day 30

November 30:  The last official day of our thankfulness challenge.

photo courtesy of Daniel

 I am thankful that the boys and I got 'out and about' today.

A trip to the library, Walmart, and the Skate park.

A great way to spend our last free day of Thankgiving break.

I'm thankful that God painted another pretty sky for us 

as we were on the road.

day 29

November 29:

I'm thankful that Lucas put up, 

and decorated, 

our Christmas tree today!!

He's always happy to decorate for holidays....  

I love his happy, helpful moments.

day 28

November 28:  Thanksgiving day

Apart from the usual Thanksgiving things... family and friends...

Today I am thankful for an afternoon at home.   

A chance to regroup, tidy up, wash clothes, vacuum, 

and prepare myself for the Christmas season to come.

I am so very thankful for a long weekend!

day 27

November 27:

I'm thankful for totally random memories.

I have finally looked through two boxes of crap that had been stashed away at my parent's house.

It seems that I was more sentimental in my younger years.

Thankfully it was easy to sort through the trash and pile up a few things to give away.

I'm thankful that I was reminded of the great pen pals I had after high school.   

The art of letter writing has subsided.  I miss that.

Lucas is thankful to have scored a bunch of my junk to add to the clutter in his room.

He's especially thankful the the Sony Walkman that still works!    He's amazed he can pick up radio stations.  Anyone have some tapes he can play?!

Thanksgiving 1998

I am meant to clean my house today.  But I haven't gotten past my closet.
I am finally emptying out picture frames that have lost their honored place on the walls over the years.   Various family pictures, collages, etc.   I plan to make a few collage pictures for the boys as a Christmas gift.

High upon the closet shelf I stumbled into the Poem that Thayer gave to me on Thanksgiving of 1998.

To put things into perspective.... Thayer and I met just before Thanksgiving of 1997 while working at the Candle Factory.  We had our first date with my friends Jamie and Cathy, the night before thanksgiving.   (A trip to ice skate in Roanoke).     The next day, he joined my family for Thanksgiving dinner and within the year we were engaged to be married.
So... thanksgiving of 1998.  I was happily engaged and completely blown away when Thayer presented me with this poem.  It is chock full of interesting facts that no one will understand.
BUT a few of you will totally get some of this!  So... in memory of Thayer, 15 years later... I thought I'd share.  :)

Thanksgiving 1998

One year ago, much like today

started the love of my life, I do say.

Amid the candles, and a blueberry welcome, 

we sang to Roanoke in the back of a jeep.

Thanksgiving meal with the video to say, 

what each had done a year that day.

Taking pictures of all, documenting our lives, 

after deviled eggs and dipping in the chives.

Later it snowed, and we went sledding

Pepper with dingleberries collecting.

That first kiss at the bottom of the hill

staggering to me, dumbfounding to you, 

with a dozen red roses, saying no more.

Bringing the Colonel's Kentucky Fried chicken

bearing along finding Parkway picnickin.

Hiking and biking, seeing wonderous sights

overlooking the river on Holcolm Rock,

or dreaming of flying from Hang Glider Point.

With friends as together, climbing devil's marbles;

we enjoy even spartan times like gathering fall's colors.

Seeing the world what a tremendous time, 

we drove through dusty hot plains

with white birds biting buffalo butts, 

and over tall, snowy-cold mountains,

stopping to see canyons over the next ridge

at every turnoff on America's Great Divide,

where dogs pee on your tire.

Wait, but there's more, than slipping

down Virginia's waterways, or bouncing on tubes,

the five of us in the rain standing with awe, God's great glimmers.

Then there were the midnight trips to Walmart;

four-star camping; access denied and 

playing cards with no bathroom door,

don't forget hiking solitare by the falls.

Cars come and cowfish go; Puddles too everyone knows.

Newness is like comforters,

shower curtains and starting your car;

like glasses seeing afresh.

Swiftly following a Ryder truck a new home makes,

maybe a pioneering pastor, or a free watch.

In the end, but before Judgement Day, 

Merging arguments and mysterious histories, 

will all go away, like learning to drive

getting smoother with time

like jeep-mud running down the drain.

Farcical Ike, partying with rest, 

wearing archaic lavish garb bobbing with the best;

did I mention the chips and dip?

You nurture me to gregarious games, and love to be out

so I brought you biscuits while you scout.

And with the Lovelady's, a night on the town, 

Denver presents, Brazilian abundance renown.

We even tried our hand at communal living,

sharing too many too few, the bathrooms.

The wind at our backs and our eyes upwards,

we lotioned, swam and sun-in (ed),

walked in the moonlight, stayed up late,

slept in, not a care of responsibility

landing barefoot or sipping Daquiri's

while eating out, Calabash style.

Those of some of my greatest memories

Thankyou.

A rose for your grace, cheese with your whine,

and a beloved, Kenny the Bear.

day 26

November 26:

I am thankful for this group of goofballs.

The "neighbor kids" as I affectionately call them.

I am thankful that my boys have good friends so close by.   

I'm thankful that they are an extension to our family.

I dare say that they are a few of the reasons I haven't packed up and moved to the country yet.

day 25

November 25:

Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for clean, running water.

The access that our community has to this essence of life is a true blessing.

I am reminded that if I've flushed my toilet, just once today, I've already used more water than the average African has for an entire day-- for drinking, cooking, cleaning, bathing, etc. etc.

day 24

November 24:

I am thankful for Daniel's interest in skateboarding.

I am thankful for neighbor kids who dig it too!

And, like I said before, I am so very thankful that the 

local University opens their facilities to the public!

A great place to hang out on a frigid day.

day 23

November 23:

I am thankful for where we live.

When we were house hunting, Thayer and I arrived at this location before the Realtor showed up.   We walked around the yard and decided , instantly, that this would be our home... before we ever viewed the  inside of the house!

Our property backs up to the perfect woods for boys.  

Exploration and fort building abounds!

day 22

November 22:

I am thankful for friends, from near and far,

 who contribute to my growing gnome collection!

Gnomes make me smile.

day 21

November 21:

I am thankful to live in a country that provides 

free public education.  

(however flawed it may be).

I am blessed to be able to send my kids to school each day... especially knowing that others on our planet do not have that privilege.

I am thankful for my kids' teachers.    I am thankful for their commitment to their students.   

My boys have had many excellent teachers over the years who have encouraged them, challenged them, 

and have gone the extra mile 

to make learning fun. 

day 20

November 20:

I am thankful that Lucas joined the school band this year.

Band has helped to make his transition to middle school a great success.

I love hearing him play the clarinet!!

day 19

November 19:

please note that she has gracefully merged the holidays in her home.
 It's "ThanksChristmas"!  ;)

I am thankful that the stars aligned and I was finally able to see my good 'ol friend, Sabrina, today!

I'm thankful that we were able to chat and laugh and pick up right where we left off.

I am thankful that Sabrina, her husband, and her daughter made me and the boys an extension of their family after Thayer died, and for several years to follow.

We were blessed to hang out with them, vacation with them, and live life together.

I love their little family :)

day 18

November 18:

I am thankful that my kids have these two kitties to love.

I love seeing my boys have a tender heart for animals.

And I enjoy a warm cat on my lap... once in a while.

day 17

November 17:

I'm thankful for a game night with my boys!

We had a great evening!

It was special to play the same game that I used to enjoy playing with Thayer :)

day 16

November 16:

I am thankful for Saturday mornings!

I am thankful that my boys enjoy the time 'off' as much as I do.

I am thankful for the opportunity to sleep late on Saturdays.

After an entire week of running and doing.... 

Saturday mornings have become a sacred time for me.

day 15

November 15:

I am super thankful for my widow friends who have journeyed with me over the past 5 years.  

(not all are pictured)

My friendship with these ladies has probably been the most beautiful thing to grow from the ashes.

It's a blessing to sit and share conversation, 

and laughter, 

with people who 'get it'.

When they finished and fell quiet, he talked of his own losses. It was a reminder that no man was spared. What all had borne, each could bear. He shared their sorrow, and they became a part of his, and the sharing spread their grief a little, by thinning it."

-from The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

day 14

November 14:

I am thankful that we live in a neat city that offers

 many opportunities to my boys. 

I am very thankful that the local University 

opens their facilities to the public!

I am thankful that the boys can request a 

quick snowboarding trip... 

and still be home for bedtime.

day 13

November 13:

Today I am thankful for a reunion with my 

"Tuesday Night Crew".... 

which slowly morphed into the "Tuesday Night Lunch Bunch".

We haven't all been together in quite some time so it was good to see their smiling faces.

These three lovely people have kept me company

 on many late nights.  

They came at my beck and call for several years, when I used to start my nights at 9pm.

I am thankful that they sacrificed sleep hours for friendship.

I always enjoy our time together!

day 12

November 12:

photo courtesy of Daniel

I'm thankful that today was the first feel of a wintry day.   

The temperatures dropped as the afternoon approached. 

The thoughts of snow and Christmas started to seep in.

It was a perfect day for a fancy lunch, by a fireplace, with friends.

This afternoon, Daniel ran inside to get the camera.

"Mom, the world just changed!!   It was really dark and then all of a sudden it lit up!"

I'm thankful I have a budding photographer in the house.  

And I'm thankful he noticed that God can change the world :)

day 11

November 11:

I am thankful for my sisters, Sherry and Shelley.

I'm thankful that they've known me my entire life and have forgiven me for my younger years. ;)

I am thankful that we live within miles of each other...

and that we have the opportunity to watch our children grow. 

I'm thankful that we can joke, poke fun, 

and be honest with each other.

I am thankful for our weekly 'Sister Lunch'. 

We are blessed to be sisters... and friends!

day 10

November 10:

I am thankful for an impromptu lunch at Burger King with my friend, Lyn, and her boys.

A quick lunch turned into a delightful two hour event!   

I am very thankful for Lyn. God has built our friendship out of tragedy.... yet I am immensely thankful to have Lyn journey alongside me.   

She speaks truth and is a steady source of encouragement to me.

I am thankful that the boys really enjoyed their time together today!  

day 9

November 9:

I couldn't narrow it down to one pic today.   I needed to include everyone!

I am thankful for movies and their ability to entertain us.

It's great to sneak away from reality for a while and get wrapped up in a good story.
I love going to the movies!

I'm thankful for friends who enjoy the experience as much as we do.

I'm thankful for Thor and Captain America.  always.

day 8

November 8:

I am thankful for this gal, Jamie!

I am thankful that she takes the time, in spite of her real job, to have lunches with me on a regular basis.

 She always reserves time for a girls' night... a girls' day... 

girls' weekends... movie nights... tv nights.  whatev.

She makes me laugh.   

I've known her forever...she has stood by me through all of life's joys and trials.

I'm so thankful to call her friend!

day 7

November 7:

Today I am thankful for routine dental care.

I'm thankful that we live in a country where dental care is available.

I look forward to my check-ups and the quiet times in the dental chair.

I'm thankful that my zillion dollar payments to the health insurance company allows us two visits per year :)

We are cavity free!  

day 6

November 6:

I am thankful for this guy.

He is smart and resourceful.

He is mechanically gifted and great with technology.

He loves skateboarding and snowboarding.

He is kind.  He is forgiving.

He is helpful and obedient.

I have enjoyed watching him mature into a clever teenager.

I am thankful that he is my son.

day 5

November 5:

I am thankful for this guy.

I'm thankful that he "cleaned" his room today.

He dresses crazy.  He whistles when he's happy.  

He sings when he thinks no one is listening.

He loves animals and video games.

He has a tender heart. 

He challenges me.  He makes me laugh.

He is smart and super creative.

I'm thankful that he is my son.

day 4

November 4:

I am thankful for my job at an amazing preschool.  

The hours are perfect and allow me to be at home with my boys.

The kids brighten my day and make me laugh. A lot.

 My co-worker, Elaine, is a great teacher

- and more importantly-

a great a friend. :)

day 3

November 3:

Not pictured:  Trena Young and family.   and Barb's kids.

  This is my LifeGroup.  (well, most of us)

I am thankful for Lyn, Barb and Trena...
for their friendship, encouragement,
and the camaraderie that we share.

I am thankful for Jon and Joey....
for providing our kids with positive male influences.

I am thankful for these kids... who are an extension to our family.

These people are amazing!
 I always look forward to our time together.

day 2

November 2:

I am thankful for these people... my parents.  

They are my friends.  They are my babysitters.
They are my house and yard helpers.  They feed us.

They are super grandparents to my kids.   

And so much more :)

I am thankful that we live in the same city.

A month of Thankfulness

Our teaching pastor has challenged us to take a picture, every day in November, of something or someone we are thankful for.   Today I realized that there are a zillion things I am thankful for.   But for the sake of this project I will limit myself to one picture each day :)
Here goes!

November 1

I'm thankful for this guy, Dan.... for delivering Thayer's toolbox to my house today!  

(He made moving a zillion tons look easy.)

I'm thankful for his friendship with Thayer.  

 I'm thankful that he and his lovely wife still keep in touch!

I always enjoy meeting them for lunch dates :)