Thankful

I am back again...a little fuller and probably a little heavier from all the yummy food I have consumed the past couple of days...I'm sure many, if not most, are right there with me!

I am so grateful for my little family! They were such troopers with all the crazy last minute happenings...and still saw the brightest side of things...

Ya know how some years right around the holidays...all your plans seem to change last minute...and everything seems to happen the opposite of how you plan? Well, this was our crazy year...

Our plans changed on us, not once, not twice, but three times and left us scurrying for last minute celebrations....

At first, we had planned to spend some time with the Mr.'s sister...but when we realized that wasn't going to be possible, the Mr. came up with the awesome idea to surprise my family and show up on Wednesday to celebrate Thanksgiving well, because of last minute car problems and finances we thought it best (and safer) to not do that either... we didn't want to end up stranded with no way to pay for repairs...stretching ourselves too thin with little one's isn't very wise...you know how it is... so I was really bummed Wednesday night to say the least. There were tears, and disappointment because well, sometimes I lose sight of what is right in front of me... all the blessings...even when things go bad.

Plus, I was afraid we wouldn't have anything for actual Thanksgiving day since, this was all decided Wednesday evening...

Here is where I would like to express how thankful I am for my husband...who always swoops in when I am discouraged...with a smile...and a way to encourage the socks off of me...

He wiped my tears of sadness...and got me into the car, and off to the grocery store where we picked a few things up to make a feast of our own...how we did it I will never know...and miraculously we were in and out of the store in no more than an hour...with no wait at the register?!?! I cannot believe it...God is gracious exactly when we need it.

On Thanksgiving morning, we got into the kitchen and started preparing the meal...

and ya know...it wasn't bad at all...

this was my first holiday meal I have ever cooked by myself ( though, the Mr. and I did it together) and I was preparing myself for a tiring and stressful preparation...but I am pleased to say it was more than enjoyable! Again, He is so gracious.

The meal was wonderful. Time spent with my husband and little ones was more than a gift.

I have shared all of that to say:

sometimes things don't happen the way we plan them.

sometimes I get caught in what I want.

Yes, I would have loved to see my Sis-in-law... (love ya girl)

yes, oh yes, I greatly wanted to see my family...

yet, everything happens for a reason...

and I look back on yesterday as a blessing...

We got to spend our first Thanksgiving in our own, brand new home!

We were able to make our first holiday meal together in this new home!
I am proud of my little family's resilience and willingness to suck it up and make the best of it, and I am thankful that they taught me I need to work on that.

I am thankful they are my strength when I am weak,

I am thankful for the freedom this country provides that I can even share about this day with you all....and share about how great my God is...even when I don't always see it right away.

I have so much, when too many have so little...

too many have no family at all..

and at least, even though I couldn't see all of mine, I was able to speak to them on the phone.

That is more than so many can say.

I have been blessed beyond measure, beyond what I deserve.

and no matter how tough the day...

It was a day given to me by grace to spend with my sweet little boys and a wonderful husband.

I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with joy.

There truly is so much to be thankful for.