Celebrating with The Groves

This year we decided to combine our celebration for Thanksgiving and Christmas with Zach's family. It worked out the best with all our crazy schedules and travel considerations. We had a pretty good visit other than I was sick, Gunner wasn't feeling good, and everyone had to leave fairly early Sunday evening. All in all it was a fun visit and we were glad that we got to visit.

Modeling the outfit her grandparents gave her.

Tessa's Santa Hat on Boky's head. Too funny.

Chubby wubby Tessa with her santa hat on. I love it!

Carving the turkey. (This is the second time I have cooked a turkey and I must say it turned out awesome.)

*The pictures are not chronological, sorry!

Thankful....

So as you have noticed I haven't posted my "Thankful Post" yet. I guess this year I have just had a hard time thinking about everything that I should be thankful for. It wasn't until today that I thought, how lucky am I? So I'm going to share some of what I am thankful for...

My job. I have an awesome boss who backs me up 100%. My boss understands my family situation (having young kids) and can be totally flexible when I need her to be. She puts me in charge and makes me feel important. I am also thankful to have a job that compensates me well, gives me PTO, holidays, and has health care benefits as well.

Family.
I am thankful for my two girls. They teach me new things every single day. I am thankful for their health, happiness, and the spirit they bring into our home.
I am thankful for my husband who does more for me than he realizes. I am thankful he has a good work ethic and is willing to work hard to provide for us. He is always there for me when I need a shoulder to cry on or someone to just talk to. Even though we have had a rough year, I am proud to say he is mine.
I am thankful for my Parents and my sisters. My parents bail us out so much, I have no idea how we would survive with out them. They let us borrow vehicles, babysit (for free), lend us tools, teach us how to take care of stuff, and love us unconditionally. My sisters are the best sisters I could ask for. Each one of them has taught me something different this year. I am especially thankful for their willingness to help me with my little ones, I know I can always count on them for a helping hand.
Zach's parents and sister. They are always just a phone call away. I don't know what we would have done without them this past year. They were seriously life savers when I was pregnant and extremely emotional and difficult to deal with. Its nice to know that they are there for us when we need them.
Extended family. I am thankful for all the support we get from our extended family. This year I am especially thankful for an Aunt who is willing to babysit our girls. It is so nice to know that my girls are safe and with some one who I know has a happy home. They are always happy when I pick them up and are always well taken care of.

Friends. I am thankful for the friends that have stuck by our side through the thick and the thin. The ones who keep in touch even though life is busy and hectic at times.

My home. Even though I hate cleaning it, and curse that it's too big, I am thankful for a place we can call our own. It provides refuge from a harsh world, brings us comfort, and keeps us warm.

The list goes on and on.........

Thankful

It is Thanksgiving so here is a little list of things I am thankful for (in no specific order)...

My Family
My job that I love
My co-workers
My husbands job
Friends
Our wonderful turkey dinner, and every other meal during the year
Our home
Freedom
My health
Technology, especially for cell phones
My car
Our Community
Education

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks so I thought I would write a small list of things I am grateful for...

1-My husband. He has always been extremely supportive and helpful. I am thankful he is so willing to work and so eager to make me happy. He treats me like a queen :)

2-My daughter. Even though she can be a hand full I am thankful that she is a part of my life and can be so sweet to me. I am thankful that we were able to have her and she is healthy and happy and growing.

3-Family. In general I am thankful for all my family and all of Zach's family as well. They are always there when we are in a pinch. I am grateful that they are such a part in our lives and set such good examples for us to follow. They are always there when we need advice or just a shoulder to cry on.

4-My job. Even though I get frustrated sometimes I am very thankful to be able to work and to have a job. I am also grateful for the people I work with and their willingness to accept my faults and make up for what I lack in, they are the best team workers ever.

5-My home. Even though we aren't in a house yet I am thankful for the fact that we have a place to call home. It's nice at the end of the day to be able to feel relaxed and comforted just in the fact that I am 'home.'

6-Life. It has really hit me lately (maybe because I work in the ED) that not everyone has great health. I am so thankful that my body is working and that I am not chronically ill or have any significant health problems. I realize I shouldn't complain about the small things because there are so many people that have worse problems than I do.