Thanksgiving has quickly come and gone already. We had a wonderful day Thursday with about a dozen people over for good food and company. Mike took over the job of the turkey and it turned out excellent. It is very fun to see the cousins together and enjoy playing with each other. Faustina and Leo especially hit it off this time while they made a fort in their bedroom with putting blankets over the bunkbeds and having a hideaway space. No pictures in this post. We were so busy that we didn't remember to get the camera out.
There is so, so very much to be thankful for, my goodness! Really, we truly do live like Kings and Queens every single day. No matter where emotions or the day in day out daily grind are, it is my duty to be thankful in all I do!! We have so much to be thankful for, it is almost ridiculous - the Lord is so good to us.
A few main things that come to mind this year around that I am thankful for:
* This is not a first priority and sounds a bit silly, but lately, I am so thankful for my bed. Yes, my bed and comfortable covers. I find myself exhausted at the end of each day and it is now a habit for me as I crawl into bed and say "Thank you, Lord, for this bed to sleep in! And then ensues a series of other things to be thankful for throughout the day and week." My bed, in a weird way, has served as a reminder for thankfulness in general each night.
* My dear husband and how wonderful he is. He is such a good man and daily striving to be holy. I am so lucky to have him as an example to me not to mention my best friend!
* Saint Agnes. I am so grateful for the job Mike has working at the school. He loves his work and is able to spend his time making a difference in catholic education. I am excited for Faustina to enjoy kindergarten next year, she is already talking about it.
* Our children are at such a fun age. They are good kids and it is a privilege to love them, raise them, teach them, and show them their faith. We are excited to meet our new little person in the springtime.
* I am thankful for the different challenges that the Lord allows in our lives. It is a hopeful and exciting time as our family grows and we continue to try our best to live our faith and be obedient. It is pretty amazing to see how God has worked in the 6 short years of our marriage, and the adventure continues on.
* Finally I am so thankful for the examples of family and friends I have had in my own life in the past and present. Last night I was reading my journal from junior year in college - it was during a January term that I was home and spending a lot of time with my parents. I was thoroughly enjoying their company and was writing about how good they were to me. I wrote, "Mom and Dad are way too good to me. Dad filled up the car for me this morning. Mom made a delicious breakfast. I often feel guilty for how good they are to me - I don't deserve it. It makes me want to give to others though, although I know I don't do this enough." I know their profound goodness had a lasting impression on me. A person's heart of goodness is everlasting and its effect on others must not be underestimated! I am thankful for all such people in my life.
