Thanksgiving...

I've been thinking a lot about what I have to be thankful for this year.  It's definitely been a trying year, full of ups and downs, heartaches, happiness, job loss, job gain.  A possible move that turned into a non-move!  Time spent with people I love and want to be near.  Time APART from people I love and want to be near.  But through it all, God has just blessed me in so many ways.  Here are just a few:

I'm thankful for McKenna.  My oldest.  My ham.  My personality.  She is so much a wonderful mixture of the best bits of both mom and dad and I couldn't ask for a better teenager!  She has been such a  blessing to me, helpful in so many ways.  She's turning into such a young lady!

Peyton is a reason to be thankful for, as well.  She's my dreamer, my Sugarbean.  She has such a girlish quality about her, yet still maintains her tomboyish charm!  She's got a servant's heart and always loves to make me happy.

God provided me with a job at a Christian office.  I have an environment that encourages talk of God and puts Him first in all aspects of the office...I love it!  He's also given me an exciting opportunity to co-lead in Sown, our women's Bible study group.  During that time, He has challenged me to seek Him more, love Him more, be DESPERATE for Him.

I'm also thankful that He's shown me where I need to grow and change; where I need to trust Him.

I'm thankful for my family---my mom who loves me and helps me in every way possible.  My dad, who loves me in spite of me!  My brother and sister-in-law who love me and pray for me.

Love you, Mom!

I'm thankful for my Chicago family, too.  I can't be near them like I want to yet, but I'll be there soon.  Sheree-who is steady and encouraging, who prays for me and my girls.  For Jeremy, who sticks it out with me, even when I act crazy some (actually most) days from missing him!  (And a shout out to the Minnesota crew-Danielle seems to send me a message that is encouraging exactly when I need it.)

There's so much more that I'm thankful for.  But those are the bigger ones.  Here's to one more year of things to be thankful for.