I'm Thankful...

For parents who put their money where their mouth is. They don't just tell us we should love the Lord enough to serve him. They go serve him. Next year at this time, they'll be somewhere else, serving another mission. Is it bad to hope they get called to Taiwan?

For sisters who aren't just sisters, but friends. They are women I laugh with, cry with, confide in and love. And since they're all younger than me, it just felt very strange to call them women. To me they'll always be girls.

For seven brothers who are smart, opinionated, entertaining and loud. And not necessarily in that order. 

For my brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws and nieces and nephews. I can't imagine what life would be like without those dozens of additions to our family. (I know the correct way to say it is brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, but I'm rebelling. Because I think that sounds stupid, even if it is right.)

For children who have grown into interesting people I like to be around. When I hear people talk about typical teenagers, I bite my tongue and think dissenting thoughts and then knock on wood. I don't want to jinx myself by saying my teenagers aren't typical, so I just keep my mouth shut. And I won't say it here, either. But I just knocked on wood.

For a husband who is funny, hard-working and likes to decorate more than I do. He's smart and reliable and often amazes me.

For friends, near and far, who stick up for me, celebrate with me, commiserate with me and offer to take me to lunch or get me treats. I'm very blessed.

For another book deal. I'm not a one-hit-wonder (not that I was ever really a wonder) and it feels good. 

For food. Especially during the holidays, but really all the time. Food is good. I like food. I'm supposed to learn to separate food from my emotions, but I can't. Good food makes me happy. It means I have to exercise a lot more than some people, but if that's the price I pay for loving food, I'll pay it.

And because of that...

For my treadmill. So that I don't have to risk life and limb running in the pitch darkness with wild dogs howling in the hills OR risk running in the daylight and subjecting anyone to actually having to see me running. 

For DVR because I hate watching commercials and I love watching an hour's worth of television in 44 minutes. And I love being able to instantly rewind Psych to hear the funny line again. And again. And sometimes again.

For good products for curly hair (really, you should be thankful for that, since it spares any of you the terrifying experience of having to look at me without hair product) and Bare Escentuals makeup, which replaced my goopy foundation more than a decade ago. I love it and if I had to go back to using liquid foundation, I'd probably become a recluse.

For my Kindle because it turns the pages automatically so I can read while I run on the treadmill and lets me have an array of books, including scriptures, with me whereever I go. AND if you have one, Gifted is available for only $4.99 now. Woo hoo!

For Sunday evenings. Because on Sunday evenings here, it's Monday in Taiwan, and that means a letter from Bruce. Funny, spiritual, happy--it just doesn't get any better than that.

For this blog that lets me share, celebrate, rant, and contemplate. Because of this blog, I've met new people, made new friends, and shared my life. It's been one of the best things to come out of getting published. AND I LOVE COMMENTS!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, whether you live here where we celebrate Thanksgiving or somewhere else. I hope you have a happy, thankful day!

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