Thankful

The first of 3 brothers is home (HOME!!), and we anxiously await the arrival of the others. Kaela, Ben and I are reflecting on our blessings, and wanted to share some things for which we're thankful:

Ben:
I'm thankful for my mommy, my daddy, my sister, and my dog. You are all so sweet and funny, Mommy. And my house. And silly string.

Kaela:
I'm thankful for my family, Jesus, my friends, my dog, our food and shelter, BOOKS, and school

Me:
1. The Lord Jesus Christ
2. Eric, Kaela and Ben--the sunshine in my life, and the words for which I have none...
3. The rest of the people I call family (both related to me and the kind you grow through being real friends for so long)--you are the greatest gift I have in this world, and because of you, I am very rich indeed!
4. A job that is also a passion, 2 miles from my home, and is never the same from day to day
5. The Word of God
6. Books
7. Music--as rich and as varied as life itself, and nearly as necessary as breathing
8. People who hold the door for you, or say "excuse me" when they bump into you, and other basic demonstrations of common decency. Even as I get older & wiser, I still think there are more of the good guys out there than the bad...
9. Beauty. In creation, stained-glass, art, the voice of a talented musician, poetry, the tenderheartedness of someone who should be bitter...it's all around us, and it gives me goosebumps
10. A heritage of people who have stayed the course, finished life faithfully, and passed down their lessons because we (the next generation) mattered to them. These people were related to me, but some of them were also related to you--friends from our church family, who wrapped themselves around us in a net of loving instruction for purposes beyond just the present...
11. Naptimes
12. Laughter
13. And silly string... :)

Happy Thankgiving! I'll post some photos of our family as soon as it gets rowdy...
Shouldn't be long now....