A Very TGS Thanksgiving

Katy and Ginger joined me for Thanksgiving this year. Everything came together, even though it wasn't quite what we had planned. Dan was supposed to be home and Adam has been gone way too long anyway. But, we rallied and we had a great meal (I love those potatoes Katy!) and some a good, relaxing time together. We played at the park, talked to our families, watched the parade, and attempted to roast marshmallows over a fire.
It was a beautiful day outside too.

Our perfectly TGS sized meal.

Roses blooming in my front yard.

Leaves falling off the trees.

My Thanksgiving Tree. Our job for the day was to write down things we were thankful for and put them on the branches. It definitely helped keep things in perspective.

A Thanksgiving tradition: Funfetti!

Our toasty fire.

Pictures with friends.

My TGS girls. So thankful for you! You brightened my day and I'm so glad to consider you family too.

40 Weeks: 40 Things To Be Thankful For

1. At least one weekend trip with my husband before he deployed.
2. For a husband who passionately serves his country.

3. Military police who will check around your house at 4am because you hear sounds.
4. Reading magazines at Barnes and Noble for free while sipping a Frappucino.
5. Presents from far, far away.
6. Email.
7. Pedicures.
8. Stouffer's frozen meals and microwaves.
9. Relationships God puts in our lives, chosen or not. And the things He teaches us through them.
10. Tacky glue and glue guns and 40% Michael's coupons.
11. A faithful and adoring husband with a heart for God.
12. A Lord who loves and gently leads.
13. That God is big enough to handle me.
14. Not having to worry if I'll have a job, or a paycheck, or healthcare.
15. A comfortable house to live in. (With window locks that actually work.)
16. Friends who will take you in when you just can't be alone.
17. Being able to stay connected to friends and family who are far away and picking up right where we left off no matter how long it's been.
18. A job I love that doesn't really feel like "work" and awesome people to work with.
19. A principal who will recommend you for said job even though you've resigned working for her.
20.  God's plan, control, and timing even when I don't understand.
21. That I don't have to understand.
22. Jeremiah 29:11
23. That the storms of this life are only temporary.
24. Friends to join me on this journey.
25. Friends who know my shoe size and the kind I've had my eye on, even when we're not shopping together.

26.  Shoes. Pretty, shiny, tall, flat, colored, work, plain,  and fun shoes.
27. A biiiiig closet to put them all in.
28. Macaroni and Cheese.
29. 70 degree weather in November in North Carolina.
30. TGS.

31. Online shopping and not having to be out in the Black Friday craziness.
32. Many ways to keep busy while my husband is away.
33. Friends who will drop anything no matter what time of day to sit with you in the emergency room.
34. Lessons in Trust and letting go.
35. Mountains and Oceans that remind us how small we are and how big God is.

36. A husband who encourages me and listens to me.
37. 10 seasons of FRIENDS to keep me company at night.
38. DVR
39. Prayer. Prayer from others, for others, or with others.
40. Knowing that even though the last 40 weeks didn't go how I thought they would, they went exactly how they were supposed to.
41. (I know it says 40, but I'm just so thankful.) Being truly content and at peace with the place God has brought me to and being ready to follow Him to where we'll go next.

Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?

The Fort

This is what most adults do with their spare bedroom, right?

(I did build it for the OCF kids so they'd have something to play with during adult bible study time. But, if I was small enough to go through it, I totally would!)