Thank. FULLY.

It is Thanksgiving time again. It's not really my favorite holiday, since I'm not a fan of turkey or football, but I am thankful for plenty of things this year.

I am thankful for:

• Dirk. I know he is truly a gift from the Lord. He is so patient with me. He is calm when I'm crazy, he takes care of me and loves me. He does dishes, cooks, cleans and his ability to fix and create things never ceases to amaze me. Every morning I pray for him and I thank GOD for my precious gift.

• My parents. Both sets! I love my parents dearly and I feel so lucky to have Dirk's parents for in-laws, they are awesome. I love that we can visit either family and feel right at home. I love that I have learned so many things from my mother-in-law about cooking and sewing, and Dirk has learned a lot about home-repair and woodworking from my dad. I am excited for the day when we have kids because both sets of grandparents have the same beliefs and we could ALL go to church together. I never had that, and it would be such a blessing!

• Sophie. Yes this is the DOG but she is such a part of our family, and our main source of entertainment. It is so fun to come home to a squirmy little ball of excitement... and it's a good feeling to know that you have been missed all day and that someone wants to PLAY with you.

• My job. This is the first job where I've felt trusted and valued as a person--not some droid there to do grunt work. Oh yes and I work with so many creative people that it's ridiculous. I love days when our office has a group conversation that ends in hilarity and quotable quotes. We laugh a lot, about everything... booger flicking, cod, hoodrats, toby keith, chili in the bathroom, fiery cups... it's stuff no one else would understand but it's great.

• FREEDOM from Debt! This is a big one. This year we paid off our last debt (not counting the mortgage) and it was like a huge weight was lifted. I can't tell you how good it feels to finally feel "on track" with our money. We don't argue over finances and I know no matter what, we'll be OK. This is my soapbox... I want everyone to feel this way.

• Church We've had some frustrations over the last few years with church and going from being a minister to a regular member--it's hard to get back to "normal", but I do love our congregation. Granted it's not chocked full of young couples, but I don't mind. I love our older friends. I love the Zeller's, our former landlords who bring us vegetables from their garden (and yesterday Herman promised to hook me up with sweet potatoes!) I love eating out with Doug and Loretta. I love that so many people at all ages and different points in their lives can get together and just be friends. I love that half of them are on facebook ribbing each other.

• Knitting Because I love it! Ha. I'm obsessed.

And that is the end of my thankful post. I think I shall go to bed now and sleep, another thing I am very thankful for.