Thanksgiving up North

This Thanksgiving was different. It started this morning when I woke up in my own bed. Erich was beside me, but no one else was in our house. We have always either been at a family's house or had family at our house for Thanksgiving, but this year we were alone. Traveling over the holidays is exhausting. We have done it almost every year since I have been out of Dallas. (One time Erich's family came and stayed with us!) We are planning on going to see Erich's family soon and my family for Christmas so we just couldn't force ourselves to hop in the car for 7 hours or brave the airports this weekend. Let's face it, we have gotten lazy.

Erich turned on the Macy's day parade. I was surprised to see them announcing the lineup for the day, I didn't know they did that. I marveled that all these years I had never actually seen the beginning of the parade. My dad used to turn it on to wake me up. We laid in bed awhile enjoying the festivities on tv, then decided it was about time to get the cooking started. Although we were going to be alone, we were still having a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

We cooked until about 4, Turkey, Stuffing, Gravy, Bread, Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Beans, Ham and Deviled Eggs. Our neighbor Lea joined us and brought brownies and oranges. We had a wonderful meal. I was very glad she came, it was very different without family and just having another person around was nice.

Then I watched the Cowboys lose. They did make it an interesting game, but a loss is a loss. Thanks Williams, all you had to do was hold on to the ball. That's it. Hmmm.

Now here we sit. They hype is once again over and I am left to ponder the meaning of all this. So what am I thankful for? There are so many things left in this world that I want, I desire, and some that I know I can't possibly have. I focus on these things often as I strategize and plot on how to get them. I think maybe the goal is to put these things aside for a little while. I should look past all these things and be appreciative for what I have already achieved, conquered and experienced.

So here we go: I am thankful that I have received Christ as my savior. This has truly changed my life and I can't imagine how screwed up I would be without him. He gives me hope. I am thankful for Erich. I love the time we got to spend together the first month we met in Charleston, and although our relationship has been challenging I think that is what keeps us both holding on so tight. I can't imagine trying to go through this life without him and I don't ever want to try. I am so thankful for my family. My Mom and Dad are so amazing as parents and people. I know that how I was provided for, taught and loved has made me who I am today. The rest of my family, I couldn't have asked for a better support group; to laugh and cry, celebrate and enjoy. Specifically, my sisters, Erin & Lacey, their SI's Brian & Riley. My most wonderful In-Law Family. My grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins. Wow I am blessed. I am thankful for my friends in Virginia who have now become my extended family. Growing up I never knew why people would see friends on holidays instead of family, now I understand why (distance or distaste) and also that friends become family over time. I am thankful for my education, my job, my house, my pups, potato salad, cowboy football, christmas trees, vacations, soft fuzzy blankets, my couch, my bed, flat irons, soap, fire, buffalo wing sauce gaining popularity, pictures, and definitely ice cream.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!! Gobble Gobble!