Thanksgiving

I realize this Thanksgiving post is totally late, that most of you have moved on from the holiday, and that I've already uploaded our blog's Christmas decorations.  However, since we're still enjoying Thanksgiving leftovers :) I'm going to backtrack a little and write the Thanksgiving post that has been rolling around in my head since last Tuesday, but which I was too busy cleaning, shopping, and cooking to actually sit down and write!

We have so much to be grateful for ... we are surrounded by so many blessings, it's hard to even comprehend.  But here are some things I'm especially grateful for this year ...

- I'm grateful for holidays, for the sense of tradition and rhythm they give to life, for things to look forward to every year like homemade cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving and wreaths on the door at Christmas.  I'm grateful for the opportunity that holidays give us to sit back and reflect on the year gone by - last Thanksgiving, Benjamin was 6 weeks old and he slept through the whole meal in his little bouncy seat.  This year, he sat in his little booster seat and ate sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and broccoli just like the rest of us - crazy!

- I'm so so so grateful for Benjamin.  I'm grateful for how his eyes crinkle when he smiles, for the little curl on the top of his head that sticks straight up in the air, for how he squeals when we tickle him.  I'm grateful that he's growing and healthy and learning to walk and talk.  I'm grateful for the precious mix of courage, curiosity, and caution that's coming out in his little personality.

- I'm profoundly grateful for the family of God, that even though we are so far away from Grandma and Nana and aunts and uncle and everyone else, we have real and true brothers and sisters just down the street from us.

- And I'm also grateful for planes and cars and blogs and facebook and free long-distance and all the other things that allow us to keep in touch with our family and friends scattered all over everywhere.  We had a marvelous time with Aunt Mattie, who flew from balmy Florida weather to snow and temps in the 20's to celebrate Thanksgiving with us ... and help us eat the 12 pound turkey! :)

As you can tell, Benjamin found his new best friend...

He keeps toddling to the guest room with this look on his face like, "I know she's gotta be in here somewhere!"

 So, Happy late Thanksgiving, everybody!