Thanksgiving Day

It will be a "Just the Two of Us" Thanksgiving for Charly and I this year. Our children and other family are all far away, so we are having a relaxing and "kick-back and enjoy the day" kind of Thanksgiving this year.

We slept in much later than what is normal for us, then I fixed cinnamon rolls for breakfast.

We decided not to cook a turkey this year, but we are having a favorite turkey casserole which Charly makes using a recipe his mother passed a long to him. It is really good "comfort food" and we will enjoy it a little later today.

Charly also made his delicious pumpkins pies which our family has been enjoying for years and which he and I will have all to ourselves this afternoon, after our turkey casserole.

I have a whole stack of fun movies set aside to watch today. I am sure that I won't get to most of them, but even watching one or two will be a real treat since I seldom have or take the time to sit down and watch a movie. Today, however, I plan to do some things that I enjoy but don't usually do.

Later this evening, we will get together for desert and a good visit with long time friends, so that will be the perfect end to our laid-back low key holiday. Tomorrow, we will do just a bit of shopping - but we are not planning to get up early and fight crowds for marginal bargains. Charly likes to go later in the day to get movies and books that are on "Black Friday" special.

Josh is now in Mexico. Last Monday, he left the Missionary Training Center where he had been learning Spanish. Here are some pictures of Josh and his group taken just before they left for Mexico.

They look like a fun group of guys who grew pretty close during their time of living and studying Spanish together. Lots for this group to be thankful for - an opportunity for growth and service like no other. We as the parents of a missionary are so grateful for the great decisions he has made that has brought him to this point in his life.

I am thankful for other things as well:

my faith - it sustains me through life's ups and downs
my family - even when they are far away
my husband - he has made all the difference in how my life has turned out and is my greatest blessing.
my friends - they have made a difference in my life and mean the world to me
my job - it sustains our family financially and give me a daily sense of purpose
my health - even with the aches and pains of aging - I am doing well
my home - which gives me a sense of place and security
my community - a safe decent town with many good neighbors
my upbringing - the parents who raised me have long since passed, but more and more I appreciate the things they did for me and the way I was raised. I am sure I did not express appreciation to them nearly enough when they were alive.