First and foremost, I am thankful for my relationship with God. Knowing that He loves me no matter what... that is a love that surpasses anything I could expect from anyone else in the world. I am thankful for His grace and mercy.
I am thankful for a husband who has been committed to our marriage for twenty years. I appreciate his easy going personality (even though sometimes that very character trait annoys me). I am glad that he doesn't take things too seriously and helps me enjoy the little things in life. We have had many great memories together for which I am grateful.
**Note: I navigated to find a picture to go with this part of the post, and can you believe this is the first one I came to??? See, I told you he was laid back!!
I am thankful for the opportunities I have had to travel. Although we haven't done it much lately, I find joy in reliving the cruises, overseas adventures, and just weekend getaways I have been able to experience in my life.
I am soooo thankful for my family. My mom, my brother, and the memories of my dad who still lives in my heart.
Paul and I are especially grateful for the best gift God ever blessed us with... our daughter, Kiara, who joined our family through adoption eight years ago. We love that she is an independent young girl who doesn't feel the need to conform. She is willing to be her own person even if it makes her different from others. (See the picture below... and, no, she doesn't have actual piercings... yet). She is happy and loves to have fun... and she makes us laugh. Yes, we do have our rough moments... but it is all outweighed by the closeness we share with her... our only daughter who we prayed over twelve years for the opportunity to have as a child to raise.
I am also thankful that we have managed to hang on during this hard economic time in our lives. We trust that God will provide for us everyday. Just when things seems bleak, God sends us another renter for our investment house or a full weekend at the B&B. I am glad Paul has the opportunity to have a job that he loves-- owning and running a business.
(Recent picture taken of us in the Tea Room at Keysville Station.) 
While it's scary at times to be self employed, it makes our faith stronger and gives us a sense of freedom we didn't have working full time corporate jobs... which brings me to the next thing on our Thankful List... I am thankful I only have to work part time right now. It is perfect for me! While I may need to change that soon, I am glad for the chance to slow down a little over the past year.
I am finding that my list can go on an on. I'm thankful for so much... friends, our community, my health...
I encourage you to make your own Thankful List. Putting it into words just does something to evoke the true emotion of gratitude which we should all have... even if only once a year...
HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
