A Thankful Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving and I'm happy. Tired but happy. I worked yesterday to get ready for "Black Friday" and didn't get home until after 1 this morning. Remember my request this holiday season: Please be nice to retail workers, please don't make a huge mess of the stores that shop in (especially mine), and please, please, please don't let your kids run wild when you go shopping.

Anyway, our turkey has been in the oven for about half an hour and I find myself with some extra time on my hands (I guess I could/should be cleaning my house, but I want to relax for a few minutes), so I thought I do a Top 10 List!!!

Top 10 Things Jill Is Thankful For This Year:

10. I'm Thankful for my health. For those of you who know me this has been a tough year when it comes to my health. I've experienced kidney stones (many), infections, and several surgeries.

9. I'm Thankful for technology. This ties into being thankful for my health. Due to all my many kidney stones I experience a great deal of nerve pain from all of my procedures. Well, I have a pain control implant now. It's in my hip and connects directly for the nerves in my spinal cord. I have to force myself to not think about it too much, it kind of freaks me out. Long story short: when I'm in pain, I can turn on my implant and it helps so much with controling my pain.

8. I'm thankful for the country that I live in. I'm thankful for all the opportunities that are available to me and my family because we live in the United States. I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to vote. My Grandma Kate made me promise that I would always vote. She told me that as a woman, I personally have a responsibility to let my voice be heard.

7. I'm thankful for my family. My parents, brothers, sister, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins and the rest of my family. Trish, my boss is from Ireland and Cleber, my friend is from Brazil, their families all live "back home". My family can be a royal pain in the butt and there is always some kind of family drama going on and we're all insane. But they are here, and I can see them whenever I want to, or need to. I also know that they love me, and I love them.

6. I'm thankful for my home. It's not perfect, and it needs some love to make it what I really want, but I'm grateful that we have it. I'm grateful that I have some place to go to after work. I'm grateful that my family has a place to be together.

5. I'm thankful for my job. I know this won't make sense to many of you, but in a lot of ways my job saved me. Having to get up in the morning, and be accountable for something is a good thing for me. I love my job. I love that I can measure my progress, I'm thankful that I have a job that lets me creative (somehwhat).

4. I'm thankful for my friends. I've always said that I don't have many friends, but the few that I do have are very special. They all listen when I need to vent, and don't put up with much of my crap. I learn so much from them. This week, a friend told me something bad about their health. This made me sad. I love my friends so much I hurt when they hurt, but I'm happy when they're happy. I hope that I can help, love and support my friend through this trial.

3. I'm thankful for my AMAZING children. When I'm with them, I just think that I must have done something right sometime to blessed with such amazing spirits. They can be obnoxious, they fight, and their rooms are always a mess, but they are amazing. I love them all so much, I feel like I didn't really have a heart until my children were born, they teach me how to love. Chris is so smart, funny and isn't afraid to try new things. Kate is quiet strength (like her dad), she has a very strong sense of right and wrong and is turning into a beatiful young lady. Kolbie keeps me young (but makes me feel very old sometimes). She loves and accepts people unconditionally. She always has smile and hug for anyone. I love my children so much.

2. I'm thankful for Greg. I love Greg. Our 16th anniversary is next month, and I never thought it was possible that I could love him more than I did the day we got married, but I do. I know it sounds cheesy, but I feel better (more relaxed and happier) when we're together. Hearing his voice and being around him makes me feel like things are going to be okay, even when sometimes, they aren't. Greg has never given up on me and expects me to do my best. He always tells me: Do your best, that's always enough. He takes his responsiblity as a husband and father seriously. He always does his best to provide for us all (that's a huge responsibilty) and I don't mean just financially. He always tries to do better when he's wrong. I think that Greg is about the most wonderful person on the planet, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to share his life with him.

1. I'm thankful for God and the Gospel. I've written in the past that I'm having a hard time with The Church right now, but I've never ignored that fact that my Heavenly Father loves me and has blessed more than I deserve. I know that faith ebbs and flows, and right now I'm struggling, but I know that Heavenly Father loves and and is supporting me through this. I'm grateful for all the wonderful examples of great faith that are all around me.

There are so many other things that I'm thankful for, but I thought I'd just do my Top 10. Katie just told me that I have to put Harley as something I'm thankful for. So: I'm thankful for my dog. He may not be in the top 10, but he's definatley in the top 20.

I hope and pray that everyone can have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving and Christmas season. I hope that this season is everything that you've ever hoped for. Hug your kids, kiss your husband (or wife), and tell your friends and family how much you love them. Have a great day! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!!