Thankful Thursday

• My parents marriage 60 years strong


• My in-laws marriage 41 years strong


• Our marriage - almost 17 years strong


• Our faith - in Jesus and the grace and forgiveness He offers us,though we are undeserving.


• Our home - we moved in two years ago, the day after thanksgiving. We could not have seen then the way God was paving. Now we have enough bedrooms for all three kids, and a wonderful yard for them to play in,we are one mile from a small private school, we are much closer to my parents (and were for the many months of daily hospital and home visits), we have a playroom for the kids and an office for me.


• Our kids - they may not be "officially" adopted yet, but Patricia and Philippe have made the last year (of three) on our journey to Olivia, much easier to bear. We believe that our next year with Olivia home will make our last year to them much easier to bear. We can't believe how much we already love, love, love our three kids.


• Our pets - having lost both of our cats this summer, we take the time to acknowledge what an impact our pets have on our lives. We are grateful for our dogs (yes, even June!)
• Our health - boy I appreciate this more when I DON'T have it. Please, please take a moment and whisper a prayer of thanks if you are in good health.


• Our country - regardless of political stance, we are blessed to live in this country, and like our health, we may not appreciate the freedom while we have it, but all one has to do is read the stories - like of someone going to jail for sharing their beliefs - and we may be reminded.


• Our extended families - I have a new friend who has no family. Just hearing her sadness on this has made me appreciate more the family from which I come. I have 57 first cousins. Out of 65 grandchildren,I am number 64 so many of my cousin's kids are my age and many are grandparents. It is truly amazing to think of the lineage of the Wilson family. My mother is an only child, but her father authored the Sugar Creek Gang, all of which are still in print over 30 years after his passing. Lee's family is mostly in the south and I have appreciated having grandparents, now just grandmas, after not really knowing my own grandparents. What a blessing that Lee had all four of his grandparents well into his 30s.


• Our aunt and unclehood- we just love being Auntie Dawn and Unta Wee to 23 nieces and nephews. 25 including marrieds.


• Our siblings- all are celebrating many years of marriage and one is getting married in '09. They all (typically-haha) bring us joy.


• My mama - so amazingly grateful for her dear life. What a miracle that she is still here on this earth and that we get to be with her on Thanksgiving.
• This year- we are grateful that we survived it.
• Quiet evenings at home- after such a challenging year, we are grateful for the "boring" life we lead and appreciate the nights where we don't have any commitments, and can just be HOME.


• Our friends - our true friends who have always been kind, always been giving, always been consistent.


• Our jobs - in a year where so many have lost their jobs, we are extra thankful for our employment. We have both been with our companies 10 years.


• Our health benefits - many people work but do not have benefits. We are grateful for jobs that provide very good benefits.
• Home office - I am so grateful for this additional benefit. I love my sunny, cheery office and my co-workers (the dogs) hardly ever get into the office politics that I have always loathed.
• Adoption - we have learned so much about adoption and thank God for the gift. God has ordained adoption. We are adopted into His kingdom, and Joseph adopted Jesus :) he was not his biological son, yet he raised him.


• Our blogs - that may sound crazy, but we appreciate the gift of being able to share our thoughts and stay in touch and get in touch with such wonderful people.


• The Flip Flop Fleet - we are grateful to God for giving us this small way to contribute.


• Thanksgiving - so thankful that in a busy, crazy, non-stop world,there is a day set aside for people to stop. Savor. Enjoy. Be. THANKFUL.