Thanksgiving and Other Things to be Thankful For

I really have a lot of wonderful things to be thankful for lately.  Here are a few:

I'm thankful for the wonderful gift of new life.   

Dara and Ryan are about to experience that wonder in their lives when they welcome Lillian into the world on Tuesday morning.

I got to visit in Charlottesville a couple of weeks ago, and Ryan took us on a short walking tour of UVA. Ryan's almost finished his first semester there.   He's learning a lot and doing well.   It was nice to see and hear about some of the places he spends his time.  

I'm thankful for all the opportunities we have to learn.

I'm thankful for Skip and our wonderful marriage.   

We are blessed to have had so many years together.  Whether in sunshine or shadow, things are better together.   (Cheesy, but true!)   Last weekend we took a few days  away from home and enjoyed a time share vacation in Williamsburg.  We walked a little around the Jamestown area, historic Williamsburg, and the outlet shops.  (Christmas is coming.)

I'm thankful for my parents.   

We spent another Thanksgiving gathered with them around their table.   They continue to be an anchor and inspiration in my life, and I am so blessed to be their daughter.    Next year - their 50th anniversary.  They're already golden in my book, though.

I'm thankful for food!

 This was my contribution to thanksgiving dinner - fudge, apple pie, chocolate fudge pie, broccoli casserole, and roasted vegetables.

It took four pictures to get in all the food on the table:

We have green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and olives

Then fruit (frog eye) salad, ROLLS!! (Mom's homade - my personal favorite)

Then the beautiful and delicious pink salad, with another variety of rolls!

Then the turkey and stuffing:

It was a fabulous day, and a delicious meal.


And just a few more things I'm thankful for:

chocolate, iPhones, scriptures, nursery kids, music of all kinds, creative opportunities, friends, jokes, temples, television, prophets, trees, air conditioning, rain, colors, motherhood, turbo tax, pillows, lace, cars, contact lens, Christmas trees, blogs, pinterest, mornings, ears, cheese, books, museums, children, libraries, parks, refrigerators, testimonies, piano students, sunshine, heated car seats, bread,...to be continued in thoughts and prayers everyday