Happy Thanksgiving!

photo by Emily Chappell Photography

I love that Thanksgiving is the holiday that focuses on gratitude. Not on materialism, but on thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation.

This year, I am overwhelmed by God’s protection and His grace. We’ve had a doozy of a year, and we’re nearing the end of this journey that has helped me put so much into perspective. His mercies are new each day, and I am so thankful for that precious gift.

I can’t even come up with words to tell you how much love I have for my family and how incredibly thankful they make me feel each day. I get to be the mom to the most wonderful, sweetest, most hilarious little boys I’ve ever known. And I have a husband who loves and respects me and makes me laugh every day. All the other blessings in our life are just icing on the cake, because these three people mean the world to me.

We are so blessed with parents and a brother who get along and love each other, and enjoy being together. That means so much to us, and makes celebrating holidays so much fun because we can all be together.

Today, we’re starting the day bright and early with our favorite breakfast casserole, and we’re settling in with coffee and hot chocolate to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

We’re in Indiana at my parents’ house with my brother, Todd’s parents, and Todd’s grandmother. We finished up almost all of the prep work for the big feast, so today will be a lot of fun as we just enjoy the parade and each other’s company.

We’ll have some fried turkey, some of our favorite casseroles (I told Nina that all of our holiday traditions revolve around food), and my favorite chocolate pie.

And we’ll end the day with our annual Christmas Vacation viewing.

Today is my mom’s birthday, and I think the thing I am most thankful for this year is my sweet mom. Her battle with melanoma has strengthened us all, and I am so proud of her. I’m thankful that she is here, and we continue to pray for complete healing for her.

I hope that you and your loved ones have a fun-filled Thanksgiving full of laughter, gratitude, and guilt-free feasting!