I can't believe that we've been in Indiana for almost an entire year. I can't believe that Thanksgiving is here. Where has the year gone?
As I sit in anticipation of preparing my very first Thanksgiving meal, without my Virginia family, I can't help but think about all the things I am so very thankful for this year.
Last year this time, we were unemployed and unsure of where we would end up. We put our house on the market and put our faith in God. Lo and behold, we landed on our feet. It was a struggle to get here but through our faith and trusting in God's plan, we made it and have had a lot growth this year as a family.
First and for most, I am thankful for family. I am so blessed to have Chris as my partner in crime to just do life together. I look back over the ten years that we've been together and just smile. I'm lucky enough to be married to my best friend. I'm privelaged enough to be married to someone who has the same solid values in faith that I do. No matter what our future holds, our marriage is stronger than either of us thought it could ever be because we are a team. We are in this thing called life together. We are each other's support system, cheerleader, guidance counselor, and companion. How absolutely lucky am I?
Secondly, I am so very, very blessed to have been given a wonderful gift from God. Matthew is a true blessing in my life. He keeps me centered and reminds me that we are all innocent. I love watching Matthew grow. Not only is he getting older, but he's growing in his faith as well. I can't tell you the countless times that we have had biblical discussions in the car. It makes me proud that he puts God first in his life. That's not because of anything particularly special that I've done raising him, it's him seeing how important prayer, faith, and God are for himself. Matthew is turning into a very confident, smart, and good looking young man and I have God to thank for that. No matter what struggles Matthew has had to face, he's always come out on top.
I'm thankful for the health of my family. I'm thankful that this year, we are employed and able to enjoy the fruits of our labors. I'm thankful that our house, while it has been on the market for over a year, it is finally under contract and will hopefully be a done deal before Christmas. I'm thankful that I've been able to live closer to my grandparents this year. I'm thankful for a roof over my head, food in my belly, and clothes on my back. I'm thankful to have such wonderful friends that I know I can call and cry or celebrate with and they are there to listen.
Above all, I'm thankful for the journey that I've been on this past year. While the journey hasn't been easy, it's been a growing experience. I've grown in my faith. I've grown in my trust in God. I've grown as a mother. I've grown as a wife.
Wow, it's Thanksgiving already. I'm so excited that Matthew will be helping me prepare this years meal. We've never roasted a turkey in our house, in the past, my mom has always handled that responsibility. This year, I don't have her to fall back on so I'm on my own. Yeah, I'm a little sad. But hey, if my family isn't here and it's just Chris, Matthew, and I then....we don't have to share our pie huh?
Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Take a moment this holiday to sit back, pause, and give thanks for there is an abudance in all our lives to be thankful for.
God Bless ~ Gobble Gobble Gobble
