I thank my God each time I think of you...Phil. 1:3

So we are almost a week past Thanksgiving….I had this amazing post typed up last Friday….and well….let’s just say I have learned a thing or two about posting. That is what to do and not do…so you don’t accidentally erase your precious efforts. Ugh! Lessons learned…lessons learned. So I feel the wind is out of my sails a bit with this post…but I do want to share some photos at least of the holiday… Enjoy!

I will say it was a joyful day. We spent the day with my lovely in-laws and stuffed ourselves to the gills. Avery and my nephew Brody and I went on a leaf hunt around the neighborhood…collecting anything and everything that looked interesting! I am still finding remnants of it all in my house. All for the love of my sweet preschoolers creative development.  We attempted a few art projects in our spare time that day: leaf rubbings and a leaf placemat made of leaves ironed in between wax paper. It actually turned out. We snacked, played with the kids, held my sweet newborn nephews Braxton and Barrett and snacked some more. We took our annual traditional turkey day photos….our “turkey head” pictures and the beautiful maple tree pictures in Mema and Pepa Bazzocco’s front yard. We have taken these photos every year since Avery was born and plan to take them throughout their childhood. It is fun already to look back over the past 4 years and see them and how the kids are changing.

Then after dinner, we headed over to my dads house. Where my step-mom prepared a Turkey and Ham dinner for the masses! While we didn’t eat dinner again…we certainly snacked on anything and everything. There are always more people at their house than we can really count and it is fun to visit with everyone…family and friends, too. And of course the visit is not complete in Avery’s book unless it includes a trip out to the barn to visit with all the horses, chickens, peacocks (her Halloween costume inspiration) and the barn cats. She is at most home in that barn. She just beams and radiates pure joy. It is fun to watch and appreciate her love for nature. Humm…the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree…does it.

So, I almost forgot…my post title…and the main reason of the Thanksgiving holiday. I spent the day really reflecting on what it was that I was truly most thankful for…and like I said I had this wonderful post explaining in eloquent detail my feelings…that somehow it vanished. I will say simply this….I am always grateful for my beautiful children….as they are truly a gift from God…I am always grateful for my husband, as he too…is a gift to me too. And of course I could really go on and on about what all I am thankful for…cause there truly is so much. But it simply is…my faith. I am grateful for the hope that Jesus brings. I am thankful. In all my grumbling and complaining…I lose site of what is important at moments. But I know…that it all boils down to one thing to be truly thankful for. Thanks God….thanks for Jesus.Becuase of Him...no matter what this life brings...no matter the loss, pain, sorrow or hardship...their is Hope beyond the valley. And something so wonderful to look forward to. And how awesome it is to know we are not doing this thing called life...alone...ever! And for that I am thankful.