‎"Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving." -W.T. Purkiser

I have much to be thankful for.  I am thankful for my family of three, of the laughter that comes out of this house, for our impromptu adventures and our late night scheming; I am thankful.

I am thankful for my baby boy, so happy and sweet, with his constant smile, his infectious laugh and the pure, unadulterated joy he has brought to my life; I am thankful.

I am thankful for my husband, my better half, my soulmate; I am thankful for companionship, for his nearness, he is my rock; I am thankful.

I am thankful for the roof over my head, with it's cozy beds and inviting couches, for it's walls that hold so much joy and laughter; I am thankful.

I am thankful for family; for their advice, company, long phone calls, for the laughs we share, for their generosity; I am thankful.

I am thankful for my job, with its constant challenges and excitement; my students continue to teach me everyday; I am thankful.

I am blessed, so therefore it goes without saying that I give thanks to God everyday for my numerous blessings.  It is not enough to say thanks to God; to honor Him I must show Him I am thankful by being a good steward of these blessings.  By raising my boy love Him, by honoring my husband every day, by doing the best possible job at work, by being a good sister and daughter.  To whom much is given, much is expected.

That being said, I have so much to be thankful for.

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!
Last year, sitting around the dinner table at my in-laws' house in Iowa, the conversation turned to what we were thankful for. Everyone had to go around and say one thing they were thankful for. Last year, it was easy and this year it is too.

What I am most thankful for in my life are my relationships. The one with my husband, the one with my mom, my dad, my sister, all my family, my friends. The people in my life have shaped me into who I am, and without them, I don't know where I'd be. I feel so blessed when I think on the people who I love and who love me. I am so thankful to have so many relationships in my life that are truly meaningful.

That's what I'm thankful for, among many other things, this just being first and foremost in my mind. What are you thankful for?