Thanksgiving Day- Thankfulness Journal Day Eight

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Today I was thinking about the wonderful gifts we have around us every day, thanks to the innovations of the last century.

So I am thankful for:
1) Refrigeration
2) Modern plumbing and water treatment
3) Electricity
4) Antibiotics
5) Vaccines

Each of these items are things we really don't think about. Things we take for granted, expect to have. A century ago, they would have been unheard of... How quickly time changes.

I am off to my aunt's to have a wonderful dinner in the company of family and friends.

Thanksgiving 2012

Wednesday was the start of Thanksgiving for my family. Ann and Gail hosted 17 for dinner- 2 of their 3 children, with their children, my family and a family friend sat down for a wonderful meal. My contribution was Mayo and breadcrumbs, Liz brought 2 pies and we all ate turkey, ham and potatoes, with the odd vegetable.

Pies and other delicious desserts were next, and the out came Cranium.

What a game...

Now to say our lot is competitive is an understatement. Teams Chausmer/ Mancuso (Ellen, Big John and my John), Kelly/Kinnett (Me Liz and Ann), Dilhoff/Kinnett (Sarah Andy and Gail) and Chausmer Guys and Gals (Cheyanne, Nikaya, Shane and JC) all put forth valiant efforts, with even the younger kids getting in the act- who will forget Gail humming Joy to the World, or Caleb knowing "Rock-a bye baby". To say nothing of Andy portraying Tina Turner... Laughter rang through the house.

A good time was had by all.

Thursday afternoon was a smaller group of us at Ellen and John's house, more great food and a viewing of the comedian calling the Olympic sailing race:

Olympic Boat Race 2012

Laughter and joy...

Last night, Liz stood in line at Target starting at 8pm (Target opened at 9pm)  and scored a great door-buster deal on a giant TV for our family (I will have to edit this after Christmas) but it was beyond her budget so I went down to Target and paid for it. I thanked our lovely cashier for working on Thanksgiving.

I was surprised there were no huge checkout lines on "Black Friday", and I was home in bed by 10pm. (I am working today) Clearly not typical.

My first "Black Friday" shopping experience...

Journal of Gratitude Day 2

From Lysa:
November 2: "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

I am grateful for reliable transportation- I love my little Honda and as I hear stories from friends about their struggles back East, trying to buy gas and travel to work with restrictions and limited Mass Transit service, I was happy to jump in my car, turn on the heat, crank up the music and enjoy the ride.

What are you thankful for?

Lysa TerKeurst posted on Facebook:


In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, keep a journal and reflect on one thing every day that you are truly thankful for. I will post a daily verse on Facebook that you can write down and use for praising God in His faithfulness.

November 1: "But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me." Psalm 13:5-6

I am grateful my family is safe after Sandy tore up the East Coast...

An Attitude of Gratitude

As the first event of the Christmas season, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to say “thank you” for all we have. And we have so much… Electricity, in-door plumbing, washing machines… the list of modern conveniences goes on and on… So where to start… As this was a rough year for me, I am starting with a “Thank you” to everyone who I called in a moment of panic, crying in grief, angry beyond reason or laughing so hard it was difficult to breath. It is great to have such loving friends … So I am thankful you answered my calls… I am thankful for my children, that they are with me, healthy… Doing what I do, and seeing what I see, this is such a huge thing… I am thankful for my health and everyone helping me on my healthy journey… from joining me at Zumba to cheering my finally healthier choices… the support makes it possible. I am thankful to have work I love, a home I will (God willing) own one day, and a life full of good things. Health insurance… cable… landscaping… Tony Stewart...my beautiful bathroom… books that make me laugh out loud (John still thinks it is weird but there you go…) Life is good. Please pass the stuffing…

What I am thankful for...

Thanksgiving is one of those times where you can take a moment and consider all of Life's blessings. Things like:

Finishing all your Christmas shopping with over a month to go- even the work grab bag and the cousin who is IMPOSSIBLE to shop for (of course I got him in the family Christmas exchange.)

My cub scouts with whom I get to do cool stuff like go on Rumke dump tours and learn to carve stuff and toss ropes (if someone is drowning, I am not the person who should be throwing the life line)

Crazy social networking that lets me find the people I actually hung out with in grammar school and high school- virtual reunions full of big hair eighties photos and hilarious stories that are ever better in the retelling...

My house, the money pit castle I wouldn't trade... unless it was a really good trade...

I could go on...

But I wanted to take a moment to share the amazing list of true blessing in my life:

My children: I have two beautiful children, one practically a grown woman, the other a delightful little boy. My babies. I wonder at the time flashing past in a moment.

My siblings and their children: My sisters and brother are so much a part of me, and my nieces and nephews are like my own. They are far away only when judged by geography. They are always in my heart.

My Dad and Maureen: Dad has recovered well from the stroke last year and Maureen has been by his side. For this I am so thankful.

My extended family: I remember when I was younger, some people thought it strange that my cousins were who I went out with. The close knit family I grew up in is something I will always be grateful for. I am even more grateful now, as my family here in Ohio weave us into their lives.

My friends: Old and new, they are the time tested variety. They catch me when I am falling, hold my hand as the tears fall, and love me unconditionally, forever. We may not talk every day or week, but they are part of my soul.

The man that I love: He is strong and does because he can, not because he has to...He loves me anyway- even when I am high-strung, unhappy, broken, terrified, or sorrow-filled. Because let's face facts, it is easy when I am filled with joy and happiness. This man has staying power.

The work that I do: I work with some of the most amazing families. They face trials I cannot describe and pain I will never know, and daily work harder than any one person should have to... They inspire me with their bravery and I am in awe of their generosity and spirit. I am not saying the work is without difficulty, because on the darkest days of loss I grieve. But the community grieves with me, beside me- even thousands of miles away. EB has changed each of us.

This Thanksgiving, I am so thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving

In this year I have so much to be thankful for:

1. healthy children- until you are in my line of work you really don't realize how important that really is...
2. a loving man... Rick is good to me and for me. It is like I was waiting for him my whole life.
3. a nice home- True, work remains to be done and the values have slipped, etc, but I love my home (even though it comes with too much grass) and think it is perfect for right now.
4. good friends- The ones who cry with you, the ones who help see you through, the ones who call in the middle of the night cause they were thinking of you, the ones you have known forever and the ones you have yet to meet- Friends brighten the fabric of my life.
5. rewarding work- while I hate that children suffer from this disease I cannot stand, and their parents have to struggle through even the simple things, I cannot imagine being able to make a bigger impact.
6. a wonderful family- My dad- who has major surgery and thinks it is no big deal, my sister who is the best mother I will ever know, my siblings, my cousins who are as close as siblings, my aunt and uncle who made me a part of their family long ago, my 92 year old globe-trotting granny who shows us all what living should be, my mom in heaven who is deeply missed, regardless of being in a far better place

The recession, the trials, and the disappointments don't change the fact that I am blessed.

I am going to the mountains for a few peaceful days with my extended family and Rick asked what I wanted to do while we were there. It is funny- I don't want to do anything or go anywhere. I just want to be with my family and relax, eat good food and play Trivial Pursuit, Scattegories, and a little Poker. I want to watch "Miracle on 34th Street", have pumpkin pie, and enjoy good company. But maybe a short trip to the pottery place and the carved wood place...Christmas is coming after all...

I will miss my kids who are spending the holiday with their NY branch of the family. Because of their absence, it will not be a perfect weekend. But it will be a good time had by all.

Happy Thanksgiving!