Thanksgiving 2015

Thanksgiving.  The time to reflect upon all of our blessings.  This year it's hard.  Not to be thankful.  Just hard because of all the traditions that will be different now.  This is our first Thanksgiving without Candi.  I've been celebrating Thanksgiving with the Seatons before I even was one.  Before we were even engaged I spent Thanksgiving with Brad's family, when I didn't want to make the 12 hour drive to Nebraska for just a few days (Back in my day we didn't get the whole week off for Thanksgiving.  I'm not bitter.  much)  We didn't always celebrate on Thanksgiving Day, seeing as how some of us are in professions that have to work on holidays.  We would just get together whenever our schedules would allow.  Candi was always such a good cook.  We always had a wonderful meal complete with some of her delicious cheesecakes.  yum!  It won't be the same without her.  It also hit me the other day that if I hadn't miscarried, this would be baby's first Thanksgiving.  So we have two someones missing this year.
I don't like when people assume you can't be sad or that God doesn't want you to be sad.  He created us, including our emotions, including sadness...even Jesus felt sadness & grief.  Although I am sad, I also am joyful, hopeful, and thankful.

This year I am thankful for:

• Family.  That on both sides we get along with our families.  That our family is supportive of us and our decisions regarding parenting, jobs, life.  That we don't have all the in-law issues you always hear about.
• Friends.  We have some of the greatest friends.  Friends from college, who we've known for years and also new friends we have made in the past couple of years.
• Church.  I don't have words to express how grateful I am for our church family.  They've been with us through ups and down.  They push us to be better people.  And they are real, and allow us to be as well.
• Brad.  Not enough time or space to write about what he means to me.  He's seen me at my best & at my worst and I have no doubt that he loves me.
• Kiley.  Again, not enough time or space :)  So thankful for this little miracle.  We know how this story could have ended and are grateful for each day we get to be her parents.
• My Job.  Although my job has it's stresses (seriously, is this Shigella outbreak ever going to end!?) I love my job.  I've wanted to work in a lab since I was in 6th grade (true story.  yep, I'm a nerd.  proud of it!)  I enjoy my coworkers, at least most of the time :)  I like the work and like being able to help people, even if they have no idea we exist!
• God.  I would be nothing without Him.  I am thankful for the gift of salvation.  I am thankful that we can grieve, but not without hope.  I am thankful that this world is not my home.  That the joy of the Lord is my strength.  That He is with me & loves me, no matter what.

Those were in no particular order, by the way :)

Wishing you & yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!