A Full and Grateful Heart...

.:For some reason, I have been wanting to start blogging again...and for reasons only known to the inner parts of my brain, I can never remember passwords for my previous blog to update it and not get in a fight with blogger. However, if for some ridiculous reason you want to read my previous blog, you can go to thekk.blogspot.com and catch up:.

This is the first "real" holiday that I haven't been directly at home with my family...I mean, they're only 20ish minutes away, but it was strange to pull into the driveway today and then leave the driveway knowing I was heading back to the 7204 to finish out my Thanksgiving alone. (Before I sound super pathetic, I didn't have the option of spending the night or anything because I'm taking care of some animals while a family is gone, otherwise I totally would have spent the night at home.) I guess with that said, I've been realizing how grateful and blessed I am to have my family close, friends who are blessings, a job that, while difficult, is a special calling and a God that loves me inspite of myself.

We don't do a typical Thanksgiving at the 304. We rest, relax and enjoy the day and then at night for dinner chow down on some bacon and potato chowder. Its atypical, but its our tradition and I love it. While its not turkey and stuffing, its a day that no one is super stressed and we can enjoy just being together as a family. I love my family. Here's why:

They're more wonderfuller than I could ever hope for, wish for or pray for...God blessed me when He placed me with them--even if I was a surprise. They make me laugh, keep me grounded and force me to be the best possible person I can be...
I'm grateful they loved me enough to tell me about Jesus...that they want to spend time with me...that they love me in my ugliest and most shining moments...that my parents have shown me and given me a beautiful picture of a healthy and loving marrige and that my sister and my brother-in-law have done the same. That I have an incredible niece and nephew who make me giggle and remember to look at life with a kid's excitment.

Words will never be able to express how grateful I am to call them mine.

I also have friends that are fairly fantastic in their own rights. Some that I can call friend from our childhood...some that have entered my world in the last months and years, and some who have been a part of my world in the past and, while they are not such a big part of my life anymore, shaped me while they were an intregal part of my day and have helped make me who I am now.

I love sitting with any of them and laughing until my sides hurt...crying because life seems to be difficult...discussing and solving world problems over coffee...playing games...adventures...and sometimes, just sitting quietly. Treasures and blessings they are.

Yep, tonight my heart is full and grateful.

Disclaimer: In looking for pictures for this post, I realize I have either a.) not placed a picture of you on here...in no way does that mean anything negative. b.) don't have any pictures of you and me...which is sad and should be fixed immediately.