing me with the most perfect nephew a girl could ask for. Thank you Sister for showing me that motherhood can be fun. Thank you Sister for protecting and sustaining my sweet niece that I cannot wait to meet! Thank you Sister for choosing your best friend to marry--and thank you Brother for loving me like your own sister.

5. Big W. My nephew gets his own number because my life is amazingly full with him in it. I love his voice. And his laugh. And his memory. And his funny made-up words. And his crazy blonde hair. And everything about him.

6. My friends. Near and far. You know who you are (oh that rhymed!). My life is incredibly blessed because of the girls and guys that have chosen me to be in their lives. Thank you for being my community, my support system, my laughing and drinking buddies. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for letting me into your lives, your kids' lives, your family's lives.

7. Glorious America. Ahhh, I love that I live in this country! I am so very proud to be an American. I am so very proud to put my hand over my heart and stare at Old Glory waving. I am very proud and incredibly thankful for the men and women I know who have served this country to guarantee that our freedoms remain in tact. Mom and Dad. My sweet late Poppie who served in the Navy. My brave late Granddaddy who was injured and lost two fingers during WWII. Chris who is serving as we speak in a location that I am not privy to know. Garrett, Eric, Danielle, Joshua--countless others who have and are defending our amazing country.

8. The ability to vote. This goes without saying. I may not always like the outcome of the process--and I will voice my opinion loudly when I don't--but I am so very thankful for the ability to have a say in what happens in this country.

9. Starbucks. Peppermint Mochas. Thank you for fulling my life (and stomach) with your tasty goodness.

10. Twilight, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games. I love getting lost in a good book. And these three series are my top favorites.

11. My freshman girls small group. I love seeing life and the world through the eyes of 14 and 15 year-olds.

12. Yankee. My little pup brings me so much joy (and frustration) but I just simply love her. I love cuddling with her at night. I love cuddling with her in the morning. She's so cute and so adorable and just the sweetest dog ever. She is the best decision I've ever made! ha!

13. My job and new job opportunities. I am so grateful to be employed during this time and to get increasing job responsibilities because my employer sees value in what I'm doing.

14. My creativity. It says in Genesis that mankind is made in God's image. I know I serve a creative God (have you ever seen a flamingo??). I am seriously tickled at the fact that God put some of his creativity in me and is allowing me to tap into it!

15. InStyle Magazine. Everytime I open my mailbox and see that delightful magazine of all things fashion in it, I squeal with delight!!!

16. OPI Nail Polish. If you know me but at all, you know that I hate to leave the house with my nails undone. OPI is my saving grace. (Right now, I'm rocking the Overexposed in South Beach color).

This list could go on and on...so I will stop here. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!